Families are the epitome of joy. They bring people together and lift each other up in tough times. At Lamar, student families bring connection and diversity to the community at Lamar. The Pace, Gayle, and Jump families emphasize this message. 

Pace Family 

Jaida Pace and her mom Deana BocagePace, came to Lamar in the fall of 2024 from Virginia. Ms. Pace is a senior administrator and enjoys her senior daughter every day. Ms. Pace landed on Lamar with her daughter’s ease in mind. “When I did the tour, my daughter felt the most comfortable here. I felt like since we were new to the area, it was an easier transition working at the same school that she would be attending,” recalled Ms. Pace. 

Ms. Pace stresses the importance of a mother’s perspective at school. “As a person on the admin team, I get to attend meetings with Mrs. Graves and give my two cents. Whether or not she decides to follow anything I suggest, even just being able to have those discussions with leadership, I think is very helpful.” states Ms. Pace. 

What pulled Jaida to Lamar was the classroom layout. “I felt like Lamar was much better and easier because of the neighborhoods. Everything was in one area for me,” stated Jaida. Ms. Pace enjoys getting to experience her daughter’s senior year with her. “We took senior pictures, and I was able to be a part of that. I also got to be part of her senior breakfast,” said Ms. Pace. 

With her off period, Jaida has the opportunity to hang out with her mom, debrief, and get her homework done. “I love it. She made my schedule. She’s here so I can be with her all the time,” said Pace.  Jaida and her mother have bonded over getting to experience Lamar together.   

Gayle Family 

Junior Kiran Gayle grew up in Lamar since elementary school from visiting her father, Raymond Gayle, during professional development days. Mr. Gayle has been an educator for 18 years and now teaches audio visual. 

“I had a former student of mine, Kelly Andrews, that came one year and babysat her. I just thought that it was kind of cool to have a former student, kind of mentor and kind of be a big sister to Kiran,” said Mr. Gayle. The teachers at Lamar have also influenced Kiran into joining the community. Mr. Gayle emphasized, “She got to meet Ms. Wu, Dr. Dang, and Ms. Zhang, and they helped her because she was taking algebra in eighth grade.”  

Kiran is currently in varsity volleyball in only her third year of playing. “An achievement would be how quickly I progressed because I started playing freshman year.  That was my first time playing volleyball ever, and I think since then I’ve just progressed way faster than the average person.”, said Kiran. She excelled at being a high-achieving student. She broke through barriers even when times were tough. “This year was challenging because she was injured, but she was stuck with it.” Mr. Gayle said. 

Overall, Lamar has become a place where memories are cherished and Kiran’s hard work has paid off. The critical life lessons that she’s learned are what have shaped her character as a human being. 

Her biggest role model has been her volleyball coach. She explains, “She pushes me to work harder because now that she doesn’t coach here anymore my mindset is “what would Coach Rettes think?’ So that’s why it’s pushing me to do better in games and as well as off the court.”  

Jump Family 

Stephen Jump is an IB economics teacher who has two sons attending Lamar. They have influenced him to be more involved within the community. Mr. Jump states, “It’s got me to be more active in the school, and going to sporting events. I have gone to a lot more football games, and I enjoy seeing the kids that I know play.”

Junior Anthony Wright, his stepson, and freshman Benjamin Jump, his son, enjoy the bond that they’ve formed over the graphic design class. These classes specialize in photography and Adobe, and now Tony will be promoted as the Lamar Life photography editor for next year. “He’d come [to Mr. Barnes’ class] at the beginning of the year and hang out with me. Do graphic design and stuff. That was cool,” states Ben. “I want to do Lamar Life like Tony when I’m a junior.” 

Tony has influenced Ben at Lamar to be involved in the school community. “Sometimes I’ll come down during third period after finishing my work and hang out with him and stuff,” states Tony.  “Before school or after school or sometimes during lunch I’ll walk around and talk with him.”   

Having his kids at Lamar makes it easier for Mr. Jump to hold conversations with them. He explains, “They’re more talkative, like in the car, about things that happened.” He also notes how their experiences have helped him talk to students as well. “I’d be more sympathetic when my students are going through something. It has increased my sympathy”, Mr. Jump emphasized.  

Overall, Lamar has created opportunities for this family of three to trust each other more.