Catching Up with PACS Grad Shi’Ayre Jones
After earning the 2026 Community Impact Award sponsored by Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, Shi is starting her next chapter
September 21, 2026
Just a few months ago, Shi’Ayre (Shi) Jones stood in front of her classmates as valedictorian of Passport Academy Charter School’s Class of 2026. Now, she’s settling into her freshman year at Claflin University, where she is majoring in cybersecurity and minoring in business.
For Shi, getting to this point took focus. She said one of the biggest skills she developed during her time at PACS was learning to tune out distractions and recognize when it was time to get to work.
That determination earned her recognition at graduation, where she received a 2026 Community Impact Award sponsored by Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation. PACS’ Community Impact Awards recognize seniors for their senior project work and growth in areas like empowerment, entrepreneurship, career readiness, post-secondary readiness and leadership. Community partners like Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation help make the awards possible.
“Being able to recognize and celebrate her for the hard work and perseverance she demonstrated throughout the school year and her time at Passport was an honor for me, and I know it meant so much to Shi’Ayre,” said Julia Beadnell, Youth Program Coordinator at Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation. “It wasn't easy, but one thing about Shi: quitting is never an option.”
Shi’s senior project was another opportunity to grow, teaching her about taking responsibility, communicating and managing something on her own. When Shi accepted the award from Ms. Julia, it represented a lot more than a check.
“It meant to me that all my hard work paid off,” Shi said. “Even with the distractions, I still managed to work through it.”
Now, she’s on to her next chapter. After spending her summer working, Shi headed to Claflin to begin college. It’s a moment she hinted at in her valedictorian speech when she told her classmates, “Our story is only beginning.”
And her advice for current PACS students?
“STAY FOCUSED.”
Stay tuned as we catch up with more Community Impact Award recipients and see where they are now.