Meet Julian Jones, a bright fourth grader at Cairo Schools, who is already envisioning a future where creativity takes center stage. From his favorite science experiments to his imaginative storytelling, Julian is a student who loves to learn, explore, and create. He might be just ten years old, but this young mind is already building the skills and dreams that will shape tomorrow.

Sitting in a classroom surrounded by friends and teachers, Julian stands out—not because he’s loud or flashy, but because his curiosity and quiet confidence shine through. When asked about his favorite subjects, he smiles and quickly lists science, math, and English. “I like science because it teaches me how things work,” he says. “Math is fun, and English helps me read and write stories.”

Stories, it turns out, are a big part of Julian’s life. He may not write every day, but when he does, he creates entire worlds filled with characters that are anything but ordinary. In his stories, Julian and his friends possess superpowers. “We’ve got super speed, stretchiness, and even heat vision,” he says, eyes twinkling with excitement. These super-powered adventures allow Julian to imagine life beyond the boundaries of everyday reality—where he and his friends are the heroes of their own stories.

What’s particularly interesting about Julian’s storytelling is how seamlessly it ties into his dream of becoming an animator. “I want to create cool stories like comics and TV shows,” Julian says with a shy but determined tone. His favorite animated movie? The Sonic the Hedgehog series, naturally. Fast-paced action, characters with unique abilities, and a sense of fun—everything Julian hopes to bring to life one day with his own animations. “Sonic is awesome,” he says. “I like all the movies.”

At home, Julian’s creative streak continues. He enjoys playing video games, a pastime that fuels his imagination and keeps him thinking about how he could one day design his own games or cartoons. Outside of gaming, he plays with his toys, sometimes alongside his 17-year-old brother or one of his three sisters, the youngest of whom is 20. Being the youngest in a large family has given Julian a strong sense of belonging and support, which shows in how he talks about his parents.

“My dad is super fun to play with,” Julian shares, “and my mom is really cool.” His parents are his biggest inspirations—his dad for always making time to play games with him, and his mom for being the one who, as Julian says with a grin, “tells my dad what to do.” Even with these lighthearted remarks, it’s clear that Julian draws his strength and motivation from the loving, supportive environment his family provides.

But while home is an essential part of Julian’s life, he’s proud to be part of the district. “It makes me proud that I can learn new things,” he says, “and my friends are learning with me along the way.” His enthusiasm for learning, combined with his close friendships, makes school a place where Julian feels at home—a space where he can continue growing, dreaming, and preparing for the future.

The Cairo Schools’ focus on supporting students like Julian—children with big dreams and even bigger potential—is exactly what makes this community special. Through the dedication of teachers like Julian’s favorites, Ms. Boone and Ms. Glisson, Cairo is fostering an environment where students are encouraged to dream beyond their current circumstances. Julian’s creative aspirations might take him far beyond the school walls, but the foundation being built here will always be part of his journey.

As Julian moves through the next stages of his education, the district can take pride in knowing they’ve helped nurture the spark that will one day light the path to his success. Whether he becomes an animator, storyteller, or something else entirely, one thing is for sure—Julian Jones is a name to remember.

At just ten years old, he’s already dreaming up worlds filled with heroes and possibilities. And with Cairo Schools standing behind him, those dreams are one step closer to becoming reality.