On September 11, 2001, the whole world totally changed in just a few minutes, and life hasn't really been the same since. It started out like a totally normal, pretty Tuesday morning. Kids were sitting in class just like us, and adults were grabbing coffee before work. But everything stopped at 8:46 AM when a hijacked plane crashed right into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.

At first, people watching on TV thought it was just a super bad accident. But then, less than twenty minutes later, a second plane hit the South Tower on live TV. That's when everyone knew America was under attack. It was super scary because the sky had huge fireballs, thick black smoke, and stuff falling everywhere. Right after that, another plane hit the Pentagon, and a fourth one crashed in a field in Pennsylvania because the brave passengers fought back.

Everything went crazy right away. The government grounded every single airplane in the sky, which had literally never happened before. Schools let everyone out early, parents rushed to get their kids, and cell phones stopped working because too many people were calling at once to see if their families were safe. 

-Dax Edwards

Dolly Parton, one of the most famous country music stars of all time, passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. During her long career, she became known not only for her music, but also for her acting, businesses, and efforts to help others.

Dolly was born on January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee. She grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains as one of 12 children. Her family did not have much money, but music was an important part of their lives. Dolly started writing songs and singing when she was very young. By the time she was 13, she had already performed at the famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. After graduating from high school, Dolly moved to Nashville in 1964 to follow her dream of becoming a singer and songwriter. She first became known for writing songs for other singers. She later became a successful performer herself. Over the years, she wrote and recorded hundreds of songs. Some of Dolly's most famous songs included “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Other singers also became famous for singing her songs. Whitney Houston's version of “I Will Always Love You” became one of the biggest songs of the 1990s.

Dolly was also successful outside of music. She acted in several popular movies, including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias. She also became a business owner. In 1986, a theme park in Tennessee became Dollywood, named after Dolly. The park became a popular place for families to visit and helped bring many visitors to the area where Dolly grew up. One of Dolly's biggest accomplishments was her work helping children. In 1995, she started Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program that gave free books to young children. The program grew from a small project in her hometown into a worldwide program. It eventually gave hundreds of millions of books to children. Dolly also helped people after natural disasters and supported education, medical research, and other causes. In 2016, wildfires destroyed many homes near Dolly's hometown in Tennessee. She helped families who lost their homes by creating the My People Fund. 

Dolly Parton's life showed how someone could use their success to make a difference. She grew up in a poor family in the mountains of Tennessee but worked hard to become a world-famous singer, actress, and businesswoman. Even with all of her success, she continued to give back to children and families. Dolly Parton left behind more than music. She left behind books, businesses, charities, and memories that will continue to affect people for years to come. Her story showed that a person could come from humble beginnings and still make a huge difference in the world.

MVP of the Game: Caleb Spence

This week, we had our Jamboree against Caldwell. Each grade played half of a game, and the Giants won both of them!

In the 7th-grade game, the score was 6–0, with the touchdown scored by Jameson Willis.

In the 8th-grade game, our defense was on the field for most of the half because every time we were on offense, we scored. We never turned the ball over on downs! The final score was 21–0. Touchdowns were scored by Caden Taylor, Darren Brown, and Caleb Spence, who had a 60-yard receiving touchdown. Chase Jones also had a fumble recovery.

That is the full recap of the Jamboree. GO GIANTS!

-Jax Farmer

The school year is back in full swing with lots of new students, new teachers, and a brand new Jena Jr. Times team. We are so excited to bring this beloved feature back to the students and faculty of JJHS. I have some very eager students helping me, who are excited to hit the ground running with fresh ideas and PLENTY of interviews. If you have anything you would like to see or pictures you would like to share, please email them to me at cvinson@lasallepsb.com. Let's have a great year!

Jena Jr. Times Team: Back row: Brantley Sanders, TJ Francis, Nate Mitchell, Cooper Sanders. Front row: Jaxson Farmer, Landen Chapman, Mason Evans, Addison Mitchell. Not pictured: Jonah Jones, Dax Edwards

Sponsor: Mrs. Caitlin Vinson