South Medford High School graduate Micah Jones is taking his musical talent to Loyola Marymount University next year. June 05, 2011 Mail Tribune Whether it's singing in his high school choir or helping out a friend, 18-year-old Micah Jones has learned that sometimes the best — and least expected — rewards in life come from following your passion. Jones, who graduates from South Medford High School on June 11, didn't plan on founding a rock band when he and others formed Apple Siders to help friend Sean Siders record a CD for his senior project last year. Siders, a vocalist, recruited Jones, Jones' brother, Elijah, and South Medford students Mitchell Winters and Bryce Miller to serve as his backup band. "We were the backup band at a talent show," Jones said. "Then, we started playing other gigs." Now the five-member band is in talks to possibly open for Chris Isaak July 30 at the Britt Festivals in Jacksonville. The opportunity comes as Jones and Miller are poised to head off to college next fall.
Former JV School Student and South Medford grad shot in Afghanistan Cody Smith, a former All-Conference football lineman, has undergone two emergency surgeries February 19, 2011 Cody was shot this week while serving in Afghanistan. Smith was shot in the abdomen by insurgents. Smith joined the Army immediately after graduating from South Medford and has served in the 101st Airborne Division since 2009. "He left for the Army three days after graduation," his father said. "He felt the Army gave him a good chance for success in life." he family operates the Wilderness Trails youth ministry camp based in Medford. As a child, Smith loved the outdoors and participated in the camp. He has been a member of the Applegate Christian Fellowship in Ruch since he was a child, his father said. Smith is the youngest of three siblings. Chris Smith said the family has been received overwhelming support from friends and the community.
June 04, 2011 When Army Pfc. Cody Smith returns home this summer for the first time since a rifle bullet struck his lower back in Afghanistan, instantly paralyzing his legs, the former South Medford High School standout football player will know the community hasn't forgotten him. Volunteers plan to build a handsome new studio apartment with wheelchair access and other amenities added to the classic 1913 Craftsman-style home in Ruch where he spent his childhood. "We feel Cody Smith is in the same class of people who stormed the beaches of Normandy," explained Rush Behnke of Medford, one of the local contractors helping to organize the builders, carpenters and others in the effort. Normandy was the site of the D-Day invasion by the Allies on June 6, 1944, during World War II. "He is a hero," added Behnke, an Army veteran. "We love him for what he has done and respect him so much."
Cory, Cody, Nicole, Vicky and Chris Smith of Ruch, Oregon
Cody Smith, 20, the son of Chris and Vicki Smith of Ruch, is currently at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Palo Alto, Calif., where he has been undergoing physical therapy and other medical treatment for the past two months. Members of the soldier's family say they are overjoyed with the show of support for their son by friends and strangers alike. In addition to two older siblings and his parents, the soldier's local family includes grandparents Jack and Pat Smith of Jacksonville. "It's awesome — we're very excited about it," his grandmother said of the community effort. "Cody has lived in that house all his life." The well-liked Smith family operates the Wilderness Trails youth ministry camp in the Applegate Valley. Cody participated in the camp and has been a member of the Applegate Christian Fellowship in Ruch since he was a youngster. A soldier in the 101st Airborne Division, he was shot in the lower back on Feb. 17 of this year, the bullet shattering a vertebrae.
Cody Smith underwent surgery twice in military hospitals in Afghanistan before he was sent to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he spent six weeks. He was transferred to California two months ago. "He wants so bad to make it home before his 21st birthday (on Aug. 9)," his father said. "We don't know if he will be able to come home and stay at that point, but we're anticipating he will be released for visits by then." Noting that his son was in top shape when he was shot, his father said Cody has some movement in his thigh muscles. "For his condition, he is doing awesome with his spirit and attitude," he said, adding that Cody's positive attitude makes it easier on the rest of the family. "There is always hope," he said of Cody's ability to regain his ability to walk.
April 2009 Larry Smith leading a group of JV 3rd graders on a historical tour of Jacksonville and the Woodlands. Susan Krebs Mr. Smith...thank you so much for all the wonderful pictures. Funny how it just seems like yesterday, where does time go? The world needs more teachers like you. My twin brother, Larry Smith, has been teaching school since 1965...almost 45 years. He is still subbing. Over those years he took photos of his students and their activities. He has now scanned in the negatives, photos and slides from those years. He has organized the 6,460 photos into 27 Picasa albums. He hopes his former students will find these albums after he posts them on http://www.jvwoodlands.org To contact Larry Smith: jvsmith@clearwire.net To contact Lloyd Smith: Lsmithtwin@comcast.net
April 2009 Larry Smith leading a group of JV 3rd graders on a historical tour of Jacksonville and the Woodlands.
Jake
Scouting party hit the trail, and then the trail hit back January 03, 2010 By Paul Fattig Mail Tribune Nicholas Barrett is normally a well-mannered youngster who shows respect for his elders. But the 13-year-old from the Jacksonville area just couldn't help himself this past week. He freely admits to using the word "wimps" when referring to his father, Arild, older brother Benjamin, 16, and two other elders during a hiking trip along the Rogue River Trail. "Yep, I sure did," he says with a chuckle. "But it was starting to get really cold with big snowflakes coming down," acknowledges the seventh- grader at Ruch Elementary School. "And there was lots of real cold rain."
