“Jonah Day” honors and helps family of local eighth grader

GUNTOWN, Miss. (WCBI) – An eighth-grader at Guntown Middle School was honored by his classmates and teachers as part of an annual year-end party.

Although the teenager is at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the school wanted to do something to help his family out during this battle.

Every year, Guntown Middle School holds a field day to celebrate the end of another school year.

Last May, Jonah Horton was with his friends at the big event, but for now, the GMS eighth grader is living with his family at the Ronald McDonald House in Memphis. Earlier this year, Jonah was diagnosed with leukemia and is being treated at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

This year’s field day was dubbed “Jonah’s Day.”

We talked with Jonah and his mother, Dana, through FaceTime.

They are thankful and overwhelmed at the support.

“We are just in awe, can’t believe all the support they have reached out,” said Dana.

” I think it was very nice of them, it means a lot,” said Jonah.

Although St Jude takes care of all major expenses, like lodging, food and medical care, there are other unexpected costs for families like Jonah’s and that’s one reason Jonah’s Day was organized.

“St Jude is an awesome place and obviously helps many children all around the world, but when we visited them, we’re doing this to help them out, any funds we raise will go to them to help out,” said Chris Fleming, Jonah’s science teacher and FCA Sponsor at GMS.

Funds from concessions, a basketball tournament and other activities will be sent to Jonah’s family.

When he returns to school he will be a freshman and the bright student is looking forward to one thing.

“Picking the trumpet back up,” said Jonah.

His classmates stay in touch with Jonah through text and social media, but they look forward to the day he is back with them.

“We all miss you, more than you would actually think, we really do miss you man,” said Jonah’s friend and classmate Jayden Taylor.

Jonah has about four to six more weeks at St Jude, then he will take some time to recover at home before returning to school.

A GoFundMe account has also been set up to help Jonah’s family.