BY KA’LEAH HALL

J.Hop Times Staff Writer

   She started drumming in fifth grade because she thought it was exciting and different.

   Add rewarding to the list.

   Raven Jones, an eighth-grader at JHMS, not only became the only percussionist from Pinellas County to make the All State band recently, she also became JHMS’s first World Drumming Focus student to make elite group.

   “I really like being able to explore the different varieties of drumming,’’ she said. “It’s so diverse. There are so many different styles.

   Mr. Allen, the percussion director at JHMS, said he was “very excited for her and our outstanding representation at All State this year.’’