Student Spotlight: Thomas “Chayde” Edwards

Thomas “Chayde” Edwards moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico from Arkansas in February of 2017. He is involved in sports and enjoys spending time with friends. Chayde makes friends easily around our school, even though we are all seem to come off a little weird. Here is a look into his hobbies, life outside of school and other activities he is involved in.

Edwards is an athletic young man who plays football at Carlsbad Intermediate School at the P.R. Leyva Campus. He has played since he was in the third grade and he loves to be on the field. Chayde says he was a cage fighter, but had to quit after an injury in which he broke his hand. He has made football and cage fighting his hobbies, so far. Chayde also enjoys hunting with family and friends. He said that hunting is different here than in Arkansas “ If I want to shoot a squirrel here, I would have to leave my house. Back in Arkansas, I could go out in my backyard and Let’r rip ‘tater chip.” He enjoys hunting and talking with friends about going on hunting trips.

Chayde says he and his family decide that going to JMA would be a great experience because of the family oriented atmosphere. He and his younger brother were drawn out of the school’s lottery. “ Now I can tell people I won the lottery,” even though it was not for money. Chayde has made many friends here at JMA and said he was surprised to find that “everyone was just as weird as he is.” He loves all of his teachers equally because they are all great. He misses his home state, especially the big green fields and the large trees. The trees in Arkansas are greener than here in Carlsbad, and a lot taller.

Chayde loves football and hunting, but also enjoys time with family. He looks up to his grandfather because he acts as a father figure for him. Chayde had difficulty fitting in at other schools, so his grandfather really helped him out. He said that since he did not fit in, his family decided to change to JMA. Chayde was also surprised at the amount of different people he encountered at other schools. He also has a love for animals, especially gorillas and hogs. “They both are strong and I like them both a lot.” He has two dogs and two hairless cats at home.

Chayde and his family love JMA and plan to stay here for a great period of time. He is a wonderful young man and has his priorities straight.