In pulling together our May cover story, Comeback Kids, we tracked down some of the students graduating from Lake Highlands High School who have succeeded in the face of difficulties. It was one of the more inspiring stories I’ve worked on here (though I frankly find them all inspiring or I wouldn’t write them.)

I was wrapping up the piece a few weeks ago right around the time The Ticket radio station played against a team of girls from Lake Highlands High School. As you all surely remember, the girls whooped up on the guys. If you were at the game, one name you heard repeatedly was Jani Jones — she was the game’s big scorer. (Video here: Jani is the one Donavan virtually tackles at one point.)

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Surrounding that big event, I read Jani’s bio on the LHHS Basketball web site and learned she had moved here from New Orleans following hurricane Katrina. I thought perhaps she’d be a good addition to the story, even though it was, at that point, way past my deadline.

I got in touch with Jani, thanks to her counselor, to see if she had something worth writing about  and, boy, did she. I was nearly in tears at the end of my interview with the girl. In fact, all of the kids I interviewed had me in an “Extreme Home Makeover”-type emotional state. If you too want to boo hoo in a feel good sort-a way — check out these Comeback Kids of LH. And look for the full magazine at your door within the next few days.