Torrance, California – We Are G.A.M.E., a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering student-athletes with the skills for success in sports, academics, and life, proudly highlights the inspirational achievements of two alumni program participants: Haley Jones and Dakota Jones.
Haley Jones joined We Are G.A.M.E. in 8th grade, just as she entered high school, and Dakota Jones became involved while recovering from an injury. Despite being strong athletes and excellent students, both overcame unique personal adversities. Their mother sought positive role models for them, and Allen Thigpen, Founder of We Are G.A.M.E., quickly became an integral figure in their lives. “At first, they didn’t think they needed help,” Allen Thigpen recalls, “but we were there every step of the way, attending games, providing guidance, and becoming like family.”
Over the years, We Are G.A.M.E. provided support that went beyond the field, fostering resilience and leadership in both siblings. Haley Jones defied the odds to become one of the 6.5% of women service people who become pilots in the Air Force, a journey that began with her dedication to basketball in high school. A standout athlete and National Honors Society member in High School, she was awarded CIF Southern Section Division I Basketball Player of the Year as a senior, and her desire for a challenge led her to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Haley Jones excelled academically, making the Dean’s List throughout her sophomore, junior, and senior years.
Initially, Haley Jones didn’t aspire to be a pilot, but when she learned that only 6.5% of pilots were women, she set her sights on changing that statistic. Recently promoted to 1st Lieutenant, Haley Jones reflects on how We Are G.A.M.E has shaped her. “The support I received made me believe I could do anything,” Haley Jones shared. “It was about more than sports; it was about building a mindset of strength and perseverance.”
Dakota Jones’ journey took her into the realm of public health. After recovering from an injury and surgery in high school, she maintained a rigorous academic journey, earning a place on the Dean’s List throughout her four years in Lesley College, Cambridge, MA, all while staying on the basketball courts. Dakota Jones graduated with honors from New York University, and began her PhD in Community Health and Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California.
Her journey through education included a Master’s in Public Health from New York University, motivated by her goal to make a difference in community health. Dakota Jones recalls how We Are G.A.M.E. helped her focus on her goals while balancing personal challenges. The lifelong resources have been “incredible, knowing every time you come home you can call them,” said Dakota Jones in “Spreading The Sisterhood in We Are Game.” “Once I receive my PhD, I can give back to the community, which has always been important to me.”
We Are G.A.M.E. succeeds by going beyond traditional mentorship, offering a family-like support system that helps young athletes grow into leaders. The organization’s Success Conference, held annually in California, invites student-athletes for workshops on essential topics such as social media use, financial literacy, nutrition, and education, fostering growth beyond the field. “Our goal is to create leaders, not just in sports but in every aspect of life,” Allen Thigpen said. The program’s structure, having students identify their top five colleges in their junior year, also contributed to Dakota’s success, as she was accepted into all 12 schools on her list.
The achievements of alumni Haley Jones and Dakota Jones showcase the profound impact of We Are G.A.M.E.’s holistic approach, which has guided over 400 student-athletes through high school and into 35 colleges across the country. For Haley Jones, Dakota Jones, and so many others, We Are G.A.M.E. has been more than a program; it has been a family.
For more information about We Are G.A.M.E. and its life-changing programs,visit:
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