TRENTON — It wasn’t Destini’s having the same last name as pro boxerMike Tyson that sparked her interest in the sport’s former star — it was when she saw a tape of the heavyweight biting Evander Holyfield’s ear during the notorious match in 1997.
Without any boxing facilities in the area, Jones Senior High School sophomore Destini Tyson is unable to begin participation in the sport. It’s an activity she’s always wanted to be part of.
But with the help of a cable television network, Tyson can possible be ‘Made’ into a boxer.
MTV visited Jones Senior this week looking to cast teenagers on its TV show “Made,” a reality show that follows around youth as they get a taste of what their dream will be like. Jones County was selected when a casting director decided to scope around for schools while on a trip in Jacksonville. MTV visits hundreds of other schools in much larger cities.
“Who gets an opportunity like this?” Tyson asked. “This is once-in-a-lifetime in this little town in Jones County.”
A small group of about 15 gathered in the gymnasiumafter school Thursday to interview for a slot on the 13th season — or at least a slim chance at that chance.
“It may be a long shot that we get selected,” Jones Senior Principal Chris Meadows. “They do have a process of visiting schools, but at least that we had the opportunity. I think (it) says a lot about where Jones County has come from and we continue to get recognition.”
A couple of weeks ago, Meadows received an email from an MTV producers asking if the school would be interested in the visit. When it was cleared by the county’s Board of Education, the buzz grew around campus and through social media.
“From the time I announced it, kids were just super excited,” Meadows said. “Even the ones who didn’t come (to the casting call), I think they were just excited that MTV was coming to Jones County.”
Although a small group, no student was turned away from the chance. They submitted questionnaire forms and some of them prepared headshots for the interview. A couple of parents, teachers and Jones Senior administrative staff members waited in the new gym with students vying for a spot on the show.
Tyler Metts, a Jones Senior junior and aspiring hip-hop artist, was the first up.
“I was kinda nervous for a second,” he said after interviewing. “I was actually her first one, so I gave her a high-five. I hope everything is positive, (as far as) what she thinks about me, what everybody thinks.”
He socialized with his peer Marques Bryant, a senior who is in the same music group as Metts.
“I think it’s great for the kids in our county to be able to come,” said Bryant, who hopes to be “Made” into a rapper. “Even if no one else believes in you, it’s an opportunity to chase your dreams and not let anyone hold you back.”
The Jones Senior auditions will be stored and reviewed with thousands of others by MTV executives in New York once the casting recruitment completes.
“This just intensifies all of the excitement that we already have here with academics and athletics,” Meadows said. “This is just another way to show the rest of the world what Jones County is and what our students can do.”
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.