STAFF REPORT
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RED OAK – Jeremiah Gaines from the Class of 2013 was named this year’s Distinguished Alumni by the Red Oak High School Alumni Association.
After helping the Hawks win a district football championship, advancing three rounds in the state playoffs his senior year, and being offered multiple Division I scholarships, he ultimately chose Southern Methodist University to pursue his future dreams and aspirations.
Besides splitting time at receiver and tight end for the Mustangs – and serving as captain two of those years – he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Applied Physiology and Sport Management in 2017.
Gaines also completed a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from SMU in 2019.
He is currently working on his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership at Texas Christian University, and hopes to complete his doctoral work and earn his PhD by May 2029.
Jeremiah stays busy these days.
He has been married to his wife, Allie, formerly Allie Cook, and also a member of the Class of 2013, for eight years.
They are the proud parents of four-year-old Anais and one-year-old Jeremiah Junior (JJ).
Besides his family, academic, and church duties, Jeremiah is currently an adjunct professor at SMU, teaching a Coaching and Leadership class while logging 15 to 20 hours a week as director of the mentoring program for the Dallas Champions Academy.
Jeremiah is an adjunct professor, a published author, and a motivational speaker. He is currently teaching a class at SMU and has served as a guest lecturer in the department of Applied Physiology and Wellness during the 2019-2020 academic year. His books, “Elevating Your Potential” and “Real Talk For College Student Athletes” were published respectively in 2020 and 2024.
As the founder of his organization, Elevate to Elevate (2020), he has delivered keynote addresses to thousands of individuals at conferences and baccalaureates.
Over the past five years, Elevate to Elevate has allowed Jeremiah to design and implement curriculum, including financial literacy, character development, career development, and personal development, at camps and workshops, impacting hundreds of young people.
He has used his book “Elevate Your Potential” to increase reading literacy, develop purpose, and provide holistic wellness to middle and high school student-athletes.
Earning three letters in basketball, four in football, and actively participating in Teen Leadership during his high school years, Jeremiah has also directly impacted our Red Oak students the past four years by serving as the ROHS College and Career Coordinator from September of 2021 until this past summer when he stepped down to pursue his doctorate.
He further developed events such as Academic Signing Day and Scholarship Night.
Laura Kelly, ROHS alumni, former teacher, Hawkette director, and now Director of Instructional Technology, comments:
“I have had the chance to know Mr. Gaines both as a student and a coworker, and he’s definitely the kind of guy who is always motivated to continue growing and learning.
“He’s always respectful, totally respected, and somehow manages to give 110% even under pressure, without breaking a sweat.
“Whether it’s tackling the everyday work responsibilities or looking for new ways to improve things, he’s all in.
“As a fellow ROHS alum, it’s pretty awesome (and well-deserved) to see him honored as a Distinguished Alum.”
Jeremiah served as the Grand Marshal for the Homecoming Parade on Friday, Oct. 10.
A formal presentation of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni was made during the half-time festivities during Friday night’s game.
