Student Feature: Hogan Eighth Grader Leads With Popcorn and Purpose

A lifelong Vallejo resident, Armel Gregory Jones attends Hogan Middle School and is a member of VCUSD’s Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC), which is now in its second year. The council is comprised of student representatives from middle and high schools in the district, along with the superintendent, to discuss issues most important to students. The council meets bi-monthly, offering insights that help shape classroom learning, campus safety, and extracurricular opportunities, giving students a voice in district planning and policy.

“I’ve lived in Vallejo my whole life,” Armel Jones said. “I went to Wardlaw Elementary and now Hogan Middle.” His father, Marvin Jones, has deep roots in the community as well, having lived in Vallejo since 1995 and graduating from Jesse Bethel High School.

At Hogan, Armel Jones said he enjoys the school’s activities and after-school programs, especially hands-on options like clay and art, as well as basketball and volleyball. Outside of school, his interests range from playing football and video games to spending time with his sisters and taste-testing new popcorn flavors for the family business.

Gregory Kettle Be Popn began as something much simpler. Armel Jones said the business grew out of a lemonade stand he called Gregory’s Ice Cold Lemonade. Gregory is Armel Jones’s middle name.

“I asked my dad to make popcorn every night for me, and one day I sold it with my lemonade,” Armel Jones said.

Marvin Jones said the idea evolved naturally as the family made popcorn more regularly at home.

“My family asked me to cook popcorn daily, and we switched to stove-top popcorn because it was healthier,” Jones said. “One day, while Gregory was selling lemonade and popcorn, the name Gregory Kettle Be Popn came to me. It was a name I couldn’t get rid of, so we put it into action. As a father, there’s no greater feeling than giving your kids a head start.”

Armel Gregory Jones serves as the face of the company.

“My role is to understand everything that my parents are doing — which can be a bit much at times — but I enjoy selling popcorn and giving out free samples,” Armel Jones said.

Armel Jones handles marketing, promotion, and cooking, including through TikTok, where the business has gained a national audience. The popcorn is sold at local events, farmers' markets, sporting events, and online orders, with customers across the United States.

Running a business hasn’t been without challenges. “Bookkeeping,” Armel Jones said. “Taking a course was needed.”

When it comes to flavors, Armel Jones has plenty of favorites — including churro, traditional, strawberry, hot spice and caramel — but customers have one clear favorite.

“Our customers love Strawberry Kettle Corn,” he said.

Armel Jones has also embraced leadership beyond entrepreneurship. He joined the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council after being invited to participate.

“I spoke with my parents about it, and we decided it would be a great opportunity,” he said. “It will also look good on my resume.”

Through the SSAC, Armel Jones said he has learned to think critically, speak confidently and share ideas more boldly. One suggestion he brought forward involved placing safety measures near a frequently flooding bathroom on campus.

“I think student voice is important because it shows kids a different point of view,” he said.

Looking ahead, Armel Jones has big goals. He hopes to earn $10,000 through the business, attend a top college to study marketing and entrepreneurship, and one day play in the NFL. For now, he’s enjoying the journey.

“I’m a happy-go-lucky kid,” Armel Jones said. “I have great parents, beautiful sisters, and I love math.”

He added, “We appreciate all the love and support. When you have your next party, think ‘Gregory Kettle Be Popn.’”