9 minute read
FEATURES
LOWERYS
FIND HOME IN JA’s FAMILY
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Aboy named Parker gets into a scuffle and takes a hit to the head. After experiencing memory loss from the injury, Parker’s memories return to him little by little.
Parker is the main character in rising seventh-grader Keigon Lowery’s upcoming book. In this second literary endeavor, Keigon has written a fictional play that explores character building and second chances. Parker is “learning how to be a better person,” says Keigon. The book Restart that he read during literature class inspired Keigon to create a second-chance protagonist.
Little by little also could describe how Keigon has found solace and healing since his mother’s death in his presence shortly before he turned 4. His dad, Bobby Lowery, a satellite radio disc jockey and producer, worked to find sources of support during what he says was a rough season. In the ensuing years, a community of supporters enveloped Keigon, helping his dad create an uplifting environment to encourage Keigon to be the best person he could be.
Keigon’s writing journey was a crucial part of that. Lowery had encouraged his young son to journal one paragraph a day to express his feelings. These journal entries became the basis for his first book. The summer before entering fifth grade, Keigon released My Dad & Me, which Keigon says chronicles positive moments as he adapted to life without his mother. JA teachers volunteered to proofread his writing. A local illustrator turned Keigon’s character descriptions into art for a nominal fee. A designer in Belgium that the Lowerys met through Instagram supported the Lowerys by digitizing the illustrations. Dillard’s department store sponsored the self-published book. New York City radio personality, DJ Self, still promotes Keigon’s work on his show.
Along with direct support for his writing, Keigon also benefited from being in a school environment where a kid can be a kid, says his father. The JA community has been a source of comfort, of practical boots-on-the-ground kind of counseling for Keigon. In his art classes, Keigon could express his feelings; during band, he could shine, and in
football and basketball, he found the camaraderie of a team. In his favorite academic class, English, his teachers have actively supported his authorship.
Then fourth grade teacher and now Associate Head of Lower School Sandra Triplett ’09 edited his first book. Sixth grade English teacher Mallory Gnemi is currently editing Keigon’s second book, which Gnemi says is in the form of a play. “I feel like I have been his editor on many projects this year. He would have me proof his essays for other classes, his emails, and now this play.” Gnemi said. “I am honored to be asked to help him, and he usually does not need much editing! I am even more honored to have gotten to know Keigon and his dad this year.”
Gnemi also sees progress in Keigon’s writing. “Keigon is an excellent student. He pushes himself harder than I (or his dad) ever could,” Gnemi said. “He wrote excellent journal entries and was always asking about ideas for his next book. Compared to his last book, readers can see his growth, maturity, and ability to change up his writing - that is a huge talent for any author to possess.”
His teacher’s positive approach motivates Keigon to learn subjects and predicates, dependent and independent clauses, and prepositional phrases, to name a few. “Mrs. Gnemi makes it fun. It’s not just work, work, work,” Keigon said. “If you get it wrong, it’s ok. If you get it right, you might get rewarded.” One of his favorite rewards is blue raspberry Jolly Ranchers.
Keigon also excels beyond the classroom. “It has been great having him as a student,” said Jeremey Burnham, who taught Keigon in sixth grade band. “He has a tremendous natural talent for percussion. He was very mature for his age and always asked questions about what he was doing to make sure he was doing things correctly. He always strived for perfection and had a strong determination to work on certain tasks until he got it right. I am excited to see what the future has in store for him.”
Band Director Todd Taylor raves about what Keigon, named Outstanding Beginner Band Percussionist, brings to performances. “If you missed him at the Band Spring Concert, you missed a show,” said Taylor. “The way that he played the tympani during the percussion ensemble was a show stopper. He ‘owned’ the part and sold it with all the style and attitude of a mature musician. We are looking forward to seeing how far he will go!”
Keigon, who is entering his fourth year at JA, has found that the environment helps him be his best. “When you are young, you like to play a lot, and they let you have your fun, but you have to do your work. If you don’t do your work, then you are not going to pass. And everyone wants to pass.”
Keigon’s dad says their JA experience has been outstanding. Lowery values the qualities he sees in JA: that kids are equal and play together, academics are challenging, relationship building is a priority, manners matter, and people have compassion for one another. Lowery said it is as if the JA community was saying to them: “It is going to be OK. We are here for you.”
Keigon uses holiday breaks and the summer to work on his writing and other times when he has downtime. He prefers to write in his room. No TV. Just quietness.
Later in life, Keigon says he can imagine how writing might have a role in his future. For now, he is looking forward to football practice and seventh grade. And one new experience of seventh grade: lockers.
- BOBBY LOWERY, KEIGON’S FATHER
Student Entrepreneurs Sweeten, Brighten Life with Businesses
When stay-at-home orders went into effect last spring, #Distractibaking quickly became a trending hashtag and a defining moment in 2021 graduate Ari Jackson’s journey as a businesswoman. “I found I kept myself sane through baking,” Ari said. At the beginning of her senior year at JA, Ari launched Ari Mae Bakes after perfecting a range of delicious products and planning out a business model with support from family and friends.
Meanwhile, three hours north in Desoto County and not yet enrolled at JA, junior Madison Fairley also found herself inspired to launch into business. The budding entrepreneur joined the JA community in January of 2021 after her family moved to Jackson. “During April of 2020, I stumbled upon a few graphic design businesses on Instagram who were doing graphics and making money off of them during quarantine,” Madison recalled. She now creates digital art by drawing lettering and portraits.
Surrounded by supportive friends , Madison and Ari display their work.
“My parents were super supportive of my ideas and have supported me the whole way,” Madison said. “They are always looking for ways to help my business with new products and ideas!” Her sister Lauren, a senior at JA, provided photography to show off photo presets Madison developed and sells. Her mother suggested different sweatshirts and bags Madison could have her designs printed on, and her father dropped products in the mail for shipping.
With an aunt and grandmother who were both bakers, Ari also benefited from a strong network of advisers to help her develop her business model. “At the beginning, I didn’t take a deposit, and I learned my lesson because three people canceled on me after I started,” Ari said. “I value my time, and I want people to realize what I put into my work.” She now requires a deposit and is considering placing limits on how many orders she will accept. For Valentine’s Day 2021, she set a goal of selling ten boxes of cookies but received 20 orders!
These young entrepreneurs also learned valuable skills such as social media marketing, company branding, customer service, and budget management as they promoted their work. Madison shares her work on Instagram at @MadzNCompany, and Ari runs her business through @arimaebakes on the same platform. Both also have pages on Facebook.
Through social media, Madison sells her digital products to anyone in the world who finds her online, and Ari sends targeted ads to people seeking baked treats in the Jackson area. Both girls say their best proponent lives a little closer to home: “My mom is the biggest advocate,” Ari said as Madison nodded in agreement. A core group of friends and family who spread the word supports each student’s business ventures, including fellow JA students and faculty.
“I think that JA is such a supportive campus,” Ari shared. “In anything I’ve ever done, my best friends have supported me, and my teachers have supported me. Miss Smithers asked me to make Mrs. Pearcy’s birthday cake, and Ms. Ley asked me to make multiple cookies for her family events. It makes me happy to know that I have teachers who support me in the classroom and outside in what I want to do, even if it has nothing to do with math and trigonometry.”
“I moved to JA over this past winter break, and the community has been nothing but amazing!” Madison said. “I have had multiple people buy from me, follow my page, compliment me, or share my posts, which helps me greatly!” Upper School Physical Science Teacher Stancie Ley even offered to introduce Madison to her daughter, Kristen Ley ’03, the owner, founder, and creative director of design company Thimblepress.
With so much support behind both of their businesses, Ari and Madison look forward to continuing to create. This fall, Ari began studies in finance at Loyola University in New Orleans and hopes to use baking as a sidehustle throughout college and run a bakery someday. Madison plans to continue her business throughout high school. “Where I go to college and what my schedule would look like will determine if I continue or not after that,” she said. “Using my graphic design knowledge and practice, I would love to be a graphic designer or social media manager for a sorority or the university in college!”
As each student navigates the remainder of their educational journey, their journey as businesswomen has already prepared them with skills they can use long into the future - whether to turn a profit or inspire a smile!
