STUDENTS IN ACTION

Encore performs at the Mustard Seed, sharing the stage with the “Seedsters.”

Service That Comes from the Heart

Jackson Academy students are familiar with service opportunities, not because the school requires service hours, but because students recognize the value of serving. Often, JA students see needs and initiate service opportunities for their classmates. This past year, student-led and school-initiated programs included fundraisers for local and national organizations, drives to collect coats and other supplies, leadership for special observances, and investing time with people in need.

Campus Black History Month Initiatives

The Upper School gathered for a Black History Month chapel program that was designed by a student committee and performers, including, from left to right, Pariss Smoot, Genesis Graves, Marcus Harris, Kennedy McKee, and Morgan Dilworth. Rebecca Fowler was the faculty advisor.

Students observed Black History Month throughout February with study, activities, and art recognizing Black men and women throughout history. From Lower School to Upper School, JA teachers created learning opportunities to inform and engage their students on the history behind the month.

Middle and Upper School students submitted drawings, paintings, or other artwork to be displayed in the Performing Arts Center gallery. In the Lower School, third and fourth graders in Joy Miller’s art class learned about artwork by Alma Woodsey Thomas, the first Black woman to be given a solo art exhibit at the Whitney Museum in New York and the first Black woman to have her work included in the art collection of the White House. Fourth graders researched and reported on influential African Americans. In their research, they read biographies, wrote in their journals, and created posters focused on the positive impacts of influential African Americans.

Upper School gathered for a chapel program designed by a student committee and performers. The program included a presentation by Mississippi Civil Rights Museum docent and former Freedom Rider Hezekiah Watkins and CityHeart Church Pastors Kevin and Andrea Reid.

Senior Morgan Dilworth ’22 said the group wanted to plan an educational and entertaining program. “I just really hope that our younger students will see that we did this ourselves and it turned out to be something amazing,” she said. “I hope that this will inspire them to keep the tradition and not be afraid to offer their input on topics that are important to them. Since our theme is “JA was JA is,” I really hope that everyone’s eyes will be opened to how lucky we are to all be together at JA. Not that long ago, we wouldn’t have been able to make the diverse friendships and lifelong bonds that we have now. We’re so lucky.” At the close of the program, Head of Upper School Brandi Richardson encouraged Upper School students to let her know if they would like to help lead the program next year.

Anything But a Backpack Day

A stroller. A garment bag. A trash bag. A suitcase. A briefcase. A rolling cart. A wagon. In February, seventh and eighth graders carried their school books and supplies in anything other than a backpack as a fun way to raise money for a no-kill animal shelter. Each student donated $3 to CARA (Community Animal Rescue and Adoption) to participate in the popular social media trend and raised $460 for the shelter. CARA helps animals receive veterinary care, food, shelter, socialization, and other assistance. Fifth and sixth grade students wore special attire in observance of the day.

Music and Togetherness Uplift

Upper School Encore students spent an afternoon in a special way. They performed their competition show with The Mustard Seed residents and team, sharing the arts and sharing the dance floor for their final song! Mustard Seed is a Christian community for adults with developmental disabilities. Everyone felt uplifted and blessed from spending time together.

Student-initiated Rowdy Coat Drive

The JA spirit group, the Rowdies, sponsored a coat drive during the 2021 Homecoming Week. Children’s coats were donated to Good Samaritan Center and adult coats were donated to Shower Power. Coats were dropped off at carpool during Homecoming Week and given to any “masked Superhero Rowdy.”

Shower Power originated when one of its founders asked a homeless person she had befriended how long it had been since his last shower. One year was his answer. With two other individuals, she founded Shower Power, which helps restore dignity to people who are experiencing homelessness by providing self-care and other resources. Senior Barton Boyll ’22, who worked with Shower Power one summer, developed a fundraising method and a coat drive, bringing Shower Power service opportunities to the JA community.

Service Fair Connects Students with Opportunities

According to the online news source Mental Floss, teenagers who volunteer have better grades and a higher selfimage. Volunteers are believed to live longer, manage stress better, experience less depression, and have greater life satisfaction, the site notes. When one person chooses to help another, that action has a ripple effect, causing others to get involved. A giving lifestyle provides a sense of purpose, which ties in beautifully with Jackson Academy’s mission statement.

JA introduces service opportunities to Upper School students through a Community Service Fair. Nonprofits such as Mustard Seed, Mississippi Children’s Museum, Good Samaritan Center, Mississippi Food Network, Mission First, Hope House Ministries, Joni & Friends, Canopy Children’s Solutions, and the Diabetes Foundation set up booths to present partnership opportunities. The Community Service Fair helps students see how they can get involved. JA does not require but instead encourages student participation in community service. The school wants the service to come from the heart — not be mandated.

“We try to encourage students to think about things that are important to them and then find a place to get involved,” said Community Service Coordinator Audrey Wilkirson. “I tell them to volunteer for something easy like serving a meal and then notice other needs at that organization, step up, and build their story. We find that those who “build a story” continue that type of service after high school and into adulthood. We have partnered with some wonderful organizations that offer our students credible service that teaches them how to be servants.”