JAA & BOOSTER CLUB

JA’s Parent Organization Enriches School Community

The Jackson Academy Association (JAA) parent organization works closely with the school to enact many levels of support, including fundraising, event planning and management, and community building. Members of the parent body are active throughout the school year and summer, with two of the group’s most recognized programs being A Blue & White Night in August and the JA Fall Carnival in October. Each family connected to JA is automatically a part of the JAA membership.

Funds raised from A Blue & White Night and the Fall Carnival enable the JAA to provide enrichments and scholarships throughout the school, including teacher grants for innovations in the classroom, classroom resources, athletic facility improvements, teacher work-week meals, student receptions, faculty and staff appreciation luncheons, outreach through JA Cares for families in need, The Jernberg Scholarship support, and much more.

2021-22 JAA President Angie Haraway ’96 said that the funds raised are invested directly into projects that benefit JA students and staff. “We funded two important projects this year related to performing arts and assisted with several upgrades to some heavily used areas on campus,” she said. “Of course, one of our favorite things to do is find ways to show our incredible faculty and staff appreciation throughout the year.”

In addition to raising funds, A Blue & White Night fosters community among the families of JA. Guests enjoy beautifully presented hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, and fellowship. A highlight of the event is a silent auction that features creative work by area artists and students, clothing, travel packages, decor, catering packages, collectibles, jewelry, and many other items. A Blue & White Night was August 13 at The Country Club of Jackson. The event chairs were Leslie Henson ’99 and Lorraine Boykin.

The JA Fall Carnival is one of the Jackson area’s oldest and largest fall festivals. This community-wide event, which has been named Best Festival/ Event in the Clarion-Ledger’s readers’ choice awards, features old-fashioned carnival games, a costume contest, jump houses, a bake sale, and a beloved pumpkin decorating contest. Kimbrell Evans ’05 and Katie Hobgood chaired the Fall Carnival held Tuesday, October 18.

The parent organization’s overall mission is to promote the unity of spirit among parents, faculty, and students concerning the school’s goals and achievements; to encourage the involvement of all parents in association-sponsored activities, and to provide enrichment, parent support, and financial assistance where needed to enhance the overall educational experience of all students.

Overseeing the operations of the parent organization for the 2022-23 school year is JAA president Stephanie Maley ’00.

Booster Club Introduces Trivia Night

Teams gathered at Bridlewood of Madison on March 27 to compete in the Jackson Academy’s Athletic Booster Club’s first Trivia Night. Participants enjoyed concession-stand favorites such as barbecue nachos, sausage dogs, pizza, and popcorn when the doors opened at 5 p.m. Then at 6 p.m., Chief Advancement Officer Jim Wilkirson and Voice of the Raiders Bryan Eubank served as dual emcees as they quizzed the teams with questions such as:

Who was the first United States president to earn an MBA?

How many commonwealths are in the United States?

In the show “Elmo’s World,” what is the name of Elmo’s fish?

How many years are in an eon?

After five rounds of questions with creative door-prize competitions in between, one team emerged victorious: World’s Problem Solvers. They received a $500 restaurant gift card, compliments of Jennifer and Derek Emerson of Walker’s DriveIn, Local 463, and CAET, and a free table at next year’s event. Doolittle Raiders had the second highest point total, and The Octogenarians came in third.

Booster Club board members and a committee chaired by Geri Beth Smith volunteered throughout the evening, and the event served as a fundraiser for the Booster Club’s support of JA’s athletic program. The Booster Club’s primary role is to provide support for all aspects of JA’s sports and spirit teams and to encourage school spirit among students, families, and friends. With JA’s K3 through twelfth grade campus, the Booster Club has opportunities to focus efforts from the youngest students to graduating seniors.

Each year, the Booster Club receives a list of requests from athletics regarding areas where financial support would be helpful. Requested projects that received funding from the 2021-22 Booster Club included the areas of archery, band, spirit programs, golf, baseball, basketball, football, Raider Field turf, and gymnasium mirror room carpet.

The Booster Club elects officers to lead the organization for the next year. Brett and Jenni Graven served in the Booster Club President role for 2021-22. They passed the torch to Tommy ’94 and Suzanne Barnette for the 2022-23 school year.