NEWS & STORIES

Jackson Academy Receives Best of Recognition

Jackson Academy was named Best Private School 2021 and Best in five additional categories in the Clarion Ledger’s annual poll to discover Mississippians’ most admired businesses, organizations, people, and events. Voters named Mallory Gnemi Best Teacher; the JA Carnival the Best Festival; JA’s Performing Arts Center the Best Live Performance Venue; Bryan Eubank the Best TV/Radio Personality; and Jackson Academy the Best Place to Work.

WINNER Capital Campaign Moving Forward

Excitement for the mission of Jackson Academy is evident in the results of Investing in Our Mission, a capital campaign with a three-phase master plan goal of $10,500,000. With close to 50 percent being raised, cash gifts and pledges continue to be received.

The campaign addresses infrastructure enhancements, program development, and room for growth. Campaign features in the first two phases include new Upper School science and lab facilities and the renovation of existing labs, an addition to the Middle School, and renovations throughout the Lower and Preschool divisions. Construction is set to begin this summer with completion of phase one in September 2023.

Grandparents Night at The Brickyard

September 30 and October 1, grandparents were easily spotted at JV and varsity football games — they were all wearing buttons that read “JA Grand.” More than 150 grandparents came to JA in response to a special invitation to watch their grandchildren play football, participate in spirit activities and senior night presentations, and visit with one another in the stands. Grandparents were treated to free admission to the games.

JA Celebrates Milestone with Coach Jan Sojourner

The Lady Raiders’ December 7 victory cinched Varsity Basketball Coach Jan Sojourner’s 1,000th career win. One of Mississippi’s winningest coaches, Sojourner has been at Jackson Academy for 37 years. A host of former players assembled in the Raider Dome to celebrate with Sojourner and the Lady Raiders.

Sojourner began coaching in 1976 and joined JA in the 1985-86 season. Her JA teams have won six MAIS Overall State Championships, 10 MAIS State Championships, and 11 MAIS District Championships. Sojourner was inducted into the first class of the MAIS Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

News from the Head of School

JA continues to experience strong enrollment, having passed the 1,200 enrollment mark this fall. Head of School Palmer Kennedy sees the strength of the faculty, outstanding programs, and the school’s heritage as contributing factors in families’ interest.

In his first few months, Kennedy has spent significant time reviewing operations and getting to know students, parents, faculty, and staff. Kennedy appointed Jimmy Messer as Associate Head of School for Student Life. Messer began his post in February. Messer will oversee all athletic programs as athletic director and all spirit teams, co-curricular performing and fine arts programs, outdoor programs (SOAR), service leadership, and spiritual development.

Messer previously led one of the most successful athletic programs in Alabama and most recently served as athletic director for Brookstone School, a premier school in Columbus, Georgia.

Jimmy Messer

Championships

Raider athletic teams brought home five championship trophies in the fall of 2021. The Accents pom and kick performances, Lady Raider soccer, and Lady Raider volleyball teams earned state titles in their divisions, and the JA band won Best Overall at the MAIS State Marching Festival. Raider Football ended the season in the semifinal round of MAIS Division 6A football with an overall 8-4 record. During fall competition, the varsity cheer, Silver Steppers, cross country, and equestrian teams also earned accolades.

Homecoming

A superhero-themed Homecoming provided a full week of celebration. Upper School students went all out to participate in Spirit Week activities. A donation drive collected 106 winter coats for local nonprofit Shower Power to distribute to homeless men and women. At Friday’s pep rally, the Homecoming Court drove onto the football field in decorated golf carts donated by JA families. In the late afternoon, house parties commenced along Sheffield Drive, and a superhero parade from Raider Park led everyone to the Brickyard that evening. Pariss Smoot was crowned Homecoming Queen, and the Raiders defeated Parklane 54-33 before a homecoming dance at the Old Capitol Inn. Many thanks to JA alumni who served as yard hosts for the parade!

Fall Musical

October 23 through 25, Performing Arts presented three performances of the Broadway musical Cinderella to more than 1,600 attendees! The show featured the talents of 49 cast and crew members who sang, danced, and even flew as they shared the classic fairy tale alongside an updated, hilarious libretto by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane. The Make-A-Wish Tea Party hosted before Sunday’s matinee performance allowed little princes and princesses to meet cast members. Funds raised by the tea were donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

JA Connected to Walter Anderson Documentary

Four Jackson Academy alumni contributed to a documentary released in November of 2021 on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Fumi Hall, Bryant Thaxton, Courtney Francois, and Sydney Thaxton Bryant Thaxton ’18, Fumi Hall ’21, Courtney Francois ’20, and Carter Elliott ’20 performed the instrumental soundtrack. Thaxton composed and conducted the score. The 56-minute documentary, Walter Anderson: The Extraordinary Life and Art of the Islander, was screened December 8 in the JA Performing Arts Center by art enthusiasts and donors. Director of the Mississippi Museum of Art Betsy Bradley led a panel that included Walter Anderson’s youngest son, John Anderson, documentary filmmaker Anthony Thaxton, and producer Robert St. John. A featurette highlighted the contributions of the four JA alumni and current JA sophomore Sydney Thaxton. Event guests viewed original Anderson pieces installed in JA’s Gallery for the occasion. JA art teachers and students visited the exhibit throughout the day.