Patriot Magazine - 2021

PATRIOT MAGAZINE

Lawrence M. Coco, III

Dear Prep Family, Welcome to the 2021 Patri ot magazine! Inside you will find articles ranging from Jackson Prep’s Capital Campaign and the recent renovation of the Junior High building to the accomplish ments of our students, teachers, and alumni, and to Jackson Prep’s plans for the coming years. As I reflect back over the last year, I am overwhelmed by Prep’s collective ability to overcome obstacles, rise to any challenge, and turn difficult circumstances to our advantage. As you read the Patriot magazine, you will see why I am energized about the future of Jackson Prep. These truly are exciting times!

MISSION STATEMENT:

Jackson Preparatory School inspires and challenges students toward academic, athletic, and artistic excellence, instills personal integrity through biblical values, and equips students to pursue lives of distinction in service to society.

Before you proceed, I want to share how Jackson Prep started this school year. Simply put, we began the year with confidence— confidence in our faculty, confi dence in our administration, con fidence in our board, confidence in our families, but, most impor tantly, confidence in our students. Our students are our greatest as set, and their talents and passions consistently shine in the class room, on the athletic field, on the stage, and in our community. Even in these uncertain times, our students make us proud with their incredible spirit and unwaveringly positive attitudes. They have con sistently demonstrated an ability to adapt to a multitude of cir cumstances, both good and bad, and not just achieve, but thrive. I cannot wait to see what our stu dents accomplish during this new school year.

As we move into the coming months, I want you to be aware of YOUR Jackson Prep Campaign. This capital campaign has already

resulted in the completed renova tion of our Junior High building, enabled us to fully turf the base ball field, and put air conditioning in the Manning Center. Addition ally, this campaign will allow us to double our endowment and expand our educational footprint through the development of an institute for innovation and cre ativity. These improvements to Prep facilities and programs are the result of the generosity of the Jackson Prep community. Howev er, our campaign is not yet done, and we need your help to com plete the projects that will directly impact all Jackson Prep Patriots. Please look for articles in the Pa triot magazine recounting the successes of YOUR Jackson Prep Campaign and the exciting proj ects to come. Your ongoing sup port will continue to make Jack son Prep the best independent secondary school in Mississippi and an educational leader in our region. You may assist us in this effort by going to page 65 and scanning the QR code or page 71 and filling out the Patriot Club Membership Form.

I find my inspiration in the halls and classrooms of Jackson Prep. We are an incredible institution and community made up of out standing students and their fami lies. I look forward to visiting with you throughout the 2021-2022 school year. We are going to have a great year!

Be smart. Be safe. Go Patriots!

M. Coco, III

Lawrence

FROM

HUBERT WORLEY

From the EDITOR

VICKI KING Director of Auxiliary Programs

The Gathering Tree that stands between the McRae Center and the Senior High served as the inspiration for this issue. It has heard countless conversations from a myriad of voices, watching the growth of Prep since the school’s founding. The spot has hosted teachers and students for lunch, meetings, col laborations, art projects, photographs, and simple relaxation. It has provided shade and kept secrets.

During our remote learning days, we reinforced layers of technological support throughout the campus. Without our steadfast commitment to cutting-edge technology, students would be hindered in their exposure to creative and innovative ways of learning. However, COVID reminded everyone that in-person communication cannot be fully replaced by video con ferencing. Vital as it is to the future of the school, technology does not lend itself to long or meaningful dialogues. Screens limit our understanding of nuanced behaviors and obscure the depth of facial expressions. We crave a conversation in its natural context, and those rich, human conversations and connections are now restored. We witness these personal connections every day in classrooms; talented teachers produce students who are innovative, inspired, and compassionate. As you read this issue, you will marvel at the diversity of voices at Prep.

The aging live oak has weathered the ups and downs of Prep right along with us. It serves as a reminder for us to never lose sight of the fact that it is personal relationships and connections that make the school what it is today. Useful as digital tools of the past year may have been, they cannot replace the growth in community that the Gathering Tree has fostered over the de cades. There is no question that many of our alumni and current students have fond memories of that unique space.

I can see in the acorn the oak tree.

Maya Angelou

EDITORIAL TEAM

Vicki King, Editor

Norma Cox, Associate Editor

Lynn Miller, Associate Editor

Nathan Devine, Copy Editor

Allyn Ray, Copy Editor

Megan Seyfarth, Designer

Hederman Brothers, Printing Cover Art and Endpapers by P.L. Miller

EXECUTIVE

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Lawrence M. Coco, III, Head of School

Crisler Boone, Chief External Affairs Officer

Denny Britt, Chief Operating Officer

Will Crosby, Director of Athletics

Reta Haire, Head of Junior High

Luke Nealey, Head of Senior High and Assistant Head of School

2020-2021 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

John D. Davis IV, President

Will Walker, Vice President

Tony Huffman, Vice President

Joe Stradinger, Secretary

Marcelo Eduardo, Treasurer P. David Andress

Jim Coggin, Jr. Duane Dewey

Ashley Meena

Thomas “Mack” Mitchell

Terrence M. Shirley

Laura Stansell

Francine Smith Thomas Mary Elizabeth Upton Heather Vise J. Kelley Williams, Jr. Dudley D. Wooley

2020-2021 ALUMNI COUNCIL

Jet Hollingsworth, President

Lissa Middleton Kellum, Vice President

William VanDevender, Secretary

Matt Collins, Ex-officio

Walter Newman

Jay Underwood

Ashley Hollis Maddux

Kap Primos

Melissa Lowther Boyd

Douglas Strahan Loftin

Dottie Dale Grubbs

Britt Buchanan Burkhalter

Amber Mabry

Michael Russ

Vaiden Clark

Harper Wise Jones

Ariel Cheng

Members of the class of 2021 will attend the following colleges and universities:

The University of Alabama

Auburn University

Belmont University

University of California-Berkeley

Chipola College

Covenant College

East Mississippi Community College

Hinds Community College

Holmes Community College

Jones County Junior College

Louisiana Tech University

University of Maryland-College Park Millsaps College

Mississippi College

Mississippi State University

University of Mississippi

Pennsylvania State University

Ringling College of Art and Design

Rollins College

Samford University

The University of the South

Southeastern Louisiana University University of Southern Mississippi

Texas Christian University University of Utah University of Virginia Wake Forest University

YOUR Capital

reluctant when first approached about being a campaign co-chair. However, in this process I have found it’s not difficult at all if you believe in the mission and proj ects. I believe we are at a very cru cial time in the life of our school. We need the resources now more than ever to remain competitive in our market.

Trustees is 100% in our participa tion of both the Patriot Club and Capital Campaign, and this sends a strong message to our constituents.

Capital

THIS CAMPAIGN

continues the theme of “Your” and “Our” the YOUR meaning that great things happen at Jackson Prep for both YOU and the school YOU are our best asset, and WE can of fer you endless possibilities. Our “Discover YOUR Possibilities” theme encourages prospective students to come to Jackson Prep to discover THEIR poten tial among the many possibilities we offer.

This is our fifth capital cam paign. Past campaigns have built the tennis courts and Manning Center, Guyton Science Cen ter, Dining Commons, and the Centre for Arts and Leadership. Each campaign had multiple el ements of focus with the priority determined through input from school leadership, the Board of Trustees, and constituent feasibil ity study feedback.

I have always been reluctant to ask people for money, so I was

One of the Board’s primary re sponsibilities is fundraising, both short term (Patriot Club) and long term (Capital Campaigns). We are charged with maintaining the fi nancial sustainability of the school, and raising money is a large com ponent of that. The Board of

I was involved as a Board member during the last campaign. Typically, the campaign chairs, Head of School, and Chief Exter nal Affairs Officer do most of the in-person asks, but Board mem bers are often included if there is a relationship.

Most schools are in constant need of capital to maintain infra structure, update technology, and build the endowment. Prep is no different. Our tuition typically only accounts for about 92% of

$2.5M $4.5M

RENOVATING YOUR JUNIOR HIGH

GROWING YOUR ENDOWMENT

This project will enhance our entry point and ensure that the infrastructure of the school matches the strength of the education within. Highlights include shared lab space, hubs for specific grade level collab oration, teachers’ suite, flexi ble classrooms and furniture, and technology space.

Prep must continue to be the same rigorous, innovative, successful school it has been, while remaining affordable for those who desire a Prep education. Endowment funds can support faculty or help start or grow special proj ects or programs to benefit students. In the long run, a strong endowment can assist in controlling tuition, help ing to cover costs that might otherwise come from larger tuition increases.

Campaign co-chairs Will Walker, Ashley Meena, and Tony Huffman

Campaign

our operating budget the cost to educate a student and this doesn’t include capital improve ments, so we are always dependent on philanthropic gifts to make up the difference. Our new strategic plan calls for the following:

• Expand our educational footprint

• Foster a spirit of innovation, agility, and creativity

• Deepen and enhance the Prep experience

• Ensure best-in-class faculty and staff

• Broaden our affordability, accessibility, and financial sustainability

• Fortify our commitment to diversity in our Prep community

• Invest in our core facilities

Our consultant spent time with students, parents, alums, faculty, staff, and friends of the school. They concluded that we could raise $7.5–10M. We have current committed pledges of $8.8M, and we are confident that we will be able to reach our $10M stretch goal.

In Prep’s history the largest single gift we have received was $500,000. In this campaign to date we have received FOUR sev en-figure gifts! That is unheard

BY WILL WALKER Campaign Co-chair

To be competitive in col lege and to prepare for the careers of the future, Prep will provide varied, innovative offerings. From coding to extended reality experi ences to pitching entrepre neurial concepts to building 3-D models, the Institute will allow for new opportunities for Prep students.

At Jackson Prep, athletics are an important part of who we are. In support of our cham pions, we intend to add turf to our baseball field and in tend to add air condition ing and new flooring in the Manning Center.

of in our community, and I think it speaks to the commitment to our mission.

One might look at these mon umental gifts and say, “With that kind of giving my smaller gift will not make any difference.” That can’t be further from the truth. The key to every successful cam paign is participation. If everyone in the Prep family gives to their reasonable ability, we will finish significantly above our goal. It is important to the success of the campaign that everyone does his or her part, no matter how large or small the contribution.

The independent school mar ket in the Jackson metro area is more competitive than ever. Prep must continue to differen tiate itself as the value leader in this space. We currently have the best faculty and staff, among our most valuable assets, but we must strive to improve while keeping our tuition cost at a level our par ents can justify. That leads me to the endowment.

Most schools our age and size have endowments of $25M or more. Prep’s is between $2.5–3M today. Growing the endowment ranked first in priority for this campaign. Gifts to an endow ment are usually very difficult to get/solicit, but I think people are seeing how important it is for our long-term sustainability and to control the cost of tuition. To that end the Jackson Prep Board of Trustees has committed to double the endowment within the life of this capital campaign. In my opin ion that will be the legacy of this campaign. As we can continue the commitment to increase the en dowment, Prep will continue its success well into the future.

THE LEGACY OF A PREP EDUCATION

Familiar faces lead Capital Campaign

BY LOU ANN MCKIBBEN Entrepreneurship Teacher

CRISLER BOONE Chief External Affairs Officer

One of the many lessons I’ve learned in my 22 years at Jackson Prep is that you can, in deed, go home again. I have had the privilege of working along side Jackson Prep alums who were called back to the place that helped mold them into the adults they have become. For Head of School Lawrence Coco and Chief External Affairs Officer

Crisler Boone, the Jackson Prep journey has truly come full circle. When Lawrence was named head of school, one of the first things some of us did was pull out the yearbook from his senior year to see what activities he had been in volved with; in short: everything. Seriously, he excelled in academ ics, athletics, the arts, and school service. During Crisler’s years as a Jackson Prep student, she was one of those bright lights whose presence made the school a better place. As students, Lawrence and

Crisler immersed themselves in the Prep experience, taking every opportunity to learn, serve, and grow. Then they took their Jack son Prep foundation, went out into the world, and achieved great success in the private sector. The fact that they chose to return to Prep, to guide and shape the ex periences of the next generation of students, speaks volumes.

In recent years, I have worked closely with Lawrence and Crisler as we have created and nurtured the Jackson Prep Entrepreneur ship Program. I can say without hesitation that the program would not have been successful without their enthusiasm and advocacy. Not only has Lawrence given his unwavering support, he continu ally encourages us to provide our students with more challenges and more opportunities. Crisler’s involvement goes back to her days in banking. I think she has judged

COCO Head of School

every Jackson Prep Shark Tank since 2014. She is my “go-to” for anything we need from the com munity. It is not an exaggeration to say that Crisler Boone knows everyone. The two of them have been my sounding board, my lifeline, and my head cheerleaders.

When Lawrence and Crisler speak on behalf of the school, they are speaking for every aspect of the Prep community. They have been outstanding students, sup portive parents, and deeply com mitted officers of Jackson Prep. They bring to the capital cam paign leadership, a wealth of in stitutional knowledge, and a tre mendous love for this school. As the grandmother of soon-to-be Patriots, I am excited about our unlimited potential and grateful to those whose passion for Jack son Prep brought them back to us and is propelling us to an amaz ing future.

LAWRENCE

LISA PATTI OF PATTI PIX PHOTOGRAPHY

Inspiring a New Generation

MARTHA & DAVIS FRYE

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artists, and professionals.

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How long have you supported Jackson Prep, and what inspired you to make your initial gift?

Our family has a long history with Jackson Prep spanning back to the 1980s when Davis was a student, and his dad was a Board member. Since that time, we have seen first hand the growth and ex pansion made possible by gener ous gifts to the annual fund and capital campaigns. We were first inspired to give by the idea of making Prep an even better place, not only for our children, but for future Prep families.

What motivates you to give?

We appreciate the efforts by Prep’s leadership to keep tuition costs as reasonable as possible, and we understand that it takes gifts outside of regular tuition payments to provide Prep stu dents with first class facilities and programming. Who would have thought in the 1980s that the “old gym” would be repurposed as a Fine Arts and Media Center or that a cramped cafeteria would be replaced by the Dining Com

mons? These and other projects on campus have only made Jack son Prep better, and we want to be a part of that development.

What impact are you making with your support?

We know that every dollar donated is spent for the benefit of students at Jackson Prep. It is inspiring to think that our gifts support and encourage our fu ture leaders, innovators, artists, and professionals.

What would you say to someone who is considering supporting the Capital Campaign and Patriot Club?

Do you remember life as a teenager? (Davis hopes you don’t remember him as a teenager, and Martha admittedly rocked some serious 80’s hair!) Whether you were a STAR student, an athlete, or just tried to stay under your principal’s radar, you know that teenagers need a safe space to learn, get challenged, grow, and develop. These are formidable years that require formidable ed

ucators. A donation to Jackson Prep may help one kid become a National Merit Finalist, another become an outfielder for the Mets or Ole Miss running back, and an other just make it to graduation. I hope all of us will consider do nating to provide such incredible opportunities and needed support to kids in our community.

Why do you continue to give?

A quality education is vitally important to our future, and we trust the leaders and educators at Jackson Prep to work diligently in the best interests of their students.

Why do you feel it is important to give even if it does not directly impact you or your family?

While it may not directly im pact us or our children, we want to continue to support kids in our community and prepare them for the challenges of college and be yond. It benefits all of us to edu cate our youth, so we will contin ue to give to Prep even after our last child graduates in 2022.

It is inspiring to think that our gifts support and encourage our future leaders, innovators,

KARLA POUND

Previously unpublished photograph of Eudora Welty

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARY MOORE MITCHELL. 1925. Used by permission from the Norma Flora Cox Collection.

WELTY Discovering

BY NORMA COX AND DR. EBONY LUMUMBA

Dr. Ebony Lumumba—professor and chair of English at Jackson State University—recently sat down with Director of Library Services, Norma Cox. The occasion was to discuss Norma’s soon-to-be published article in the Eudora Welty Review, an academic journal put out by Georgia State University. Dr. Lumumba researches, writes about, and teaches the work of Mississippi author, Eudora Welty. The following is a condensed version of their conversation.

LYNN MILLER

NORMA EBONY

In 1988, Miss Welty gave Jackson Prep a remarkable collection of her books, mementos and personal photographs.

Also included were eleven signed photography prints from her renowned collection which is housed at the MS Depart ment of Archives and History. These prints were placed on permanent loan to us by a di rective from Miss Welty. We re cently created a new Welty Ex hibit in the library and during that process, I was perusing [the archive’s website], looking for information regarding these [prints]. To my amazement, I discovered that Eudora Welty had taken twenty to thirty pho tographs at my cousin—Mary Moore Mitchell’s—home out side of Grenada, Mississippi. This discovery has since turned into a very exciting story.

Exciting to say the least.

I think one of the most remark able things is that your family his tory led to this revelation, and it’s all substantiated and document ed in texts and photographs. It’s germane to start at the begin ning: that being the connection between your cousin and Eudo ra Welty, because even the sort of sisterhood that they forged is special to have documented.

*Several of these photographs have been published in books of Eudora Welty’s photography. Ellen Goodall appears in Eudora Welty as Photog rapher; her husband John is in Eudo ra Welty Photographs; they appear together in Black and White: Photo graphs of the 30’s and 40’s, and the photo of Cindy’s apron is published in Eudora Welty: One Time, One Place

NORMA: My grandmother grew up in Jackson’s Belhaven neigh borhood on Peachtree Street, and four houses over around the corner was where Miss Welty and her family lived, on Pinehurst. Eudora and her mother, joined by Mary Moore, my grandmother and great-grandmother, regularly played bridge. As a result of this, Eudora and Mary Moore formed a friendship and decided that they would room together at the “W” [MS University for Wom en] during their freshman year in 1925. Years later, in 1931, Mary Moore’s brother, Billy, tragically killed himself while a student at Southwestern College in Mem phis. Miss Welty traveled to at tend the funeral and of course to be with Mary Moore. Several months later, she approached the Mitchell family and asked if she could write a story on the funeral weekend, and much to our sub sequent dismay, they declined. Obviously, our family has known of this special friendship be tween Eudora and Mary Moore and that Miss Welty enjoyed nu merous visits to Myrtlevale, the Mitchell family home. What we had not known is that she not only took twenty to thirty pho tographs during these visits, but had also written an essay about one specific experience. So, even though she was unable to write about the funeral, she did indeed write a story about being with Mary Moore! In this archived essay, Welty wrote about a mar

ried couple living at the Mitchell home that Mary Moore wanted her to meet. They had formerly been enslaved people there but at that point were sharecroppers, and their names were Ellen and John Goodall.* In Welty’s essay [“Cindy and the Joyful Noise”], Ellen shares with Eudora and Mary Moore their remarkable life story and the story of a woman named Cindy.

EBONY: What you’re describing is on par with who Welty was as an observer of culture and com munity. We know that she worked for the WPA [the Works Progress Administration] and went all around the state taking photo graphs of communities that were not her own. When I discovered “Cindy and the Joyful Noise,” it had not been published; it was simply in the archives along with her other effects. And what stopped me at this story was that I noticed a pattern that Welty has in the way she writes stories like “A Worn Path,” and the way that she writes nonfiction like “A Pageant of Birds”: there were these mo ments where Black women were centered in this majestic, mysti cal, magical way. Welty could go to a place that she might not un derstand and write about it with no hint of condescension.

NORMA: As I set the scene in my mind, I imagine Eudora and Mary Moore sitting at the Good alls’ cabin, which was fascinating

in its own right as it was filled to overflowing with pieces from the past. Packed full with mementos and scraps of everything from old cards and letters to assorted trin kets hanging from the ceiling. As Welty describes, one of the things on their wall was an embroidered apron and looking at it, Ellen launched into what, I think, is one of the most amazing and unusual stories I’ve ever heard. She tells them how she and her husband John were the last surviving mem bers of a religious group referred to as Cindy’s Band. The wom an who started [the group] was named Cindy Mitchell. Miss Wel ty says that Cindy was also an en slaved person there at Myrtlevale and was a good bit older than the Goodalls. She started this [group] before she was freed and as its numbers grew so did her prestige. She was a prophetess, preacher, musician and the final word on just about everything concerning her followers, which numbered around eight hundred.

EBONY: It is ethnography. [Wel ty] doesn’t just hear this story and then imagine the gaps. She goes further, to newspapers; she goes to folks in the town who all have their own narrative about Cindy and who she was.

NORMA: In her essay, Welty writes that Ellen took her apron off the wall and put it on for her guests. She explained that every member of the band had an exact

strove to produce equitable representation of humanity and I think that is significant to teach in a literary classroom…in an art classroom…in a history classroom…a political science classroom…..there isn’t a realm of academic study that I believe can’t be benefited by the way that Welty reproduced the world with her pen.”

DR. EBONY LUMUMBA

Mary Moore Mitchell and Eudora Welty

PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN. 1925. Used by permission from the Norma Flora Cox Collection.

“Welty

“I find whenever I show a Welty photograph and have students write their own narrative about what they are seeing.... they always write, Power…they always write, Strength…. they never see through her lens and vantage point... moments of weakness or a lack of dignity...and for me that strengthens my interest in how she viewed the world and penned it down on paper.”

DR. EBONY LUMUMBA

replica which through embroidery depicted Cindy’s version of heav en and hell and the pathway to each: there were sheep and goats and angels with golden tickets as well as people with black hearts and gold hearts. Cindy made up her own religion which included songs, dancing, and her own banjo playing. And her presentation was very theatrical. She wore countless beads around her neck, and every finger had at least three rings. She wore a shoebox on her head over flowing with hundreds of differ ent colored ribbons. She baptized people at Myrtlevale and conduct ed several services each week, with churches spread out around the county. She named all of her fol lowers’ children and was insistent that the members live upstanding lives and pay their debts. All of this happened at the end of the Civil War and extended into the early 1900s.

EBONY: It felt more autono mous for parishioners to follow

this Black woman as their leader, who they believed had their best interests at heart. [Cindy] was functioning in a way that was help ing them establish and build com munity. Taking ownership of this brand of Christianity was a huge, revolutionary, resistance move ment, and we see other examples of this throughout American his tory, throughout Black history.

NORMA: Cindy—and it’s in Wel ty’s essay—declared that God had anointed her to preach the gospel and form this band. She claimed to be born at the right hand of God, and Jesus was at the left. She also believed that she would nev er die, but would go straight to heaven and sit with them on the throne. This was a divine message to her, and she fervently believed that she was told to do this. She told her followers that she had no need for the Bible in her sermons because she went off of her visions and what God had told her.

Myrtlevale, Mitchell Family Home

PHOTOGRAPH BY EUDORA WELTY. DATE UNKNOWN. Used by permission from the Norma Flora Cox Collection

EBONY: And there’s a point to make there as well. She would not have been able to read the Bi ble, and most of her parishioners would not have been able to, by law. There’s a moment of sadness for me that there’s no narrative that comes from Cindy—we don’t have her narrative. What we do have is Ellen and John Goodall, but then it’s filtered through Wel ty. It’s telling of how many stories don’t exist. I’m quite interested in her connection to the political scene in Grenada.

NORMA: Cindy was a Dem ocrat, and since she controlled her followers so completely, they were also Democrats. She con trolled over three hundred votes, and around election time, she was courted by every politician who was running for office, much more so than the white ministers. If Cin dy was behind you in a county elec

tion, you were guaranteed to win. As a matter of fact, the first white man to be [hanged] for killing a Black man in Mississippi was be cause he killed one of Cindy’s fol lowers. The local law enforcement believed that her people wouldn’t have done whatever this man ac cused the Black man of doing, be cause Cindy wouldn’t have allowed that. They believed the Black man’s innocence because of Cindy.

EBONY: That’s so interesting. Perhaps what her followers saw was this possibility of leadership from their own people and what that could look like. Everything we’ve talked about today, I think, contributes to why Welty is so valuable to teach. Her interest in people who were different from her, and the labor that she went through to represent these people with dignity makes her hugely rel evant and important.

WATCH AN EXCERPT OF THIS INTERVIEW

Norma’s article was published in the Eudora Welty Review, Vol. 13: 2021.

Dr. Ebony Lumumba is current ly an Associate Professor of En glish at Jackson State University where she chairs the department of English, Foreign Languages, and Speech Communication and teaches courses in global and American literatures. She was named the 2013 Eudora Welty Research Fellow by the Missis sippi Department of Archives and History and the Eudora Wel ty Foundation.

Norma Cox is currently the Head of Library Services at Jackson Preparatory School in Jackson, MS. After earning her degree in Library Science at Ole Miss, she worked in several libraries in Mississippi and California. Norma also worked at Lemu ria Books as a bookseller and is the co-author of the book Camp DeSoto: a History.

LYNN MILLER

JUNIOR HIGH

BY DENNY BRITT Chief Operations Officer

TRANSFORMATION

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What an exciting time

that after five plus decades of ser vice to students and faculty with minimal improvements, the Ju nior High building underwent a substantial renovation and trans formation this summer! This is the space where the Jackson Prep experience begins for the majority of our students. While our faculty is still our most important asset, this renovation has given them the updated facilities, technology, and space to help in the develop ment of our students in the most formative years of their lives.

Thanks to the YOUR Capi tal Campaign, this project was a complete interior demolition and rebuild of the entire 26,000square-foot building which was accomplished in a ten-week pe riod. Our goal was to make our

new Junior High a student-cen tered space that embraces the preparation of students who will lead the transformation in the 21st century. We live in the most exciting, quickly changing, and disruptive time the world has seen to date. This update helps prepare our students to thrive in that environment.

The renovation included new classroom spaces and furnishings that assist interactive and collab orative learning. Rooms were equipped with large-format dis plays or Smartboards, student desks or tables that support flex ible teaching styles and collabo ration, and wireless presentation capabilities for teachers. The sci ence rooms were designed to pro vide both teaching space and lab

The Junior High faculty could not be more excited about the renovations to the Junior High building! The collaborative spaces and cutting edge technology will provide years of dynamic learning opportunities. We are grateful to those who contributed to YOUR Capital Campaign and made this possible.

AMY WIANDT Computer Applications Teacher and Technology Coordinator

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space, with the flexibility to easily reconfigure the space to accom modate a particular lab or group project A new computer lab was also included. Each room and the entire building is supported by a state-of-the-art Meraki Wi-Fi 6 network system.

Student space has become an important part of the school expe rience. The new Junior High de sign put a strong emphasis on cre ating common areas for students to gather, hang out, and work to gether. These areas incorporated diverse seating options, meeting tables, counter seating, and col laboration space. All these places have the capability for students to charge devices as they interact.

Offices and the teacher work space were updated to provide a place for both professional and so cial interaction.

Design elements create a 21st century learning environment from colorful and impactful graphics, architectural utilization of curves, ceiling height varia tions, and colors that all work to gether to create a feeling of com fort and home.

The design and functionality of this transformed space was a collaborative effort between the faculty, staff, and architect with a focus on what was needed for the future. Prep’s own G.G. Fer guson of Ferguson & Associates Architecture was the Architect of record on the project along with Brasfield and Gorrie as the Gener al Contractor.

We are excited about this new innovative space that is unlike any other in the Jackson area. It will positively impact our faculty and students for years to come.

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I am very excited about the renovations since I have been a student and teacher in the original building. I think the new facilities will give us new opportunities to learn and new memories to be made.

KATHRYN SHUFF

Junior High English Teacher

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Designing+Curating

After seeing the architectur al renderings, there were several motifs I knew I wanted to include as I began to curate artwork and graphic design elements for the new Junior High space. There are several round walls repeated through out the building. In the art work, one will notice circles repeated on several pieces. A former faculty member, Cindy Townsend, explained to me that “the circle is always open at Jackson Prep”—meaning that a student can find a place to belong here.

BY EMILY MCCLAIN Director of Marketing and Branding

Also, there is a touch of blue prints in some of the artwork. Everyone who comes to Prep has complet ed elementary school somewhere else, and no matter what school they came from, their “foundation” has already been laid. We start building on that founda tion in the Junior High.

Finally, we tried to make the artwork both useful reminders of expectations and just plain fun! We want ed it to feel warm and friendly. In the foyer, there is a timeless watercolor mural of students. At the bottom of the mural, the text reads “Your home for endless possibilities.” We hope that each student feels that.

Recent Prep graduate Mimi McCraney graciously do nated her ever-popular graffiti-inspired diptych to hang in the new office space of the Junior High. Mimi’s use of color and icons such as hearts and stars are part of the majority of her body of artwork. For her Prep pieces, she painted in a few shield shapes reminiscent of the Prep crest as well as used broad strokes of the specific shade of Prep red and blue. Mimi’s work can be found in collectors’ homes all over the South and also on instagram: madebymimi_.

HUBERT

WORLEY

HUBERT WORLEY

HUBERT WORLEY

HUBERT WORLEY

YOUR FUTURE

STRATEGIC PLAN 2021

When we think about the task of running, one aspect that continues to stay relevant is how individualism meets collectivism. In the sport of cross country, athletes can be conflicted between running a personal best time versus packing up with teammates.

When athletes find balance, the overall success of the team will always prevail.

DANIEL BURNETT Head Cross Country Coach

Cameron Moore, Jack Harvey, and Patrick Faulk with Coach Burnett

Jack Harvey and Coach Burnett

Julia Stradinger, Kimmons Sheppard, Havens Smith, and Rachel Rutledge with Coach Burnett

MARY KELLY BRANNING MARY KELLY BRANNING MARY KELLY BRANNING

BY DOUG MCDANIEL Strategic Plan Committee Chair

When I was asked by the Chairman of the Board John Davis to serve as chair of the strategic planning com mittee, one primary question came to mind. If our objec tive in preparing a strategic plan was simply to “check the box” to meet our accredita tion requirement, I was not interested. If, however, the interest in preparing a strate gic plan was to create a true guide for a five-year plan to improve our school, I would be interested. I posed this question to Lawrence Coco and was overwhelmingly convinced that he not only wanted to have a viable stra tegic plan but that he wanted to be sure it addressed the major challenges that Prep, along with most independent schools, is facing.

Lawrence and I were priv ileged to sit in on many of the subcommittee meetings as they hashed through the tough issues we are dealing with. It was heartwarming to see how engaged these sub-committee members were—all serving selflessly with the objective of mak ing Jackson Prep better than it is today. We are pleased to have completed the plan and anticipate with great ex citement achieving the goals and objectives set forth in the plan as they become realities.

how we are meeting our Strategic Plan goals, which are listed below, by referring to the color-coded lines across the top of the following pages.

GREG

LET ME DO IT!

BY LAURA BISHOP, Head of IT

At Jackson Prep, while we employ state-ofthe-art technology at all levels, our goal is to not simply display our technology, but to facilitate learning. While it may seem the “magic” is the technology, it is not. Jackson Prep teachers are effective in their useful integration of technology at every level while encouraging each student to harness the power of inquiry and innovation.

“LET ME DO IT!” If you are a person with experience around toddlers at all, certainly you have heard this phrase. This verbal and usually demonstrative expression is evidence of confidence in the ability to achieve a goal, even if the goal is only to pour a drink or open their own car door. Some times, students lose this desire to “show what they know.” In education phraseology, we want to build agency in students. Al though there is no universally adopted definition, one defini tion of building agency is “the capacity and propensity to take purposeful initiative.”

In the summer of 2020, schools all around the world examined their systems and services through the lens of their ability to success fully deliver hybrid learning to students. Lawrence Coco, Head of School, led Jackson Prep’s com prehensive “COVID Response.”

As a result, the decision was made to upgrade the campus-wide wire

less network. Global slowdowns and other delays prevented what, under normal circumstances, would have been a summer project.

The delayed arrival of the equipment allowed for the pro posal of an unconventional learning experience for students. A Jackson Prep education is in tended to develop in students self advocacy, among other char

acteristics. Prep students should be actively involved in preparing their learning path. A project was proposed for student-led planning and installation of the wireless network. Walker Headley, class of 2022, stepped up to lead this project. He assembled a great team, communicated effectively, and met some pretty aspirational goals. Walker’s student leadership team included classmates Mont Mitchell and Charlie Hight.

“While working on the project of replacing the Wi-Fi at Prep, I was immersed in a very non-typ ical learning environment. I had to recruit a group of students that I felt were capable of helping me with the job. Once I had gathered my team, I had to give a brief pre sentation on what we would be doing and how we would accom plish our goal. I had to assign each person to a different task, and I then had to tell each person how to do his or her job. This project, as a whole, gave me

leadership

Thomas Wasson

Walker Headley, leader of the technology project

training that I wouldn’t have re ceived otherwise. I learned that as a leader, you must choose people you can trust to work with you. I learned that you have to lead by example to be a good leader. I think it would be beneficial for other Prep students to have this kind of learning experience be cause it is one of the few things that can’t be taught in class,” said Walker Headley, class of 2022.

“I would highly recommend connecting with the Prep faculty and staff to explore learning op portunities that may be outside of a classroom. Being willing to join students in a less structured way of learning will reap many bene fits including improvisation, lead ership, teamwork, and plain and simple hands-on work. It doesn't have to be something like chang ing out all the Wi-Fi routers and access points in the school, but there are so many opportunities for creating new ways of learning,

From

and the faculty and staff are ready and available to help in any way they can,” said Mont Mitchell, class of 2022.

These students should have a feeling of meaningful accomplish ment. Mr. Coco conveyed, “All of the Department Chairs said they have had zero problems with the

Wi-Fi since the change over. In fact, they said that the new Wi-Fi has actually mitigated the loss of the ten minutes per class. Great job!”

Improvisation, leadership, and teamwork... plain and simple hands-on work. They did it!

left: Lawrence Coco, Mayrant Gonwa, Brinkley Boswell, Maggie Boswell, Charlie Hight, Mont Mitchell, Graham Speed, Walker Headley, Preston Speed, John Henry Andress, Alex Roberson, Luke Nealey, Wayne Hsieh, Thomas Wasson, and Laura Bishop

Mont Mitchell

John Henry Andress and Walker Headley

Hunter Upchurch, Associate Director of College Counseling, and Malika Lindsay, Director of College Counseling

Hunter Upchurch, Scott Overby, and Avery Overby

DJ Johnson

Romney McLeod

Malika Lindsay, Max Van Pelt, and Akhila Adari

PREPPED FOR SUCCESS

BY MISTIE DESPER Hometown Rankin

Iwant students to shift their thinking to ask which institu tion is going to be lucky enough to get me,” explains Malika Lind say, Jackson Prep’s Director of College Counseling.

Malika has held her position for the past five years at Prep and helped countless students reach their highest potential. She said, “I am humbled by the opportuni ty to work with families and hon ored that they have decided that I am someone they will look to for guidance.”

Jackson Prep is known for its rich academic program. The academics not only offer rigor ous courses but electives that are designed to enhance each stu dent in specific areas of interest under the direction of inspiring instructors who are experts in their disciplines.

The college counseling por tion begins as early as 7th grade. The program eases the transition into thinking of life beyond high school. For many families and students, this can be a time filled with exhilaration and excitement but also anxiety and fear. Coun selors are available for every step of the journey to guide families and students into making the best decision for them.

Associate Director of College Counseling Hunter Upchurch said, “Everyone’s process is a lit tle different. I always tell people this is the best job at Jackson Prep

because I get to help [students] dream and explore their options.”

Malika has been involved in education for 27 years and Hunt er for 14 years. Together they are combining their love for Prep stu dents and helping them step out side of the box to see what is out there for them and how they can obtain the success of their dreams.

The program amps up in a student’s junior year. From there, counselors meet with each family and student to discover their in terests, goals, learning styles, and what they hope to achieve from their personal college experience. Hunter said, “We have a kick-off their junior year with sessions that detail the ins and outs. We begin laying out their timeline for the rest of spring to guide them into making good, strategic decisions.”

During senior year, they help students weed out certain schools or apply to schools they may not have considered before. Letters of recommendation are written during this time, as well.

Malika recalled, “We had one student who ended up going to Harvard. He was not initially thinking of schools like that. We were able to look at all he’d ac complished. He was a very hum ble student, and his college lists changed when he learned his as sets. I want to change how they see themselves.”

She is just as excited and en couraging for the student whose

aspirations include something off the beaten path. She strives to help each student lay out the college experience they truly desire and helps give them the tools to get there. Being passionate and con fident in the goals a student sets are large components to the over all successful college experience.

Jackson Prep provides a place where students of a variety of ap titudes, strengths, weaknesses, in terests, and goals can find the re sources to maximize their abilities in all areas.

The program and counselors become very invested in each fam ily and each student. Malika add ed, “I am honored to work with each family. I want to help them, but I know part of that is letting them go on into the world. It’s about getting them to that next level and being successful.”

Hunter added, “I love the work I do. It’s such a great fit for me, and still teaching allows me to have daily contact with students, which I incredibly enjoy.”

Malika concluded, “We really focus on helping them find the best fit at an institution and en courage all students to think for themselves. We want them em powered and excited about life beyond high school and know that there is a place for them.”

Reprinted with permission of Hometown Rankin.

VOLUME 1

Produced on campus, 40 pages, construction paper (6x9), staple-bound, monochrome, handillustrated, three photographs ❖

“Earthwinds” named after the first poem in the volume, by Lynn Green ❖

Poetry, short stories, essays, humor, cartoon, drawings ❖

In-house awards for poetry, short story, and humor (adjudicated by guest judges from Millsaps and Mississippi College)

VOLUME 4

Fold-out centerfold spread, photo essay, image on back cover ❖

Guest judge, essay: Jimmy Faulkner (William Faulkner’s nephew)

VOLUME 5 Award for student photography added

VOLUME 8 First musical composition (for voice), “The Journey,” music by Dick Brown, lyrics by Patricia Benton

VOLUME 13

Willie Morris serves as guest judge, fiction contest

VOLUME 14 Guest judges: Margaret Walker Alexander, fiction; Cleanth Brooks, poetry ❖ Prep student and future faculty member and Earthwinds sponsor Richie Younce serves on the staff

EARTHWINDS

but it remains

VOLUME 24

VOLUME 27

VOLUME 29

Transparent overlay pages, full bleed images

VOLUME 32 Harvey Dallas Printing and Graphics prints the magazine (and has ever since) ❖

Earthwinds becomes a full-color publication

VOLUME 33

Redesigned from magazine to journal format (machinepress perfect binding replaces staple binding; year, volume, and title printed on spine) ❖

New emphasis on formal poetry, including definitions of poetic forms (which will become a hallmark of Earthwinds)

VOLUME 34 Produced using

to portrait orientation

Adobe InDesign®

Earthwinds highlights the literary and artistic creativity of Prep students. It is also a microcosm of the history of high school literary magazines. Over half a century the magazine has reflected changes in technology and literary styles,

committed to fostering student creativity and leadership. Timeline compiled by Dr. Paul Smith.

VOLUME 15

Three poems by Prep student (and future author of The Help) Kathryn Stockett included ❖

Guest judge, fiction: Leroy Percy

VOLUME 16

First glossy cover (hand illustrated) ❖

Guest judge, poetry: Noel Polk ❖

Prep student and future faculty member and Sentry sponsor Lain Hughes contributes a short story and two poems

VOLUME 17

Guest judge, fiction: Margaret Walker Alexander ❖

Prep student and future faculty member and Sentry sponsor Lain Hughes contributes a short story and three poems

VOLUME 18

Largest size yet (7.75x10.75), spot color on cover, editorial policy included ❖

First volume to state a theme (“My Mind Steps Out,” from the Lynn Green poem) ❖

Guest judge, fiction: Richard Ford

VOLUME 20 Gloss paper used on interior pages ❖

Prep student and future Head of School Lawrence Coco serves on fiction staff

VOLUME 21 Full-image (no text) centerfold spread ❖

Prep student and future Head of School Lawrence Coco serves as cofiction editor ❖

Editor’s note included for first time, expressing a thematic emphasis for the issue

EARTHWINDS

50th Anniversary

VOLUME 35

Prep student and future Prep faculty member Kathryn Mosley (Shuff) serves as Editor

VOLUME 37

High-gloss cover ❖

Prep student and future Prep faculty member Alix Zachow serves as Editor

VOLUME 39

First musical composition for piano published (“Le Soleil, Variations on a Theme in C# Minor,” Benjamin Smith)

VOLUME 40

Centerfold collage of all 40 covers ❖

40th anniversary poster released

VOLUME 49 Produced offcampus remotely through Zoom because of COVID (InDesign® and Photoshop® installed on staff laptops) ❖

No Earthwinds Coffeehouse this year (COVID)

VOLUME 50 50th anniversary edition designed to reflect the evolving aesthetics of Earthwinds by decade ❖

Spread designers credited ❖ Centerfold collage of all 50 covers ❖

Original “Earthwinds” poem by Lynn Green Root reprinted

APArtStandards

In addition to completing the require ments for their AP Art & Design portfolios, Prep’s 15 AP Art students also took on additional responsibilities in 2020-2021.

AP Art teacher Dr. Lynn Mill er introduced AP Art Standards. The new standards are in three categories: Studio Practice, Professional Growth, and Communication.

The Studio Practice standards en courage students to continue to develop

mary robinson COCO

their skills as studio artists. The Profes sional Growth standards lead students to become good citizens in the wider arts community. The Communications standards set the stage for students to tell the world about their art through a logo or brandmark, an artist statement, and an online presence.

See a sampling of these artists’ on line presence by pointing your phone’s camera at the QR Code.

Learning+Life

Kacie Van Pelt (class of 2017) knows which words appear more than 25 times in the Greek New Testament. She’s helped write the book on them: Bibli cal Greek Vocabulary in Context. “This book puts vocabulary into context for students. Instead of rote memorization in isolation, the vocabulary words appear through selected verses from the Greek New Testament. To know the meaning of a word in its lexical form is one thing, but to recognize it in context and un derstand how it is being used in a sentence is another,” she said.

Kacie’s father, Dr. Miles Van Pelt, had already written Bibli cal Hebrew Vocabulary in Con text. When he decided to write a Greek companion to that vol ume, he asked if Kacie would be interested in helping. He knew she was more than prepared for the opportunity.

Van Pelt’s interest in languag es was nurtured at Prep. She took four years of Latin and two years of Greek. “Some of my favorite Prep memories are playing Greek Scrabble in Dr. [Paul] Smith’s class,” she recounted. “When I was in sixth grade, I took Biblical Greek at Reformed Theological Seminary through the Summer Institute of Biblical Languages program led by my father. I also later studied Hebrew with him in high school.”

Kacie’s language studies cul minated in a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Kentucky.

“In undergrad, I focused on Ger man, but studying any language makes a student a more informed citizen of the world. Culture is deeply ingrained in language. You cannot truly learn another people’s language without also learning about their perspec tives, beliefs, and experiences. Additionally, one of the best things about learning another language is how much it teaches you about your own. I love the quote from German author Jo hann Wolfgang von Goethe: Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen, which translates to, “Whoever does not know a foreign language knows nothing of their own.”

Asked what she learned through the process of contribut ing to Biblical Greek Vocabulary in Context, Van Pelt replied, “It was incredibly rewarding to see just how much of the Greek New Testament a student can under stand if they have a firm grasp of this vocabulary list.”

Van Pelt is currently starting her second year of law school at the University of Mississippi, but she is putting her previous studies to good use. “My back ground in linguistics has prov en useful in studying the law, which has a language of its own.”

Biblical Greek Vocabulary in Context (Zondervan Academic. ISBN-10 0310114667) is avail able for pre-order. It will be pub lished in December 2021.

The energy of the mind is the essence of life. Aristotle

+Word Image

The 2020-2021 season of ex hibits in Prep’s Mary Katharine Loyacono McCravey Gallery opened in August 2020 with Spectrum, high lighting seven artists from Prep’s fac ulty and staff. The work ranged from paintings to woodworking to vessels to graphic design. Tenth grade En glish teacher Sarah Atkinson used the show to introduce her students to ekphrastic poems: poetry inspired by works of art.

The students toured the whole show, then let themselves be drawn to a particular work. Sitting in front of their selected piece, they worked through a “guided journal write” where they wrote about images, memories, and feelings inspired by the work. From that journal exercise, they wrote poems, editing and revis ing until the poems were complete.

The poems might have ended as classroom projects, but Atkinson made a classroom connection be tween visual art and poetry into a human connection between paint ers and poets. Copies of poems in spired by each artist’s work were presented to the artist. It was hum bling, the artists agreed, to read the work of the 10th grade poets. “They saw things in my work that I hadn’t seen,” said Addie Louis, Visual Art faculty member. “I learned about my work from them,” echoed Lisa Shive. Giving students the opportunity for a personal interaction with art is one of the benefits of having the Mary Katharine Loyacono Gallery on campus. Visual Art faculty mem bers develop, coordinate, and install monthly shows of art by local artists, art groups, and students during the school year. But the more power ful outcome, connecting people, is one of the benefits of having faculty members committed to their stu dents and the Prep community.

“HOME AND FAMILY”

BY LYNN MILLER

A Safe Home

Blues and browns line the outer walls

A trio of fragile eggs, the color of blue a beautiful spring sky, Patiently waiting for what will happen next. An organized nest, straw strategically placed all around. A calming and quiet scene, results in a happy feeling. Eggs sleeping like a baby, in the place they will soon call home When they wake up, their life will begin.

—Jordan Eduardo

“ON THE WAY TO ST. PETER’S”

BY ADDIE LOUIS

Three Days

Three days have passed in the time of completion. Two nuns walk the same route walk the same route walk the same route.

The world seems muted through their eyes. Repetition in muted colors, yet still crisp and clear like a winter’s day. Always the same; The same problem yet no solution.

Shadows in front of the, empty, Dark, never changing like their time.

As the sad sun sets, the leaflets tumble by, The red and blue can lay lifeless on the cold stone street. It is finished. What they have started is not; for them there is no end.

—Pete Downing “SAN

FRANCISCO CROSSING”

BY LISA SHIVE

Unnamed painting Classic

Is the way the people dress, Distracted Is the way they live.

Empty are the cars, Empty minds don’t go far.

The road reflects the blue sky, The line, the clouds.

I remember on that old record sleeve I saw the 4 Beatles strolling along, frozen in that famous picture. Like dinosaurs frozen in ice, they stand waiting.

The cars were parallel parked, On the street of many destinations.

The old land cries out, Where am I, who are you.

—Harrison Jones

INNOVATING the Classics

HUBERT WORLEY

BY BETH WATTS Chair of World Languages Latin Teacher

May 2021 marked the end of a stressful year. Students and teachers had been wearing masks, wiping down desks, and staying six feet apart from each other for months. I wondered how a change in the usual end-of-the-year as signment might allow students to conclude the year invested in their learning rather than going through the motions of memoriz ing and reiterating information.

It may seem paradoxical to talk about modern skills or innovation when teaching a classical language that hasn’t changed for centuries, but innovation is a derivative of the Latin “novus”: to make new Innovation in teaching involves new methods that engage students and their unique passions. And even if the subject matter stays the same across the years, one aspect changes every year—the students. To meet the demands of an ev er-changing class roll, a teacher can use a skills-based pedagogy to engage in self-directed learning. In fact, the Greek word for child is pais or ped, and leader is agogus, so pedagogy literally means “to lead the children,” and in Latin, a “pedagogus” was the person who accompanied the student safely to school. Therefore, good pedagogy guides students safely to a place of learning. That place is where the

teacher creates student-centered activities, considers the needs of the students first, and lets the stu dents connect with the curricu lum based on their passions.

Focusing on 21st century pedagogical skills such as critical thinking and project-based learn ing led to amazing work: a cook book of Roman recipes, a makeup tutorial demonstrating techniques used by Roman matrons, an orig inal equestrian-themed fresco, an explanation of Roman curse tablets, and examples of ancient jewelry. These Latin III projects were as unique as the students who chose them. Over the course of the final nine weeks, third-year Latin students identified an aspect of Roman culture that interest ed them, developed a research question about that topic, and ex plored both secondary and prima ry sources to answer that question.

Students enthusiastically dove into their research. I connected students to experts to interview, helped locate journal articles, and answered hundreds of questions. But mostly I observed. Although I expected students to learn some thing new about Roman civiliza tion, I didn’t anticipate the ex citement and perseverance of the students, especially at the end of this long year. I observed joy as

they worked and felt their passion as they presented their projects. No longer was a thirty-page article on Roman law a chore; it was an act of discovery. The student ath lete explored the sports of the an cient Olympics; the future doctor could compare early medical prac tices to modern science. Students became experts on their topic and wanted to enthusiastically share it with others. In short, they became the teacher and I the student.

One student remarked in his reflection, “I am loving this proj ect, and I think it lets students be a genius in their own field that they enjoy.” Another commented, “It sparked my curiosity and led me to watching lots of documen taries about ancient Rome that didn’t even help me with my proj ect.” “Love,” “genius,” “sparked my curiosity.” I could not have planned for a better outcome— outcomes achieved through 21st century pedagogy.

Since the teaching of Classics can be innovative, every subject can. As society steadily changes around us, everyone involved in education (teachers, administra tors, students, parents) can em brace cutting-edge pedagogy and welcome innovation.

Top: Back row (L-R): Beth Watts, Lauren Nickles, Mimi McCraney, Grant Hughes, Joseph Watts, Ayden Kilpatrick, Reece Davis, John Garraway, Jane Gray Barbour, Mackenzie Shoemaker, Aubrey Scott Moak, Barnabas Spivey. Front row: Emma Dye, Lillian Noble, Ainsley O’Quinn, Anna Reagan Mask, Gayle Grantham, Olivia Moore.

Bottom: Rachel Watts illustrated her passion for horses, veterinary medicine, and art in this fresco. With the guidance of Dr. Lynn Miller, she learned the technique of fresco painting in addition to her research on Roman equine veterinary practices.

❞

Innovation in teaching involves new methods that engage students and their unique passions.

Mindprints

EARTHWINDS

MINDPRINTS

Senior High Creative Writing & Art Junior High Creative Writing & Art

• Pacemaker Award Finalist, National Scholastic Press Association

• First Class with three Marks of Distinction (Writing and Editing; Photography, Art, Graphics; and Design), Critique of Student Publications, National Scholastic Press Association

• Gold Medal, International Critique of Student Publications Medalist Competition, Columbia Scholastic Press Association

• Superior, Program to Recognize Excellence in Student Literary Magazines, National Council of Teachers of English

• First Place with Special Merit, Annual Magazine Competition, American Scholastic Press Association

• Superior, Evaluation of Student Publications, Southern Interscholastic Press Association

• Best Layout and Design, Best of Mississippi Awards, Mississippi Scholastic Press Association

• Best Quality of Visuals, Best of Mississippi Awards, Mississippi Scholastic Press Association

• Finalist, Cover Design, Best of Mississippi Awards, Mississippi Scholastic Press Association

• Finalist, Quality of Writing, Best of Mississippi Awards, Mississippi Scholastic Press Association

• Finalist, Best Literary Magazine, Best of Mississippi Awards, Mississippi Scholastic Press Association

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

• Gold Circle Awards, Columbia Scholastic Press Association

• First Place, Traditional Fiction, Ainsley Sinclair, “You’re Good, Holden”

• Second Place, Free-form Poetry, Ainsley Sinclair, “Why I Stayed”

• Second Place, Traditional Form Poetry, Ainsley Sinclair, “Abandonment Issues”

• Gold Crown 2020 (Our first Gold Crown!), Columbia Scholastic Press Association International Critique of Student Publications Crown Awards Competition

• Gold Medal, Columbia Scholastic Press Association International Critique of Student Publications Medalist Competition

• All-American with five Marks of Distinction (Our first All-American!), National Scholastic Press Association National Critique of Student Publications

• All-Southern, Southern Interscholastic Press Association Evaluation of Student Publications

• Most Outstanding Junior High School Literary-Art Magazine, American Scholastic Press Association Annual Magazine Competition

• First Place with Special Merit, American Scholastic Press Association Annual Magazine Competition

• REALM Superior, National Council of Teachers of English Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines

• Best Cover Design, Layout & Design, and Theme Finalist; Mississippi Scholastic Press Association Excellence in Journalism Awards

win against Copiah thanks 22 point game from towards one of the biggest match ups of the season with cross-town tions in the “Raiderdome,” the Patriots played resilient brand of basketball, storming back game, hitting three-pointer after three-pointer, running his point season strong with their momen Photos by Lily Flowers 3/8 Spine Size 8 School: Jackson Preparatory School Base Material: PERMOCOTE Litho Colors: 4/C Process Grain None Emboss: None Deboss Deboss Metallay: None Die Cut None Laser Cut None Etching None Foil: None UV Coating: UV GLOSS

triots JOB# 00686-000

PRÉCIS

team, coached by Michael McAnally, look to continue their for the lady patriots, senior Oliv ia Sasser has been one of the key since her arrival. Witt came from the Jackson Victors and has al ready proved to be dominant lineup. The key juniors on the With such great record jority of the games, many young cent injury, sophomore Bradley Carter began to prove herself ridian Flyers Home School team allowed for all of the girls get 00686-000 Date: May 17 2021 Artist: DB Plant: KC

THE SENTRY

Yearbook Student Newspaper

• The Columbia Scholastic Press Association announced the winners from its 38th Gold Circle Awards program. Entries were accepted from student yearbooks and digi tal media publications published from October 2, 2019 through October 12, 2020. Student journalists work ing on these print or electronic media chose from 39 yearbook categories; judges cited a total of 623 winners for yearbook and digital media for either First, Second, or Third Place or for Certificates of Merit for those deemed worthy of honorable mention in a category.

• First Place Gold Circle Award for Endsheets, Michelle Daschbach, Anna Reagan Mask, Cassidy ZumMallen, “You Don’t Know, But You Should”

• First Place Yearbook, American Scholastic Press Association

• Mississippi Scholastic Press Association/Yearbook Division 2020

• Winner, Best Cover Design

• Winner, Best Theme Development

• Runner Up, Best Yearbook

• Finalist, Best Photography

• Best Academic Photo Finalist, Mallory Reedy

• Best Sports Photo Finalist, Mallory Reedy

• Best Feature Writing Finalist, Havens Smith

• Best Sports Writing Finalists, Summer Wheat, Julia Sumrall

• Best Student Life Spread Winner, Sam Leggett

• Best Sports Spread Finalist, Abbie Mask

• Best Sports Spread Finalist, Kathryn Weir, Paige Case

• Best Feature Spread Finalist in two entries, Michelle Daschbach

corded rebound, and differ ent players scored. patriots had push through postponements. These obstacles After recomposing, the lady patriots continued on 10+ cross town rival JA, they played add yet another victory the win ter forcing overtime, the game went back and forth, seeming as just seconds on the clock. Flat gard led the team with 20 points. umn with boards. Special Instructions: Deboss “STILL” on front lid and the line on the back lid. Follow schools art for additional color placement. BLIND GLOSS UV “WE ARE” AND “PRECIS 2021” ON FRONT. GLOSS UV ALL OTHER ELEMENTS F/S/B. 35

• Mississippi Scholastic Press Association/Newspaper Division 2020, one of five statewide finalists in the categories of News and Feature Writing, Opinion Writing, Online Presence, and News Publication of the Year

• Finalist, Feature Photo, Anna Blaire Bryant

• Finalist, Reviews, Camp Carter

• Winner, Sports Photo, Lily Flowers

• Finalist, Graphics, Editorial Cartoon, Kalyn Giesecke

• Finalist, News Photo, Staff Editorial, Selby Ireland

• Finalist, Feature Story, Dax Murphy

• Finalist, Sports Story, Infographic, Mason Nichols

• Finalist, Page Design, Infographic, Covid-19 Visual, Headline, News Front, Graphics Winner, News Photo, Alex Roberson

• Finalist, Staff Editorial, Cass Rutledge

• Finalist, Sports Photo, Lauren Anne Smith

• Finalist, Single-Page Spread, Charles Stephenson

• Finalist, Single-Page Spread, Joseph Watts

• Joanne Sellers Newspaper Advisor of the Year, Lain Hughes

PREP

The Experience

FINDING MY PLACE

by Nehir Baser (class of 2023)

❝ ❞

For me, Jackson Prep is where

I began a journey of self-dis covery. As the only Turkish stu dent in an 800+-member student body, I had to find my place: you can either be lost or you can be yourself. When I arrived in 9th grade, I had very low expectations of the place, the teachers, and the students. I guess I was prejudiced; I saw myself eating lunch alone in a bathroom stall and going home every night with no friends. But this place surprised me, and then it won me over.

Prep is a magical place! I make friends easily and also actually en joy classes. Sometimes my friends from Turkey call me to say that they Googled the school. They are jealous I have such an amazing campus that provides its students with freedom. Each day I lunch outside and get to see little squir rels running around, and I am grateful to be here.

Over two years, I’ve found friends for life. One of them is Megan Tang. We bonded instant ly over being new students who are international. Talking about Turkey was fun, but it was also interesting to hear her talk about China. We love pushing each oth er to do our best, so last year we made a bet that whoever had the lower grade in English and math at the end of the year would buy the other person ice cream. We still have not gone for ice cream.

I also found what I like doing and which classes are my favorites. This might sound weird to some, but I really enjoy my classes. Sub jects that I get to choose are a lot more fun to learn. Prep has so many options, and I want to do all of them. I want to take theatre, coding, painting, psychology, pot tery, and more. Having this many options is new to me. I am accus tomed to being handed a sched ule completely set up and without my say (another thing my friends from Turkey are jealous about).

Last year I took Civil Rights. Mrs. Griffin has been an amazing teacher and role model to me; she is very understanding and help ful. I am now in her AP English class. Prep’s efforts to diversify the school make me proud to be a student. The school shows that it cares by the resources it offers stu dents to be successful. I love and appreciate all of my teachers; they really make Prep a special place for me and for other students.

I’m grateful to have a school that not only helps me grow aca demically, but also as a human be ing. I’ve gained a wider perspec tive here and realized the power of my voice. If it were not for teachers and friends, I would not have realized who I want to be in the future. No matter what hap pens, I will be ready for it thanks to Prep.

I’m grateful to have a school that not only helps me grow academically, but also as a human being. I’ve gained a wider perspective here and realized the power of my voice.

Nehir in front of the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey

WHAT I WISH I KNEW IN 10TH GRADE

by Ian Underwood (class of 2023)

My family makes funny Christ mas cards. Well, we think they’re funny. I learned a long time ago the importance of laugh ing at myself, and those cards (and lately, videos) remind me not to take life too seriously. So when COVID changed the way student council elections were organized by replacing in-person speeches with pre-recorded videos, I was “all in.” Years of Christmas card embarrassment might finally pay off! I decided I would teach my self iMovie and fearlessly recorded an election video for 10th grade class president... and then hope for the best.

While planning, I asked myself, “What’s important? What would my fellow students prioritize?” I felt that we as a grade should be thinking about college now in stead of waiting until our junior or senior years. In my house, I’m the youngest sibling with a sister and brother currently in college, so I’ve heard for years how important it is to think about college sooner. With that in mind, I made a promise that if I were elected I would help my classmates to start planning. When the results were report ed, I was appreciative and hum bled to be elected. But now the challenge began—how to fulfill

my speech commitments. It was such a crazy COVID year; spring quickly arrived, with activities and schoolwork piling up, but I had campaign promises. Like most students, I get much of my advice from peers who have “been there and done that,” so I thought that gathering wisdom from recent alums would be a good idea. My initial plan was to host a live Zoom panel Q&A during activity period, but the impossibility of finding a sufficient number of busy college students who were free at 9:10 am quickly became clear.

Since everyone has become comfortable talking to a computer screen over the last year, the obvi ous next option was to ask alums to record themselves. I felt it was important to get differing per spectives from a range of colleges, so I contacted Ben Johnson from University of the Ozarks, Brittany Wilson from Millsaps, Alice Ann Hollingsworth and Russ Upton from Ole Miss, Olivia Clapp and Mary Parker Plunkett from Mis sissippi State, Sarah Gregg from TCU, and Jimmy Underwood from Harvard (he couldn’t say no!). When I watched all their re sponses, there was so much great information that I decided not to email them to my peers, but once

again to put my iMovie skills to use!

My film editing skills are lim ited, but thankfully, the tech nical stuff wasn’t nearly as hard as choosing which parts of each video to include. I found it fun ny that, with no instruction, ev eryone started with “Hey, y’all!” Each video contained really good advice like how important using Prep’s college counseling office is, and how colleges offer lots of op tions when it comes to clubs and ways to meet people. And, yes, our ACT/SAT tests really are import ant. What I found most interest ing was that almost every person emphasized time management. To be successful, you must plan your days—even scheduling time for exercise and friends! Maybe plan ners should be sold in the backto-school book line in August.

The final video has so much great advice. If nothing else, I hope it reminds us that it’s nev er too early to be thinking about life beyond Prep. If you know any students thinking about college, please tell them to look up the video “What I Wish I Knew in 10th Grade” on Vimeo. Our past Patriots have a lot to offer.

As they say in the movie biz, “That’s a wrap!”

SEE THE VIDEO

Olivia Clapp

Mary Parker Plunkett

Alice Ann Hollingsworth

Russ Upton

Sarah Gregg

Jimmy Underwood

Ben Johnson

Brittany Wilson

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SPEECH AND DEBATE

by Edward Wilson (class of 2023)

quite interesting to say the least. It made a mark, and that coupled with my earlier interest in the for mat of debate, both formal and in formal, ensured that I would join the speech and debate team when I enrolled in the fall of 9th grade.

EDWARD'S AWARDS

Iam elated every day that I chose to attend Jackson Prep, a place where the teachers teach and make me laugh, the students encourage and invigorate, and the lessons in spire and entertain. Here at Prep I enjoy a wide variety of options when it comes to academics and extracurricular activities, and I am not shy of attempting, that being the operative word, to immerse myself into as much as I can han dle. Most notably, perhaps, might be the Speech and Debate team.

I remember my tour of Prep quite vividly even though it was during my eighth grade year. What I remember most was vis iting the speech and debate class room. When you walk in you will be greeted by the eccentric, urbane, and abnormally humble Mr. Younce, Speech and Debate Coach, as well as a good num ber of other titles. His person ality matches his room, which is adorned with books galore, a Viking helmet, and hand-drawn superheroes on the board, among other trinkets. Walking into this room during my tour and be ing greeted by Mr. Younce was

Life comes with many regrets, but I have none about joining speech and debate. The multi tudes of benefits I have gained socially, academically, and emo tionally have truly shaped my ex perience here at Prep. The com radeship gained through shared anxiety about watching theater pros talking to walls or speaking 500 words a second and the in tense level of analytical skills that had to be swiftly honed make speech and debate the best expe rience to learn that neither failure nor success is final. A champion is on top one tournament and can be at the bottom rung the next. Ev eryone around you, on the school team and the various state teams, is constantly improving, and if you don't grow yourself and in stead become complacent in your “greatness,” you’ll be left behind, clapping for someone else’s win. Friendship, better thinking skills, and understanding of growth are key dynamics of Speech and Debate, not even inclusive of the public speaking and recre ational benefits.

It gives me great joy to have an excellent team, coach, and highly supportive administration for an event that gives me so many gifts. None of my “success” would be possible without those three things, and being able to compete with so many incredible individu als is the honor of a lifetime. I only hope that in my last two years I can be as excellent a captain and leader as those who have shown the way for me and ensured I can vie on the level that I do.

In two regular seasons on the team, rising Junior Edward Wilson has competed in Congressional Debate, Declamation, Extempo raneous Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Original Oratory, Poetry Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, and Public Forum Debate. He has reached the bracket rounds in all those events except one, made finals (top 6) in all but two, and finished first in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Congressional Debate, and/or Declamation multiple times. Ed ward broke the 1000 competition points barrier in 2021 and earned a seventh-level national rating of “Outstanding Distinction.” In Congressional Debate at the 2021 National Catholic Forensic League (“NCFL”) Grand Nationals cham pionship last Memorial Day week end, he served as Presiding Officer for three sessions, made Semifi nals, and finished 19th out of 246 competitors. At the 2021 Nation al Speech & Debate Association National Championships in June, Edward competed in Congressio nal Debate, Poetry Interpretation, Extemporaneous Debate, and the Pro-Con Debate Challenge. Ed ward is the highest-rated, rising Junior in Mississippi and will serve as Jackson Prep Speech & Debate Team Captain for the upcoming 2021-22 season.

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HUBERT WORLEY

Over

the past two years we have both been working for a non profit group called EnrichMS where we work to educate youth on topics like vaping, drug use, and mental health awareness.

Our first big project with En rich was the vaping summit host ed in February of 2020 at Jackson Prep. Jill Gordon, founder of En rich, taught us how to talk to our peers about the dangers of vaping. Jill named us co-chairs for the youth leadership team made up of kids from all over the state of Mississippi, and we have had great success with this team! We divid ed up the social media platforms for Enrich and each led teams to make fun and educational content to post.

Our next big project was the virtual vaping summit partially funded by the Mississippi State Department of Health. We orga nized recording sessions with dif ferent panels to connect with the different people who would be watching. Our peer-to-peer pan els consisted of youth leadership team members and high schoolers from around the state. They told stories of people they know who

had medical problems due to vap ing and discussed facts about big tobacco companies. There were personal story panels of people who lost loved ones to vaping. Jill filmed a panel with lawmakers and medical professionals to talk about the legal side of things. Filming this virtual summit helped with our public speaking skills and in creased our knowledge about the dangers vaping brings to the ta ble. It was a huge hit and can be watched on demand. We have also turned the summit into podcasts which you can find on our website at www.enrichms.org/summit.

The next step we took with Enrich was filming a curricu lum for 5th grade students. The “Catch My Breath” curriculum will be played in classrooms for kids all over the state of Mississip pi, and this year we had the honor of filming it with Jill.

The opportunity we have re ceived from EnrichMS has been amazing! We have learned so much about how to talk to our peers about serious topics. We are working on our next steps for the upcoming year and cannot wait to see what is in store!

From left: Dr. Luke Nealey, Head of Senior High; Jill Gordon, EnrichMS Executive Director; D’Ambrah Watts and Hali Hollman, EnrichMS Student Co-chairs; and Lawrence Coco, Head of School

BY D’AMBRAH WATTS AND HALI HOLLMAN (class of 2022) WATCH THE SUMMIT

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RYAN SHERMAN

PATHFINDERS

Jackson Prep means something different to everyone. Do you remember the exact moment, the exact building, teacher, friend, or game that sealed your decision on our school? Despite the differenc es in how we made our decision, every student at Jackson Prep has two things in common: we are members of a family; we are work ing parts of a great whole. There are not enough good words to explain Jackson Prep, yet I could speak on what it means to

me forever. I could never recount the opportunities it has provided me. I want to share one of the most special:

When I was in the ninth grade I stumbled across a meeting and continued walking; I almost didn’t notice an upperclassman waving for me to come in and sit with her. What was going on in here? I decided to walk in and immediately turned my focus to Mrs. Tracie Mallard at the podi um telling of an incredible vision

BY AUBREY SCOTT MOAK

she had for the admissions pro cess at Prep. She wanted a group of students to become the face of Jackson Prep. When families came to visit the school, she wanted a Prep student to tour the visiting student: student to student...She called them Pathfinders, and at that moment, I wanted to be one more than anything.

In short, a Pathfinder serves as a student recruiter, a tour guide, and overall a friend of prospective students and families. We believe

Back, from left: Tracie Mallard, Director of Admission and Pathfinders sponsor, William Deas, DJ Johnson, Megan Tang, and Kimmons Sheppard. Middle, from left: Win Speights, Bradley Carter, and Akhila Adari. Front, from left: Emerson Rhinewalt, Noah Mallard, Hannah Polk, and Edward Wilson.

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Tracie Mallard wanted a group of students to become the face of Jackson Prep. When families came to visit the school, she wanted a Prep student to tour the visiting student: student to student...She called them Pathfinders.

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that it is important to convey a welcoming environment, and we do this by surveying the prospec tive student to match him or her with a Pathfinder who has walked a similar path. For example, I have toured a young girl whose inter ests were athletics and writing. I was able to relate to her because of my involvement with the vol leyball team and the newspaper staff. I shared with her the ways Jackson Prep had grown my abili ties in these areas and was able to give her a glimpse into what her path could look like as a successful Prep student.

Another thing that is striking about Jackson Prep is our facilities. It’s important for a family to see physically all that Prep provides before making a decision. Prep’s campus is so nice and wonderfully tended. Therefore as a Pathfind er, it is so exciting to show pro spective students the beauty that could be their everyday life be cause we are so blessed that it gets to be ours. Seeing a 4th-grade boy run from endzone to endzone on the football field or encouraging a little girl to stand on the huge McRae Stage while you dim the lights is what makes Pathfinding so special. These experiences are not ones that prospective students would get to have if an adult was filling their ears with statistics and information about our school. We work as the hands and feet to make tours for students special and memorable.

There are 42 Pathfinders. Each was selected based on his or her own individual Prep experience. We are made up of students who came from many different ele mentary schools, entered Prep in different grades, and are involved in different campus organizations. Pathfinders is not only a way to create relationships with prospec tive students, but also with other high schoolers whose path you may never otherwise cross.

The program selection process is complete after answering a se

ries of short essay questions and an interview. The application calls for prospective Pathfinders to de scribe their individual Prep experi ence and reflect on how they have been leaders in our community.

The next round, the interview, focuses more on the person’s in terpersonal skills: personality, in volvement, and ability to engage. Being a Pathfinder has developed my leadership skills beyond my expectations and provided me with personal connections within and beyond the Prep family.

I became a Pathfinder when I was in the tenth grade, the first year the program was offered.

Over the past three years, I feel

that I have grown up and devel oped parallel with the program. Pathfinders has evolved from the day Mrs. Mallard shared her vi sion, and so have I.

The school’s mission statement claims it is a place that challenges and inspires students. I can con firm that just from the experience of being a Pathfinder: it was a test of my skills, but it was some of the most pure fun I had in my time at Prep.

Altogether, I feel prepared for college, while at the same time I feel that I left a mark on the Jack son Prep community because of this program. Apply for Pathfind ers. You won’t regret it.

From left: Olivia Smith, Romney McLeod, and Olivia Thompson

From left: Win Speights, Olivia P. Smith, Sammie Zoog, Jake Vineyard, Emily Van Uden, Katherine Speed, and Will Upton

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RYAN SHERMAN

DOES ENGINEERING FLOAT YOUR BOAT?

Don Regan’s 8th and 9th grade engineering students answered that question.

Junior high engineering stu dents were tasked with creating boats that would float. Students were given materials—cardboard and duct tape—and basic guide lines on constructing a boat.

Engineering students are taught about the eight different ar eas of engineering, their key skills, job focus, and how it pertains to the students and society. Students use hands-on activities, along with class discussions and research, to get a deeper understanding of the information. In turn, they in crease their retention rate of the learned material. Various speakers gave students a chance to see and hear from professionals who are using or doing what the students have been learning about.

So why cardboard and duct tape boats? This same type com petition is held all over the United States in high schools and colleges as part of STEM weeks and cel ebrations. It challenges students to use skills learned to design and engineer a boat that will float on

water while a student or students are inside. Is it fun? Is it silly? The answer to both questions is yes. But, it is also effective. Students become involved and work to wards a goal. They design, test, build, and float (or at least hope to float) their boats all while us ing learned skills. Did some stu dents get wet? They absolutely did. But I believe even if some got wet, they learned that engineering can be fun and also a possible ca reer. So yes, engineering did float their boats.

BY DON REGAN Junior High Engineering Teacher

Blake Collins

Will Morgan

Nichols Katsaboulas

Campbell

Wyatt, Meredith

Hawkins, Dylan Dean, Lauren Hand, Holden Heigle

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Make A Difference Projects

WILLIAM MERRELL, Director of GLI • SHARON BOX, Assistant Director GLI

MISSION FIRST COVID FOOD DRIVE Dylan Freeman Elise Jones Harrison Jones

CARA: PLAYING WITH DOGS/AWARENESS

Bella Brumfield Hannah Carter Ruth Emmerich Sydney Ray

SPANN ELEMENTARY SUPPLIES Mimi McCraney Lilly Noble

GO FOR GOLD

Kayleigh Canoy Ka’Miya Dillon

HURRICANE LAURA FLOOD RELIEF Eli Venarske

PREP WI-FI ENHANCEMENT

John Henry Andress Alex Roberson Graham Speed Preston Speed Brinkley Boswell Maggie Boswell Mayrant Gonwa Wilkie Gonwa Walker Headley Worth Hewitt

Charlie Hight Wayne Hsieh Chambers Malouf Mont Mitchell Thomas Wasson

SCHOOL FOR BLIND AND DEAF ART SUPPLIES

Elizabeth Clarke Belle Grace Wilkinson

GOD’S HAVEN Hannah Carter Ruth Emmerich

PURSUIT

Sarah Herring Aubrey Scott Moak Dax Murphy Mason Nichols Victoria Nowell

SHOWER POWER

Anna Leigh Allen Thaxton Berch

BLOOD DRIVE

Bella Brumfield Rebecca Burrow Sarah Herring Brantley Johnson

MISSISSIPPI HORSE RESCUE

Elle Lingle Wilkie Gonwa

CENTER FOR PREGNANCY CHOICES LIFE WALK Carlie Gleason Emma Liddell

CARA: FOOD AND SUPPLY DRIVE Bennett Carter Henry Carter

VETERANS DAY VIRTUAL EVENT Evelyn Thornton

SMILES FOR SENIORS

Veronica Chough Anna Clinton Lee

UMCOR HURRICANE RELIEF Ann Clayton Cain Grace Greenwood

MISSION FIRST DENTAL SUPPLIES Benjamin Bays Will Gibbs

LITTLE LIGHTHOUSE SUPPLIES Ainslee Johnson

GOODWILL ART SHOW FOR DISABLED ARTISTS Walker Box Andie Flatgard Ben Futvoye Cooper Moore

PREP MAINTENANCE RECOGNITION

Halie Hollman Lilly Grace Sites

MS FOOD NETWORK PEANUT BUTTER/ JELLY TIME Anna Blaire Bryant

SHOWER POWER SLEEPING BAGS AND BLANKETS Kate Ferguson Molly Tipton

GOOD SAMARITAN SUPPLY DRIVE Akhila Adari

CENTRAL MS TURTLE RESCUE George Pittman

GOOD SAMARITAN SUPPLY DRIVE

Lawrence Coco, Akhila Adari, Luke Nealey

SMILES FOR SENIORS Anna Clinton Lee, Jessica Jenkins, Veronica Chough

GOODWILL ART SHOW FOR DISABLED ARTISTS Jerry Dearing, Emily Olander, Walker Box

The GLI Medal is presented to a student or faculty for distin guished leadership and service to the school or community.

MAIS JUNIOR HIGH TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Lee Waits, Math Teacher

BY RETA HAIRE Head of Junior High

Visualize a teacher wearing a yellow hardhat dancing with her arms in the air and all the chil dren singing along enthusiastical ly. Lee Waits maintains this high level of energy every day with seventh graders who adore her. She teaches so effectively by mak ing memories that students can make connections in math from all kinds of silly songs and sayings. Children flock to her room early in the mornings and stay late in the afternoons. The atmo sphere is incredibly positive and lots of fun. There are big bright circles on her wall with pictures of all her past classes. She has a wall of fame where she celebrates high scores. And the couch in her room is the best place for talking to friends or relaxing. Papers and tests are scored with bright col

ored pens, and there are always lots of positive comments and big smiley faces.

From her resource students to her gifted MathCounts competi tors, Lee finds a way to teach each child on their level, to make math relevant, and to push them to reach their greatest potential. She doesn’t accept “this is hard” or “I can’t” in her room. She will text mamas, daddies, tutors, or any one else who has an interest in the child, because she truly believes in each child.

Lee’s coworkers describe her as full of energy, passionate, dedi cated, hard-working, creative, and determined. She advocates for her students, is passionate about their success, and is determined to help her students understand the con cepts of junior high math. One

of the new teachers said, “She has been a wonderful mentor to me, always willing to help with honest and practical feedback and advice.” Lee is a team player and works extremely well with her colleagues.

We want every child to have the very best experience when they enter our school in the sev enth grade. Without hesitation, the administrators and math de partment chair decided to ask Lee to teach all seventh grade math classes. We knew every child and parent would be grateful for the very best first year of math. She is such a strong teacher that no matter where we place her in the schedule, her students will be pre pared for any course through ju nior high and high school.

As Head of the Junior High at Jackson Prep, I would describe Lee Waits as an “investor.” Lee completely invests herself in her job from the moment she steps in the front door of the school until she leaves in the afternoon. She never gives up on students, is al ways willing to go the extra mile for them, and gives of her person al time before and after school to work with them. She makes sure that every student knows they are valued and loved. The return she receives on her investment is ex cellent mathematicians, grateful parents, and devoted students.

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HUBERT WORLEY

LISA PATTI OF PATTI PIX PHOTOGRAPHY

For the past thirty years, a neighborhood deep in the heart of Houston, TX, has looked forward to the arrival of Nor wood Sanders. Around Prep’s campus, he is the landscape guru, but in Houston, he is the Easter Bunny. Easter weekend becomes a backyard celebration where families gather to enjoy country cooking at its finest and where every child receives an Easter basket or a candy bag thanks to brothers Norwood Sanders and McKinsey Sellers.

When school ends Maundy Thursday, Norwood packs his truck and heads west. His desti nation is McGregor Park, a neigh borhood in Houston, TX. After his family members and friends welcome him back with big hugs, they quickly put him to work. Early Saturday morning, he be gins frying the 300 or more white perch that he catches and cleans throughout the year. Once the grease begins to heat, he lights the smoker and loads it with bris ket, chicken, and sausage. As the aromatic smoke billows across the streets, neighbors amble into the backyard. Throughout the day, he

LEADING BY EXAMPLE The Impact Award

Norwood Sanders

Maintenance Staff Member HUBERT WORLEY

BY KIMBERLY VAN UDEN Math Chair and AP Calculus Teacher

tends to the fish and meat while his brother cooks vegetables and sides. Between cooking fish for the afternoon meal and testing temperatures of the smoker, Nor wood checks on the most import ant detail of the weekend—the Easter baskets.

He makes sure that the young est child in each family receives a basket and all other children take home a bag of candy. In the house, non-cooks and children as semble Easter baskets, filling them with candy, small stuffed bunnies, colorful toys and new school sup plies that have been donated by Norwood’s family and friends. Af ter turning the meats, Norwood scurries inside to add another chocolate or an additional toy to as many baskets as possible. This past Easter was no different. On Sunday, April 4, 2021, Norwood saw the joy in the eyes of three hundred children as they hap pily left lunch with full tummies and a very special Easter basket.

For years, parents have been grateful for the Jackson, Missis sippi, man who loves children and finds great joy in serving others. At home, the teachers and stu

dents at Jackson Prep will describe him as kind, compassionate, and dedicated to ensuring that every classroom is meticulously main tained and always ready for stu dents. The impact that Norwood has on the families in Houston earned him the 2021 Impact Award, presented by Lawrence Coco, Head of School.

Norwood is an invaluable member of the Jackson Prep community. His hard work and infectious spirit around the cam pus demonstrate a dedication to Jackson Prep that we all should aspire to emulate. This dedication is mirrored beyond Prep as he and his family have faithfully served his community, particularly at Easter, providing joy to countless children and their families during this special holiday. Jackson Prep is honored to have Norwood as part of our family, and we were proud to award him the Jackson Prep Impact Award in May for truly making an impact in his and our community.

Norwood’s dream is to start a similar block party a little closer to home where he can bring com munities and families together.

STAR Teacher Hall of Fame

Kimberly Van Uden

The honor of being named to the Hall of Fame for the STAR program is a reflection of the great students and the supportive environment of Jackson Prep. The STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program is unique to Mississippi. Sponsored by the M.B. Swayze Educa tional Foundation, each school in the state can name a student who has an ACT score over 25 and a minimum GPA of 93 to represent the school. A school can be represented by more than one student if there are stu dents with ACT scores of 35 or above who meet the GPA requirement.

BY KIMBERLY VAN UDEN Math Chair and AP Calculus Teacher

Whenever I walked by Mrs. Van Uden’s room as a junior high student, I noticed the collection of 5s hanging on the back wall, each representing a student who received a 5 on the AP Calculus exam. She seemed to be a tough teacher, but a teacher who nonetheless prepared all of her students. She was my Trig/Pre-Cal teacher when I was in 11th grade and my Cal BC teacher when I was a senior. I loved her hands-on teaching style and how she cared about the success of each of her students. She was always willing to chit-chat or to offer advice. Math was my favorite subject, and Mrs. Van Uden made all of our lessons fun!

KIMBERLY BLOUNT

Recent graduate and 2021 STAR Student Pictured below

The first year that I taught, my high school geometry teach er was my mentor. She told me to make a file folder and label it “Reasons I Teach.” She said there would be years when I wouldn’t want to continue or springs when new jobs would look more appeal ing, so when those times come, she recommended, pull out the file. My 11 STARs are the greatest rea sons I teach. For me, being asked to be a student’s STAR teacher is the highest honor. It means that I made a connection with a student and impacted their education in some small way. Today, I am thankful for my geometry teach er, Kaye Smythe, and for the elev en students who said, “Thanks for investing in my education.”

Sixteen years ago, while teach ing at Murrah High School, Eric Davidson was the first student to ask me to be a STAR teacher. Many math problems had been worked on in my classroom, and he had helped me create an Intro duction to Engineering class and Discrete Mathematics class for a group of students who wanted to take more advanced classes. He continued his studies of engineer ing at Mississippi State and Geor gia Tech and is now married with two adorable children. Another Murrah student, Evan Turnage,

gave me my second STAR. His family graciously allowed me to celebrate with them through grad uation. He graduated from More house and attended law school.

After moving to Jackson Prep, Gracie Hubacek was the first stu dent to give me a STAR. I still have the sweet card of math puns she made when she asked, and it will forever be in the file of rea sons I teach. Ben Clark, Seth Le noir, Robert Wasson, and Gra ham Roberson were my next five STARs. In 2019, Andrew Wasson became my first sibling STAR. What an honor to be asked by a younger brother. That year, Prep allowed multiple students to ask the same teacher. At Rotary Club that year, Eliza Burnham said, “I just love to work math problems. They calm me.” That makes a math teacher swoon. Nicholas Dean and Kimberly Blount are my most recent STARs.

These 11 young adults will never know how much encour agement they have given me. En couragement to study more, plan better, and rethink lessons. They remind me that my words make a difference and that sometimes just listening to their tales about bun nies or basketball or buying their paintings means more than teach ing them integral calculus.

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RYAN SHERMAN

FULFILLING MY DESTINY

BY DR. EMILY MOSES Director of Instructional Technology & Student Information Systems

In the 7th grade, I became a member of the Technology Student Association (TSA). The opening line of the TSA creed states, “I believe that Technolo gy Education holds an important place in my life in the technical world.” I recited the creed what seemed like 100 times over the next six years, and in 1991, I didn’t quite understand what technolo gy education was and what a tech nical world would entail. I guess I spoke my destiny into existence because technology education’s importance is my daily reality.

I am Dr. Emily A. Moses, and I am delighted to be the Director of Instructional Technology and Student Information System at the Jackson Preparatory School. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a Master’s in Technology Education from THEE Jackson State University and my Doctorate in Communi ty College Leadership from Mis sissippi State University. During my 20-year tenure as an Informa tion Technology professional, I have worked in state government, higher education, and as an edu cational consultant for state, fed eral, and private organizations. I have also served as an Adjunct Faculty member for the last 15 years for colleges and universities in Mississippi and a nationally known online university.

I am so excited about this up coming school year! Last year the faculty showed how tough they were as they taught using different methodologies in uncertain times.

My goal is to ensure the faculty do not fall back to methods used be fore COVID but continue to push

the envelope and employ technical resources for students. The faculty is absolutely “JP Tough,” and this fall we’ll take another step and go to the next level with technology. Innovation is key. Technology is engaging. To aid in developing a culture of continuous innovation and align with the strategic plan, all faculty members will receive an iPad Pro, Magic Keyboard, and Apple pencil this fall. The expect ed outcomes are to improve the digital grading process for teach ers, reduce the amount of copy ing or printing, and promote cre ativity and innovation within the Prep curriculum.

I cannot leave students out and am excited to be reintroducing eSports this fall. The students only got to play for three weeks last year before COVID shifted things at Prep. eSports is about team work, communication, strategic thinking, and leadership, just as traditional sports are. Some ben efits to students are character de velopment, STEM engagement, and college scholarships. Students will be introduced to three addi tional leagues this fall, and I be lieve a championship team will come from Jackson Prep this year!

It’s a great day to be a Patriot, and I am so thrilled!

HUBERT WORLEY

The Jazz of Teaching Solo, Collaboration, and Improvisation

You could say there are three different Varsity Bands at Jackson Prep. The marching band starts with summer band camp and follows through football season in the fall. Concert season gears up in January as the band prepares for the statewide MSAIS Band Festival. As Festival music is mastered, the band begins to lean into jazz music. This third wave—jazz—is easily band director Steve Kincaid’s favorite. Patriot magazine sat down with Kincaid to find out more about music, education, and how his favorite musical style informs his teaching.

ABOVE: Prep’s Director of Bands Steve Kincaid, far left, waits while the Varsity Band tunes up for their performance at the 2021 MSAIS Band Festival. For the 13th year in a row, the Band received all superior ratings.

How does learning to play a mu sical instrument help students grow?

Educationally, my students learn to set and accomplish goals, self-evaluate, reflect, re-evaluate, refine, and collaborate. As they progress, they practice those same things in relation to a group. Mu sic practice is geared towards per fection. Unlike sports, there are no 4th downs or 3rd strikes. The performance is a one-off chance to achieve technical and emotional perfection.

A unique aspect of music educa tion is that it is the only place that teaches students to read music. Many people play an instrument by ear, but reading music allows for fast consumption of skill, style,

vocabulary, and an understand ing of music theory. Time spent learning to read music and becom ing proficient on an instrument, mixed with the group dynamic, produces a myriad of well-docu mented social-emotional benefits.

How would you define jazz?

Jazz is a musical style, or, actu ally, styles, as there are many types, nationally and internationally. Mu sicians blend those types together to create even more types and then even more types. The variations keep coming.

When did you start playing jazz?

I had never played or really even listened to jazz music before I auditioned for the jazz band in

LYNN MILLER

my freshman year in college. My high school band only had march ing band and concert band.

What do you love about jazz?

At first, jazz was just some thing new. I really didn’t know what I was doing or not doing, I was just having fun playing music with my friends. As I progressed through my music education pro gram and developed skills associ ated with jazz and jazz improvisa tion, I began to understand how to make that music come to life on my saxophone.

To appreciate jazz music, one has to have some understanding of its theory and complexity. Most popular music doesn’t require the level of understanding or educa tion to play or listen to it, which leads to statements like “Jazz musicians play 30,000 chords for three people while pop musicians play 3 chords for 30,000 people.”

The technical and intellectual skills needed to perform jazz and jazz improvisation well are in part what feeds my desire to play jazz.

I also love that jazz has struc ture, but musicians have complete autonomy over how to recreate it. You may recognize a melody, but the music played under that melody is created in flow, many times with just chord symbols to guide the musicians. Chord sym

bols tell you what notes are in a given chord, not what notes you should play or in what order. The voicing and re-voicing of chords, along with their note choices, en able a musician to change how the chords function and sound. How a musician interprets or voices those chords will be as individ ual as the words a person would use to tell a story. Like folktales passed down through the ages, jazz songs have been played for generations but seldom played exactly the same way twice. The mix of different musicians in a group creates a unique and almost non-repeatable version of a song and a completely different experi ence for the musician.

Inside the structure of the music and the freedom of inter pretation and expression, there is cooperation with your fellow musicians. Experienced jazz musi cians can seamlessly weave in and out of the music, allowing every one the opportunity to express themselves musically without a lot of overlap. Playing with highly intuitive musicians gives you the security to be as creative and ex perimental as you want.

How do you teach students to play jazz?

Students learning to play jazz incorporate the traditional skills

used to play all music, but they also have to discover and ask questions about how jazz concepts work. Being able to formulate the right questions is a valuable skill for a developing student. Jazz includes improvisation, which incorporates theory-related concepts like chord structures, chord patterns, and tonalities. Students create in re al-time using skills that they have developed since they began play ing. These improvised creations are representative of the musi cian’s thoughts and feelings about the music that they are playing.

Do you think there is a correla tion between jazz and teaching?

Yes, if you think of jazz as cre ating in the flow. Assuming teach ers are experts of the material they teach, they should have the abil ity to change direction, explore multiple or differing ideas and opinions, and allow for student creativity and differentiation of an individual’s outcome.

Is there jazz vocabulary that could be applied to the practice of teaching?

Improvisation creating an al ternate melody in real time. Musi cal terms I think you could use in teaching would be in concert (to gether, harmony) and dissonance (tension, problem, resolution).

As music is individually touching, it would be impossible to prescribe songs from the unbelievably large library of jazz music. The three artists I name below are representative of different types of jazz that show freedom of expression, collaboration and aesthetic beauty. I am particular to early vocal versions of songs but these musicians are leaders in the field.

ANYTHING FROM ELLA FITZGERALD: “IT DON’T MEAN A THING”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myRc-3oF1d0

ANYTHING FROM THELONIOUS MONK: “ROUND MIDNIGHT” PERFORMED BY OSCAR PETERSONS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7yazIH4rAI

ANYTHING FROM DIZZY GILLESPIE: “A NIGHT IN TUNISIA”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkemox0461U

What are three pieces of jazz that we should all know?

BARBARA FORTENBERRY HEDERMAN

An Extraordinary Lady

On June 24, 2021, Barbara Fortenberry Hederman peacefully passed away with her daughter Tina by her side. Though saddened by her absence, Jackson Prep will forever hold the deepest affection for Barbara and profound gratitude to her for her life and legacy. Barbara, I know when we meet in heaven, the first thing you say to me will be, “Allyn, tell me what’s going on at Prep.” And I will! Rest in peace.

BY ALLYN RAY Director of Academic Support Services

How many of us can say that the legacy we will leave our community is arguably the finest secondary independent school in the South? Barbara Fortenber ry Hederman can proclaim this proudly. Even at age 92, with a twinkle in her eyes, Barbara re cently said to me, “Allyn, Jackson Prep was my first grandchild.” And this is how the story goes.

In the fall of 1969, when driving home to Jackson from a dental convention on the Missis

HUBERT WORLEY

sippi Gulf Coast, Barbara and her husband, Dr. Marshall Forten berry, were discussing the educa tion of their three children, Lisa, Tina, and John. Both desired an excellent college preparato ry education for their children. Barbara recalls looking at Mar shall and saying, “Why don’t we start a school?” With that simple question and proposal, a creative whirlwind of collaboration and la bor among a group of like-mind ed parents began.

In retrospect, Barbara pio neered educational pursuits as a young woman. Educated in Jack son public schools, she attended Draughn’s Business School and earned a business degree. In spired by her love of the TV show Perry Mason, however, Barbara determined to be a lawyer. En couraged by Standard Oil, her employer, she enrolled in the Jackson School of Law in 1950, one of only three female students at that time. In 1952 Barbara not only passed the Mississippi Bar Exam, becoming one of the first women to do so, but also posted a very high score.

Although fully credentialed and poised to become the first fe male Perry Mason in Jackson’s law community, Barbara put aside that dream for what she now considers a loftier journey. On a double date on the roof of the Heidelberg Ho tel, she met a young dentist, Dr. Marshall Fortenberry, and within the year they were married; a year later they welcomed a daughter, Lisa. Three years later, a second daughter, Tina, was born, and in 1959, the birth of John Forten berry put a period on the Forten berry family.

Barbara devoted her time and energy to the care of her family, church, and community, always keenly attentive to the importance of an excellent education both for her own children and all children in the capital city. It is thus not hard to imagine that, in 1969, a group of men and women pas sionate about exceptional educa tion assembled in the living room of Barbara and Marshall Forten berry, at 1215 Belvoir Place, and dreamed a dream… Jackson Pre paratory School. This fearless, fo cused group of men and women,

in the short span of a few months, planned a secondary independent school. A corporation was formed, and stock was sold to those fami lies wishing to enroll. Barbara led the drive, joining other families to raise money through bake sales, garage sales, and raffles. Land was secured on Lakeland Drive, and construction of the school began. Barbara relates that the weekend before Prep opened its doors, she and her family, along with Mr. Jesse Howell (our first Head of School) and his son Lee, cleaned the school to prepare it for the inaugural student body. When the doors opened in September of 1970, 648 students in grades 9-12 blessed the classrooms of Jackson Prep. The school flour ished, adding a junior high build ing and more athletic facilities its second year. In 1979-80, an audi torium was built, aptly named the Marshall M. Fortenberry Audito rium in recognition of the school’s founder and first chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Barbara Fortenberry Heder man—lady, lawyer, leader, ser vant, mother, grandmother—a

true Patriot—continues to follow “all things Prep” from her Belhav en home. Adored by many, she is described in flattering terms by her children and grandchildren. “An amazing woman…strong, independent, elegant, and kind,” says Lisa, class of 1971. John, class of 1977, emphasizes her “surpris ingly sharp wit and keen sense of humor.” Tess, John’s daughter, age 16, calls her grandmother, “a real lady.” Chance, John’s 14-yearold son, recalls how, “Gamma read many books to me.” But I think daughter Tina, class of 1974, sums it up perfectly: “[Bar bara’s] excitement, curiosity, and adventure—her genuine love and concern—helped create a school of higher learning. A school that she thought of—a school that she imagined and that my father made happen—a school called Jackson Prep.”

Barbara Fortenberry Heder man, your first grandchild— Jackson Prep—says a heartfelt THANK YOU!

This article was originally printed in the 2020 Patriot magazine.

FORTENBERRY THEATRE

HUBERT WORLEY

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

“IT’S BEEN QUITE A YEAR!”

That has been my reaction to many who have asked what my first year at Jackson Prep has been like as I began a new role in the midst of a pandemic. As I look back on the 2020-21 academic year, I honestly had no idea what to expect as I transitioned from many years working in public higher education to a private 6-12 school. Nevertheless, I am con fident that this strange year has given me the opportunity to make an impact that will begin to have a ripple effect in years to come.

One of the first goals that I had was to begin listening, learn ing and developing relationships across campus. Part of that pro cess included working to become engaged in the life of the school. Over the course of this year, one could find me cheering on Prep at football games, singing along to the production of High School Musical (twice), accompanying our history and civil rights courses on visits to the Civil Rights Mu seum, supporting MAD projects, giving tours to potential families, and even teaching a public speak ing class this past spring.

In addition to developing rela tionships, it was also my goal to begin having conversations. Dis cussions that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not always easy. I believe that di versity is essential to achieving ed ucational and academic excellence, and that students’ learning experi ences and personal development are enriched by the diversity of the curriculum, student body, and adult community. I have been so

appreciative of the students, facul ty, administrators, parents, Board members, and alumni who either reached out to me or accepted my phone call or email request to have lunch, hop on Zoom, stop by my office, or just chat about how we can make Prep a more inclusive place for all students. Those conversations allowed me to shape thoughts and ideas on

BY RYAN UPSHAW Director of Diversity and Outreach

where to focus attention during my first year at Prep. They also gave me the chance to formulate more long-term plans and ideas.

Over the past year, several goals have been accomplished in my world. A partnership with Tou galoo College, a historically black college in Jackson, was established to help us engage with their Di vision of Education and create a

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pipeline of potential candidates for faculty positions at Prep. This will help us move the needle on diversifying our faculty. We have also developed a tuition remission program with Tougaloo that will provide reciprocal benefits for Prep students who may choose to enroll there and children of faculty/staff at Tougaloo who may choose to send their children to Prep. Conversations contin ue with other institutions about creating similar opportunities.

Another important partner ship was established with the William Winter Institute that pro vided opportunities for training and community building among faculty and administration. In the fall, faculty participated in an initial Welcome Table experi ence during faculty development. During the spring, school leader ship including administration and department chairs participated in an extended six-session Welcome Table experience that led to rec ommendations being given by program participants.

Department chair Steve Kin caid was a participant in the Wel come Table sessions and found the experience to be insightful. “I was delightfully surprised about how united we were in our desire to affect change for our teacher and student population in terms of diversity,” he said. Kincaid looks forward to seeing how the group’s recommendations are im plemented across the school.

We recognize that diversity alone does not lead to inclusion, and we are taking active steps to create an environment in which the identities and cultural back grounds of our families, students, and employees are valued and re spected. I am very thankful for the support of Lawrence Coco and Crisler Boone as well as all of the faculty, administration, parents, students, Board members, and alumni who continue to champi on the DEI work being done. If you are interested in supporting this work, please contact me at rupshaw@jacksonprep.net.

Other highlights from the year include:

• A diversity strategic plan subcommittee was formed to review and provide feedback on the pieces of the school’s strategic plan that impacted this work. The committee was made up of faculty, students, staff, and Board members

• A student advisory board (senior and junior high students) and a faculty advisory council have been formed to provide continuous feedback, insight, and perspective into any DEI issues impacting the Prep community

• Expansion of cultural heritage month engagement and visibility on campus

Daphne Chamberlain, Assistant Provost; Dr. Carmen Walters, President; Ryan Upshaw; Lawrence Coco; and Dr. Leon Wilson, Provost

FREEDOM NOW:

Civil Rights in Mississippi

Anna Griffin’s Civil Rights course spent time discussing the mur der of Emmett Till in 1955 in Money, MS. As a result, Ryan Up shaw communicated with the Em mett Till Interpretive Center, locat ed in Sumner, to help bring some additional historical perspective to the conversation.

Benjamin Saulsberry, the center’s public engagement director, agreed to visit Prep in person to shed more light on the story of Emmett Till and the continued work of the Emmett Till Interpretive Center.

Lawrence Coco’s Introduction to American Jurisprudence course was invited to hear Saulsberry’s talk as well. Students had the opportunity to hear the story of Emmett Till and understand more about his family’s

impact on the Civil Rights move ment. Students took time to engage with Saulsberry and ask questions to learn more about Till’s story and overall legacy.

Benjamin Saulsberry is a native of West Tallahatchie County, MS. He grew up surrounded by social justice activism, for which he cred its his deep care and concern for his community today. Ben joined the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in 2016 and has spoken on race, rac ism, and racial reconciliation across the country on behalf of the Center, including at Harvard Law in 2017 and the University of Detroit at Mercy in 2019. He studied music as an undergraduate at Mississippi Val ley State University and a graduate at the University of Mississippi.

I am glad that Mr. Saulsberry came to visit Prep. He opened my eyes and helped me understand the process of the Emmett Till case that we were discussing in class.

TAYLA WILSON 10th grader

Benjamin Saulsberry speaks to Jackson Prep students about the legacy of Emmett Till and the work of the Emmett Till Interpretive Center

RYAN SHERMAN

BY ANNA GRIFFIN Civil Rights Teacher

Our Civil Rights class always begins with John Lewis’s last OP Ed which was published on the day he died. In it, he mentions that Emmett Till’s death awak ened in him a need to do some thing to fight for equal justice. Emmett Till’s death was a place to begin discussions about Mis sissippi’s troubled past regarding

racial inequality and injustice. We read about Till, watched videos, and even listened to Bob Dylan’s “Ballad of Emmett Till.”

We were honored to have Mr. Saulsberry come speak to us about Till. He was able to narrate the entire, horrible event in a way that made our students see and under stand what happened on the night a 14-year-old child was killed by a group of white men. Saulsberry went on to speak of the trial and

aftermath of the events on the lives of all participants. What was most interesting to me and my class was the forma tion of the Emmett Till Interpre tive Center as a way to address the evils of the past with a spirit of reconciliation. Mr. Saulsberry really engaged our students—it was clear how passionate he was about his work. I am so glad he was able to visit and interact with our students.

From left: Veronica Chough, Landon Miller, Benjamin Saulsberry, Tayla Wilson, Rebecca Stafford, Amisha Madakasira, and Marilee Cleveland

From left: Ryan Upshaw, Anna Griffin, Benjamin Saulsberry, and Lawrence Coco

It was great to have a speaker like Mr. Saulsberry come to Prep. His talk was very informative and expanded the knowledge I already had on the case.

AMISHA MADAKASIRA 10th grader

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RYAN SHERMAN

RYAN SHERMAN

JENNIFER MOONEYHAM

JENNIFER MOONEYHAM

JENNIFER MOONEYHAM

Charlie Berry A Baseball Story

BY BRENT HEAVENER MAIS 2020-21 5A Baseball Coach of the Year

Having Charlie with our team last year was a great experience for all of us. He brought so much joy with him around all the guys and put everyone in the best mood. Watching Charlie walk out to the mound showed how strong he is and helped our team to realize how thankful we were to be playing the game of baseball.

CLARK KELLUM

It meant the world to me because Charlie is such a strong kid and having him on our side for a few games put into perspective that there was way more to this team, school, and community than wins and losses. Just seeing a smile on his face was awesome to see.

This year the Prep Baseball Team had a season to remem ber. They won their 20th State Championship and finished the year with 35 wins and ranked 4th in the nation. There are so many things that go into a great year. One of the things that would make this year memorable was having Charlie Berry throw out the first pitch. He was captain for the day and spent time with the guys. His presence would stick with them for the season. He made such an impact that the team gave him a Championship Gold Medal at the end of the season. Charlie’s love for baseball and time with the team reminded us how lucky we are to play this great game, and we are so blessed to have him a part of our program.

Charlie Berry is an 11-yearold 5th grader attending First

MASON NICHOLS

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Presbyterian Day School. He has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that attacks the muscles, heart, and lungs. Charlie was diagnosed at the young age of 10 months and has been fiercely fighting the disease since. He travels several times a year to see different doctors with expertise in DMD. He complet ed a round of infusion therapy in which he had over 100 IV infu sions administered in his home every Monday for two years. He is currently enrolled in a clinical trial traveling to and from Atlanta once a month. He is accustomed to a daily routine of a home stretching program, a hefty dose of different medications and supplements, and splints worn nightly.

Aside from the challenges his medical condition creates he is a happy, carefree, rough-and-tum

ble boy. He has a strong will and finds great joy in creating laughter.

At a young age he was intro duced to the sport of baseball by teaming up with his fellow 3-yearold buddies and spending Satur day mornings playing tee ball. As each season passed Charlie’s parents would say just one more time, since his condition had a strict guideline of no contact sports. His love of baseball always won and he had another year play ing his beloved sport. His heart is just as content standing in the outfield or hanging in the dugout as the “bat boy” for his favorite teams. Baseball brings him PURE joy and on any given day he will tell you that “one day he wants to play baseball at Prep.”

HUBERT WORLEY

Distinguished Alum

to execute and sustain these mod els in advance of their becoming an industry standard as evidenced by her first launch of a telehealth program in 2003. Her program is recognized as one of only two of HRSA’s Centers of Excellence. She is resourceful, collaborative, and known for her creative solu tions that engage patients and empower clinicians. She has tes tified before multiple U.S. Senate committees and given numerous presentations across the country, including a TEDx, to advance telehealth policy and share inno vative new models of care.

an executive board member for the American Telemedicine As sociation; Association of Ameri can Medical Colleges Telehealth Committee member, American Nurses Association co-chair for Committee on Connected Health and National Quality Forum Telehealth Committee. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and the Emergency Nurses Association.

Kristi Morrison Henderson, DNP, NP-C, FAAN, FAEN, is a digital health leader and cli nician with over 25 years of expe rience designing, implementing and optimizing the health care de livery system using digital health tools and technology. She is the SVP of The Center for Digital Health & Innovation for Optum Health, where she is creating a first-of-its-kind connected health ecosystem using industry-leading digital health tools and telehealth. She most recently led clinical operations for Amazon Care, a healthcare initiative for Amazon employees and their families. Be fore joining Amazon, she designed and launched a national solutions center for patient access, virtual care, and care coordination for As cension Health. She has a proven track record of delivering success ful programs at scale that improve health and save money. She is an adjunct faculty member in Popu lation Health at the Dell Medical School at the University of Tex as-Austin and at the University of Washington School of Nursing.

Henderson thrives on complex challenges and consistently deliv ers results that exceed expecta tions. She is known for her ability

A few of her other leadership roles include service as a Hon orary Dean at the University of Washington School of Nursing;

Henderson received her Doc tor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she was recog nized as the 2019 Distinguished Alumna from the School of Nurs ing. She maintains national certi fication as a family and acute care nurse practitioner.

KRISTI MORRISON HENDERSON DNP, NP-C, FAAN, FAEN

Dr. Kristi Morrison Henderson Class of 1989

Dr. Henderson delivering 2021 Graduation Address

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Patriot Award

The Patriot Award is given to an alum who demonstrates a sustained interest in and involve ment with Prep after graduation and has earned notable distinction in and made significant contribu tions to the Prep community. This year marked the first time the Jack son Prep Alumni Council present

WILLIAM K. GRIFFIN III, JOHN ANDREW GRIFFIN, AND THE LATE ANNA GRIFFIN CALLENDER

ed the award to individuals who are not alumni of Jackson Prep. The 2020-2021 Patriot Award was presented on the newly ren ovated and turfed Jackson Prep baseball field just prior to the opening game of Prep’s base ball season. The recipients of the award were William K. Griffin III,

John Andrew Griffin, and the late Anna Griffin Callender.

Each contributed countless hours of extraordinary service to the school and exhibited all that the Patriot Award represents. Pic tured are scenes from the presen tation just prior to the opening game of Prep’s baseball season.

From left: Head of School Lawrence Coco (class of 1992), Mary Jean Griffin Lobrano, Griffin Callender (class of 2016), John Andrew Griffin, William K. Griffin III, Alumni Council President Jet Hollingsworth (class of 1994), and Norwood Sanders, long-time family friend

RYAN SHERMAN

1981 REUNION

Wedding

Most of the questions to class reunion questionnaires are pretty standard: most children or grandchildren; oldest and/ or youngest child or grandchild; most gray hair; least hair; most recently married. Most of the responses are fairly predictable, but no would have expected that the most recently married couple would celebrate their wedding… at the reunion.

That is exactly what happened at the Class of 1981’s reunion in April. Dewitt DeWeese asked classmate John Brashier, an or dained minister, to officiate when DeWeese and his fiancé, Tracey Hurt, got married. Brashier, who has performed ceremonies for sev eral other classmates, was happy to oblige and recalls asking De Weese when the ceremony would be. “At Scott Carter’s house, at our reunion this weekend,” re plied DeWeese.

The couple initially thought they would simply get Brashier

to walk out behind the barn with them, say a few words, and make it official. However, word of the wedding leaked and many of those in attendance made their way to the barn on the Carter compound, although it remains unclear whether they wanted to witness the wedding or get another dock rocker. The plan shifted, and the barn would now be the setting. Homeowner Tracey Carter per suaded bride Tracey to reconsider the location, reasoning that the patio with lights over the pool was a much prettier setting than the barn, with its strip lights and Far ah Fawcett poster (yes, that one!)

Within minutes, a small bou quet crafted from purple petunias pilfered from poolside pots mate rialized, a keyboard was carried in from someone’s car, and Michael Collum offered traditional wed ding music as the couple pro cessed from the barn. The couple exchanged vows, and Bro. John declared them married.

BY BECKY DEARMAN MERCIER Class of 1981

The Class of 1981 celebrates every five years with an annual la dies’ Christmas party. Eighty-two classmates, along with 38 adven turous spouses, traveled from as far away as California to reconnect and visit with friends. The celebra tion began Friday night with a re ception hosted by Allison Brown Simmons at Brown’s Frame Shop. “Following our reunion in 2016, Jeff Zadroga suggested showcas ing the incredible talent of some of our artistic classmates. I’m glad we were able to make this happen, but I hate that Jeff was unable to travel because of the pandem ic,” shared Simmons. Classmates and friends who showed included Thomas Wilson, Stephen Prewitt, Suzannah McGowan, Cynthia Carter, Janet Shearer (wife of Dale), Rollins Parker (daughter of Guy), Mike Wharton (husband of Pam Webb Wharton), and Ed Becker shared some of his late fa ther Jim’s work.

PROUDLY REPRESENTING MISSISSIPPI

Sara Hederman Class of 2021 Miss Hospitality 3rd Alternate

Tori Johnston Class of 2021 Miss Teen Mississippi 2021

I was so impressed with Sara’s positive attitude and her work ethic in and out of the classroom. A word that comes to mind when I think of Sara would be versatile.

WAYNETTE NOE Business Teacher

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Sara represented Ridgeland in the 72nd annual Mississippi Miss Hospitality competition. This competition consists of a one-on-one interview, a panel interview, 90-second Mississippi Speech, hometown commercial, cocktail dress modeling, and an evening gown portion.

In preparation for the competition, Sara stud ied current events and facts about economic de velopment and tourism in Mississippi. She said the hardest part of the competition was writing and memorizing her Mississippi Speech.

She made the top ten and competed in the final event. During finals the contestants were asked on-stage interview questions which Sara said were very overwhelming because they did not know the questions they would be asked. She then made it to the top five where they were asked more detailed questions on stage. Sara placed third alternate.

Throughout her week in Hattiesburg, she made new friendships and memories that will stay with her forever. This experience pushed her to work hard and step out of her comfort zone, and she is so thankful that she did it!

Tori was a pleasure to have in my classroom. Her positive attitude, motivation, and kindness will lead to great success in her future endeavors.

NIX Junior High Science Teacher

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This pageant was held in April 2021 in Vicks burg, MS. It is the teen pageant associat ed with the Miss America Organization. Thirty amazing girls from all over the state who won their local preliminary pageant competed to be come Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen 2021.

This was Tori’s third year to compete. Her Social Impact initiative is “Shining A Light on Special Needs.” She has been working with the special needs community since 2017.

Tori represented Mississippi at Miss Ameri ca’s Outstanding Teen 2022 in Orlando at the end of July 2021. Fifty-one girls (the 50 states and Washington DC) competed to become Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. Tori was thrilled to be named a top-ten finalist at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.

In both Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen she com peted in private interview, talent competition, evening gown competition, onstage question, and fitness. Tori was awarded over $10,000 in monetary scholarships for her to use to further her education at The University of Alabama.

PARTY FOR PREP

BY MAMIE HOLLINGSWORTH PAT President

After more than a year of can celing, rescheduling, and de ferring plans of all kinds, the Prep family was more than ready to gather for a celebration. Party for Prep 2021 provided the perfect opportunity for parents, teach ers, alumni, and friends to come together and celebrate our Prep community while raising money to support the PAT.

Held on April 9 at the District at Eastover, this year’s Party for Prep was a celebration of so many things: a long-deferred coming together of friends, the sustained efforts of Prep faculty and staff throughout a challenging year, and the light at the end of the tun nel of COVID restrictions—just to name a few. In spite of many challenges and uncertainties, Party for Prep Chair and Prep Alum Lis sa Kellum and her co-chair Ashley Pittman, along with a committee of generous and talented Prep parents, worked hard to quickly plan an exceptionally well-attend

ed “Urban Cowboy”-themed event. “We were almost sure this event was not going to happen,” Lissa said. “From COVID to the threat of lightning and tornadoes the night of the event, we had to

think through so many scenarios. We were really happy it all came to fruition.”

Although the weather pre vented outdoor mechanical bull riding, it didn’t stop many par ty-goers from dressing the part of Urban Cowboy and coming out to enjoy festive music by Mus tache the Band, an extensive silent auction, and delicious cocktails crafted specially for the event.

Funds raised through the event not only support the work of the PAT but also provide well deserved end-of-year bonuses for Prep faculty as well as classroom items from the teachers’ wish lists.

The PAT would like to extend our sincere thanks to each Corpo rate Sponsor, Super Friend, and Friend of the party as well as to the each of the many Silent Auc tion donors for their generous support. Your gifts make a tan gible and significant difference in the life of each Jackson Prep stu dent and teacher.

From left: Co-chairs Ashley Pittman, Lissa Kellum, (Chair), and Mamie Hollingsworth

PAT Party for Prep volunteers from left: Amanda Puckett, Liz Mehrle, Jane Claire Williams, Barbara Craft, Laura Barbour, and Christy Marion

Record turnout for Party for Prep 2021

HONOR ROLL OF DONORS

“A tree has roots in the soil yet reaches to the sky. It tells us that in order to aspire we need to be grounded and that no matter how high we go it is from our roots that we draw sustenance. It is a reminder to all of us who have had success that we cannot forget where we came from.”

WANGARI MAATHAI

Founder of the Green Belt Movement and winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, from her memoir Unbowed

Photography by Katie Poole (class of 2024)

BY RYAN UPSHAW Director of Diversity and Outreach

HERE TO DONATE HUBERT WORLEY

Each year, support provided to the Patriot Club Annual Fund impacts the outstanding student-centered educational experience at Jackson Prep. This support enhances many of the wonderful opportunities available to students every day. We are exceedingly thank ful for the gifts from parents and grandparents, faculty and staff, alumni, and friends who make many of our programs a reality. Every tax-deductible gift is important, no matter the amount, as 100% of Patriot Club funds are invested directly into student programs and campus life. With your continued generosity, we will be able to accomplish much more.

PATRIOT CLUB

CIRCLE OF GOLD ($15,000.00+)

Yvonne and Robert Bertolet Ergon Foundation, Inc. Feild Co-Operative Association, Inc Jackson Prep PAT VanDevender Family Foundation

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE ($10,000.00+) BankPlus

Amy and Barton Lampton Mr. and Mrs. Lee Lampton Ashley and Hu Meena Amelia and Joshua Metcalf

FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE ($5,000.00+) Deborah and Leslie Lampton Mrs. Valda W. Miller Regions

TRUSTEES’ CIRCLE ($2,500.00+)

Alison and Luke Abney Anonymous Donors Megan and David Dallas Dallas Printing, Inc Lesley and John Davis Sherry and Mike Gleason Mamie and Jet Hollingsworth Huffman & Company, CPA, P.A. Dick and Bettye Mason April and Kevin Nall Trustmark National Bank Amy and DeFord Walker Julie and Dudley Wooley

HEAD OF SCHOOL’S CIRCLE ($1,000.00+)

Anonymous Donors Angie and Justin Baker Carrie and Philip Blount Pam and Denny Britt Rebecca and Lawrence Coco Kelley Walton Fenelon Ginny and Matt Futvoye

Shelley and Patrick Gough Margaret and John Harvey JP Class of 1981

Ashley and Chris Maddux Sally and Len Martin Ron McAnally

Sandra and Jerry McCearley Ashley and Crymes M Pittman Candice and Michael Randall Randall Veterinary Hospital Dr. Rodney C. Richardson Sherri and Randal Russell Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Thomas Stacy and Jay Underwood Mary Elizabeth and Charlie Upton Heather and Will Vise Mrs. Guy T. Vise, Jr. Kim and Will Walker Dr. and Mrs. Allen R. Yates

HONOR CIRCLE ($500.00+)

Martha and Dick Blount Linda and Ricky Black Crisler and Doug Boone Rusty Burke

Judi and Sam Carroll Adrienne and Keith Carter Ann and Jim Coggin Mayme and Thomas Couch Craddock Oil Company, Inc. Saundra and Duane Dewey Marsha M. Hobbs

Carol and Steve Holly Jackson Prep Booster Club Ellen and Charles G. Johnson Dr. David F. Jones Libby and Ted Kendall Vicki and Larry King Linda and Carl Kuykendall Susan R. Lindsay Courtney and Rob Love Tracie and Joe Mallard Patsy and Mike Malouf Camille Van Uden Marks

Lou Ann and Doug McKibben Candace and Jay Powell Allyn and S. T. Ray

Amanda and Ben Roberson

Anne and Steve Rogers

Trina and Rance Sapen

Laura and Tommy Stansell Janet and Bob Stephenson Catherine and Joe Stradinger

The Citizens Bank

Caroline and Hunter Upchurch Ryan Upshaw Dr. and Mrs. Robert Van Uden

Meredith and William VanDevender

Cheryl and Cal Wells

Sheila and David Wilbanks M'Lee and Kelley Williams

PATRIOT CIRCLE (UP TO $500)

Amy Alderdice Katie and Lewis Agnew Joan Allaben

Leigh Ann Allen

Zachary Allison Lindsey Anderson

Mrs. Fred A. Anderson III

Whitney and David Andress Dr. and Mrs. Mike Atkinson

Mary and Brock Baker

Lynda and Eric Balfour

Linda and Buddy Bartling Wendy and John Beard

Tim Benton

Brian Berry

Lillian and Maurice Birdwell

Laura Bishop Leslie and Joel Bobo Sam Boone Will Boone

Samantha and Tim Bowling Sharon and John David Box Melissa and Stewart Boyd Nell Bradford Mary Kelly and Jason Branning Alisa and Russ Robinson

Lynne and Nick Brewer

W.P Bridges, Jr.

Beth Bronson

Georgia Brown Shannon and Jay Brumfield

Joe Bryant

Daniel Burnett

Melanie Largent Burrow and Jamey W. Burrow

Matt Butts

Sally Byram

Lauri Byrd

Sally and Wettlin Treppendahl

Gail and Dan Cado

Joy and Don Cannada

Whitney and Marcus Canoy

Mr. and Mrs. George H. Carter

Dr. and Mrs. Joey F. Carter

Judy and Ken Carter

“Every tax-deductible gift is important, no matter the amount.”

SCAN

Butch Case

Cory and Matthew Caton

Gracie and Scott Chesnut

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Coco, Jr.

Anna Cowles

Dr. and Mrs. John L. Cox

Libby and Jack Crawford Milicent and Will Crosby

Abigail and Reece Crumpler

Anne and Bob Cunningham Beverly and Gary Davis

Nathan Devine

Christina and Mark Dreher Jennifer and Jamie Dryden Jon Marcus Duncan

Donna B. Dye

Kitty and Marcelo Eduardo Kathryn and Steve Edwards Kathy and Eric Eilertsen

Suzanne and John Eskrigge

Mari and Sam Farrington

Linda and Tom Fenter

Nancy Flowers

Monica and Brad Fountain

Dr. Elizabeth Franklin and J. Mark Franklin III

Whitney and John Fuller

Julia and Tony Gaines

David Gammill

E.R. Glasgow

Helen and Jesse Graham Anna and Ricky Griffin

Bobby Gross Chere and Donovan Guilbeau

Melissa and Alan Gunn Reta and Mark Haire

Kevin Hayes Kelly and Blake Headley Brent M. Heavener

Mr. and Mrs. Jason F. Hellwig

Cynthia Hengst

Laura Hepner

Luanne and Phil Hogue

Caroline and Ashley Hollowell

Katherine and Adam Horlock

Betty and Jerry Horn

Lynn and Clark Huddle

David Huffman

Rob Huffman

Sarah Avery Huffman

Jessica Leigh Long and Lain Hughes

Allison and Andy Impastato

Christina and Charlie Jackson

Dr. Lee Johnson

Nina and Carey Johnston

Sue Johnston

Carmen Jones

Harper and David Jones

Lynn and Hamp Jones

Lucia and Dee Jones

Ryan Jones

Reggie Jones

Kim and Kurt Jordan

JP Class of 2017

JP Class of 1983

Mary and Ted Kendall

Kent-Mitchell Bus Sales, LLC

Debbie and Andy Kilpatrick Andrae and Steve Kincaid

Paula and Steve Kuhn

Bethany and David Lane Leila and Sam Lane Malika M. Lindsay

Mr. and Mrs. Ken M. Link Gail and David Litchliter

Lorrie Driver Interior Design, LLC

Addie and Tommy Louis Dena and Chris Lundberg Val and Jon Mabry

Lulu and Steve Maness

Toni and Ed Manning Lelia and Mike Manning

Stacy Maris

Shelby Grace Mays

Michael McAnally

Leesa Crim and Silas McCharen

Emily and Guy McClain

Tara and Allen McDaniel Amanda McKeown

Trudy and Sidney McLaurin Spiller and Chan McLeod

Annie Laurie and Tom McRee Mimi and Robert Mehrle Kristin and William Merrell

Henry Michel

Kathy and Charles Middleton

Dr. Lynn Miller

Mary Sue and Don Mitchell

Kathleen and Mack Mitchell

Jane and Edward Moak Helen and Red Moffat Bryce and Jay Mooney Becky and Dennis Morgan

Sara Whelan and Doug Morgan

Mrs. Jean Moses

Britney and Jimbo Moss

Jane Moss

LeAnn and Luke Nealey Glenda and Ronnie Neutzler

Karen Newman

Debra and George Nicholas Mary Hampton and Jamey Nicholas Emily and Terry Nicholas Anna and Jimmy Nix Susan and Jimmy Nix Mariclaire and Eric Nix Lisa and Gary Noble Keavy Noblin Waynette and Shane Noe Jo Ann Nowell

Ric Nowell

Ms. Brenda R. O'Malley Lee Ozier Silvia and Steve Page Parker Wealth Management

Lisa Graham Parson

Jeanne Marie Peet

Linda Pitts

Trudy and Dave Powers

Brianne Powers

Jennifer and Cliff Powers

Leigh Ann and Chris Purnell

Dyanne and Johnny Ray Kimberly and Guy Reedy Jodie and Don Regan

Mary Mills Ritchie

Paige and Mark Robertson Kevin Robichaux

Mr and Mrs. Doyle W. Rogers

Alexander Romano

Amber Rose

Carol and David Rose

Judy and Dusty Rosella

Betsy and Steve Rosenblatt

Sherry and Richard Rula

Amy-Allison and Weston Russ

Jeanne and Rod Russ

Norwood Sanders

Becky and Joe Schneeberger

Sarah Louise and Ralph Scruggs

Amy and Dale Shepherd

Alli and Anthony Sherman

Melissa and Ryan Sherman

Rhonda and Terrence Shirley

Lisa and Allen Shive

Kathryn and Bill Shuff

Judy and Doug Simpson

Carolyn and George Sisk

Sitters, LLC

Sarah and Jeff Skelton

Jessica and Adrian Smith

Cassie and Carter Smith

Jina Smith

Paul D. Smith, Ph.D. Randolph Smith

Valerie Hyde Smith

Bobby Joe Spann

Marla and Warren Speed Robert Sproles

Bev and Tom Stafford Chris Sweatt

The University of Mississippi Alumni Association

Mary Evalyn and Ed Thomas

Muffin and Marcus Thompson

Marc Treadway

Les Triplett

Jane Tyson

Laurie and Miles Van Pelt

Kimberly and Robert T. Van Uden III

Nancy and Daniel Venarske

Meagan Vinson

Lee and John Waits

Malinda and Jim Warren

Maret and Steve Watson

Beth Mason Watts

Dr. Andrew Q. Weeks

Christopher Weeks

Dr. Stephen Weeks

Beverly and Steve Weeks

Robert Weiss

Mary Alice and Donny White Amy and Ken Wiandt Dr. Newton Wiggins Penny Wilkerson

Jessica Wilkinson Shirley and Mark Windham

Zeb Winstead

Rachel and Tim Wise Michael W. Wood

Michael B. Yang

Angelia and Jimmy Yelverton

Mr. and Mrs. Frank York III

Richard Younce

Laura and Johnny Young Jane and Jeff Zhu

Alison and Luke Abney

CLASS OF 2021

Randall Veterinary Hospital

Leigh Ann Allen

Whitney and David Andress Dr. and Mrs. Mike Atkinson

Angie and Justin Baker Carrie and Philip Blount Shannon and Jay Brumfield Whitney and Marcus Canoy Libby and Jack Crawford

Lesley and John Davis Jennifer and Jamie Dryden Monica and Brad Fountain Sherry and Mike Gleason

Shelley and Patrick Gough Caroline and Ashley Hollowell

Carmen Jones Dena and Chris Lundberg Val and Jon Mabry Waynette and Shane Noe Candice and Michael Randall Kimberly and Guy Reedy

Amanda and Ben Roberson Marla and Warren Speed Bev and Tom Stafford

Janet and Bob Stephenson Laurie and Miles Van Pelt

Nancy and Daniel Venarske

Beth Mason Watts

Jessica and Lenny Wilkinson Angelia and Jimmy Yelverton

CLASS OF 2022

Craddock Oil Company, Inc. Alison and Luke Abney

Sharon and John David Box Mary Kelly and Jason Branning Adrienne and Keith Carter Rebecca and Lawrence Coco Beverly and Gary Davis Jon Marcus Duncan Ginny and Matt Futvoye Margaret and John Harvey Kelly and Blake Headley

PARENTS

Amelia and Joshua Metcalf

Kathleen and Mack Mitchell

Ashley and Crymes M Pittman

Jodie and Don Regan Paige and Mark Robertson Carol and David Rose Lisa and Allen Shive Jessica and Adrian Smith Bev and Tom Stafford

Catherine and Joe Stradinger Lee and John Waits M’Lee and Kelley Williams

CLASS OF 2023

WEW Foundation

Dr. and Mrs. Mike Atkinson

Milicent and Will Crosby Kitty and Marcelo Eduardo Ellen and Charles G. Johnson Malika M. Lindsay Tracie and Joe Mallard Tara and Allen McDaniel Spiller and Chan McLeod Kathleen and Mack Mitchell Waynette and Shane Noe Amber Rose

Muffin and Marcus Thompson Stacy and Jay Underwood

Mary Elizabeth and Charlie Upton Laurie and Miles Van Pelt Nancy and Daniel Venarske Kim and Will Walker

Beth Mason Watts

CLASS OF 2024

Leigh Ann Allen Mary Kelly and Jason Branning Whitney and Marcus Canoy Jennifer and Jamie Dryden Shelley and Patrick Gough Kelly and Blake Headley Mamie and Jet Hollingsworth Caroline and Ashley Hollowell Allison and Andy Impastato

ALUMNI

Andrae and Steve Kincaid

Dena and Chris Lundberg

Sandra and Jerry McCearley Emily and Guy McClain April and Kevin Nall Amy and Dale Shepherd Jessica and Adrian Smith

Marla and Warren Speed

Kimberly and Robert T. Van Uden III Amy and DeFord Walker

CLASS OF 2025

Craddock Oil Company, Inc. Carrie and Philip Blount

Mary Kelly and Jason Branning Cory and Matthew Caton

Rebecca and Lawrence Coco Milicent and Will Crosby

Jon Marcus Duncan

Harper and David Jones

Amy and Barton Lampton

Bethany and David Lane

Tracie and Joe Mallard

Sara Whelan and Doug Morgan Candace and Jay Powell

Cassie and Carter Smith

Angelia and Jimmy Yelverton

CLASS OF 2026

Samantha and Tim Bowling Adrienne and Keith Carter

Christina and Mark Dreher Mamie and Jet Hollingsworth Emily and Guy McClain

Tara and Allen McDaniel Melissa and Ryan Sherman Muffin and Marcus Thompson

CLASS OF 2027

Dallas Printing, Inc

Leigh Ann Allen

Lynda and Eric Balfour Megan and David Dallas Christina and Charlie Jackson Amy and Barton Lampton

*Précis Club. See page 71 for Précis levels.

CLASS OF 1971

Dr. Lee Johnson

CLASS OF 1972

Mary Briggs Baker Sam Lane

Terry Nicholas

CLASS OF 1973

Carol Miller Holly*

Lucia Jones Jones

Dr. Ed Manning

Annie Laurie Heidelberg McRee

CLASS OF 1974

Anne Manning Cunningham* Larry King* Leesa Crim McCharen Lee Ozier

Lisa Graham Parson* Allyn Mann Ray*

CLASS OF 1975

Kelley Walton Fenelon*

CLASS OF 1976 Leslie Joyner Bobo Alan Gunn Rob Love* Rick Yelverton

CLASS OF 1977 Jane Tyson

CLASS OF 1978 Dr. John L. Cox Charles Johnson Tommy Louis Frank York

CLASS OF 1979 Dr. Joey Carter Mike Manning Ashley Creekmore Meena*

Jimmy Nix Dr. Rodney C. Richardson*

CLASS OF 1981

Doug Boone*

CLASS OF 1982 Henry Michel Anne Wells Rogers*

CLASS OF 1983 John Beard David Wilbanks*

CLASS OF 1984

Lindsay Anderson* Crisler Moffat Boone* Jim Coggin* Dr. John Davis* Chan McLeod Will Walker* Kelley Williams* Dudley Wooley*

CLASS OF 1985

Spiller Burnham McLeod Colonel William Merrell Kristin Reed Merrell

Allen Shive Will Vise* M’lee McMullan Williams* Dr. Michael Yang Richard Younce*

CLASS OF 1986

Suzanne Hasseltine Eskrigge* April Payne Nall* Valerie Hyde Smith Dr. Jay Underwood*

CLASS OF 1987

Jack Crawford* Dena Kirton Lundberg Ben Roberson* Warren Speed*

CLASS OF 1988 Dr. Philip Blount* Will Crosby* Sherry Shaw Gleason* Margaret Minor Harvey* Marc Treadway*

CLASS OF 1989

Lain Hughes*

Dr. Sandra Speckels McCearley* Mack Mitchell*

Ric Nowell* Mary Elizabeth Russ Upton*

CLASS OF 1990

Luke Abney* Julia Minor Gaines

Ashley Hollis Maddux* Robert Van Uden*

CLASS OF 1991

Mike Atkinson* Adrienne Cox Carter * Dr. Keith Carter* Crymes Pittman*

CLASS OF 1992

Lawrence Coco* Rebecca Thomas Coco* Bobby Gross* Cassie Anderson Smith Beth Mason Watts

CLASS OF 1993 Camille Morris Hellwig

Caroline Monsour Hollowell

Camille Van Uden Marks* Sara Whelan Randall Morgan*

CLASS OF 1994

Mary Kelly Findley Branning*

Jet Hollingsworth*

Mamie Lusk Hollingsworth*

CLASS OF 1995 Jon Marcus Duncan Zeb Winstead

CLASS OF 1996

Michael McAnally*

CLASS OF 1997

Melanie Largent Burrow*

CLASS OF 1998

Amy Lampton Walker* Dr. Stephen Weeks*

CLASS OF 1999

Christina Sandifer Jackson* Mary Mills Lane Ritchie*

CLASS OF 2000

Lewis Agnew* Melissa Lowther Boyd*

ANNA LEIGH ALLEN

Leigh Ann Allen

MIKEY BALFOUR

Lynda and Eric Balfour

TIM BENTON Helen and Jesse Graham

BAILEY BLOUNT Martha and Dick Blount

KIMBERLY BLOUNT Martha and Dick Blount

CRISLER BOONE Helen and Red Moffat

MARY KELLY BRANNING Shirley and Mark Windham

BELLA BRUMFIELD Shannon and Jay Brumfield

HENRY CARTER Judy and Ken Carter

BENNETT CARTER Judy and Ken Carter

JOE COCHRAN Joan Allaben

MILICENT CROSBY Paula and Steve Kuhn

WILL CROSBY Paula and Steve Kuhn

GARRETT DAVIS Beverly and Gary Davis

JACOB DAVIS Beverly and Gary Davis

SARA FOSTER DRYDEN Jennifer and Jamie Dryden

EMME DYE

Donna B. Dye

JESSIE COVINGTON FOUNTAIN Monica and Brad Fountain

John Fuller* Jay Mooney* Laura VanDevender Stansell*

CLASS OF 2001 Ryan Jones Caroline McKibben Upchurch*

CLASS OF 2002

Britney Wilkes Moss* Dr. Jimbo Moss* Dr. Christopher Weeks* Dr. Newton Wiggins*

CLASS OF 2004

Mr. William VanDevender, Jr.* Dr. Andrew Weeks*

CLASS OF 2005

Jimmy Nix

CLASS OF 2006

Sally Wells Byram* Kathryn Mosley Shuff Les Triplett

CLASS OF 2007 Jamey Nicholas* Eric Nix

IN HONOR OF

TANNER GOUGH Shelley and Patrick Gough

RETA HAIRE Mari and Sam Farrington Helen and Jesse Graham BLAKE HEADLEY Jackson Prep Booster Club

ASH HEDERMAN Betty and Jerry Horn ELLIE HEDERMAN Betty and Jerry Horn

HALI HOLLMAN Lillian and Maurice Birdwell

JILLIAN HOLLMAN Lillian and Maurice Birdwell

EMBRY HOLLOWELL Caroline and Ashley Hollowell

MATT JONES Carmen Jones

KURT JORDAN Helen and Jesse Graham

STEVE KINCAID Richard Younce

MIKE KINNISON

Anonymous

JOHN LOVE Courtney and Rob Love YANCY LOVE Courtney and Rob Love LUKE LOVE Courtney and Rob Love ROB LOVE Courtney and Rob Love SAM LOVE Courtney and Rob Love

CLASS OF 2008

Anna Wells Cowles*

CLASS OF 2011 Will Boone*

CLASS OF 2012 David Huffman*

CLASS OF 2013 Miss Keavy Noblin

CLASS OF 2014 Sam Boone* Rob Huffman*

CLASS OF 2016 Graham Eklund*

CLASS OF 2017 Brianne Powers*

CLASS OF 2018 Sarah Huffman*

CLASS OF 2020 Joe Bryant*

OWEN LUNDBERG

Dena and Chris Lundberg

BRAEDON MABRY Val and Jon Mabry

LOU ANN MCKIBBEN Gail and Dan Cado

SARAH MCMILLAN Jina Smith

AUBREY SCOTT MOAK Jane and Edward Moak

AVA MOAK Jane and Edward Moak

CATE NALL April and Kevin Nall

WILL NALL April and Kevin Nall

TRUDY POWERS

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Coco, Jr. Linda and Tom Fenter Helen and Jesse Graham Chere and Donovan Guilbeau Reta and Mark Haire

Addie and Tommy Louis Emily and Guy McClain

Kimberly and Guy Reedy Mary Evalyn and Ed Thomas Mary Alice and Donny White

2019-20 Jackson Prep Junior High Faculty

NICK RANDALL Candice and Michael Randall

NORWOOD SANDERS Helen and Jesse Graham

DENTON SMITH Mrs. Jean Moses

OLIVIA ANSLEY SMITH Jessica and Adrian Smith

RANDOLPH SMITH Helen and Jesse Graham

BOBBY JOE SPANN

Helen and Jesse Graham

ROBERT SPROLES

Helen and Jesse Graham

BRADLEY STAFFORD Bev and Tom Stafford

AUSTIN TERRY Penny Wilkerson

IRIS BOSTIC

Reta and Mark Haire

REYNOLDS BOYKIN Linda and Ricky Black

ALBERT E. (WARD) BRELAND JP Class of 1981

ETHEL MAE BRITT

Reta and Mark Haire Jennifer and Cliff Powers

DAVID BROOKS Linda and Ricky Black

CINDY BROOKS Linda and Ricky Black Addie and Tommy Louis

ANNA GRIFFIN CALLENDER

Mrs. Fred A. Anderson III Linda and Buddy Bartling

Brian Berry Linda and Ricky Black Crisler and Doug Boone Alisa and Russ Robinson

W.P Bridges, Jr. Beth Bronson and Amy Alderdice Sally and Wettlin Treppendahl

Judi and Sam Carroll Mr. and Mrs. George H. Carter Kathryn and Steve Edwards Kathy and Eric Eilertsen

2015-16 Jackson Prep Senior Football Moms E.R. Glasgow Kevin Hayes

Cynthia Hengst Lynn and Clark Huddle Nina and Carey Johnston Sue Johnston and Robert Weiss Reggie Jones

Kent-Mitchell Bus Sales, LLC

Debbie and Andy Kilpatrick

Vicki and Larry King

Leila and Sam Lane

Mr. and Mrs. Ken M. Link

Lorrie Driver Interior Design, LLC

Lulu and Steve Maness

Leesa Crim and Silas McCharen

Lou Ann and Doug McKibben

Trudy and Sidney McLaurin

Kathy and Charles Middleton

Glenda and Ronnie Neutzler

Karen Newman

Debra and George Nicholas Emily and Terry Nicholas

Jo Ann Nowell

Ms. Brenda R. O'Malley Parker Wealth Management Linda Pitts

Dyanne and Johnny Ray Mr. and Mrs. Doyle W. Rogers Judy and Dusty Rosella

KIMBERLY VAN UDEN Camille Van Uden Marks Dr. and Mrs. Robert Van Uden

ELI SALVADOR VENARSKE Nancy and Daniel Venarske

LEE WAITS Helen and Jesse Graham

IN MEMORY OF

Amy-Allison and Weston Russ Becky and Joe Schneeberger Sitters, LLC

Sarah and Jeff Skelton The University of Mississippi Alumni Association Malinda and Jim Warren

SCOTT CARAWAY

JP Class of 1983

LAUREN ANN CLEMENT

Melanie Largent Burrow and Jamey W. Burrow

LARA ASHLEY ROOT COLEMAN

Julia and Tony Gaines

BRIAN H. COLLINS

JP Class of 1981

JOHN COUCH Mayme and Thomas Couch MARK E. COX JP Class of 1981

BUDDY CROSBY Dr. and Mrs. Joey F. Carter Anonymous Milicent and Will Crosby Julie and Dudley Wooley

JAMES MALCOLM CURRIE Vicki and Larry King Linda and Carl Kuykendall

DAVE DAVIS Linda and Ricky Black Mr. and Mrs. Frank York III

RICHIE EDMONSON JP Class of 1981

DIANE GOUGH OLSON Trudy and Dave Powers BARBARA FORTENBERRY HEDERMAN Susan R. Lindsay Leesa Crim and Silas McCharen

JACK REYNOLDS HOLIMAN

JP Class of 2017 Lou Ann and Doug McKibben Jane Moss

JESSE L. HOWELL JR. Margaret and John Harvey

JANE ELLEN HYDE Valerie Hyde Smith

BARBARA JONES Lucia and Dee Jones Jeanne Marie Peet

WOLSEY JONES Lucia and Dee Jones Jeanne Marie Peet

LUCY WEIR Mrs. Valda W. Miller

AMY WIANDT Helen and Jesse Graham

HUNTER MITCHELL YELVERTON Angelia and Jimmy Yelverton

LEE JOYNER Leslie and Joel Bobo

L.D. KING, SR. Vicki and Larry King Linda and Carl Kuykendall Stacy Maris

DR. J.O. MANNING Toni and Ed Manning

MARY JO MCANALLY Michael McAnally Ron McAnally

NAN MERRELL JP Class of 1981

STREETY MINOR Joy and Don Cannada Margaret and John Harvey

BILLY MOUNGER Sally and Len Martin

DELORES NAVARRETE Lucia and Dee Jones Trudy and Dave Powers

BOB PITTMAN Jeanne Marie Peet

MARK B. (BRODIE) RAY JP Class of 1981

JANE ROPER Linda and Ricky Black

HELEN HESTER SILLS JP Class of 1981

ROBERT G. SPELL JP Class of 1981

MARK A. STEELE Katie and Lewis Agnew DR. GEORGE STURGIS Henry Michel

ERNEST THOMAS II Henry Michel

FRANCES WALTON

Kelley Walton Fenelon

BILLY WALTON

Kelley Walton Fenelon Leesa Crim and Silas McCharen

Jeanne Marie Peet

CALVIN L. WELLS

Anne and Steve Rogers Cheryl and Cal Wells

WALKER WILBANKS

Linda and Ricky Black Sharon and John David Box Sheila and David Wilbanks

YOUR JACKSON PREP CAMPAIGN

The Capital Campaign list is in alphabetical order as of June 30, 2021. The campaign has now gone public.

4 the Family Healthcare Anonymous (9)

Zachary Allison Whitney and David Andress

Dr. and Mrs. Mike Atkinson

Natalie and John Baten

Tim Benton

Yvonne and Robert Bertolet

Laura Bishop

Crisler and Doug Boone

Samantha and Tim Bowling Sharon and John David Box

Nick Brewer

Pam and Denny Britt Mary Kelly and Jason Branning Georgia A. Brown

Mary Tison and Jay Brown Carr M. Brown-Black

Rusty Burke Daniel Burnett

Greta and Matt Butts

Gail and Dan Cado Dr. and Mrs. Graham C. Calvert Whitney and Marcus Canoy Butch Case

Cory and Matthew Caton

Gracie and Scott Chesnut

Drs. Nicole and Ken Cleveland

Clinton Dental Care, Inc

Rebecca and Lawrence Coco Ann and Jim Coggin

Pat and Jim Coggin Dr. and Mrs. John L. Cox Kappi and David Craddock Barbara and Jason Craft Jennifer and York Craig Libby and Jack Crawford

Betsy Creekmore

Sidney and Holt Crews Milicent and Will Crosby Catherine and John Cross Abigail and Reece Crumpler

Megan and David Dallas

Lesley and John Davis

Nathan Devine

Saundra and Duane Dewey

Tammy and Jon Marcus Duncan Kitty and Marcelo Eduardo

Graham Eklund

Entergy Corporation

Suzanne and John Eskrigge

Mari and Sam Farrington

Jan and Lawrence Farrington

Nancy Flowers

Jayda and Wendell Fountain

Martha and Davis Frye

Dave Gammill

Natalie and David Gibbs

Helen and Jesse Graham

Anna and Ricky Griffin

Bobby Gross Chere and Donovan Guilbeau

Reta and Mark Haire

Elizabeth and Clay Hays Kelly and Blake Headley Brent M. Heavener

Mrs. Barbara Hederman Henry and Martha Hederman Charitable Foundation

Laura Hepner

Courtney and Thomas Hewitt Marsha M. Hobbs

Mamie and Jet Hollingsworth

Katherine and Adam Horlock Laurie and Tony Huffman

Jessica Leigh Long and Lain Hughes

Christina and Charlie Jackson

Jackson Prep Booster Club

Ellen and Charles Johnson

Harper and David Jones

Kim and Kurt Jordan Andrae and Steve Kincaid

Vicki and Larry King

Bethany and David Lane Malika M. Lindsay

Jeanne and William Liston Addie and Thomas M. Louis Ashley and Chris Maddux Tracie and Joe Mallard Lelia and Mike Manning Bettye and Dick Mason

Shelby Grace Mays

Michael McAnally Emily and Guy McClain Tara and Allen McDaniel Amanda and Frank McKeown Lou Ann and Doug McKibben McMaster & Associates, Inc Laura and Ronald McMaster Mr. and Mrs. Mart B. McMullan Ashley and Hu Meena Elizabeth and Kerk Mehrle Kristin and William Merrell Dr. Lynn Miller

Kathleen and Mack Mitchell Helen and Red Moffat

Jennifer and Buster Mooneyham Becky and Dennis Morgan

LeAnn and Luke Nealey

Melissa and Nash Neyland

Kimberly P. and Michael R. Nichols Anna and Jimmy Nix Mariclaire and Eric Nix Lisa and Gary Noble Keavy Noblin Waynette Noe Ramona and Lee Ozier Silvia and Steve Page Beth and Chip Pickering

Jennifer and Cliff Powers Susie and John Puckett

Leigh Ann Purnell Allyn and S. T. Ray Jennifer and Richard Rebich

Kimberly and Guy Reedy

Leigh and Todd Reeves

Jodie and Don Regan

Mary Mills and Spencer Ritchie

Paige and Mark Robertson

Kim and Kevin Robichaux

Anne and Steve Rogers

Alexander Romano Amber C. Rose

Carol and David Rose Norwood Sanders

Trina and Rance Sapen

Sarah Louise and Ralph Scruggs

Selby & Richard McRae Foundation, Inc. Dr. and Mrs. Walter R. Shelton

Amy and Dale Shepherd

Alli and Anthony Sherman

Melissa and Ryan Sherman

Rhonda and Terrence Shirley

Lisa and Allen Shive

Kathryn and Bill Shuff

Carolyn and George Sisk

Jina Smith

Paul D. Smith, Ph.D. Randolph Smith

Bobby Joe Spann

Robert Sproles

Laura and Tommy Stansell

Catherine and Joe Stradinger

Chris Sweatt TCBC, LLC

The Michelle and David Hobbs Foundation

Lynn and Hays Thompson Muffin and Marcus Thompson

Les Triplett, Jr.

Amanda and Tyler Turner

Caroline and Hunter Upchurch Ryan Upshaw Mary Elizabeth and Charles Upton

Mollie and Billy VanDevender

Kimberly and Robert Van Uden

Heather and Will Vise Lee and John Waits Amy and DeFord Walker Walker Foundation

Maret and Steve Watson

Beth Mason Watts WEW Foundation

Emily and Stuart Whitaker Amy and Ken Wiandt

Jessica and Lenny Wilkinson

M’lee and Kelley Williams, Jr., George Williams, and Cliff Williams

Rachel and Tim Wise

Frances and Phil Wilson

Julie and Dudley Wooley

Mr. and Mrs. Wirt Yerger III

Richard Younce

Eleanor and Ryan Young Jane and Jeff Zhu

Every attempt was made to ensure accuracy. We apologize for any oversights or errors that may have occurred.

CIRCLE OF GOLD $15,000 or more CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE $10,000 to $14,999

JOIN THE PATRIOT CLUB

FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE $5,000 to $9,999 TRUSTEES’ CIRCLE $2,500 to $4,999

HEAD OF SCHOOL’S CIRCLE $1,000 to $2,499 HONOR CIRCLE $500 to $999

In support of Jackson Preparatory School’s 2021-2022 Patriot Club, I pledge $________________________.

■ A check (made payable to JP Patriot Club) in the amount of $_______________________ is enclosed for: ■ Full Payment ■ Partial Payment (balance to be paid by 6/15/2022)

■ I will set up a monthly bank draft for $_________________________.

■ One-Time ■ Monthly ■ Quarterly ■ Annually Bank Routing #____________________________________ Account # Bank Account Name (if different from above) Financial Institution

Begin Date____ /____ /____ End Date____ /____ /____ Draft on the: ■ 1st ■ 15th I agree that each payment shall be the same as if it were an instrument personally signed by me. This authority is to remain in effect until the date designated above. I have the right to stop payment of a charge by timely notification to Jackson Prep prior to charging my account. I understand, however, that both the financial institution and Jackson Prep reserve the right to terminate this payment plan (or my participation therein).

Signature

■ Please charge my credit card a prorated amount each month.

■ I wish to charge my donation to: ■ American Express ■ Mastercard ■ VISA Card #____________________________________________________ Expiration Date ____ /____ /____ Billing Address

City________________________________________________ State____________________ Zip

Name as it appears on Card Card Verification # _______________ Signature For your safety and security, our payment system requires that you enter your card verification number. The verification number is a three- or four-digit number printed on the back of your card.

■ I will donate by credit card online at www.jacksonprep.net. Please complete pledge information above and sign at bottom. ■ I am not certain of the amount I want to pledge at this time, but please contact me in: ■ October ■ November ■ December ■ Yes, my company or my spouse’s company will match my gift. Name (to appear in the Honor Roll of Donors) please print Address City________________________________________________ State____________________ Zip Email Address Home Phone___________________________________ Cell Phone Please indicate if applicable: ■ Alum of Jackson Prep, Class of___________ Maiden Name ■ Spouse is alum of Jackson Prep, Class of___________

PATRIOT CIRCLE

Up to $500

Précis Club

Précis Club members are alumni who give the recommended amount or more according to class year.

CLASS AMOUNT

2021 $ 10 2020 $ 20 2019 $ 30 2018 $ 40 2017 $ 50 2016 $ 60 2015 $ 70 2014 $ 80 2013 $ 90 2012 $100 2011 $110 2010 $120 2009 $130 2008 $140 2007 $150 2006 $160 2005 $170 2004 $180 2003 $190 2002 $200 2001 $210 2000 $220 1999 $230 1998 $240 1997 $250 1996 $260 1995 $270 1994 $280 1993 $290 1992 $300 1991 $310 1990 $320 1989 $330 1988 $340 1987 $350 1986 $360 1985 $370 1984 $380 1983 $390 1982 $400 1981 $410 1980 $420 1979 $430 1978 $440 1977 $450 1976 $460 1975 $470 1974 $480 1973 $490 1972 $500 1971 $510

HIDDEN PREP

The Cross Country Trail

Unless you have a connection to Prep’s Cross Country team, you may never have seen the trail that cuts through the woods at the north end of the school campus. The course begins at the practice fields and enters the woods behind the tennis courts, emerging again behind the stor age barn close to the north end of the football field. The route takes runners through an ecosystem of longleaf pine and hardwood trees that is home to deer and turkey, as well as a number of bird species, reptiles, and plants. Cross coun try runners cross wooden bridg es over small streams that wander through Prep’s campus before eventually finding their way into

the Pearl River. Several years ago Prep’s woodworking classes built nesting boxes that were placed in the woods to support both resi dent and migrating birds.

Between Prep’s Cross Coun try Trail and the Pear River is the Fannye Cook Nature Preserve. Under the stewardship of Wildlife Mississippi, the preserve covers 2,700 acres of land from Jackson Prep along the Pearl almost to the reservoir spillway. Named for Fan nye Cook, a pioneer conservation biologist and first director of the MS Natural Science Museum, the preserve is scheduled to include nature trails and recreational areas.

Discover this natural landscape that is part of Prep’s campus.

BY DR. LYNN MILLER Visual Arts Chair Art Teacher

Photos by (from top clockwise): Joe Cochran (class of 2022), Katherine Cole (class of 2024), Katherine Speed (class of 2024), Mason Kimball (class of 2022), and Percy Oliver (class of 2024)

Who We Were in 7th Grade THE LAST WORD

As I worked with Vicki King and Lynn Miller putting the final touches on this issue of the Prep magazine and in rereading all of the articles, several overarching themes jumped out at me: the value of edu cation, the importance of experienc es, and how early events have the po tential to shape the rest of our lives.

Two of our contributors in this issue mentioned how their time in the 7th grade largely influenced and helped guide them towards their fu ture careers.

Dr. Emily Moses, our new Di rector of Instructional Technolo gy talked about how joining her school’s technology student associ ation in the 7th grade, and it’s en suing creed, became a mantra over her next years of school. She didn’t understand, then, how that involve ment would help her realize her pas sion for technology. But as she said, “I guess I spoke my destiny into ex istence because technology educa tion’s importance is my daily reality.”

Dr. Ebony Lumumba had this to say during our interview about Eu dora Welty: “I discovered her [Wel ty] in the 7th grade reading ‘Why I Live at the PO’ and then I heard her read it in her own voice from a record that my English teacher had, and I was struck at that point...at twelve years old…and I haven’t turned back from studying her work since.”

The 7th grade is Prep’s largest entry point, and there is no more pivotal time to engage with a stu dent than at this age. They are open and excited about learning. They have enthusiasm for exploration and creative thought. They bring a quick agile mind to the table that is still alert and impressionable.

Jackson Prep understood this when it implemented forward thinking in its renovation of the Junior High and had the foresight

to see that collaboration, flexibility and atmosphere are crucial compo nents in how today’s students learn and grow.

Our Head of Junior High, Reta Haire, knew how vital this grade was when she asked Prep’s MAIS Ju nior High Teacher of the Year, Lee Waits, to move into teaching all 7th grade math classes. Reta described Lee as an “investor.” She under stands how this time in a student’s life truly matters.

And Lee knows this firsthand as she says, “I feel like 7th grade is a huge jumping off point for every student. It is the foundation. This is the year when most become in dependent of an elementary school and mom and dad. Every year my students have to learn how to navi gate more freedom which gives them the space to realize their strengths and weaknesses. This independence helps them figure out what they re ally enjoy and helps them discover where they are talented.”

There is a huge difference be tween receiving a good education and receiving a GREAT education. For that to happen there must be thought, ability, creativity and vision.

Jackson Prep strives for excel lence in all aspects. While we are for tunate to have second to none facil ities and state of the art classrooms and technology, we never forget that our primary goal is to educate people and educate them well. What we are engaged in today will have profound effects on their lives and there is no more exciting or import ant place to be!

When Nobel Prize winner Mala la Yousafzai was 16 years old, she made a speech before the United Nations wherein she said: “Let us remember. One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”

BY NORMA COX Director of Library Services

Norma Cox

Emily Moses

Lee Waits

Ebony Lumumba

3100 Lakeland Drive Flowood, MS 39232