Patriot Magazine 2020 by Jackson Prep

THE

PATRIOT 20 20

A M AG A Z I N E FO R T H E A LU M N I , PA R E N T S , S TA F F, A N D F R I E N D S O F JAC K S O N P R E PA RATO RY S C H O O L

What a Year Prep faces the pandemic

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Lawrence M. Coco, III W

MISSION STATEMENT: Jackson Preparatory School inspires and challenges students toward academic, athletic, and artistic PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

excellence, instills personal integrity through biblical values, and equips students to pursue lives of distinction in service to society.

elcome to the 2019-2020 Patriot Magazine! Inside, you will find articles ranging from our recent successes in remote learning to the accomplishments of our students, teachers, and alumni. This past year has been strange and difficult, yet filled with opportunities. This magazine reflects that reality. Jackson Prep has been a flagship educational institution in Mississippi for years, and we demonstrated educational leadership this year perhaps more than in any other. I am proud of the accomplishments of our institution, and I am excited for you to read more about the stories that emanated from the 2019-2020 school year. Our successes are just the beginning of what Jackson Prep can bring to life in our next 50 years. Before you begin, I must share with you a few of my lasting memories of this past year. In short, this year has been inspiring. This inspiration comes directly from our students and teachers. As we made the difficult decision to move to remote learning in the spring, I was amazed at our students’ spirit, humor, and commitment to learning as they helped each other and their teachers transition to a new educational environment. I watched Patriots, from sixth graders to seniors, help and support each other and their teachers as they maintained their commitment to learning. Our students faced difficult, unprecedented circumstances with incredible spirit and unwavering positivity. Similarly, our teachers were an inspiration throughout the year. Our faculty worked tirelessly on behalf of students. They reworked lesson plans (not in a matter of weeks, but in a matter of days), engaged with students, and dedicated themselves to the service of young learners under incredibly

challenging circumstances. I cannot say enough about their tenacious commitment to learning during our COVID-19 experience. I want to take this opportunity to thank both our students and our teachers for the inspiration they provided me during this school year and for the resilience of Prep parents for staying the course with us. You all are the personification of “excellence without exception,” and I am proud of our combined contributions to Jackson Prep. Importantly, as we continue to build on the inspiration generated by this past school year, we are making plans to enhance and ensure the excellence of Prep for the next 50 years. This is YOUR Jackson Prep! Our school has been a thriving hub of education for decades. As we chart future plans, we want to positively and directly impact every student currently on our campus as well as our future Patriots. I am so encouraged and energized by our creative, nimble approach to the challenges and opportunities this semester brought to us. This is just the beginning. I am confident we will continue to make Jackson Prep the flagship secondary school in Mississippi and a leader in the Southeast as our students inspire, invigorate, and serve their community. I am looking forward to seeing all of you as we return to campus for the 2020-2021 school year. We are excited to see our students collaborating in classrooms, competing on athletic fields and courts, and performing on stage. I am proud to be part of our Prep Family. We are going to have a great year! Go Patriots!

Lawrence M. Coco, III (class of 1992)

ON THE COVER The class of 2020 watches the grand finale of their graduation ceremony at Trustmark Park. Photo by Hubert Worley

FOURTH TERM GOES REMOTE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS.................................................. .6 John Henry Andress (class of 2021) chronicles how COVID-19 impacted the spring semester.

WE ARE PREPARED......................................................... .18

Laura Bishop, Head of IT, describes Prep's transition to remote learning.

FINE ARTS REMOTE LEARNING..................................22 Lynn Miller, Chair of Visual Arts, explains how art education was achieved through remote learning.

RETA HAIRE.........................................................................36 Haire is the new Head of Junior High.

Zoom! One Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Experience.............................................. 9 Students Test Virtual-Reality Physics Classroom from Home.... 11 Missed Milestones.................................................................... 12 Strange Senior Year as Class of 2020 Faces Pandemic............... 14

Greater Good Lurks Behind..................................................... 16 Excellence, Even During a Crisis.............................................. 17 A Dynamic World.................................................................... 20 Athletics Roundup................................................................... 24 Ms. Trudy Powers Retires Leaving a Legacy............................. 26 Students GoMad for our Community...................................... 28 GLI Visits Alaska..................................................................... 30 Community Service................................................................. 32 Achievements in Creative Writing............................................ 34 Faculty & Staff Spotlight.......................................................... 36 STAR: Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition................... 43

Alumni News........................................................................... 44 International Program............................................................. 51 Marketing & Branding in a Crisis............................................. 52 Yvonne & Bob Bertolet: Championing the Patriot Club........... 54 Honor Roll of Donors............................................................. 56 Jackson Preparatory School admits students of any race, color, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, tuition assistance, or athletic and school-administered programs.

DR. JOHN DAVIS (class of 1984) Board of Trustees President

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

EDITORIAL TEAM Vicki King, Editor Nathan Devine, Copy Editor Allyn Ray (class of 1974), Copy Editor Megan Seyfarth, Designer Hederman Brothers, Printing

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When school dismissed for Spring Break, no one in the Prep Family could have imagined that our whole world would change over the next week, including how we would “do school” for the remainder of the academic year. Instead of the usual return to class with stories of how the past week had been spent, students were instead directed to virtual classrooms and online learning, and they were deprived of the joys of face-toface social interaction always taken for granted. What many students and parents may still not know is that the Head of School, Mr. Lawrence Coco, called together Prep’s senior leadership team over the last weekend of spring break and began an extensive planning process to ensure that Jackson Prep would not shy away from this unexpected challenge but would meet it head on and create the most robust and authentic educational experience for students as possible. Teachers were brought to campus on Monday after the break and apprised that virtual learning would commence on Wednesday. Instead of a backlash and protest, teachers embraced this challenge, in turn encouraging the students to do the same. I couldn’t be more proud to have been just a tiny part of the remarkable response of our Prep Family to an unprecedented test of our resolve. All of us will be better for having endured these strange times together, and when God in His mercy gives us either an effective treatment or vaccine, we will return to normal with an appreciation of many of life’s routines that we never would have enjoyed otherwise.

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EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM Lawrence M. Coco, III (class of 1992), Head of School Crisler Boone (class of 1984), Chief External Affairs Officer Denny Britt, Chief Operating Officer Will Crosby (class of 1988), Director of Athletics Reta Haire, Head of Junior High Luke Nealey, Assistant Head and Head of Senior High BOARD OF TRUSTEES John D. Davis IV (class of 1984), President Jim Coggin, Jr. (class of 1984), Vice President Will Walker (class of 1984), Secretary Tony Huffman, Treasurer Anne Wells Rogers (class of 1982), Ex-officio David Andress Duane Dewey Marcelo Eduardo Wilson Hood (class of 2002) Ashley Meena (class of 1979) Thomas “Mack” Mitchell (class of 1989) Susie Puckett Terrence M. Shirley Laura Stansell (class of 2000) Joe Stradinger Francine Smith Thomas Mary Elizabeth Upton (class of 1989) Heather Vise Emily Whitaker J. Kelley Williams, Jr. (class of 1984) Dudley D. Wooley (class of 1984) 2019-2020 ALUMNI COUNCIL Matt Collins (class of 1997), President Jet Hollingsworth (class of 1994), Vice President Melissa Lowther Boyd (class of 2000) Preston Dowell (class of 2007) Sherry Shaw Gleason (class of 1988) David Huffman (class of 2012) Caroline Colbert Hunter (class of 2004) Harper Wise Jones (class of 1999) Lissa Middleton Kellum (class of 1991) Douglas Strahan Loftin (class of 2007) Ashley Hollis Maddux (class of 1990) Will McCraney (class of 1992) Elizabeth May Meadows (class of 2005) Walter Newman (class of 1977) Kap Primos (class of 1997) Jay Underwood (class of 1986) William VanDevender (class of 2004) David Wilbanks (class of 1983)

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

Congratulations Class of 2020 24 Colleges and Universities 11 Different States $ 4.1 Million Scholarships Accepted

Jackson Prep celebrated the class of 2020 at a socially-distanced graduation ceremony on the baseball field at Trustmark Park in Pearl.

Members of the class of 2020 will attend the following colleges and universities: The University of Alabama Auburn University Belmont University College of Charleston Copiah-Lincoln Community College Elon University Harding University Harvard College Hinds Community College Jones County Junior College University of Louisiana at Monroe University of Massachusetts-Amherst Millsaps College Mississippi College Mississippi State University University of Mississippi Missouri State University Northeast Mississippi Community College University of Notre Dame University of the Ozarks Samford University University of Southern Mississippi Texas Christian University Washington University in St. Louis

LAURI BYRD Science instructor

PHOTO BY RYAN SHERMAN

Fourth term goes

REMOTE due to CORONAVIRUS ❝

Thirteen emails. Through these thirteen emails, the rest of the school year was utterly and totally changed.

❞ BY JOHN HENRY ANDRESS (class of 2021) Managing Editor, Sentry, jpsentry.net

ell, that escalated quickly. Tuesday, March 3: A Patriot Communication email is sent out to the community that states information on how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus while emphasizing there is not yet a pandemic in the United States. Thursday, March 5: Students and faculty leave campus to enjoy Spring Break. It will be their last school day on campus. Tuesday, March 10: A Patriot Communication email is sent out reminding the community that the situation is being monitored by different agencies while still emphasizing the fact that there is not yet a coronavirus pandemic in the United States. Thursday, March 12: Mr. Lawrence Coco, Head of School, sends out a Patriot Communication stating that “[a]ll students, faculty, and staff (and any family members with whom they have been in contact) who have traveled over Spring Break to Europe, Asia, and/or traveled on a cruise ship will need to self-quarantine for 14 days from the time that they returned to the United States.” Friday, March 13: A Patriot Communication is sent out stating that there will not be school on Monday as previously scheduled, but the faculty and staff will meet together to discuss how to begin the process of remote learning. The students were expected to go to school the rest of the week to meet with their teachers and discuss how the change to remote learning will occur for the following weeks, while quarantined students were expected to go to school remotely starting that Tuesday. Saturday, March 14: A Patriot Communication is sent out stating that the campus will be closed un-

til further notice, and remote learning will begin on Wednesday, March 18, which will give the teachers two days to learn how to implement the system. All extra-curricular activities are canceled until further notice. A second email is then sent out that includes a schedule for the students to drive through and pick up materials from their lockers and anything their teachers wanted to distribute. Monday, March 16: A Patriot Communication email is sent out that instructs the students on behavior and expectations during remote learning. Also included is the schedule for the first day of remote learning, which was a “Z” day, allowing all class periods to meet. The schedule for the following days of remote learning was also included. Tuesday, March 17: A Patriot Communication is sent out that includes details of how students are to attend class, what to do if technology issues occur, and other related details. Wednesday, March 18: The first day of remote learning occurs, and a Patriot Communication is sent out that includes an encouraging letter from Mr. Coco that highlights how the Prep community has been able to adapt to difficult circumstances. This begins the new daily schedule of the community, and, especially the seniors. Friday, March 20: A Patriot Communication is sent out to wrap up the first week of remote learning. Due to the governor’s previous executive order on March 19, the school believes that the campus will remain closed through Monday, April 20. Tuesday, March 31: Head of School Lawrence Coco sends out a video to the community. It serves as a reminder to read the weekly Patriot Communication emails, explains that jacksonprep.live will begin showing past sporting events and perfor-

PHOTO BY RYAN SHERMAN

LAIN HUGHES (class of 1989) Social studies and journalism instructor

clicked on links that took them to class, which was run through online systems such as Zoom and Google Meet. The teachers could then lecture, give assignments, and run class like they would have if they were meeting in the classroom. Classes were changed to 50-minute periods, with the exception of the 30-minute fixed carrier. This allowed the school day to end at 12:30, with an option for teachers to give tests in the afternoon or to provide help sessions for students. The remote learning allowed the teachers to talk with their students and explain new concepts instead of simply assigning a worksheet for the students to complete. The original date for the PAT fundraiser, Party for Prep, was March 27, but was postponed to August 6. The event was ultimately canceled. This was just one example of the many events postponed or canceled. As the weeks move forward, we will be able to see how much longer and to what extent this pandemic will affect Prep, the nation, and the world. Fourth term changed extremely quickly, but due to the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quick response, students were still able to attend classes and finish the year with the credits needed.

mances online, states that all activities are canceled and/or postponed until further notice, mentions that all MAIS activities and athletic contests have been suspended until April 6, announces that Prep is planning for milestone events such as Prom, graduation, class day, etc., and reminds the community that students are missed on campus and to follow safety protocols. Thursday, April 9: A Patriot Communication is sent out, and it contains a video with an Easter message that also reminds the community of what to be thankful for during this time. Wednesday, April 15: A Patriot Communication is sent out that lists the end of school year plans, including information about Class Day, graduation, and exams. Thirteen emails. Through these thirteen emails, the rest of the school year was utterly changed. Sports seasons were postponed and eventually canceled, Pacer tryouts were delayed by weeks, and the school days that were so familiar to students were changed entirely. Normal school was replaced with remote learning due to national restrictions on gatherings. Students went to Google Classroom and then

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PHOTO BY RYAN SHERMAN

Zoom!

ONE TEACHER’S EXPERIENCE WITH SUDDEN REMOTE LEARNING BY NANCY FLOWERS, English instructor

onestly, I thought the flooding would be our biggest problem this year. The Pearl River swelled enough to fill the sport fields and crept close enough to kiss the Red Slab, but after providing some kayaking fun for a couple of days, it tiptoed obediently back into its place. Our buildings were fine. But on the heels of this localized natural disaster loomed a world-wide black cloud: the Coronavirus. On March 12, the Thursday of spring break, Lawrence Coco sent an email to the faculty outlining the seriousness of our situation and the immediate measures we would take to deal with it. Words like “self-quarantine” and “online/distance learning” were right then and there added to our collective vocabulary. We would need to figure out how to teach remotely the students who would be self-quarantined after traveling. By Saturday the plan changed as drastically as the situation had. Now we would need to implement distance learning for all students. They would not be coming on campus. Extracurriculars were canceled. School would continue via our newest vocabulary addition: remote learning. And we had a slim two days to figure it all out. It’s interesting how a situation like this reshapes our behavior. It’s like a death. We gather awkwardly, speak in hushed tones, and try to carry on when the reality is We Have No Idea What To Do. So we gathered on March 16. We met in Fortenberry Theatre rather than the usual Lindsay Hall so that we could sit at least six seats apart, our first dose of reality slamming into our faculty familiarity. “Lunch will be provided” took on a whole new meaning: each of us would pick up a box and eat lunch in the solitude of our suddenly-vacant classrooms. With the luxury of more time, we would have totally freaked out. Fortunately, such frivolities took a backseat to the business at hand, and Mr. Coco honestly and thoroughly outlined the situation for us. Ms. Bishop and Mrs. Van Pelt had an organized training session ready for us. By the end of the day,

we were far more comfortable with adapting our current classroom technology to the uncharted terrain of remote instruction. But as I drove home, my mind settled on the next challenge: How could I take an entire nineweeks’ plans, shove them into the “platform” (another new word) of Google Meet or Zoom (our new best friends), and expect them to come out the way I pictured them? I couldn’t. I had to zero in on the skills my students needed to learn and figure out how to teach them using the tools I now had. What plans do I toss? Which do I keep? How do I adapt the keepers to a digital format? Most importantly, how do I effectively communicate to 20-something different students in 20-something different environments with 20-something different distractions and ensure that they get what I’m talking about? Simplicity, application, repetition. Wash, rinse, repeat. And if these challenges weren’t enough, I was scheduled to have a student teacher! A senior at Mississippi College was to begin right after spring break. How would she be a part of this? Though I knew that remote instruction would be a useful experience for her, I didn’t yet know how it was going to work, so how in the world could I turn and supervise her? With MC’s own plans in flux, I wouldn’t know about my student teacher for another week. This was good news. With a week of remote teaching under my belt, I might have a better idea of how I could be useful to her. A sunray peeking through the cloud. First things first. By the end of slim day #2, some things were settled, and I had a plan. The good news was that the students were my students; I knew them, and they knew me. The first day would be more about getting used to each other in a different format. Remote Learning Day One: Link to Google Meet posted on Google Classroom, check. Attendance question posted, check. Plans nearby in case I forget, check. Hand sanitizer, check. Daily schedule handy, check. Deep breath. Oh, yikes, I have to look at my face on a screen all day. Ugh.

Reeves’s dog leaned over his shoulder one morning to watch him finish a writing project, hoping that when Turner was done, they could go throw the tennis ball. Words I never imagined saying! “Get out of bed! This is English class!” or “Please change your background; it’s distracting!” So, yeah. My student teacher, Jessica Payne, was able to be involved with us, though in a limited capacity. She sent a Google Slides presentation to introduce herself, and then created journal prompts for the students to introduce themselves to her. She read and commented on each of them. She also produced the assignment documents and rubrics for our major writing project. She was able to graduate on schedule. Looking back on the 4th term is rather like hiking up a Montana mountain, which I’ve experienced a few times in recent years. You take step after step, climbing upward with your eye on the top. You carry only the things that are absolutely necessary. You keep your bear spray (or your IT friends) close. You remember to listen to the music of the mountain streams because it isn’t just about the climbing. And when you reach the top, you tremble when you see how far you’ve come, and you marvel because you never thought you could do it. But we did it. Thank you, Prep Family. Y’all are amazing.

And just like that, Day One, a “Z-Day,” went far better than I expected. Seventh-grade students are so sweet, and we were glad to be together. Some technology problems, mostly the students’ internet connections, cropped up, but as Day One stretched into Week One, those difficulties were ironed out. With no bell to propel them to class, students had to take responsibility for themselves. And most of them did. Of my 92 students, very few fell behind, and those who did rebounded eventually. We steadily went about the business of learning grammar, literature, vocabulary, and writing. My promise to them was to get them ready for 8th grade English, and I was going to keep that promise. Initial tension gave way to some funny moments. Twins Jay and Cole Allen were having internet problems one morning, so they decided to use their phones and sit in their dad’s truck, Jay behind the wheel and Cole on the tailgate. Next thing I knew, Jay was doing his journal write ON HIS HORSE! I had to mute my mic and laugh. He was doing exactly what he was supposed to do, just atop a horse. Crazy Hat Day! Preston Marion wore a foam taco hat that still makes me laugh when I think about it. Family at school! When James Bays’s mom told him—in our hearing—they were having hamburgers for dinner, our mouths watered. Pets! Mary Pender Ward’s bunny showed up for class most every day. Turner

PHOTO BY RYAN SHERMAN

LEE WAITS Math instructor

PHOTO BY LAURIE VAN PELT

Students Test Virtual-Reality Physics Classroom from Home BY TANNER GOUGH (class of 2021) Editor-in-Chief, Sentry, jpsentry.net ven while away from the Prep XR Lab, seven students were able to take part in an experiment with virtual reality technology from the comfort of their own homes. The initiative, led by Ms. Meagan Vinson, Mr. Donald Regan, and Ms. Jane Zhu, was an effort to see if holding classes remotely via virtual reality was a possibility in the future. On Monday, May 11, students began and completed the process of logging in to the system with their newly-loaned VR headsets. It was mainly an uneventful day, as most â&#x20AC;&#x153;coordinationâ&#x20AC;? days are. The real excitement was to come. The following day, students and teachers alike experienced what it would be like to be in a virtual classroom, with some adventures mixed in. Along with experimentation with classes, students and teachers were able to tour a Titanic exhibit, the planet Mars, and a black hole. Participants are also able to speak to each other through headsets, just as they would in a typical Zoom class meeting, minus seeing their actual faces. From the looks of the experiment, it appears to have been a success. The future looks promising for VR-inspired classtime at Jackson Prep.

PHOTO BY LAURIE VAN PELT

Senior Madie Van Pelt (class of 2021) enjoys making virtual contact with other participants as she learns the ins and outs of her equipment. The Van Pelt home becomes a physics classroom, at least for VRwearing Madie.

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BEN JOHNSON

CAROLINE CLARK

ABNER BRISTER

Missed Milestones PUCKETT’S PHOTO PROJECT CELEBRATES SENIOR MILESTONES MISSED DUE TO COVID-19

ARTICLE BY NIKKI ROWELL PHOTOS BY MADDIE GRACE PUCKETT (class of 2020) Reprint permission of Northside Sun (4/23/20)

MADDIE GRACE PUCKETT

he weeks following spring break and leading up to graduation in May are dotted with many milestones for high school seniors, from prom to senior parties. They also include a lot of “lasts,” such as the last time students will sit next to each other in class or the last time they will take the field or stage for their respective schools. For senior Maddie Grace Puckett, one of the milestones she was most looking forward to was the last show choir competition she would compete in and their showcase, which she said is comparable to senior night for athletes.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, all of those events have been canceled or postponed and classes are being held online for the time being. How the rest of the school year will pan out is still anyone’s guess. Seniors do not know if they will walk the halls with their classmates on another school day or whether it will be safe to have a graduation ceremony. However, instead of letting all that she is missing out on get her down, Puckett has decided to use her extra time on a special project designed to document those big, senior-year milestones and celebrate as a class, from a safe social distance of course.

BLAKELY AMIS

KATHRYN WEIR

JC POLK

“We went to spring break expecting to come back to school, so none of us knew we would miss a lot of our ‘lasts,’ like last prom,” she said. “And we were supposed to have a senior showcase for show choir, and some of us were supposed to have solos, and we missed that. “There were so many things that we missed, and people were starting to get down about it. So this was a way for people to kind of show off those things and college choices.” The idea came to her by way of her mother, Leigh, who saw some photo series’ floating around social media of people posed outside their homes while quarantined. When her mother suggested the idea to Puckett, who has dabbled in photography for some time, she went for it. First, she went to a few friends to pitch the idea and take some initial shots. Then, once she had their photos as examples, she shared the idea with the rest of her senior class, which consists of about 130 or so students.

Puckett suggested that those who wished to participate wear something representing what they were missing out on during this time, their plans after college or any other creative idea they could come up with. In the days following, she has been setting up times to take photographs of the Prep seniors—arranging them by area or neighborhood—on their front porches in their chosen attire. “We had stuff from a person who was celebrating their birthday, so they had balloons and things,” Puckett said. “Another girl had cut her hair while in quarantine, so she posed with her hair in one hand and scissors in the other. People have kind of spun it to fit what they want.” So far, she has taken 25 of these photos over the past two weeks. “I would stop by, and we would keep the distance between us, and I’d snap a photo of them,” she said. The project is ongoing, and Puckett plans to get photographs of each member of her class who

is willing to participate. While snapping the photos takes about five minutes, much of her time has been spent coordinating with her classmates. “It’s been a great time for self-reflection and thinking about what I can do better once this is all over with,” Puckett said of her time spent social distancing. “For now, it’s just mainly waiting for this to quit so things can go back to normal.” This summer, Puckett planned to work as an assistant manager for summer camps at Jackson Prep, but camps were canceled. She also works as a lifeguard. As of now, both of her summer jobs will depend on when the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and governmental guidelines lift and allow for gatherings of people again. Puckett, who is the daughter of Derek and Leigh Puckett, plans to attend the University of Mississippi. Pages 12-17 feature some of Puckett’s photos for this project.

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Strange Senior Year as Class of 2020 Faces Pandemic BRITTANY WILSON

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Many seniors were disappointed to hear that they would have to finish out the year through remote learning.

❞ BY JOHN HENRY ANDRESS (class of 2021) Managing Editor, Sentry, jpsentry.net

PRESTON ODEN

hrough a string of emails over a few weeks, everything changed for the entire community as the world shut down. All planned events, gatherings, sports, and other national events were canceled, and Prep was not an exception. However, students and teachers were still able to gather due to the implementation of remote learning. This sudden progression of events left many in shock and disbelief, as they read that the campus had been closed for what would turn into the remainder of the school year. As Spring Break came to a close, students saw that school was postponed until the decision was made that the campus closed until further notice. From the postponement and eventual cancellation of all MAIS sports to the simple daily interaction of students, COVID-19 changed the daily schedules of Prep families entirely. There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world as a whole, and that includes seniors, whose final term couldn’t be more different from previous years. Spring Break of 2020 was the last time that school was held, and many seniors were disappointed to hear that they would have to finish out the year through remote learning. Sports, such as track and baseball, were postponed until they were finally canceled on Tuesday, April 28, by the MAIS.

BRENNAN JOY HIGHT

One major event that occurred after the pandemic broke out was prom, which occurred in a different setting. Seniors were given an Amazon gift card as a gift from Prep, and teachers were given a Newk’s gift card to remind the students and teachers that the administration was thinking about them during the period of social distancing. Students were able to get dressed up at home and send in their virtual prom pictures. Some students put together a Zoom call with some of their classmates to have a prom-like event while at home. However, the school is saying that there is a possibility of having an event similar to prom in the early months of summer on campus. Seniors had their last day of class on Wednesday, May 6, and they dropped off their books on May 7. The 2020 Class Day was held on Friday, May 9, which was the only online Class Day besides the ninth-grade Class Day. The rest of the grades will receive their awards via email, and the physical awards will be sent to the students through the mail. Exams were cancelled schoolwide, with the exception of AP and dual enrollment classes. It has been a large adjustment for seniors to make in such a short period of time. Alice Ann Hollingsworth said that while she “would rather spend the end of [her] senior year in school with [her] friends,” she “really appreciates everything that the teachers and administration are doing to make our senior year feel special despite the current circumstances.” Sarah Douglas Craig has said that “getting up and fixing [her] coffee before classes has definitely helped motivate [her] to get through [her] classes.” Griffin Dulaney has enjoyed the change to remote learning, and he says that activities at his house keep him occupied during the day. Mary Noble Howard has “learned more through remote learning than [she] could have ever learned in a desk—I’ve been taught more life lessons and come to realize so much more good in the world than I was aware of before.” Thomas Swayze said, “I’ve been baking a lot with my mom, so she and I have become a lot closer than we were before.” Seniors picked up their diplomas on May 18 and there was a graduation ceremony on Thursday, July 23, at Trustmark Park in Pearl. The historic ending to this year was a definite adjustment for all students, especially the seniors. The quick action of the administration allowed the students to use remote learning, which was important so they could finish classes and graduate.

ABIGAIL METCALF

JIMMY UNDERWOOD

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LAUREN NICKLES

Greater Good Lurks Behind All the Brokenness in Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic BY MARY NOBLE HOWARD (class of 2020)

Reprint permission of Northside Sun (4/24/20)

e stand united—six feet apart— as we bury our senior year six feet under. For the class of 2020, spring has been anything but conventional. I expected the stress and anxiety of four years to be worth it when the end rolled around. Now the only “roll” I think about is toilet paper. We’ve been forced to replace celebrations, proms, and graduation with isolation, screens, and postponement. Honestly, I feel as though I was robbed of some important lasts. I won’t get the last time sitting at my desk, pulling into Prep parking spot #323, or picnicking with friends outside the cafeteria. When our class left for spring break, we thought we’d left a routine to which we could comfortably return. Though this situation was unimaginable, we were promised that we’d be shaped into leaders and world changers, and that possibility hasn’t been lost. At least that’s what I tell myself. At the end of the day, only a few things really matter. The virus has slowed down a society speeding in every direction. And while the world around us seems to have stopped, it’s only on pause. My friends and I remind ourselves that there’s a greater good lurking behind all this brokenness. I did get my last of everything, in other words—just not a chance to appreciate it like I wanted to. I’m about to leave home and go out into the world, without a family by my side. These past weeks, I’ve been given more quality time with them than I could have ever dreamed. They are everywhere. I used to dread leaving the house for school; now I will

do anything for privacy. Despite its inconveniences, remote learning has shown me how much I took for granted: singing my heart out alone on a commute; the sound of a pencil sharpener; teachers who didn’t allow laptops; the smell of Prep hallways; a dry-erase marker cap snapping closed. I have become more observant and I cherish how much good outweighs the bad. For others in the class of 2020, this experience has been exceedingly difficult, and no one can minimize that. They are bored. They struggle to learn the way they could in a classroom. They are very sad, often without the language to express it. Adults face issues during this crisis that dwarf anything our class will endure. But different experiences shouldn’t have different values. Small things loom larger in shorter lives. With so many things that could divide us, I feel as though this time of separation is really bringing us together. That being said, as social distancing and quarantine get harder, every day I lose my mind a little more. How do I cope? I hang upside down from a banister, glide through the house on roller blades, build snowmen with shaved coconut on the kitchen counter, do dad’s makeup as he sleeps, dye my hair random colors, or rearrange my whole room at 4 a.m. Making memories is what we expected out of senior year. The class of 2020 looked forward to fun and good times shared. Although we’re not together, we are certainly not alone. When we look down and feel like we are by ourselves on the path, God picks us up and carries us forward. Most high school classes, I realize, have to wait 10 years for a reunion. Ours is one summer away. Handshakes and hugs will try to make up for the goodbyes that came too soon, when we weren’t looking.

https://www.northsidesun.com/news-breaking-news-columns/greater-good-lurks-behind-all-brokenness-wake-coronavirus-pandemic

ANNA REAGAN MASK

LANCE CARPENTER

HANNAH GRACE BIGGS

JULIA ZOUBOUKOS

KATIE BUCKLEY

GAYLE GRANTHAM

Excellence, Even During a Crisis ❝

My teachers showed me grace in multiple areas with no exceptions.

❞ BY ALEX STRADINGER (class of 2020) rep expects excellence. Excellence is a loaded word, different for each student. However, the only reason Prep succeeds in encouraging excellence from its students is the dedication shown by the teachers and administration. As a graduating senior, I can think of no better example than how Prep reacted quickly and effectively to the COVID-19 crisis. I remember arriving back home from spring break, naively excited that I would be getting an extra week or two to myself. The quick response that followed was both effective and unique; from my perspective, it set a precedent that exceeded my expectations. Part of the reason I was so impressed with Prep’s reaction was because of the wide scope of students with whom I had the opportunity to discuss online schooling. I had the honor of being selected as a delegate for 2020’s chapter of the United States Senate Youth Program. Through this program, I was able to meet delegates from all over the country during the initial craze of the pandemic. Through Zooms and GroupMe, I learned that most delegates—all top students and leaders at their own schools—were not

given the same tools to help them finish out their year. Some were simply given work to complete and turn in; others had classes but were not required to attend them. Prep’s class system was very similar to business as usual; besides the obvious fact, students would now take shorter classes over Zoom. Thanks to an incredible effort by my teachers, classes continued to keep the personality that made them so enjoyable in the first place. My teachers understood the stress that came with such a drastic change and helped to ease the burden with less homework and more class discussion, taking as much time as needed to best explain the material, even if it didn’t fit within the class plan that day. Especially at the beginning of the pandemic, online assignments were oftentimes overwhelming, and my teachers showed me grace in multiple areas with no exceptions. Although it was a trying time full of challenges, Jackson Prep proved to me that being a part of the Prep Family meant a real dedication to each and every student, no matter the obstacles that had to be overcome. Excellence is different for every student, but regardless of whether over Zoom or in person, Prep does everything in their power to deliver students into success.

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

LAURIE VAN PELT Director of Instructional Technology ETHAN BATOL (class of 2022)

We Are 18

PREPARE. It’s in our name. It is what we

was equipped with the expertise and tools to support the transition. The team provided training, support, and encouragement to teachers. Our established Google ecosystem continued to provide the means for delivering educational content. Many teachers expanded their skills to take advantage of Zoom’s generous gift of free access to their video conferencing platform. Although our delivery vehicle and instructional styles changed and adapted to a very different “classroom” of remote students, our mission to provide a superior college preparatory education that is excellent without exception did not waver. “The college search and selection process went on full speed ahead for Prep students following Spring Break. The college counseling team spent the last nine weeks of the school year conducting virtual family meetings with juniors using Google Meet, helping seniors make their final decisions and gathering data from them about their plans and scholarships using Google Forms. More recently, the team focused on making sure that final transcripts went out to all of the colleges the class of 2020 has chosen for matriculation in the fall. The college landscape will look different for the class of 2021, particularly where testing is concerned, but the college counseling team will be prepared to support and guide families and students through it all with as little stress as possible,” stated Malika Lindsay, Director of College Counseling. “I continue to be overwhelmingly appreciative and proud of our teachers’ efforts in converting our school to remote learning during the COVID-19 crisis. Our students lost many things during the final weeks of the school year; however, they did not lose their teachers, which is extremely important to our Prep families. In recent Board meetings, all our Trustees expressed their admiration about how well our teachers executed the transition to remote learning and conducted “real” school under difficult circumstances. Our teachers set the standard in our market,” said Lawrence Coco, Head of School.

do. Propelled by Prep’s sound and resolute mission, our focused and unified leadership in tandem with passionate master teachers delivered solid Prep curriculum to students...remotely! Our families choose Prep not only for these reasons, but also because we present this while fostering a spirit of innovation, agility, and creativity. Initiate Emergency Management Plan. Identify the problem:

Global Pandemic.

Identify response:

Stop.

Communicate primary concern:

Ensure safety and security of the Prep Family while preserving the mission of the school.

Diagnosis:

We Are Prepared!

Parking lot void of activity. Hallways eerily quiet. No students in sight. We pivot! Agile, innovative, and creative professionals at Prep spontaneously acted on ideas to make specific, tangible differences for students, thought outside the box, gathered best practices and input from others, and readily accepted experimentation. Lou Ann McKibben, chair of the Social Studies Department states, “Of my 20 years at Jackson Prep, I am more proud of our response during COVID-19 than anything else we have done. When I think of where we started—knowing nothing about remote learning—and within two days we were teaching. It is a remarkable accomplishment and speaks to great leadership, wonderful flexible dedicated teachers, and families. Our families, the students: they bought into the plan immediately. They didn’t have to be convinced.” We were prepared to continue “school” with students through remote learning during this COVID-19 global pandemic. The IT Department

Prepared

BY LAURA BISHOP Head of IT

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

A DYNAMIC WORLD

This step towards a more technologically integrated education has been completed, replacing a barrier with a foundation for growth. The next decade will see educators building upon it.

BY GRAHAM SPEED (class of 2021)

istorically, the introduction of certain forms of technology into society often catalyzes revolutionary change— from the printing press, to the cotton gin, to the automobile, to the internet. The last 200 years, when placed in the timeline of history, have produced monumental and accelerated technological progress much greater than centuries before, and there’s no indication that the 21st century won’t continue along the same trend. In fact we’ve already seen it exemplified. Fifteen years ago the iPhone didn’t exist, but in a relatively short period, it has reinvented the communication industry and provided much of the world with a greatly augmented form of valuable convenience. The world can change quickly, uprooting, creating, and building industries and altering the ways we learn, live, and work. Businesses and entities that don’t incorporate innovations and react to shifts in market demands, while also remaining in a constant state of improvement, will eventually find themselves deemed void by time. The same remains true for independent schools, whose long term success is not guaranteed. Over the past several months, I have had the privilege of serving on a strategic planning committee which is developing a multi-faceted plan to ensure the success and prosperity of our future. In doing so, we worked to identify the probable direction our world, city, and industry will take throughout the next decade, an insightful experience in understanding the dynamics of the world. For example, the current of shifting demographics alters the value of an entity’s location, especially one that is “place based,” as it removes population from or places population in advantageous positions. An

entity also needs to identify where it lies in respect to developing macroeconomic trends. The rise of e-commerce over the last decade has begun to diminish the value of brick and mortar retail as it’s relocated online. In considering these factors, which accompany many more, the scope of focus for companies, institutions, and entities extends beyond service and towards the greater context. For several years, advances in technology have placed aspirations on the minds of many educators and administrators. Recently, these optimistic prospects unexpectedly met the COVID-19 pandemic, catalyzing a distinct example of change. In an attempt to comply with social distancing regulations, private schools reached to implement remote learning platforms, striving to maintain a functional and constructive learning environment. To quote Ian Symmonds, president of Ian Symmonds & Associates, Inc., “Urgency is an incredible lubricant for change.” Under “normal conditions” an online educational platform would’ve required months of preparation and energy, along with a degree of uncertainty as to its success and range of efficiency. Instead, urgency created an adequate platform within a matter of days. This step towards a more technologically integrated education has been completed, replacing a barrier with a foundation for growth. The next decade will see educators building upon it. Companies, institutions, and entities exist in a dynamic climate whose pace brings a continuity of obstacles. However challenging, steps of innovation and vision can ensure success and prosperity. My time with the strategic planning committee has not only refined my perspective into the dynamics of the world, but also given me a newfound respect for those who are responsible for the response.

FINE ARTS

Remote Learning

BY LYNN MILLER Chair of Visual Arts Art instructor

ou don’t have to tell Prep’s Fine Arts faculty. More than 50 arts organizations—from visual arts, music, theatre, and dance—signed a statement reminding the postCOVID-19 world that #ArtsEdIsEssential. In the early days of Stay-at-Home, the housebound looked to musicians and museums for beauty and entertainment. People saw Broadway shows and other live stage performances streamed into their homes. From Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to Sondheim’s Birthday Bash to penguins at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the arts fed our souls even as we practiced social distance. Arts education is essential. But you don’t have to tell that to Prep’s Fine Arts faculty. Over the weeks of remote learning, Prep’s Fine Arts faculty modified what-we-usually-do in order to make the best use of technology and materials. Faculty members pushed out supplies and investigated new learning systems. The result was that band students collaborated in small groups to write and record original music. Junior-high theatre students crafted puppets and created shows. Show choir students investigated what it takes to put a show together by, well, compiling their own show ideas. Visual arts students drew, painted, built, wove, photographed, and modeled more than a thousand pieces of work.

Each piece of music or program idea or script or drawing gave students the opportunity for self-expression and collaboration. Students continued to practice critical thinking as they composed music or words, communicating through both process and product. In a time where there seemed to be nothing new from day to day, Fine Arts students created new things. Students were able to continue using and developing their artistic voices. Arts education is essential. But you don’t have to tell that to our Fine Arts faculty.

In the lightbulb photomosaic, you see images of the work comprising the AP Art & Design Portfolios of the class of 2020. 2-D Design portfolios were submitted by Hannah Grace Biggs, Michelle Daschbach, Grace Ann Eskrigge, Abigail Metcalf, and Brittany Wilson. Mary Noble Howard submitted a 3-D Design portfolio. Drawing portfolios were submitted by Elizabeth Downing, Gayle Grantham, Thomas Swayze, and Kaylin Wong. Each student's portfolio included ten works developed around a sustained investigation.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER MOONEYHAM

Athletics ROUNDUP

BY WILL CROSBY (class of 1988) Director of Athletics

PHOTO BY ABBY HEAVENER

hat a year. This is a pretty simple and, quite frankly, overused phrase. But as one tries to come up with a few words to describe the 2019-2020 school year, however trite it might sound, we can probably all agree it is fitting. After the craziness of the past few months, thinking back to August and the start of our 2019-2020 athletic year seems like a lifetime ago. However, if you are part of the Prep Family, doing so makes you smile. In a time when we experienced many things for the first time, success in athletics remained a constant. Coach Jon Marcus Duncan and the varsity girls soccer team started our championship year off by winning their state title over crosstown rival Jackson Academy. This was followed by a February that will be remembered as one of the most exciting times in our sports history. February 22 is now referred to as Championship Saturday by the Prep family. Three of our varsity teams played for a state title that day. It started off with our boys soccer team defeating JA for their tenth (yes, TENTH) consecutive state championship, a streak unprecedented in that sport. The day then moved to McComb where the state 5A basketball tournament was being held. Both the girls and boys teams earned a spot in their respective championship games. The girls played first and brought home the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first state championship since 2006,

beating Madison-Ridgeland Academy in dramatic fashion. Our Championship Saturday concluded with boys basketball playing in their 5A tournament title game, coming up short in our quest for a clean sweep for the day. Our exciting month wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t over. The following week we played in the Overall basketball tournament at Mississippi College where our varsity girls and boys teams continued their championship-level play throughout the week. Once again, we had Championship Saturday on our hands with both teams earning a spot in their respective title games. The Prep Family spent most of the day in A.E. Wood Coliseum on the MC campus, and while both teams came up a bit short, it was truly a fun and exciting experience for all. Little did we know at that time that the close of spring sports was just around the corner as COVID-19 destroyed the rest of the school year. It was heartbreaking to watch our spring athletes, specifically our seniors, miss out on the opportunity to create experiences and memories. However, now is the time to look back on the great things our 2020 graduates accomplished and the memorable mark they left on our storied history. I am grateful for their leadership, perseverance, and championship-caliber performances. While the school year may not have ended the way any of us wanted, these seniors were still able to enjoy state championships, grow from experiences, and create lifelong memories. By any measure, that is an example of success. What a year!

Ms.Trudy Powers Retires LEAVING A LEGACY

BY TANNER GOUGH (class of 2021) Editor-in-Chief, Sentry, jpsentry.net

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

t is not often that one finds an educator who has been in the field as long as Jackson Prep’s outgoing Head of the Junior High, Ms. Trudy Powers. At the beginning of the 20192020 school year, she began her 38th year serving at Prep, 18 of those heading the resource office and the rest co-leading and then leading the junior-high school. However, this past year on November 12, she announced that she would be retiring at the end of the school year in May 2020. Her retirement will conclude a legacy that will be a challenge to match in the near future. Up until her college years, Ms. Powers did not think of herself as a potential educator. “My mother was a teacher, and I always swore I’d never be one,” she said of her thoughts in junior high and high school. College at Millsaps seemed to suggest a slightly different story, as she graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, minoring in education. She went on to work at a psychology clinic before graduating with a Masters in community counseling from Ole Miss, with a minor in special education. Following that, she began to see a career in education pan out. In 1982, Ms. Powers joined the Prep faculty and initiated the resource program, aimed at assisting students with learning differences. From the start, she found herself in a precarious position, as she had over 90 students on her hands and all of them needed assistance. It wasn’t until later that the department implemented testing, which trimmed the amount of students in the resource program by half. Ms. Powers said of her time leading the program, “Giving kids tools for learning and teaching the strategies on how to approach problems and seeing them succeed was most rewarding to me.” It was not until the late 1990s when a change in title for Ms. Powers was imminent. She was offered the job of co-head of the junior high (along with Mr. Lee Ozier) in 1999, leaving the resource program in the care of current director Ms. Allyn Ray. Later, in 2005, she assumed full responsibility of the role as Head of the Junior High, being appointed by former Head of School Susan Lindsay.

During her tenure, Ms. Powers was able to accomplish many tasks that have changed the junior high for the better. One of the most instrumental was co-authoring the curriculum of the sixth grade program, along with Mrs. Allison Smith and Dr. Helen Graham, which has grown through the years by the number of students enrolled. However, she added, “the heart of what Prep is has not changed.” Reflecting on her career, Ms. Powers had much to say. “I’ve learned a lot about the development of a student. It has helped me understand pre-teens and teens, because I’m working with them and their parents.” She also applauded her co-workers, saying, “you have caring teachers and administrators and the child starts believing in themselves.” Ms. Powers particularly sang the praises of her assistant junior high head, Coach Gary Noble. “I don’t think I would have been able to do it without Coach Noble. He really is a wonderful person.” She went on to say, “When he gets mad, he gets real mad, and they [the students] know it. But we need that in the junior high.” Being the Head of the Junior High does not come without challenges, of course. “I have learned a lot in working with the various challenges in how students and parents feel,” she said. However, Ms. Powers offered reassurance. “Fairness is always first and foremost in my mind.” When asked what her favorite part of the job is, Ms. Powers’ answer was simple. “Watching kids succeed. None of us are here for the money. It sounds very pollyannaish but I love watching students succeed.” Ms. Powers also emphasized the importance of advocacy on the part of teachers and students. “Anyone who wants to succeed, they can do it. I preach at all my division meetings to teachers, ‘please be an encourager.’” On the question of any advice that you would give to the new Head of the Junior High (Ms. Reta Haire), Ms. Powers said this. “Stand by your teachers, and be sure you are loving and supportive towards them so that they in turn may support the students.” With this, a career is complete. The Prep Family has full confidence in Ms. Haire to continue the legacy left behind by educator and administrator extraordinaire, Ms. Trudy Powers.

https://jpsentry.net/1177519 @jacksonprepsentry

jacksonprepsentry

@jpsentry

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Students GO MAD for Our Community

59 projects have been completed this year!

BY COLONEL WILLIAM W. MERRELL (RET.) Director, Global Leadership Institute (class of 1985) The Global Leadership Institute (GLI) has a 12-year track record of coaching students in identifying community needs coupled with their individual talents and passions. MAD, or “Make A Difference” projects, are student-developed and fill a need in our community. These project student leaders are coached by GLI staff on organization, scope, execution, and leadership aspects of their service projects.

ecent “COVID-19”-inspired MAD projects show the power of our students’ passions for changing our world. Their instincts and actions to help others show how love and hope can impact our community. Featured are a few of the 59 student projects: • Lilly Noble and Mimi McCraney collected supplies for Spann Elementary summer programs. • Bella Brumfield, Hannah Carter, Sydney Ray, and Ruth Emmerich collected supplies and volunteered at CARA Animal Shelter. • Margie Frye and Swayze Williams made shower bags for the local “Shower Power” effort, providing mobile shower spots for the local homeless population. • Christopher Maddux and Charlie Barbour coordinated a neighborhood blood drive to fill critical shortages. • Emma Dye and Jane Gray Barbour did a neighborhood drive for Stewpot Food Pantry. • Madeleine Connerly collected items for the Mississippi Animal Rescue League. • Isabella Dyess collected and made Easter baskets for Sunnybrook Children’s Home. • Bennett and Henry Carter collected food and supplies for CARA. • Elise Jones, Harrison Jones, and Dylan Freeman collected canned food items for Mission First food bank.

Lilly Noble and Mimi McCraney Margie Frye

Bella Brumfield, Hannah Carter, Sydney Ray, and Ruth Emmerich

Swayze Williams

Isabella Dyess

Christopher Maddux and Charlie Barbour

Bennett and Henry Carter

Emma Dye and Jane Gray Barbour

Elise Jones, Harrison Jones, and Dylan Freeman

Madeleine Connerly

Our Community Service program involved

189 students

GIVE Award The 2019 Student Body was awarded a GIVE Award (Governor's Initiative Volunteer Excellence) "2019 Honorable Mention."

serving a documented

6,899 hours

he GIVE Award recognizes our studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; efforts to make our community a better place to live. This state award was only one of four given and gives statewide awareness to the power of high school teens and their talents, energy, and capabilities in volunteer efforts in our community.

to the community at a value of

144,879

Alaska GLI VISITS

The ultimate compliment came when our lead guide said that we were the â&#x20AC;&#x153;best group by far he has had in his 17 years!â&#x20AC;?

BY SHARON BOX Asst. Director of Global Leadership Institute

n June 13, 2020, 15 students and five chaperones headed to Alaska! Following the mandate by Alaskan Governor Mike Dunleavy, all 20 travelers were tested and free of Covid-19 within 72 hours of entering their state. To ensure further safety, we followed protocols on airplanes, in airports, and any small spaces, including museums and boats, by wearing masks. This trip was planned and executed by GLI Director Col. William Merrell. Growing up, he traveled to Alaska several times with his family and was passionate about our students’ sharing some of his experiences. Our group flew into Anchorage and traveled Highway 1, stopping at Beluga Point before arriving at Girdwood for a hike to 4300 feet above sea level. We left there the next day and visited the outdoor Wildlife Conservation Center and Portage Glacier. We spent the day and night in Seward where we toured the SeaLife Museum and packed for two nights of camping and kayaking in Kenai National Park. What an experience! Setting out on two boats to our destination, we saw beautiful scenery, whales, and seals along the way. As soon as we arrived and unloaded, we began our first paddle, led by our five guides from Liquid Adventures. Although we endured less than desirable weather conditions, our students stayed positive, ultimately reaching the goal of kayaking to the Holgate Glacier and celebrating with the Polar Bear Plunge! The ultimate compliment came when our lead guide said that we were the “best group by far he has had in his seventeen years!”

Arriving back in Seward, we departed early the next morning for a Deep Sea Fishing trip, catching halibut and rockfish. Other highlights of the trip included snagging for salmon and having it cooked by a local restaurant for dinner, eating at local establishments, and hiking a few more trails. In the GLI, we encourage students to take leadership roles, which, on this trip, included being in charge of room assignments and volunteering to help with meal cleanup during our camping nights. Also, two of our main focus points are “stepping out of your comfort zone” and “achieving victory over obstacles.” Our students and chaperones rose to this challenge and accomplished both! This adventure is one we will never forget! The trip was such a success, Col Merrell says “Let’s Go Again in 2022!”

PHOTO BY RYAN SHERMAN

Maddy Mazzaferro, Ridgely McIntyre, Jordan Headley (class of 2019)

Emma Liddell, Inca Nickles, Sarah Herring, Lauren Nickles, Kelly Headley

Row 1 (l to r): Emily Metcalf, Isabella Hicks, Anna Leigh Allen, Abbey Mangum, Victoria Nowell, Hawthorne Cleveland, Ramsay Jeffreys Row 2: Sammie Zoog, KK Heigle, D’Ambrah Watts, Elam Roberson, Kayla Craddock, Evelyn Thornton, Elena Zouboukos, Margie Frye, Grace Greenwood Row 3: Brantley Johnson, Emma Dye, Aubrey Taylor, Mimi McCraney, Elizabeth Clarke, Liddy Hurst Row 4: Joshua McDonald, Thaxton Berch, Riley Maddox Emma Liddell, Kate Kellum, Dabney Flynt, Lauren Noe, Kimberly Blount, Sayley Crawford, JK Nowell, Jeffrey Ince, Andrew Banks Row 5: Will Dungey, Darby McCoy, Noah Mallard, Tyler Collins, Ben Tiller, Robbie Hight Row 6: Ben McBride, Anna Kate Bertolet, Austin Terry, Brittany Jiang, Nick Randall, Teddie Carroll, Mary Robinson Coco, Angel Tu, Ethan Batol Row 7: Instructors Shawn Lawrence, Dr. Jason Mathena

Eli Vernarske and Dabney Flynt

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

BY KELLY HEADLEY Director of Community Service

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

COMMUNITY SERVICE

benefited our 2019-2020 school partner, Joni and Friends. • Students wrote letters of encouragement and gratitude to first responders, health care professionals, and our very own school faculty who were working hard to keep students on track academically despite not being able to meet in classrooms. • Some wrote “happy notes” to elderly and specialneeds residents of many facilities in our area. • Others delivered “date night” packages to families with disabilities to encourage those who are isolated because of the pandemic. • Masks were made and delivered to assisted living facilities. • Some helped assemble masks that our very own Marsha Hobbs made with the school’s 3D printer and were then delivered to Methodist Rehabilitation Center. • Countless donations were made to the Salvation Army, and many gave blood to Mississippi Blood Services. Whether we find ourselves in a crisis or in “normal” times of need, Prep students always step up and step in to give back in meaningful ways.

he Community Service program documented close to 7,000 hours of service to the community at a value of $144,879 this past school year. Prep students have a long history of significant service to the metro area in countless different ways. They also have a long history of responding well and quickly to circumstances that bring unforeseen tragedy and need. The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be another one of those circumstances but with challenging opportunities in which our students could safely serve. With these challenges, our students were very creative in finding ways to help and encourage our community during this unprecedented time in history: • Cheerleaders, Pacers, band members, and football players put on a pep rally at The Blake Assisted Living in Ridgeland, MS. Residents were dressed in red and blue while seated outside and around the building for this fun event. Our students brought much welcomed “cheer” to their sweet community as they played, danced, and chanted “Prep loves The Blake!” • Several of our juniors and sophomores gathered one evening to help prepare and distribute Penn’s catfish dinners to customers. All of the proceeds

Thank you to our teachers, parents, and first responders!

earthwinds

48 earthwinds

earthwinds

jackson preparatory school

earthwinds

earthwinds earthwinds

earthwinds

ACHIEVEMENTS IN

Creative Writing

Earthwinds

Congratulations to Earthwinds 2019 for receiving the following honors: • Gold Medal, Columbia Scholastic Press Association • All-American with five marks of distinction (content; writing and editing; photography, art, and graphics; design; and concept), National Scholastic Press Association • Superior, NCTE Program to Recognize Excellence in Student Literary Magazines • Superior, Southern Interscholastic Press Association • First Place With Special Merit, American Scholastic Press Association

2019

• Best Layout & Design, Best of MS Awards (2019), Mississippi Scholastic Press Association

The Literary and Arts Magazine of Jackson Preparatory Junior High

SENIOR HIGH

Mindprints 2019

Volume X I

Earthwinds, Prep's senior-high literary and art journal, and Mindprints, Prep's junior-high literary magazine, continue our rich tradition of excellence in student publications, winning numerous regional, national, and international awards.

Volume XI

• Best Quality of Visuals, Best of MS Awards (2019), Mississippi Scholastic Press Association

Individual Awards: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Awards • First Place, Traditional Form Poetry, Catherine Watson, “Art Museum” • Second Place, Traditional Form Poetry, Catherine Watson, “Georgia 1956” • Honorable Mention, Photography Portfolio, Charlie Davis In the MSPA Awards, Earthwinds was a finalist in the following categories:

JUNIOR HIGH

Mindprints

• Literary Magazine of the Year, Best of MS Awards (2019), Mississippi Scholastic Press Association

• Finalist, Cover Design—Earthwinds • Finalist, Continuity of Theme—Earthwinds

Congratulations to Mindprints 2019 for receiving the following honors: • All Southern, the highest rating, Southern Interscholastic Press Association • Silver Crown, Columbia Scholastic Press Association • Gold Medalist, Columbia Scholastic Press Association • REALM First Class, National Council of Teachers of English • First Place with Special Merit, American Scholastic Press Association • Most Outstanding Junior High School Literary & Arts Magazine, American Scholastic Press Association Individual Awards: Rebecca Stafford, Chase Thompson, and Chloe Reynolds

• Finalist, Quality of Writing—Earthwinds • Finalist, Advisor of the Year—Paul Smith

Faculty&Staff Spotlight

FACULTY & STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Reta Haire Head of Junior High

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

y journey to the Junior High was a long but truly enjoyable one. It began in the Senior High, in classrooms filled with eleventh and twelfth graders. Over a span of almost 25 years and as a result of changes to the curriculum and changes in teaching assignments, I trickled down through the grades until I had taught all grades, six through twelve, and the majority of my classes were composed of junior-high students. It was during those years that I realized middle school-age children are my “sweet spot.” They are the group I most enjoy being around, and the group with whom I feel I am most effective. I have spent the past ten years in the junior-high counseling office and have cherished the opportunity to walk alongside students and their families as they navigate the middle school grades. Interestingly, my specific assignments aligned with the beginning and the end of the junior-high experience. As the sixthgrade counselor, it was my joy to welcome new students and their families to our campus and help them acclimate to their new school. As the ninth-grade counselor, I had the privilege of assisting our students in their transition to high school. It is extremely rewarding to have a front-row seat for observing the growth and maturity that takes place in the lives of our students during their years in junior high. As I assume the role of Head of the Junior High, my first thoughts are filled with thanksgiving for those who have gone before me and for those who work alongside me. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to former junior-high principals like Trudy Powers and Susan Lindsay, who also love junior-high students and who worked diligently for many years to build a strong junior high school. I am so very thankful for my current colleagues and the unstoppable commitment to students that I see on display in their classrooms every day. They are a true inspiration, and I am humbled and honored to begin this new phase of my Prep journey with such a fabulous group of educators at my side. Journeys can sometimes take you down roads that look familiar and remind you of similar places on the trip. My first year on the job was not only exciting for me, but it was also an exciting time for our school. It was the year that computers arrived on campus for the first time. It was a time of innovation and thinking ahead to new possibilities. Now, as I begin what will likely be the final leg of my journey, I

find myself in another exciting season of innovation. The 2019-2020 school year did not end as we hoped or planned; however, the remote learning adventure caused by COVID-19 has sparked a flame of new ideas for opportunities to improve the learning process, expand the school’s footprint, and reach more students with the exceptional academic offerings. Our students and faculty adjusted to remote learning quickly and successfully because of our infrastructure and the techniques and tools that students and teachers were already using in the classroom. While we are pleased with what we accomplished during the fourth term, we also see room for improvement. Our experience with remote learning, combined with the uncertainty of the coming months as our nation still deals with this virus, has emphasized the importance of ensuring that all our students, even the youngest of them, are tech-savvy, flexible, and willing to experiment with new ways of learning. It is an exciting time to be an educator and an exciting time to be at Prep! My chief goal as Head of the Junior High is to provide an exceptional experience for students and parents. I expect the Junior High to provide space for collaboration and creativity, for inquiry-based learning and exploration, and for building community. This is an environment in which our exceptional faculty can provide a variety of learning opportunities that will prepare our junior-high students not only for high school, but for their exciting futures after graduation. The years spent in junior high are important foundational years. It is a time of brain growth that offers amazing opportunities for learning new skills. It is also a critical time of social and emotional growth during which personality traits are developed and habits are formed. Experts tell us that the middle school years are only surpassed by the early childhood years as a time for significant learning; therefore, we must make the most of our time with our juniorhigh students. As these students begin their own journeys, our faculty is honored to travel with them. We will always seek to lovingly guide them toward their own individual paths based on their strengths and passions, to provide them with the tools they need for success in and out of the classroom, and to help them mature and develop into young men and young women of character.

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

FACULTY & STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Ryan Upshaw Director of Diversity and Outreach

am excited to begin my journey to serve as Director of Diversity and Outreach! While I will be new to the staff, I am not new to interacting with students and staff at Prep. I come from the University of Mississippi, where I have spent many years recruiting outstanding Prep students to Oxford. So, I have worked with Jeanne Marie Peet and Malika Lindsay in the college counseling office for many years. I have also visited campus many times to participate in college fairs and conduct personal visits. On site, I have worked with many students who have been leaders in student organizations and community activities. I am thankful to have developed relationships with so many outstanding graduates as they matriculated to the University of Mississippi. As a graduate of public schools and a first-generation college student, my educational philosophy is that all students should have access to an education that is enriching, stimulating, and is preparing them for their next phase of life. Their educational experiences should be in an atmosphere that allows them to meet their full potential. Finally, I believe that students should not have their opportunities limited by their zip code. This is where I am confident this unique position can be critical to student success. Having spent over a decade working with students, my background in higher education

has prepared me for this role where I will be working to infuse inclusion into all aspects of the school. During my time at Ole Miss, I served as the School of Engineering’s diversity liaison to the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. That role allowed me to engage with colleagues across campus to enhance the school’s diversity efforts. I developed a set of goals for the school and a plan to establish a multicultural engineering program, a model that is working at many peer

I am confident this unique position can be critical to student success. institutions. I was also involved in many efforts to celebrate inclusion across campus by working with the Center for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement on programming and events like the MOST Conference and the Celebration of Achievement. The MOST Conference is a program that brings African American high school students in Mississippi to UM’s campus to learn about and prepare for the college experience. The Celebration of Achievement program is meant to recognize underrepresented students as

they successfully complete their tenure at the university by earning their degrees. My work related to inclusion and community engagement has been recognized with the 2018 UM Lift Every Voice Award, which is given to individuals who have gone above and beyond to support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. I also received the 2020 Donald Cole Award from the Black Student Union for my work in mentoring and supporting underrepresented students. I am a graduate of Leadership Lafayette, served as president and community impact chairman on the LafayetteOxford United Way Board of Directors, and have volunteered with the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership program. I have been impressed that Prep’s leadership understands the school’s history but is seeking to change the future narrative. I am also impressed that we have invested in the creation and development of a role like this and are committed to supporting the work associated with it. As I take on this work, it is my goal to listen to students, faculty, staff, and alumni and to help Prep live up to its philosophy of being a place “where differences are respected and talents are nurtured.” We are in a unique time in our state and in our nation. While there may be challenges along the way, I am confident that Prep is poised to lead in efforts to be a model of inclusivity.

FACULTY & STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Chere' Guilbeau Computer Science

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

here' Guilbeau, computer science instructor, participated in a study on assessing creative work in computer science classrooms that was conducted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Over 80 PK-12 teachers across the US were interviewed about how they assess creative programming work. The comprehensive report contains stories, strategies, and reflections they shared, as well as over 50 assessments that are being used in the classrooms. Guilbeauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assessment tools for both Scratch and Python were used in the published Computing Assessment Tools for the Classroom.

Dr. Katherine Horlock Continuing Education

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

aculty member Katherine Horlock recently completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Belhaven University. The topic of her dissertation was the use of immersive virtual reality learning experiences in science classrooms. Katherine holds an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Delta State University. She also holds a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Mississippi and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Mississippi. Katherine serves as the science department chair, seventh-grade team leader, and junior-high cheerleading sponsor. She also coordinates the Freshman Seminar and serves as the seventhgrade science classroom instructor. Katherine has been employed at Prep for six years.

FACULTY & STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Kimberly Reedy Metro Teacher of the Year

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

imberly Wells Reedy is an English teacher. An eighteen-year veteran of teaching and consulting, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (1993) and a Master of Education degree in Secondary Education (1998) from the University of Southern Mississippi. Mrs. Reedy began her teaching career in New Orleans, LA. Later, she worked as an English consultant with JBHM Education Group, mentoring teachers, writing curriculum, and presenting professional development in MS, AR, and LA. During the past six years, she has served as JH English Coordinator and 9th Grade Team Leader. She is also the adviser of Mindprints, the junior highâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award-winning literary and art magazine. As a 2019 STAR Teacher, Mrs. Reedy is known for the collaborative atmosphere of her classes, drawing from discovery, inquiry, and discussion from students. For Mrs. Reedy, seeing her students find their voices through reading and writing, becoming confident in who they are, and valuing others on their journey make teaching a pure joy.

Support Jackson Prep Athletics

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jacksonprep.net/boosterclub

STAR

STUDENT-TEACHER ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION

Marsha Hobbs named to the STAR Hall of Fame

he honor of being named to the Hall of Fame for the STAR program is a reflection of the great students and supportive environment of Jackson Prep. Our STAR students reflect the quality of the entire Prep education, as teachers and coaches challenge students in all disciplines and on all grade levels. The STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program is unique to Mississippi. Sponsored by the M. B. Swayze

Educational 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 students with ACT scores 35 and above who meet the GPA requirement. Every year since I have been at Prep, we have had STAR students with ACT scores over 35. ACT scores can range from 11-36. It seems like yesterday when I was first asked to be a STAR teacher, and I have felt equally honored and humbled each time. Robert, Katie, Jessica, Garrett, Conor, Reed, Marina, Paul Vegas, Gregory, Catherine and Leigh will each have a special place in my heart, as do many other students. I am richly blessed to have a career that brings me such joy, and I love the small role I can play in the development of my students.

The 2020 STAR Students

ongratulations to the 2020 STAR Students: Students, left to right: Olivia Moore, Olivia Clapp, Hannah Grace Biggs, David Crews, Jimmy Underwood, Nicholas Dean, and Leigh Hardin. Each student was allowed to chose a STAR Teacher who has been the most instrumental in their academic development: Faculty, left to right: Beth Watts (class of 1992) (chosen by Olivia Moore and Olivia Clapp), Lauri Byrd (chosen by Hannah Grace Biggs), Cori Ciaccio (chosen by David Crews), Hunter Upchurch (chosen by Jimmy Underwood), Kimberly Van Uden (chosen by Nicholas Dean), and Marsha Hobbs (chosen by Leigh Hardin).

My friends laugh as they hear students say “Hey, Mrs. Hobbs” from every possible location: the Grove, the beaches of Hawaii, Broadway theaters, any airport in the world, and of course, all over the Jackson metro area. It makes me happy each time to see them as adults and to remember the time they were in my class. This year I have the pleasure of teaching two of my former students’ children. Prep has provided me with rich resources to teach the subjects I love. I am proud of the Guyton Center as I am also proud of the hands-on learning that is fundamental to our science department and the entire school. Prep has provided us with the latest innovative tools, as well as classic lab equipment to ensure our students have the finest high school science education possible. This support provides an environment where both students and teachers can shine and become STARS!

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

AlumniNews

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS

GEORGE MAY

eorge May (class of 1975) has been named Distinguished Alumnus for 2020. Graduating from Mississippi State University before attending the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, Dr. May did a residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas/Parkland Memorial Hospital. He has practiced as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the Jackson area for 30 years. George is husband to Cathy, and they have three daughters: Elizabeth (class of 2005), Laura Cate (class of 2008), and Caroline (class of 2014). He has two sons-in-law and is PopPop to four grandchildren.

❝

I have had a front row seat to the response of this special group of seniors in the face of an unprecedented challenge.

❞ BY JETSON G. (JET) HOLLINGSWORTH (class of 1994) Butler Snow, LLP 2019-2020 Alumni Council Vice President

s a father of a member of the graduating class of 2020, I have had a front row seat to the response of this special group of seniors in the face of an unprecedented challenge. As the disappointments set in, one after another, I watched as my daughter and her classmates adjusted quickly to a new way of learning, of communicating, and of spending time together. While they creatively celebrated time-honored senior milestones, they also respected what their school, families, and communities asked of them. They mourned the loss of their senior prom, senior skip days, senior celebrations, senior parties, last baseball games, To Kill A Mockingbird productions, etc., but they did all this with grace, character, and a strength of spirit that speaks to what we have come to expect from Prep students. Challenges create character. The character displayed by our students is not something that can be developed overnight but rather instilled through years of example, of setting an expectation for adaptability, effort, dedication, and excellence in the face of challenges. Prep’s faculty and staff have been instilling these virtues in the class of 2020 for six years, and in their final hour, they have risen to the occasion. I’m confident that this class will carry that character into the future and find themselves uniquely positioned to face any hardships that come their way. We want to extend a special welcome to the class of 2020 in joining the Alumni ranks. As you begin the next chapter of your life, I would encourage you to find ways to stay involved in the community. We can all look back in life at any success achieved and give credit to the environments that supported us. Therefore, it is important that we continue to give back to those communities so that future generations can benefit, as well. Précis Club and Patriot Club are

two great ways for you to stay involved, so please consider joining these programs. Sporting events, alumni reunions, and annual gatherings throughout the year also provide a valuable opportunity for you to come back and visit with faculty, staff, and younger students. The Alumni office sends out event invitations and alumni updates throughout the year. If your contact information is changing, please contact Vicki King at vking@jacksonprep.net or call 601-939-8611 x 261. The people here who have invested so much of their time and energy to your development want to see you again and take note of your accomplishments! Thanks again to this special class, and don’t forget that you will always be a part of the Jackson Prep Family.

PATRIOT AWARD The Alumni Council was proud to award the 13th annual Patriot Award to Mary Preston Hays Dubberly (class of 1987). This award recognizes significant contributions by an alumnus as well as sustained interest and involvement after graduation. Pictured with Mary Preston are Alumni Council President Matt Collins (class of 1997) and Head of School Lawrence Coco (class of 1992). Congratulations, Mary Preston!

AlumniNews

Thomas Dunbar Writes Book ARTICLE AND PHOTO BY ANTHONY WARREN Reprint permission of Northside Sun (4/16/20)

new book written by Thomas Dunbar (class of 2012) could give recent college grads a leg up early on in their careers. The Northside accountant recently published his first book, Leapfrog Public Accounting’s Learning Curve: Real Life Advice for New Hire Success. The volume is now available at Amazon. Despite its title, Dunbar said the book has lessons that could benefit young professionals in any field, not just accounting. Of course, the book does have some accounting-specific tips, such as how to study for the Certified Public Accountant examination, but Dunbar said it’s mainly a self-help book. “It mostly focuses on interpersonal skills, the good and bad attributes in new hires,” he said. “When I reflect on my experience in public accounting, I realize that most of the people who are successful not only have great accounting knowledge, but have interpersonal skills, such as the ability to navigate the office environment. “It’s everything you didn’t learn in school that you need to experience massive success in public accounting.” Dunbar, the son of Tom and Mary Dunbar, is a graduate of Jackson Preparatory School. After high school, he attended Washington and Lee University, where he ran track his freshman year. “I toured the school and felt it was the right spot,” he said. “I was ready to explore out of state a little bit and figured I could come back to Jackson if that didn’t work out.” Dunbar initially was planning to major in business but took a required accounting class and fell in love with it. “It was like putting a puzzle together. The credits and debits have to match up,” he said. “You get to learn a lot about businesses by studying accounting.” After four years, he received his bachelor’s degree and went to the University of Texas at Austin to continue his education. “I studied four years in college, so I thought I might as well try to get my CPA,” he said. “I needed one more year after my undergrad program.” Certification typically requires 150 credit hours, more than students retain during their undergraduate education.

“Washington and Lee was such a small school that it didn’t have a fifth-year master’s program,” he said. “I applied at UT and got in. Dad grew up in Austin, so I figured I’d go out there. While on campus, I got recruited at UT Career Day.” After nearly three years, Dunbar decided to return home. “My lease ended and my roommate was moving, so I thought it was a good time to come back to Jackson if I was coming back,” he said. “I grew up, had a great childhood and wanted to be closer to my family.” Dunbar has one younger brother, Wirt, and a younger sister, Mary, who is a junior at Auburn University. After returning home, it took Dunbar about five months to complete the book and publish it through an online publishing house. He hopes the 190-page book will help up and coming professionals when they enter the world of work. Among tips, the book talks about the importance of making good first impressions, as well as good last impressions. Looking back, Dunbar wishes he would have told more people in Texas that he was returning home. “People are going to remember you just as much for how you leave as how you perform,” he said. “There are some people I should’ve told privately that I didn’t tell before I announced my resignation to the public.” Dunbar is now planning a second book, which will be geared more toward helping professionals in every field. “There’s a lot of stuff they don’t teach you in school that you need to learn on the job,” he said. “I got a great education and still had a major learning curve. Everyone’s going to have one, and that’s why I wrote the book.”

https://www.northsidesun.com/news-breaking-news/dunbar-pens-book-help-young-professionals

AlumniNews

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

Young Professionals on the Rise

YOUNG, GIFTED & EMPOWERED Brittany Wilson ❝

When we were meeting with Jackson Prep to prepare for the Young, Gifted & Empowered, Vicki King told us about a young lady who she thought would be perfect for our ‘Young Professionals On The Rise’ segment of the event. She provided us with Brittany’s bio. We read over it and were instantly impressed and inspired. It was a no brainer that we had to recognize Brittany and her great works. Young people like Brittany aren't just inspiring, they’re the next big thing coming out of Mississippi. I definitely look forward to hearing and seeing great things from Brittany! Shameka Reed, Founder, Young, Gifted & Empowered

❞ BY BRITTANY WILSON (class of 2020)

remember the day before I was told I was a Young, Gifted & Empowered (YG&E) “Young Professionals On The Rise.” I felt as though I wasn’t good enough as a student, that I wasn’t representing my family or my school as much as I had anticipated. The next day, I was called into the office and told the news. Astounded and tremendously grateful, I was relieved because that moment made me feel as if I had achieved a goal in my academic career—to be recognized for my academic excellence outside of school. The YG&E Awards was a beautiful event that showcased the many gifts and skills fellow Mississip-

pians have used to make their communities better. Although I did not receive a physical award, I received an inspirational award as I witnessed applause and heard words of encouragement and congratulations. The experience was awe-inspiring and humbling as I saw what I could do to make my community a better place. As I prepare for college, I will keep the words of encouragement and inspiration with me at Millsaps College. My plan is to major in Applied Mathematics on the Pre-Engineering track. Because of YG&E, I am even more motivated to be an active member of all the communities of which I am a part.

AlumniNews

PHOTO BY MICHELLE DASCHBACH (CLASS OF 2020)

Starting College Early and Remotely

CHINESE FLAGSHIP TRANSITION Hannah Grace Biggs ❝

(Hello, pronounced Nǐ hǎo)

❞ BY HANNAH GRACE BIGGS (class of 2020)

hen I was accepted into the Chinese Language Flagship late in fourth term, society was no longer operating with the hope that quarantine and social distancing would last mere weeks. I was well aware the summer and following year would be anything but normal. I would be lying to your face were I to say I was disappointed upon receiving confirmation that the flagship program would forgo the usual six-week summer intensive in favor of additional in-person fall classes rather than attempting to conduct the intensive learning over Zoom—hence my knowledge of exactly eight words of Chinese. To be spared yet another class where my classmates and professors appeared as blurry, glitchy images behind the white-blue glow of my computer screen was welcome news. Throughout the summer our Lǎoshīmen (professors) conducted a variety of introductory Zoom

workshops, including a Q & A with graduates from the program, discussion of the development of dialects complete with a kahoot “quiz,” and a cooking lesson that resulted in a questionable attempt at making hot and sour soup. Soon-to-be classmates and I are ready to be on campus, to learn from our professors in person rather than by Zoom PowerPoint, and to meet over a book-filled (socially-distanced) table in the library rather than over the phone. Our first year will be far from par for the course, but if our final term of high school proved anything it was that the class of 2020 can adapt. As different as freshman year might be, I know that my experience in the Chinese Flagship will be just as exciting and demanding as those in years prior, COVID-19 notwithstanding.

AlumniNews

Starting College Early and Remotely

PHOTO BY EMMI SPRAYBERRY

ARABIC FLAGSHIP TRANSITION Abigail Metcalf

❝ My name is Ahlem (in my Arabic class), and in English, my name is Abigail. I loved studying Arabic this summer. Arabic is a beautiful language, and I’m excited for class in the fall. Let’s go!

❞ BY ABIGAIL METCALF (class of 2020)

’m a freshman at Ole Miss double majoring in International Studies and Arabic (through the Arabic Language Flagship program). Part of Arabic Flagship is an intensive pre-freshman summer studying the language. Normally, this class would take place on campus. However, because of COVID-19, those plans had to be adjusted. Instead, Arabic Flagship at Ole Miss decided to have class this summer on Zoom. I had class every day from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., with at least thirty minutes of tutoring with a T.A. every week. Because I’m studying a language, I was skeptical about having class solely online. Even though we were face to face on Zoom, our communication was at the mercy of unreliable

WiFi. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly the class went. I knew zero Arabic going into the program, but now I can read, write, and have basic conversations in the language. In fact, I’m writing this after finishing the oral final where I had a 15 minute conversation with my professor in Arabic. Judging by the fact that I left this final unscathed, I’d say that my summer classes were successful. And despite not being on campus, my classmates and I were still able to get to know each other through Zoom study groups. All in all, I really enjoyed my classes this summer, but I’m ready to have them in person in the fall (inshallah)!

maximize your potential. find your path.

DISCOVER YOUR POSSIBILITIES. Call Director of Admissions, Tracie Mallard, and schedule a tour for your family: 601.939.8611.

serving grades six through twelve

A Production by Jackson Prep Friday, April 9 Monday, April 12 Tuesday, April 13 boxoffice.jacksonprep.net

InternationalProgram ❝

With the time difference, they are 13 hours ahead of the Central Time Zone. It means that they join classes from 9:10 p.m. until 3:50 a.m. the next morning.

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Jackie Chen, Beijing

Fiona Zhang, Beijing

Eric Wang, Nantong, Jiangsu Province

BY JANE ZHU Director, International Student Program, PDSO (Principal Designated School Official, Department of Homeland Security)

hile looking forward to a great school year of 2020-2021, we unfor tunately have three international Chinese students who were unable to return to school due to the international travel ban amid the pandemic. For them to remotely participate in classes, they have to go through some challenges. First of all, since Prep is a Google-based school, the students need to find ways to login to Google to access the assignments. With the time difference, they are 13 hours ahead of the Central Time Zone. It means that they join classes from 9:10 p.m. until 3:50 a.m. the next morning. Even though Jackie Chen and Fiona Zhang

have mentally prepared for this schedule, they still experienced tremendous challenges of exhaustion past midnight. Their bedtime is from 4:00 a.m. to noon. Eric Wang, our newly admitted 8th grade student, participates in classes with a mixture of remote learning and recorded classes. His mother was concerned as to whether he could handle this type of learning, but Eric is doing a great job staying on top of the situation. In addition to the three students in China, Abby Zhao was quarantined due to international travel but is now back at Prep. The rest of our international students—Angel Tu, Brittany Jiang, Wayne Hsieh, Rose Hsieh, and Megan Tang—were already happily back on campus. This year, we are very excited

to welcome twin sisters, Adrianna and Brianna Wang, to the Prep Family in the sixth grade program. They are American-born Chinese. Their mother works in the library in the JPS system, and their father is a professor at JSU. Adrianna and Brianna are also great swimmers and are members of the MAKOS swimming team.

Adrianna and Brianna Wang

Marketing & Branding in a Crisis BY EMILY MCCLAIN Director of Branding & Marketing Reprint permission of Madison County Journal online (April)

don’t overdo it—unless it directly applies to your mission. Your audience knows you, and they won’t know if they can trust you if there is a sudden shift in voice. Consistent voice and visuals are imperative to communicating your target consumers’ desire to hear, “We are still trustworthy, just like we were yesterday.” These past few months, many churches in our nation live-streamed their Sunday worship services. To reassure their congregations, they used the same voice and visuals as they did when members were there in person. From lighting in the sanctuary to singing familiar hymns to the distinctive look of the pastor wearing his traditional garb, they built brand equity, safety, and trust by being consistent in voice and visuals.

eneration X and Millennials—the two largest consumer spending groups—greatly value trust and safety. Many of these individuals experienced 9/11 and now are experiencing the COVID-19 quarantine. Small businesses, as well as large ones, are looking for ways to survive a potential downturn in the economy. So, how do you create a sense of both trust and safety in your business through your brand strategy in a time of crisis? Be consistent. Your brand is more than your logo. Equally important to your brand are your trade dress (consistent color and font families), website, social media, place of business, customers, and most importantly, yourself. Use the same “look and feel” that you always have. Use the same voice. For example, if you’ve always written your Instagram and Facebook posts in a light, informal, and fun style, continue to do so; the same applies if your voice has always been distinctly formal. Add concern where needed, but

Be relevant. Your clients are most likely smart AND savvy. Make sure you post content relevant to your business and its mission on your social media handles. If your business isn’t related to health care, try to proliferate only on the health care issues that directly impact your business. When you can, post a third party article that supports your business and the product(s) you offer. This gives more credibility to your work. Be clear. Your clients know what you do best. Don’t change your overall mission and strategy just because of the current crisis. React to it in a way that is deliverable and apropos to the crisis. For example, if you own a flower shop, let your customers know that business has changed due to canceled weddings, proms, and large events. In the same social media post, you can encourage customers to buy flowers to freshen their own home or as a special gift for a neighbor who is anxious and overwhelmed. You’ve done two things: you made the clientele aware of your situation, and you’ve offered a compassionate solution without changing your mission to sell flowers. Be passionate. No one loves and cares about your business and your brand more than you. Be passionate about the mission of your business. In a time of crisis, your customers may not remember the flash sales you offered or the memes you posted, but they will have a sense of trust and safety because you remained clear and consistent to your mission.

Your gifts to the 2019-2020 PATRIOT CLUB helped our school in the following areas:

TEACHER TOOLS

REMOTE LEARNING SUPPORT

STUDENT TOOLS

XR RESOURCES

BROADCAST PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

Support your future. Discover your possibilities.

JOIN YOUR PATRIOT CLUB.

To learn more about the Patriot Club Annual Fund at Jackson Prep, please contact Ryan Upshaw, Director of Diversity & Outreach, at rupshaw@jacksonprep.net or 601-939-8611 ext. 259.

Yvonne &

Bob Bertolet Championing the Patriot Club ❝

The blessing is that when you help your Prep student, you help all Prep students.

❞

uition covers approximately 92% of the cost to educate your child. The rest of our needs, as well as so many special wish-list items and experiences we provide in support of our school, come from the generosity of donors. Yvonne and Bob Bertolet are two of our cherished benefactors. As members of the Prep Family for 40 years, we are excited to share their insights with you. We hold the Bertolets, along with so many of you, our donors, in special esteem. Thank you!

What impact are you making with your support? Y: Prep provides a well-rounded education for each student to be prepared for college and career. In thinking back to our own education, we remember the inadequate library, crowded classrooms and schools, and unequipped science labs. This was the best that could be afforded at the time, but today, advanced mathematics and applied science are needed to understand the language of computers in a technological world.

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

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

Y: Bob and I have supported Prep for about three years. Having three children in private school and college, we realized that other than paying tuition and perhaps a donation, it is difficult for parents to give a lot more to schooling. This is where grandparents and others can come to the rescue.

B: There are many good reasons for giving to a school, but the main incentive is to ensure that the school can continue to provide the best possible education, activities, and maturing experiences possible for your child or grandchild. The blessing is that when you help your Prep student, you help all Prep students.

What motivates you to give? B: In 1980 our son, Todd, said he wanted to go to a “big” high school. At the time he was attending a small private school in Natchez. We asked a Jackson friend, Bubba Tharpe, if he could guide us in the enrollment process at Prep for Todd’s senior year. Then 37 years later, Anna Kate, Todd’s daughter, enrolled in the sixth grade, and our blood turned red and blue.

Why do you continue to give? B: There is nothing more rewarding than for a grandchild to love and respect their grandparents. Anna Kate knows that Grammi and Bebop are making the educational road she must travel a little broader and a little smoother by giving to the school she loves.

Y: Education is the key to a better society. Everyone would like to have a more stable economy, adequate health care, safe environment, peace, etc., but someone must foresee a workable solution to accomplish these goals. That requires know-how that you can gain at Prep.

Why do you feel it is important to give even if it does not directly impact you or your family? Y: A shoulder tap is given to each person who is able and willing to assist in the education of our youth.

PHOTO BY EMILY MCCLAIN

Honor Roll of Donors â?? â?&#x17E;

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

ach 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 thankful for the gifts from parents and grandparents, faculty and

RYAN UPSHAW Director of Diversity and Outreach

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 or more ) Yvonne and Robert Bertolet Ergon Foundation, Inc. Feild Co-Operative Association, Inc Mr. and Mrs. Lee Lampton VanDevender Family Foundation CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE ($10,000-$14,999) Ashley and Hu Meena BankPlus Stacy and Jay Underwood FOUNDERS‘ CIRCLE ($5,000-$9,999) Laurie and Tony Huffman Bettye and Dick Mason Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, PLLC Julie and Dudley Wooley TRUSTEES‘ CIRCLE ($2,500-$4,999) Joseph Bronzi Whitney and David Andress Drs. Kenneth E. and Nicole D. Cleveland Barbara and Jason Craft Betsy and Wade Creekmore Lesley and John Davis Sherry and Mike Gleason Jackson Prep Class of 1989 Mysty and Allen Langford Elizabeth and Kerk Mehrle Regions Anne and Steve Rogers London and Joseph Simpson Trustmark National Bank Mary Elizabeth and Charlie Upton Amy and DeFord Walker Emily and Stuart Whitaker HEAD OF SCHOOL‘S CIRCLE ($1,000-$2,499) Rebecca and Lawrence Coco Mary Frances and John Crawford Saundra and Duane Dewey Kitty and Marcelo Eduardo Monica and Brad Fountain Ginny and Matt Futvoye Michelle and Gage Gibbs Mamie and Jet Hollingsworth Jackson Prep Booster Club Ellen and Charles Johnson Ashley and Chris Maddux Sally and Len Martin The Puckett Boys and Susie and John Puckett Barbara and Joe Shelton Marti and Will Sorey Francine and Matthew Thomas Heather and Will Vise Mrs. Guy T. Vise, Jr. Kim and Will Walker HONOR CIRCLE ($500-$999) Deanna and Adair Blackledge Carrie and Philip Blount Crisler and Doug Boone Nell Bradford Pam and Denny Britt Rusty Burke Ann and Jim Coggin

Carpenter Properties, Inc Craddock Oil Company, Inc. Dallas Printing Dennis Uniform Ducks Unlimited Clinton Chapter B and G. G. Ferguson Stacey and Glenn Ferreri Marsha M. Hobbs Carter and Wilson Hood Libby and Ted Kendall Kroger Kelly and Sam Love Kesha and Ricky Mabry Tracie and Joe Mallard Malone Roofing Dr. and Mrs. Rob McElhaney Lou Ann and Doug McKibben Kathleen and Mack Mitchell Kristy and Scott Moak Wendy and Chuck Mullins Sarah Massie Neeley Sally and Dave Perkins Ashley and Crymes Pittman Candace and Jay Powell Trudy and Dave Powers Allyn and S. T. Ray Amanda and Ben Roberson Sherri and Randal Russell Rhonda and Terrence Shirley Janet and Bob Stephenson, Jr. Catherine and Joe Stradinger Carol and Scott Swayze Carolyn Tatum Caroline and Hunter Upchurch Dr. and Mrs. Robert Van Uden Cheryl and Cal Wells Amy and Ken Wiandt Sheila and David Wilbanks M’Lee and Kelley Williams, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Allen R. Yates PATRIOT CIRCLE (Up to $500) Katie and Lewis Agnew Pam and David Allen Zachary Allison Lindsey H. Anderson Anonymous Dr. G. Michael Atkinson Dr. and Mrs. Mike Atkinson Mrs. Jim Baird Mary and Brock Baker Bank of America Charitable Foundation Kayton and Jonathan Barnes Wendy and John Beard Shane Bennett Tim Benton Lillian and Maurice Birdwell Laura Bishop Polly and Bo Bourne Ashleigh Bowen Samantha and Tim Bowling Sharon and John David Box Mary Kelly and Jason Branning Nick Brewer G. Dodd Brister, Jr., DDS, PA Billie and Dick Brown Georgia Brown Mrs. Willie J. Brown Lavonne Bruckner Kristy and Brian Brumfield Melanie Largent Burrow and Jamey W. Burrow

2019-2020

Butler Snow, LLP Matt Butts Lauri Byrd Gail and Dan Cado Marcus and Whitney Canoy Judy and Ken Carter Brittany and Joe Case Cory and Matthew Caton Rachel and Ken Causey Gracie and Scott Chesnut Cori and Jay Ciaccio Pam and Todd Clapp Mary Nell and Alex Coblentz Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Coco, Jr. Libba Cook Janice and Hayden Cox Dr. and Mrs. John L. Cox Sidney and Holt Crews Milicent and Will Crosby Pam and Jimmy Cummins Anne and Bob Cunningham Beverly and Gary Davis Gail Derryberry Nathan Devine Judge and Mrs. Ronald Doleac Mary Preston Hays Dubberly Jon Marcus Duncan Elite Roofing Services, Inc. Wilkie Engle and Paul Gonwa Mr. and Mrs. John V. Eskrigge Mari and Sam Farrington Catherine and Al Faulk Gabbi Ferreri Nancy Flowers Whitney and John Fuller Dave Gammill Graduate Services South, Inc Helen and Jesse Graham Julia and John Grant Catherine Gray Anna and Ricky Griffin Bobby Gross Chere and Donovan Guilbeau Melissa and Alan Gunn Reta and Mark Haire Mr. and Mrs. John S. Harvey, Sr. Kelly and Blake Headley Brent Heavener Barbara Fortenberry Hederman Laura Hepner Luanne and Phil Hogue Caroline and Ashley Hollowell Katherine and Adam Horlock Betty and Jerry Horn Terri and Tom Hudson Huffman & Company, CPA, P.A. Lain Hughes and Jessica Leigh Long Tish and Haden Hughes Christina and Charlie Jackson Jackson Prep Booster Club Jackson Prep Class of 1983 Hope and Bill Johnson Rita and Larry Johnson Buckey M. Jones Ryan Jones Kim and Kurt Jordan Randy R. and Thomas M. Kelly Mary and Ted Kendall Andrae and Steve Kincaid Mary and L.D. King, Sr. Vicki and Larry King Paula and Steve Kuhn Katie and Lindsey Anderson

Meredith and Daniel Lang Mrs. Mary Anne Lefoldt Mary Anne and Larry Lefoldt Malika M. Lindsay Susan R. Lindsay Ann and Dale Linton Gail and David Litchliter Addie and Tommy Louis Katie and Parker Luckey Lyle Machinery Toni and Ed Manning Lelia and Mike Manning Caroline and Brad Mason Shelby Grace Mays Michael McAnally Leesa and Silas McCharen Emily and Guy McClain Marilyn McClendon Kenneth McDade Spiller and Chan McLeod Ron and Laura McMaster Sarah McMillan David McNair Annie Laurie and Tom McRee Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. McRee Jan and Gibby McSpadden Shani and Jackie Meck Mimi and Robert Mehrle Kristin and William Merrell Henry Michel Dr. Lynn Miller Mr. and Mrs. J. Longstreet Minor III Melissa and Patrick Mitchell Mary Sue and Don Mitchell MMC Materials, Inc Jane and Edward Moak Helen and Red Moffat Margaret and Bob Montgomery Bryce and Jay Mooney Becky and Dennis Morgan Mr. Doug Morgan Sara Whelan and Doug Morgan Jean Moses Britney and Jimbo Moss Grace Nabholz LeAnn and Luke Nealey Mrs. Anna Nix Anna and Jimmy Nix Mariclaire and Eric Nix

Lisa and Gary Noble Waynette and Shane Noe Ric Nowell Alice and Dick O'Ferrall Lee Ozier Diana S. Page Silvia and Steve Page Lisa Graham Parson Paige Polk Brianne Powers Jennifer and Cliff Powers Priority One Bank Leigh Ann and Chris Purnell Millie and Chuck Quarterman Raytheon Company Kimberly and Guy Reedy Jodie and Don Regan Lynda and Michael Richardson Blair and Erin Riley Betty and Jim Roberson Kevin and Kimberly Robichaux Alexander Romano Carol and David Rose Betsy and Steve Rosenblatt Jeanne and Rod Russ Norwood Sanders Trina and Rance Sapen Carlene M. Scanlon Sarah Louise and Ralph Scruggs Amy and Dale Shepherd Allison and Anthony Sherman Melissa and Ryan Sherman Lisa and Allen Shive Kathryn and Bill Shuff Jordan Shumaker Josh Shumaker Patsy and Don Simpson Judy and Doug Simpson Carolyn and George Sisk Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Bryan Smith III Cassie Anderson Smith Christina Smith Dr. and Mrs. J. Larry Smith Janet Clare Smith Jina Smith Paul D. Smith, Ph.D. Randolph Smith Valerie Hyde Smith Smoothie King

Bobby Joe Spann Phyllis Spearman Specialty Hardware LLC Marla and Warren Speed Amber and Stephen Stack Laura and Tommy Stansell Star Service, Inc. of Jackson Alan and Kristi Stuckey Rev. and Mrs. Richard K. Swayze Mary Linley and Andrew Sweat Telpro Communications Co Elizabeth Thiel Ed and Mary Evalyn Thomas Muffin and Marcus Thompson Sarah Tillery Marc Treadway Les Triplett Tyler Tyree Jane Tyson Laurie and Miles Van Pelt Kimberly and Robert Van Uden Nancy and Daniel Venarske Meagan Vinson Dr. Larry Wade Lee and John Waits Dot Ward Maret and Steve Watson Beth Mason Watts Dr. Andrew Weeks Dr. Christopher Weeks Dr. Stephen Weeks Beverly and Steve Weeks Vianne and Bill Welch Mary Alice and Donny White Brenda and Steve Whittington Dr. Newton Wiggins Sheila and David Wilbanks Shawn and Bob Wilkerson Jessica Wilkinson Mr. and Mrs. J. Bowman Williams Karma and Scott Williams Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Windham Katie and Brad Winstead Rachel and Tim Wise Dr. and Mrs. Allen R. Yates Richard Younce Eleanor and Ryan Young Michael B. Yang Jane Zhu

PARENTS CLASS OF 2020 Pam and Todd Clapp Sidney and Holt Crews Beverly and Gary Davis Kitty and Marcelo Eduardo Suzanne and John Eskrigge Mamie and Jet Hollingsworth Hope and Bill Johnson Kesha and Ricky Mabry Paige Robertson Catherine and Joe Stradinger Stacy and Jay Underwood Mary Elizabeth and Charlie Upton Maret and Steve Watson Shawn and Bob Wilkerson Rachel and Tim Wise CLASS OF 2021 Whitney and David Andress Dr. and Mrs. Mike Atkinson Carrie and Philip Blount

Marcus and Whitney Canoy Rachel and Ken Causey Drs. Nicole and Kenneth Cleveland Lesley and John Davis Monica and Brad Fountain Michelle and Gage Gibbs Sherry and Mike Gleason Caroline and Ashley Hollowell Mysty and Allen Langford Kristy and Scott Moak Waynette and Shane Noe Kimberly and Guy Reedy Amanda and Ben Roberson Marla and Warren Speed Janet and Bob Stephenson Laurie and Miles Van Pelt Nancy and Daniel Venarske Beth Mason Watts CLASS OF 2022 Sharon and John David Box

2019-2020

Mary Kelly and Jason Branning Cory and Jay Ciaccio Drs. Nicole and Kenneth Cleveland Rebecca and Lawrence Coco Kappi and David Craddock Beverly and Gary Davis Tammy and Jon Marcus Duncan Catherine and Al Faulk Ginny and Matt Futvoye Wilkie Engle and Paul Gonwa Margaret and John Harvey Kelly and Blake Headley Christina and Charlie Jackson Mysty and Allen Langford Caroline and Brad Mason Shani and Jackie Meck Kathleen and Mack Mitchell Wendy and Chuck Mullins Ashley and Crymes Pittman Jodie and Don Regan Paige Robertson

Carol and David Rose Lisa and Allen Shive Allison and Trey Smith Catherine and Joe Stradinger Mary Linley and Andrew Sweat Lee and John Waits M'Lee and Kelley Williams Karma and Scott Williams CLASS OF 2023 Dr. and Mrs. Mike Atkinson Milicent and Will Crosby Kitty and Marcelo Eduardo Ellen and Charles Johnson Malika M. Lindsay Tracie and Joe Mallard Spiller and Chan McLeod Kathleen and Mack Mitchell Waynette and Shane Noe Susie and John Puckett Amber and Stephen Stack 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 Marcus and Whitney Canoy Drs. Nicole and Kenneth Cleveland Barbara and Jason Craft Bobby Gross Kelly and Blake Headley Mamie and Jet Hollingsworth Caroline and Ashley Hollowell Andrae and Steve Kincaid Kesha and Ricky Mabry Ashley and Chris Maddux Caroline and Brad Mason Emily and Guy McClain Elizabeth and Kerk Mehrle Kristy and Scott Moak Amy and Dale Shepherd Marla and Warren Speed

Kimberly and Robert Van Uden CLASS OF 2025 Deanna and Adair Blackledge Carrie and Philip Blount Rebecca and Lawrence Coco Kappi and David Craddock Catherine and Al Faulk Ashley and Chris Maddux Tracie and Joe Mallard Dr. and Mrs. Rob McElhaney Sara Whelan and Doug Morgan Candace and Jay Powell London and Joseph Simpson Eleanor and Ryan Young CLASS OF 2026 Samantha and Tim Bowling Ron and Laura McMaster Shani and Jackie Meck Melissa and Ryan Sherman London and Joseph Simpson Muffin and Marcus Thompson

ALUMNI 2019-2020 *Précis Club. See page 62 for Précis levels. CLASS OF 1972 Mary Briggs Baker CLASS OF 1973 Dr. Ed Manning Marilyn McClendon Annie Laurie Heidelberg McRee CLASS OF 1974 Anne Manning Cunningham* Tom Hudson Larry King Leesa Crim McCharen Lee Ozier Allyn Mann Ray* Lisa Graham Parson* CLASS OF 1975 Gage Gibbs* CLASS OF 1976 Wilkie Engle Alan Gunn CLASS OF 1977 Jane Tyson CLASS OF 1978 Dr. John Cox Charles Johnson* Tommy Louis CLASS OF 1979 Bo Bourne Polly Davis Bourne Mike Manning Ashley Creekmore Meena* Dr. Scott Swayze*

CLASS OF 1990 Ashley Hollis Maddux*

CLASS OF 1983 John Beard Lavonne Bruckner* David Wilbanks*

CLASS OF 1991 Dr. Mike Atkinson* Crymes Pittman*

CLASS OF 1984 Lindsey Anderson Crisler Moffat Boone* Jim Coggin* John Davis* Chan McLeod Will Walker* Kelley Williams, Jr.* Dudley Wooley*

CLASS OF 1992 Lawrence Coco* Rebecca Thomas Coco* Bobby Gross* Brad Mason Trey Smith Cassie Anderson Smith Andrew Sweat Beth Mason Watts*

CLASS OF 1985 Spiller Burnham McLeod Kristin Reed Merrell Colonel William Merrell* Allen Shive Will Vise* M’lee McMullan Williams* Michael Yang Richie Younce*

CLASS OF 1993 Nikki Duncan Cleveland* Caroline Monsour Hollowell Sara Whelan Randall Morgan* CLASS OF 1994 Mary Kelly Findley Branning* Jet Hollingsworth* Mamie Lusk Hollingsworth* Caroline Yates Mason

CLASS OF 1986 Jay Ciaccio Sidney Creekmore Crews* Suzanne Hasseltine Eskrigge* G. G. Ferguson* Valerie Hyde Smith Jay Underwood*

CLASS OF 1995 Jon Marcus Duncan

CLASS OF 1987 Mary Preston Hays Dubberly* Ben Roberson* Warren Speed*

CLASS OF 1981 Doug Boone* John Puckett*

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

CLASS OF 1982 Sam Farrington Michelle Thomas Gibbs* Henry Michel Anne Wells Rogers*

CLASS OF 1989 Lain Hughes* Mack Mitchell* Ric Nowell* Mary Elizabeth Russ Upton*

CLASS OF 1996 Michael McAnally* CLASS OF 1997 Melanie Largent Burrow* Melissa Gong Mitchell Blair Barnes Riley Kristi White Stuckey Katie Bolen Winstead CLASS OF 1998 Amy Lampton Walker* Stephen Weeks*

John Fuller* Jay Mooney* Laura VanDevender Stansell* CLASS OF 2001 Ryan Jones* Caroline McKibben Upchurch* CLASS OF 2002 Wilson Hood* Dr. Jimbo Moss* Britney Wilkes Moss* Dr. Christopher Weeks* Dr. Newton Wiggins* CLASS OF 2003 Dr. Sam Love* CLASS OF 2004 Dr. Andrew Q. Weeks* CLASS OF 2005 Jimmy Nix* CLASS OF 2006 Sally Wells Byram* Kathryn Mosley Shuff* Les Triplett CLASS OF 2008 Anna Wells Cowles* Jordan Shumaker* CLASS OF 2010 Joshua Shumaker* CLASS OF 2011 Daniel Lang* CLASS OF 2014 Elizabeth Thiel* CLASS OF 2016 Tyler Tyree*

CLASS OF 1999 Christina Sandifer Jackson*

CLASS OF 2017 Brianne Powers* Sarah Tillery*

CLASS OF 2000 Lewis Agnew*

CLASS OF 2019 Gabbi Ferreri*

IN HONOR OF

2019-2020

ANNA KATE BERTOLET Yvonne and Robert Bertolet

ELLIE HEDERMAN Betty and Jerry Horn

ALLYN RAY Hope and Bill Johnson

LAURA BISHOP Mary Alice and Donny White

MARSHA HOBBS Sarah Massie Neeley

ANNE WELLS ROGERS Kimberly and Guy Reedy

RICKY BLACK Will, John, Chris, and Andrew Puckett

HALI HOLLMAN Lillian and Maurice Birdwell

ADAIR AND DEANNA BLACKLEDGE Stacey and Glenn Ferreri

JILLIAN HOLLMAN Lillian and Maurice Birdwell

DR. WALTER SHELTON Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, PLLC

CRISLER BOONE Helen and Red Moffat

PAULA KUHN Sarah McMillan

NELL BRADFORD Anna and Ricky Griffin Mr. and Mrs. John S. Harvey, Sr. Kelly and Blake Headley Laura Hepner Marsha M. Hobbs Vicki and Larry King Lelia and Mike Manning LeAnn and Luke Nealey Waynette and Shane Noe Ramona and Lee Ozier Lynda and Michael Richardson Sarah and Ralph Scruggs Carolyn and George Sisk

LAURA LINDELL Will, Marti, Mary Rogers, Katie, and Laura Sorey

MARY KELLY BRANNING Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Windham

GARY NOBLE Trudy and Dave Powers

JANE CORY Jackson Prep Booster Club

MADELINE PAGE Diana S. Page

MILICENT CROSBY Paula and Steve Kuhn

PARKER PAGE Diana S. Page

WILL CROSBY Paula and Steve Kuhn

BETH PERKINS Sally and Dave Perkins

CAROLINE CROSS Judge and Mrs. Ronald Doleac

BETSY PERKINS Sally and Dave Perkins

THOMAS CROSS Judge and Mrs. Ronald Doleac GARRETT DAVIS Beverly and Gary Davis NATHAN DEVINE Gail Derryberry JON MARCUS DUNCAN Carolyn Tatum GABBI FERRERI Stacey and Glenn Ferreri LINDAN GARNER Buckey M. Jones MOLLY GARNER Buckey M. Jones HELEN GRAHAM Mari and Sam Farrington ANNA GRIFFIN Gail Derryberry Will, Marti, Mary Rogers, Katie, and Laura Sorey

ALLI SHERMAN Trudy and Dave Powers DENTON SMITH Jean Moses LAUREN ANNE SMITH Randy R. and Thomas M. Kelly

MITCHELL MCGINNIS Addie and Tommy Louis

OLIVIA PATRICIA SMITH Randy R. and Thomas M. Kelly

LOU ANN MCKIBBEN Will, Marti, Mary Rogers, Katie, and Laura Sorey

MARTI AND WILL SOREY Carolyn Tatum

TRUDY MCLAURIN Sarah McMillan MATTHEW MEHRLE Mimi and Robert Mehrle

CAROLYN TATUM Will, Marti, Mary Rogers, Katie, and Laura Sorey Will, John, Chris, and Andrew Puckett KIMBERLY VAN UDEN Dr. and Mrs. Robert Van Uden MARET WATSON Trudy and Dave Powers BRENDA WHITTINGTON Trudy and Dave Powers

CAMPBELL PERKINS Sally and Dave Perkins JACOB PERKINS Sally and Dave Perkins PRICE PERKINS Sally and Dave Perkins HAYDEN PERKINS Sally and Dave Perkins DR. TODD PERKINS Sally and Dave Perkins TRUDY POWERS Gail and Dan Cado SARAH MCMILLAN Will, Marti, Mary Rogers, Katie, and Laura Sorey BECKHAM POWERS Patsy and Don Simpson STADER POWERS Patsy and Don Simpson

RETA HAIRE Trudy and Dave Powers

LEIGH ANN PURNELL Hope and Bill Johnson

ASH HEDERMAN Betty and Jerry Horn

SOPHIE RANDOLPH Hope and Bill Johnson

PARKER WILLIAMS Karma and Scott Williams SWAYZE WILLIAMS Karma and Scott Williams

IN MEMORY OF REYNOLDS BOYKIN Sarah McMillan Jennifer and Cliff Powers Allyn and S. T. Ray WARD BRELAND Jackson Prep Class of 1981 DAVID BROOKS Julia and John Grant Sarah McMillan CINDY BROOKS Polly and Bo Bourne Addie and Tommy Louis Kelly and Sam Love Jennifer and Cliff Powers Allyn and S. T. Ray PAIGE BRUCE Jackson Prep Class of 1989 HENRI BURNHAM Allyn and S. T. Ray Mary Alice and Donny White

BILL CRIM Cheryl and Cal Wells Carlene M. Scanlon BUDDY CROSBY Milicent and Will Crosby Kelly and Sam Love Julie and Dudley Wooley JAMES CURRIE Stacey and Glenn Ferreri Mary and LD King, Sr. Sarah McMillan RICHIE EDMONSON Jackson Prep Class of 1981 KATHY MEENA FOUNTAIN Leesa and Silas McCharen Jackson Prep Class of 1974 JANE ELLEN HYDE Valerie Hyde Smith BARBARA JONES Julia and John Grant

LAUREN CLEMENT Melanie Largent Burrow and Jamey W. Burrow Melissa and Patrick Mitchell Blair and Erin Riley Kristi and Alan Stuckey Katie and Brad Winstead

ALLISON COGGIN LEE Mary Preston Hays Dubberly

LARA ASHLEY ROOT COLEMAN Jackson Prep Class of 1989 Dr. and Mrs. Allen R. Yates Mr. and Mrs. J. Longstreet Minor III

MARY JO MCANALLY Michael McAnally

BRIAN COLLINS Jackson Prep Class of 1981 MARK COX Jackson Prep Class of 1981 SALLIE CRIM B.F. Hederman, Tina, Lisa, and John Fortenberry Allyn and S. T. Ray Carlene M. Scanlon Cheryl and Cal Wells

MIKE RIVES Mary Alice and Donny White JANE ROPER Leesa and Silas McCharen Janet Clare Smith SARAH ELIZABETH SHELTON Barbara and Joe Shelton HELEN HESTER SILLS Jackson Prep Class of 1981 ROBERT SPELL Jackson Prep Class of 1981 MARK STEELE Katie and Lewis Agnew JOHN WILLIAM WALTON Dr. Larry Wade CALVIN WELLS Anne and Steve Rogers Cheryl and Cal Wells WALKER WILBANKS Sheila and David Wilbanks

EUGENE MCROBERTS Sally and Len Martin Leesa and Silas McCharen

OWEN WILLIFORD Mrs. Jim Baird Mary Nell and Alex Coblentz Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Coco, Jr. Libba Cook Tish and Haden Hughes Jackson Prep Class of 1983 Ann and Dale Linton David McNair Jan McSpadden Alice and Dick Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ferrall Dr. and Mrs. J. Larry Smith Phyllis Spearman Rev. and Mrs. Richard K. Swayze Mrs. Guy T. Vise, Jr. Dot Ward Mr. and Mrs. J. Bowman Williams

NAN MERRELL Jackson Prep Class of 1981

EASIE WOOLEY Julie and Dudley Wooley

BRODIE RAY Jackson Prep Class of 1981

O. B. WOOLEY Julie and Dudley Wooley

LOUIE E. LITTLE Monica and Brad Fountain DR. J.O. MANNING Toni and Ed Manning

LAURA MCGEE Jackson Prep Class of 1989 MART MCMULLAN Laura Bishop

BRICK PURCHASES IN HONOR OF NELL BRADFORD Anna and Ricky Griffin Kelly and Blake Headley Laura Hepner Marsha M. Hobbs Vicki and Larry King Lelia and Mike Manning LeAnn and Luke Nealey

Waynette and Shane Noe Ramona and Lee Ozier Lynda and Michael Richardson Sarah and Ralph Scruggs Carolyn and George Sisk IN HONOR OF JANE CORY Jackson Prep Booster Club

Kroger I-55

2019-2020

IN HONOR OF GARY, MARET, RETA, BRENDA, AND ALLI Trudy and Dave Powers IN HONOR OF SOPHIE RANDOLPH, ALLYN RAY, AND LEIGH A. PURNELL Hope and Bill Johnson

IN-KIND GIFTS Business Interiors

2019-2020

Ann Matthews

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

JOIN THE 2020-2021 PATRIOT CLUB CIRCLE OF GOLD $15,000 or more

FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE $5,000 to $9,999

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

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE $10,000 to $14,999

TRUSTEES’ CIRCLE $2,500 to $4,999

HONOR CIRCLE $500 to $999

PATRIOT CIRCLE Up to $500

In support of Jackson Preparatory School’s 2020-2021 Patriot Club, I pledge $________________________.

Précis Club

A check (made payable to JP Patriot Club) in the amount of $_______________________ is enclosed for: Full Payment Partial Payment (balance to be paid by 6/15/2021)

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

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

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___________ Maiden Name______________________________ Précis Club member (see amounts at right) Parent of student currently attending Jackson Prep Parent of Jackson Prep alumnus

This gift is A Memorial to_____________________________________________________________________________ An Honorarium to_________________________________________________________________________ Return your tax-deductible gift to Ryan Upshaw, Director of Diversity and Outreach Mailbox located in McRae Center • 601-932-8106, Ext. 259 • rupshaw@jacksonprep.net Or mail to: Jackson Preparatory School • P.O. Box 4940 • Jackson, Mississippi 39296-4940

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

ThAnK YoU To AlL Of OuR SpOnSoRs! TiTlE SpOnSoR

Westin jackson PrEp PrEsEnTeR Kappi & David Craddock + NewSouth NeuroSpine + London & Joseph Simpson

ReD AnD BlUe BeNeFaCtOr

C Spire Foundation + Capital City BeverageS + Fondren Cellars + Amanda & Hastings Puckett George W. May, Jr., DMD + Snapshot Publishing + Southern Heritage Construction + The Iron Horse Grill

PATRIOT LEVEL Whitney & David Andress Bank of Yazoo Deanna & Adair Blackledge Chuck Mullins, Attorney at Law Climate Masters, Inc. Melanie & Theo Costas Barbara & Jason Craft Duckworth Realty E. Cornell Malone Corporation Edgetheory Entergy EyeCare surgery center First Commercial Bank GI Associates & Endoscopy Center Melissa & Arnie Hederman

Mamie & Jet Hollingsworth Jackson Healthcare for Women Jackson Anesthesia Associates Ellen & Charles Johnson Karen & Brian Kogon Lampton-Love Propane Liston & Deas PLLC Valerie & Jon Mabry Malone Equipment M-D Medical Services, INC. MMC Materials, INC. Mocha Mugs Motorcars of Jackson Newk’s EATERY Origin Bank

Outback Steakhouse Ovation Women’s Wellness Primos Café Peoples Construction Corporation Ridgeland Specialty Hardware Ross & Yerger Suzanna & Stephen Rula Marla & Warren Speed Tann, Brown, & Russ Co., PLLC Trustmark gloria m. Walker Emily & Stuart Whitaker Wyatt Dermatology CLINIC

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID JACKSON, MS PERMIT NO. 93

PHOTO BY HUBERT WORLEY

P.O. Box 4940 Jackson, MS 39236-4940

Patriot Magazine 2020

Articles inside

Honor Roll of Giving

Patriot Magazine 2020