The MidWeek / MidWeeknews.com • Wednesday, Apr 27, 2022 MIDWEEK
4
ON THE RECORD ... with Jordyn Jackson Who would you like to see go on the record? Let us know at readit@midweeknews.com DeKALB – When Jordyn Jackson grows up, he wants to be a video game designer. But instead of staying indoors all day playing video games, Jackson is out and about in the community, getting involved and making a difference. Jackson started volunteering in the community when he was 6 years old. Now 14, Jackson volunteers with more than 30 organizations, including Trash Squirrels and DeKalb County Community Gardens. Jackson is a homeschooled eighth-grader. Jackson started JOY – Jackson’s Outstanding Young Volunteers, a group that organizes volunteering events and inspires children to get involved in the community. Jackson has already inspired 12 other children to join JOY Volunteers. To get the word out about the group, he had his own booth at the DeKalb Public Library’s Volunteer Fair on March 26. He also was a guest speaker at a Youth Engaged in Philanthropy meeting. YEP is a youth-led committee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation. Jackson told the other teens about JOY Volunteers and gave advice about volunteer opportunities in the
adults in the community have noticed her son’s volunteerism. “So many people have told us of his impact and how he’s making a change,” Johnson said. “I’m just happy he likes to help others and give back and isn’t a selfish person. I’m proud he has that kind of heart.” Jackson spoke with MidWeek reporter Katrina Milton about JOY Volunteers and why volunteering in the community is important. Milton: Why did you start JOY Volunteers? Jackson: JOY Volunteers is a group I started to get younger kids involved with volunteering. It’s for kids ages kindergarten through middle school. I wanted to get young kids involved to inspire them. Photo provided by Angela Johnson
Jordyn Jackson, 14, started JOY – Jackson’s Outstanding Young Volunteers, a group that organizes volunteering events and inspires children to get involved in the community. community. Angela Johnson, Jackson’s mom, said she is proud of her son for his love of volunteering. “For other kids, it’s hard to get them to volunteer,” Johnson said. “But he loves helping others. He’s a
MUSIC niu.edu/music April 26 April 28 April 29 April 29 April 30 May 1 May 1 May 5 May 8 May 15
All-University Jazz Band, 7 p.m. Chamber Choir and University Chorus, 7 p.m. Pendulum Percussion Duo, 4 p.m. Wind Ensemble, 7 p.m. NIU Banda Concert, 7 p.m. Electronic Computer Music Concert, TBA NIU Philharmonic Orchestra “Tribute to Jan Bach”, 7 p.m. NIU Brass Chamber Music, 8 p.m. Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Campus Strings, 7:30 p.m. Kishwaukee Concert Band, 3 p.m.
See ON THE RECORD, page 5
The Arts at NIU
THEATRE
ART
The Language Archive by Julia Cho April 22-24 and 28-30 Sally Stevens Players Theatre
Biennial NIU School of Art and Design Faculty Exhibition NIU Art Museum, Altgeld Hall Extended through May 14 niu.edu/artmuseum
niu.edu/theatre
Spring Dance Concert “The Past to the Present” April 28-May 1 O’Connell Theatre
A look at what’s coming up! For a full schedule of events and ticket information:
go.niu.edu/arts
young community leader, but that doesn’t stop him from being a kid. He’s very creative and likes to spend his time playing video games, but not all of his time. He also loves to draw and draws every day.” Johnson said other parents and
Milton: Why is volunteering important for kids? Jackson: I think there are not as many opportunities for kids to volunteer. It’s more difficult for them to be involved. I want kids to be involved, too, and for all kids to make a difference. I think things wouldn’t get done without volunteers. There needs to be
niu.edu/art
BFA Show Capstone exhibition showcase of students earning School of Music Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees Jack Olson Gallery, Jack Arends Hall April 25-May 11
