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NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE Paid Jackson, MS Permit #93
What is your prediction for the 2016-2017 school year? “That Prep football will get a 5 peat, and America will be great again.” -Anna Kate Williams, 12th “I think it will be a hard year academically because of Physics and Algebra 2, but football season and prom will be really fun. “ -Forrest Smith, 11th “This year will be a lot different than junior high, but it will be fun.” -Lynn Redding, 10th “That this year will be better than the last one.” -Mary Rogers Merrell, 11th “I predict both the most exciting and stressful school year yet.” -Reed Peets, 11th “It’s gonna be lit.” -Holly Kullman, 10th
Sentry Summer Staff Avery Andress Paul Andress Ann Clardy Byrd Hays Dubberly Preston Dubberly RJ Green Madeline Claire Hughes Sarah Riley Jicka Henley Johnson Chatham Kennedy Maclain Kennedy Stewart McCullough Brendon McLeod Gracie McCraney Mary Patton Murphy Tori Newsome Lake Wartes Advisor: Lain Hughes
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V I E W S & V O I C E S
What was the highlight of your summer? “Being free from the burden of school.” -Hays Dubberly, 12th “Probably all the golf tournaments I played in. Especially the US Jr. Amateur which was in Chattanooga, Tennessee.” -Cecil Wegener, 12th “I got to go on a mission trip to Peru. It was so fun playing with the children and getting to see them learn about the Lord.” -Emison Geiger, 10th “Going to Capernaum! It’s a Young Life camp for disabled kids and young adults. It was so fun to interact with them and get closer to the people in my grade.” -Gracie McCraney, 12th “Taking a medical mission trip to Haiti with Marion and her family! I loved it so much.” -Jack Davis, 12th “Hanging with friends.” -Frances Hill, 11th
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The Sentry
News & Features International Exchange Camp a Big Success
AVERY ANDRESS This summer, Prep kicked off its international program with a summer camp for four Chinese and Taiwanese students. Mr. Denny Britt, the head of the International Committee, Ms. Kimberly Van Uden, and Ms. Jane Zhu were vital in making this program as success. Campers were Jenny from Shanghai, Vita and Alan, who just moved from Taiwan to Madison at the beginning of the summer, and Mike from Beijing. The 16-day program was full of American and Prep culture. Most days started with campers learning English with Mr. David Hogue. They were always reminded not to speak Chinese so they could practice their English. Students learned many skills, such as introducing themselves in English, ordering their own food at restaurants like Chick-fil-a, and counting money. Students also had many afternoon activities such as chess with Dr. Paul Smith, and tennis with senior Ellis Abdo. Coach Moore and Coach Mitchell taught them basketball. They learned from Ms. Marsha Hobbs in the Fab Lab, Ms. Leah Heath in the Chemistry lab, Ms. Addy Louis in the BY
All smiles for a successful day of golf with Coach Bradford.
art room, and Dr. Luke Nealey in the pottery studio. Some of the other activities they participated in were a day in Natchez, a day in New Orleans, a MS Braves baseball game, a swim party at River Hills hosted by the Upton family, church at First Baptist and youth group, and a trip to Party Safari. In addition to all of these activities, they also went to the Hong Kong Tea house so the international campers could show everyone their favorite foods and how to order. Everyone’s favorite activity was making homemade pizzas. They split into teams and were given a budget at Kroger to buy their ingredients and
snacks. Afterwards they had a pizza party at Mrs. Van Uden’s house. A new family at Prep, the McCoys, including rising 7th grader Riley, and Darby helped make pizzas. Ms. Zhu also invited her three children Joselyn, Jonathan and Jack to help with the pizza party. They all had a great time! Rising sophomore John Garrett Walters was the student leader. He helped everyone cross streets, filled coolers with ice and water every day, and made sure everyone was having a great time. Senior Easton Sheffield and sophomore Jack Zhu also helped with the program along with some other students.
Some of Ms. Van Uden’s favorite moments included when Mike called her “teacher,” when “Jenny was playing with Betsy Walters and my daughter one night and told us she had never had a sleepover and it was fun!” She also recalled fondly when Vita drove Col. Merrell’s pontoon boat on the reservoir, and when Alan spoke English confidently at the send off party. Ms. Van Uden said that many people offered to help with this international program. “The faculty at Jackson Prep is amazing. I asked if anyone would be willing to help and teachers and parents volunteered their time and many talents.” Dr. Smith played chess
Question: What is the best part about your job? Answer: I love getting to know students by having face-to-face lunches with them. The interaction with the students is great.
Question: What was your favorite high school memory? Answer: I loved doing publications like you guys and had a great experience with that. I would hang out in the yearbook room because that was where all the girls were. Outside of that, I met my wife in high school. We were high school sweethearts and begin dating our senior year. I enjoyed playing football and kicking for my high school team. I had a great English teacher my junior and senior year that really pushed me to work hard and improved
my writing skills. I had good academic, athletic, and social memories.
with 8 campers at one time, Mr. Hogue made up stories to tell everyone, Coach Nell Bradford taught golf lessons, Ms. K.C. Williams took the students to her hometown of Natchez, Ms. Chere Guilbeau and her husband took everyone on a swamp tour in New Orleans, Ms. Walters took everyone to downtown Jackson and met Representative Cory Wilson and Chief Justice Waller, Ms. Christina Jackson and her husband, Charlie, helped with the MS Braves baseball game. There were so many people who helped make this international program be a huge success for everyone.
Welcoming the New Year with Dr. Walton
HAYS DUBBERLY Q: What are your expectations for the school year? A: I expect that we are going to have a great school year. We had a very busy summer with all the reconstruction and highest enrollment since 2002. I am excited for the new academic offerings and dual-enrollment through Mississippi College in Mr. Devine’s class. W have arranged a class through Mississippi State about drones. I am also excited how we perfrom not only in our academic spaces but our athletic and art spaces. BY
The students strike a pose outside of the Mississippi Museum of Art.
August 2016
Question: What is the hardest part about your job? Answer: I don’t know since I just enjoy my job. I know it sounds cliché, but you never work a day in your life if you really like your job.
Question: What have you learned since you started? Answer: Something is always happening at Jackson Prep. No matter what there is something going on at Prep. Question: Tell me something that our readers don’t know about you. Answer: I refer to my car as Prep Force One.
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N E W FA C U LT Y & S TA F F
BACK ROW (L-R): Carol Rose (Math), Waynette Noe (Social Studies), Meredith Lang (Science), William Merrill (GLI), David Gammill (Director of School Safety), Brent Heavener (Baseball), Alexander Romano (Psychology/Athletics), Jimmy Nix (Technology/Athletics), Sharon Box (Asst. Director, GLI), Laurie Van Pelt (Director of Instructional Technology) FRONT ROW (L-R): Charise Aldridge (Spanish), Taylor Dixon (Science), Leigh Ann Purnell (Resource), Jessica Wilkinson (English), Cyndi Harrison (Latin), Marla Speed (Patriot Shop Manager), Margaret Harvey (Math), Paige Polk (Science) NOT PICTURED: Melanie Schade (Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations), Richard Butler (Woodworking), Malika Lindsay (Director of College Counseling)
Know Your Junior High Office! If you’re new to the Junior High (or even if you’re not), here are some of the faces you can look for to help you out. Trudy Powers Junior High Principal
Gary Noble Assistant Principal
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Maret Watson Counselor, Grades 7-8
Reta Haire Counselor, Grades 6, 9
Sarah McMillan Administrative Assistant
Brenda Cole JH Office Assistant
The Sentry
News & Features
Summer Sees Refresh of Prep Campus
In what Head of School Dr. Jason Walton called “Prep’s second million-dollar summer,” a number of physical improvements were made on campus over the summer months. While some of the work, like repairs to the Centre for Arts and Leadership and the replacement of the gym floor, were in reaction to the flooding caused by the spring’s roof collapse, many others were long-needed refurbishments or exciting new additions. The senior high building saw its administrative offices thoroughly revamped, with a new complex of counseling offices, a renovated front office, and a new college-counseling office. The student publications room moved into the newly-renovated Hederman Media Center, above the library.
August 2016
The Dining Commons gained an exciting new coffee-and-smoothie counter that will expand the afternoon and morning offerrings for students and faculty alike. The senior high rooms were re-keyed, and the junior high varsity locker room received new paint and lockers. New exterior lighting should provide superior illumination at night with a hefty savings on electricity. Adding to the security of the school was a new “East Gate” that will offer controlled access to the back of campus. In addition to the physical changes, a new website is being readied. It will be debuted on Back to School Night. -from staff reports
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News & Features Prep Students Travel Worldwide
Cheerleaders, Pacers Kick it at the Beach MARY PATTON MURPHY If you pass a Pacer or cheerleader in the hallway or at a football game, be sure to ask her about the trip that she took this summer with her 35 or 16 other team members. At the end of July, both the Pacers and the cheerleaders enjoyed a few fun-filled days on the coast of Alabama. The two groups did not go to the same resort, but both parties left at the same time early in the morning and even crossed paths at rest and lunch stops. BY
Pacers (left to right) Mary Price Montagnet, Ann Clardy Byrd, Jordan Headley, and Gracie McCraney enjoy the beach. Photo by Brittany Wilkinson.
The trips were not school sponsored. Rather, they were thoroughly planned by the senior moms, some of whom were Pacers or cheerleaders themselves. These trips have become a tradition, and many of the activities that the girls take part in have been going on for years as well. It’s no wonder that the beach trips now have the simple titles, “Pacer Beach” and “Cheer Beach.”
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Over the course of four days, the girls tackled the ocean’s waves and chilled beside the pool. However, for the Pacers, the time spent at Orange Beach included much more. One of the most memorable “Pacer Beach” traditions consists of a senior mom dance, in which the moms of the senior Pacers perform for all of the girls, wearing matching tanks and boots. The general reaction to this year’s dance was one of overwhelming applause and laughter, and when asked what she thought about the performance, junior Anne Clark Harvey responded, “Now I finally understand why all the seniors are such good Pacers.” Another reoccurring event at “Pacer Beach” involves the passing down of unique, individual awards to new, sophomore Pacers. The new Pacers receive the awards from senior Pacers, and the senior Pacers received them from seniors when they were new to the team. The seniors take the time to choose the sophomore that they feel best fits their award’s description. The awards are sweet and sometimes even silly, with titles such as “Sparkle and Shine” and “Mile Long Legs.” Many of the awards date back several years, and Tracy Byrd, the mother of senior Pacers Jordan and Mckenzie Davis, said that she even remembers this tradition from when she was a Pacer in high school. While the Pacers enjoyed time together at The Beach Club, the cheerleaders did the same and experienced their own traditions at Turquoise
Place, roughly thirty minutes away. They spent their mornings talking and eating breakfast together in a large three-bedroom condo and ate out for dinner most nights at restaurants such as The Gulf and Fisher’s. Sophomore cheerleaders, Mary Parker Plunkett and Henley Johnson, had great feedback about the dinner locations. Plunkett described The Gulf as “a really fun and cool atmosphere,” while Johnson raved about the food at Fisher’s. “I got the gumbo and mashed potatoes but I had lots of everyone’s dishes because they couldn’t finish them, especially the steak. So it was amazing!” Prior to eating out on the last night of their trip, the cheerleaders did their hair, put on makeup, and dressed in nice white dresses for pictures on the beach, another classic “Cheer Beach” tradition. While the senior moms held the cameras ready, the girls jumped into different poses in about as many different combinations of cheerleaders as possible. Although the Pacers and the cheerleaders took part in different activities on their trips, both groups agree that they not only got to know their team members better, but that they are looking forward to getting to know future Pacers and cheerleaders at the beach next year. The many traditions that occurred in Alabama were hits yet again, but before these Prep patriots begin to plan for “Pacer and Cheer Beach 2017,” it’s back to practice, practice, and more practice for the start of a great football season!
The cheerleaders “shore” had a good time at the beach.
Tenth graders (left to right) Breelyn Davenport and Preston Dubberly loved their time in Austria. Photo courtsey of Breelyn Davenport
MACLAIN KENNEDY This summer, Jackson Prep students had the opportunity to travel across the globe to Austria, China, and Spain. The first trip taken this summer was the Sound of Music Tour, which included stops in Austria and Germany. This seven-day trip took participants to Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, and Munich, Germany. Tenth grader Breelyn Davenport said she would highly recommend taking a school trip because of the unforgettable memories made with friends, and the opportunity she had to meet new people. Next stop on the list was a two weeklong adventure to China. Amanda Roberts, a current 10th grader, went on the China trip. Roberts said that one of her favorite parts of the trip was bamboo rafting. Students went to six main cities in China including Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangzhou, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. When asked about his BY
trip, Zach Richardson, an 11th grader, said, “I definitely recommend taking a trip to China. It totally changes your viewpoint on the world and is an unforgettable experience.” The last trip Prep took was to Spain. Students were given the opportunity to study abroad in Salamanca, but they also visited Madrid, Santander, Toledo, and Segovia. Joseph Upton, one of the six students on the trip, said that his favorite place was Santander, where they got to go surfing. This trip, led by Ms. Cox, lasted 19 days. Participants went to class Monday through Friday for two weeks and had the weekends to sight see and visit other places. McKenzie Davis said, “It was really cool to speak Spanish everywhere I went and to realize how much I actually knew.” From attempting German accents in Munich, to getting massages in China, Jackson Prep had a very exciting summer.
The Sentry
Sports Football Strives for Five
RJ GREEN Football season is almost upon us, and the 2016 Patriots team has a very big goal for themselves. They are seeking to make history and win a 5th straight state championship. The team knows that they have a target on their back because of their recent dominance. The team is not only defending their state title run, but they also enter the season with the state’s longest active winning streak at 21 games. High expectations is nothing new to the players and coaches. They deal with it every year, and the coaches openly embrace those standards. They have let that develop into a culture of winning and excellence on the field. The new year will of course come with new faces as well. The team will be replacing six starters on offense, and eight on defense. The offense will return many key pieces from last year’s team including junior quarterback Chance Lovertich who will be joined by a talented backfield that includes senior running back Jacob Crawley and sophomore running back Jerrion Ealy. Crawley is coming off a year where he gained 1,589 total yards and 28 total touchdowns. Ealy totalled 1,116
yards and 19 total touchdowns as a freshman. 24/7Sports released the first rankings for the best players in the 2019 recruiting class, and Jerrion Ealy was rated the 36th best recruit in the nation. He also has received a scholarship offer from Ole Miss, and many more are to come in his
future. Four players were honored by the MAIS through being selected to the 2016 All-Gridiron Team. Those four players were senior running back Jacob Crawley, senior defensive back Tate Fowler, senior defensive lineman Chris Puckett, and sophomore all-purpose back
Jerrion Ealy. The team will open up with Oak Forest this upcoming Friday at Prep. This should be a good challenge for the Patriots to open up the season. They then will welcome Washington School to Prep the next week. Next, they will head on the road to Natchez Cathedral for
their first away game. Other big games include rivals MadisonRidgeland Academy on September 16th and Jackson Academy on September 30th. It should be a very exciting season, and the 2016 team will work hard to maintain the strong traditions at Prep.
LAKE WARTEZ STEWART MCCULLOUGH There is only one word that can accurately describe the 2015 Jackson Prep Girls’ soccer team – champions. A twentywin season, capped off by a victory over Jackson Academy to claim their third consecutive State Title, set the stage for an exciting 2016 season as the Lady Patriots work to build on last season’s successes to create a dynasty in the MAIS. After a long off season, the team went into the summer knowing that the hard work would eventually pay off. Coach Jon Marcus Duncan explains that, “the summer is all about conditioning, and our girls buy-
ing into what we are trying to accomplish this season. Coming off of a championship season, you have to work five times harder to be successful, because everyone is trying to take your place.” To prepare for this challenge, much of the team spent a week doing leadership and team building exercises in Fairhope, Alabama. Having graduated five seniors, the incoming 6 of the class of 2017 will have a high standard to meet and are eager to meet this challenge and 4 peat. Every year, kids graduate and some transfer but it’s all about how the team transitions. Senior Ann Leighton Malouf said, “We lost a lot
of great players last year but we have just as many good players moving up this year.” Going into fall camp, everyone knew that these leadership roles would have to be filled and the six rising seniors did nothing but embrace this role. “The seniors this year have helped greatly with this process in trying to communicate to younger teammates that everyone needs to do their part so that the team can be successful”, Said Duncan. According to freshman Kathleen Myers , “We have great senior leaders who have really lead by example and are great role models.”
The Lady Patriots are looking to make a strong start
to the season that will carry them throughout the season to another hopeful championship.
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Girls’ Soccer Looks for Another Title
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August 2016
The soccer practices in the summer heat to prepare for a great season. Photo by Lake Wartes