A winter storm sweeping across the country—bringing ice, snow, and temperatures in the teens to much of Mississippi—gave Jackson Academy’s annual Winterfest celebration an unexpectedly authentic winter atmosphere, even as it forced significant schedule changes.
With dangerous travel conditions gripping the region, JA adapted its programming to ensure Winterfest Court and related activities could proceed safely. The biggest challenge: Bayou Academy’s teams were traveling from Cleveland, Mississippi, where roads had barely thawed.
In response, both schools agreed to move the varsity basketball games from evening to daytime, allowing Bayou Academy’s teams to play and return home before conditions worsened. JA’s second-grade Little Dribblers, who traditionally perform at halftime of the girls’ evening game, instead showcased their skills twice during the school day—once at 8:30 a.m. for parents and again during the morning pep rally for students.
The school presented an informal Winterfest Court during the pep rally at break, bringing the celebration directly to the student body. Following the girls’ game, JA honored the seniors from both basketball teams. After the boys game, JA formally presented the Winterfest Court, crowning Baird Kennedy and Chappell Lang as JA’s 2026 Winterfest King and Queen!
Conditions on Saturday allowed students to celebrate the Winterfest Dance at Bridlewood, capping off a week when Mother Nature gave JA’s Winterfest its most fitting backdrop yet.
Serving on the court were:
Freshmen
Ava Haywood, Asia Lindsay, Haley Barbour, Tanner Ueltschey
Sophomores
Claudette Bronzi, Stella Cate McLemore, Stella Blair Sims, Anderson Lay, Reid Miller, Peyton Smith
Juniors
Carson Caraway, Anna Holladay Craft, Lucy Kate Cross, Simmons Harrell, Aaric Beasley, Vaiden Taylor, Walter Towery
Seniors
Dallys Alexander, Kate Wyndham Boyll, Ella King, Chappell Lang, Shelby Olier, Julia Thompson, Dereon Albert, Fletcher Cox, Conner Hillman, Baird Kennedy, Luke New, Carter Wier
