Hammering Away at Cancer
The JA campus community took action last week to beat breast cancer, making Friday’s pep rally a “Pink Parade,” sponsoring a fundraiser, and offering up-to-date prevention details to faculty and staff.
Student-Led Retreat Grows Faith and Friendship
“The reality of obedience is this; it’s less of God saying, ‘Don’t do that,’ and it’s more of God saying, ‘Will you trust me?” Last weekend, Hamilton Harper, Student Pastor at Cornerstone Church in Athens, Alabama, and Christ United Methodist Church’s worship band led 161 attendees and 65 student-leaders to focus on the idea of living fearlessly out of the knowledge that God always has a plan to provide for and protect His children. Throughout the weekend, students spent time in small groups led by upperclassmen and enjoyed several recreational activities, including a Western-themed line dance, basketball, and an eating competition.
JA Band Brings Home Trophies
On Saturday the traveling and rehearsals all came together on the field of Linn-Mar High School, where JA’s band received fourth place overall against eight other bands. With one competition behind them, the group rode down the road to Marion High School where they won first place band and first place colorguard! Congratulations to the band, and welcome back from a wonderfully full and memorable trip!
Raider Network Goes Behind the Scenes at the PGA Golf Tournament
Right before the players teed off, our broadcasting class was welcomed to The Country Club of Jackson by PGA Tour Media Official Doug Milne, nephew to Head of School Jack Milne. Milne led the students and his uncle through a maze of trucks and cables to catch a behind-the-scenes look at the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Class Delivers Student-Run Broadcast
The staff of the Raider Network have been successful in their vision to illuminate the talent of the student body within Raider athletics.
Middle School Student Council Elected
Congratulations to the 2019-2020 Middle School Student Council officers, who were elected after two and a half days of campaigning throughout the division. This year each grade will be led by five elected officers and by volunteer representatives. To be recognized as a representative, a student will attend a minimum of 5 meetings and work on two projects each semester. Participating students gain invaluable experience in leading and organizing meetings and projects, while enriching the Middle School community through their service.
Chapel Services Give Students Space for Spiritual Growth
Chapels have been considered places of sanctuary for millions of people since the Christian faith inspired their construction. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the school year, our Performing Arts Center and occasionally our gymnasiums become places of sanctuary from the rush of the school year as students gather to learn more about God. Last week, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Schools all held their first chapel meetings of the year.
Seventh Graders Raft the Okatoma
River water enveloped their senses – the smell, feel, sight, sound, and, sometimes, the taste of it – as seventh graders fought to navigate the current. The seventh grade took a trip to the Okatoma River last Friday, participating in a day-long canoeing excursion where students are encouraged to develop resilience and teamwork as they overcome challenges with the help of others.
JA Welcomes James “J” Reeves as Head of Middle School
One of the attributes that drew Head of Middle School James “J” Reeves to Jackson Academy was the school’s academic reputation.
Sixth Grade Uses Augmented Reality to Dissect Frogs
Dissection just got a lot cleaner. Instead of pinning a formaldehyde-soaked frog to a dissection pan, students in Cara Pridmore’s sixth grade science classes simply downloaded an application to their iPad.