Jackson Academy students are stepping into leadership roles throughout the metro area and state, serving on youth councils, ambassadors programs, and civic organizations that give young people a voice in their communities.
These leadership opportunities allow students to learn about local government, practice decision-making skills, develop teamwork abilities, and provide meaningful service to their neighborhoods, cities, and state. From advising city council members on youth issues to promoting voter education, JA students are making their voices heard.
Students currently serving in community leadership roles include:
- Jackson’s 7th Ward High School Council: Wealth Ware (10th grade) was selected to serve on this council, which allows high school students to share their voices, develop leadership skills, and advise on issues affecting young people in Jackson.
- Mississippi Children’s Museum President Leadership Circle: Arnaz Bhuiyan (10th), Shelby Grant (12th), Lucy Jones (12th), Natalie Roberson (12th), Morgan Cheatham (12th), Wealth Ware (10th), Mary Laurel Boykin (10th), and Bess Borne (11th).
- Gluckstadt Mayor’s Youth Council: Shelby Grant (12th) serves as Executive Director for the 2025-26 year, having previously served as Secretary and Vice President in earlier years. Dia Gosian (11th) and Ava Bondurant (11th) serve on the Gluckstadt Mayor’s Youth Council.
- Ridgeland Mayor’s Youth Council: Bess Borne (11th) and Porter Meeks (11th).
- Military Youth Council for the Mississippi National Guard Family Program: Andrew Baquie (9th) works with other military youth to plan and support programs for military families.
- Mississippi Secretary of State Student Ambassador Program: Mary Lamar Chustz (12th) was selected as a Student Ambassador for 2025-26 under Secretary of State Michael Watson. Through this program, students with a passion for leadership and state government return to their schools as proponents of voter education and awareness while gaining firsthand experience with state government operations.
These programs provide invaluable experiences that extend classroom learning into real-world civic engagement. Students learn how government functions, gain exposure to public service careers, and develop the confidence to advocate for issues that matter to them and their peers.
JA would like to recognize all students serving in community leadership roles. If you have been named to a city, county, state, or other leadership development program—such as those mentioned above or others such Youth Leadership Jackson, Madison County Youth Leadership, Youth Leadership Rankin, HOBY Youth Leadership Seminar, serving as a legislative page, or accepted to the College Board’s BigFuture® Ambassadors program—please email news@jacksonacademy.org so we can celebrate your service.
