Students in Jackson Academy’s senior class served in five locations throughout the community Thursday for Senior Service Day. Seniors volunteered at the Mississippi Food Network, We Will Go, Stewpot Clothing Closet, MadCAAP Clothing Closet in Madison, and the JA Preschool.
The idea for a Senior Service Day originated with Student Body President James Chapman and Student Body Vice President Elizabeth Nichols. Upper School leaders determined that March 20 would be the ideal day for seniors to have a day of service, as no classes were scheduled due to the ACT for eighth-eleventh graders.
Faculty member Theresa Berman and Associate Head of Upper School Austin Fortenberry collaborated to design the service projects and reach out to the Mississippi Food Network, Stewpot, MadCAAP, and We Will Go, all of whom were excited to welcome JA’s seniors.
Arrangements were made with Head of Preschool Sandra Triplett to ask if some of the seniors could assist in the Preschool, and she welcomed their help as well.
Students learned about what members of the community may be facing, such as food insecurity. “At MS Food Network, students learned that the backpack meals they prepared would serve 960 children who suffer from food insecurity in our area. Many of these children depend on school meals for their nutrition, and the backpack meals ensure that they have food on the weekends,” said Berman. “This was eye-opening for our students and made them think about the children who would benefit from these meals.”
Students chose the project that interested them the most. As a result of this service opportunity, JA faculty witnessed camaraderie among the class, a desire to serve again, and students’ willingness to influence the lives of others—especially at We Will Go, where seniors prayed with neighbors receiving food donations.
“At We Will Go, students spoke to neighbors who came to receive donated food,” Berman said. “These encounters opened our students’ hearts to people who struggle with feeding many grandchildren, some who suffer from disabilities and are not able to work consistently, and others who simply struggle to make ends meet and to put food on the table.”
Faculty who supervised and assisted on Senior Service Day were Gloria Hirn, Susan Ingram, Patricia Frazier, Lynda Morse, and Theresa Berman. Parent volunteers included Natalie Adkins, Celina Sumrall, Jennifer Miller, and Linda Chambers.
JA hopes that students will continue to seek opportunities to serve in their communities in the future.
