Andrew Ritter’s story is one of those that sticks with you. In 2009, he graduated from Jackson Academy, where he was already making waves on the football field. His skills as a kicker landed him a spot at Ole Miss, where he played for four years, including a redshirt year. The highlight? Kicking the game-winning field goal against LSU, a moment Ole Miss fans won’t forget anytime soon.

But Andrew’s life isn’t all about football. Last week, he spoke to the Young Business Leaders of Jackson at their gathering at the Country Club of Jackson. This group brings people together to make a positive impact, using their faith as a guide. That’s exactly what Andrew talked about – how his faith helped him through the ups and downs of his football career and continues to be a guiding light in his life.

He shared his personal stories, making it clear that success isn’t just about what you achieve on the field but also about who you are off it. Andrew’s chat with the young business leaders wasn’t only about sports. It was about life, challenges, and holding onto faith through it all. His journey from Jackson Academy, through the highs of Ole Miss football, to being a dad and a husband shows that living a life full of purpose and heart is the real win.

The post Andrew Ritter’s Journey: Football, Faith, and Family appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Jackson Academy has awarded this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award to Ashley Edmonson Willson ’87. The award is presented annually to an alumna or alumnus leading a life of purpose and significance through professional achievement, service to the community, or loyalty to JA. Eligible nominees are JA graduates who have been an alumna or alumnus for at least 10 years before being nominated for the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Willson is a Jackson-based partner with the national healthcare practice of KPMG LLP. She serves as the Jackson office managing partner. She also represents the Jackson office as partner leader on the MidSouth Business Unit Operations Committee. She maintains active memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Willson is the fourth recipient of JA’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year award, first awarded in 2020. JA’s first recipient was Phillip Bowman, ’86, followed by Calvin Thigpen, M.D., ’94, and Meredith Travelstead, M.D., 1989. The Distinguished Alumni of the Year recipient makes a presentation to the senior class at its annual awards night dinner. Willson spoke on April 24 at The South in Jackson.

During her presentation, she recalled the beginning of her education when she walked into the JA Preschool building holding her mother’s hand. She contrasted that to another memory: the day she walked her first child into the JA Preschool. She and her husband, Mark, have three children, all JA graduates. Although her children have moved on to college and adult life, Willson is still very involved behind the scenes, ensuring JA’s continued success. She volunteers in various school areas regularly. 

While juggling a very demanding career and motherhood, her service to JA remained exceptional and is one of the factors that influenced her nominator and the selection committee. “While her three children were students, Ashley Willson practically lived at Jackson Academy,” wrote her nominator. “She would volunteer wherever and whenever needed, whether it meant popping popcorn in the basketball concession stand or serving Dray’s, Turner’s, and Annalee’s graduating classes in senior class treasurer and grade chair roles, coordinating everything from senior trip details to treat days and Grad Night for each of them.”

Willson is a past chairperson of the Jackson Academy Board of Trustees and one of the school’s longest-serving board members. “Perhaps her most significant investment in the JA community is found in her years of serving on the board of trustees, culminating with her willingness to serve as chair. Our trustees are charged with making big decisions on behalf of the school, and she served during a time that saw changes in leadership and other significant advancements,” her nominator noted.

In addition to serving on the JA Board of Trustees from 2006-2019, during which time she was chairperson, treasurer, and finance committee chair, she maintained volunteer positions at other institutions. She has been a Mississippi State University School of Accountancy advisory council member, Junior Achievement of Mississippi board member, Peru Mission team member for seven years, Meals on Wheels volunteer, CUMC food pantry volunteer, CUMC D-Group leader, Early Childhood Investment Council member, MCM Partners treasurer, CUMC nursery coordinator, Debutante Mothers Club treasurer, Sigma Chi Eta Chapter Parents Club treasurer, Goodwill Industries GIVS member, and Mississippi Children’s Museum Partners former finance chair.

The Mississippi Business Journal recognized Willson in the Top 40 Under 40, Class of 2004; 50 Leading Business Women, Class of 2005; and Top CEOs in Mississippi, Class of 2023.

During her remarks, Willson brought to the seniors’ attention Jackson Academy’s mission statement. She pointed out that each word was very carefully and prayerfully chosen. Her favorite part is the line, “to lead a life of purpose and significance.” She encouraged students to live a life that matters.

Using Luke 12:48, which says to whom much is given, much will be required, she reminded students that people are accountable for the resources they have received. Her prayer is that students will be faithful to that and live lives encouraging others, being kind, thankful, and giving generously.

Click here to read Ashley Willson’s full speech

The post Alumni Award Recipient Models Dedication to JA appeared first on Jackson Academy.

William Trevor “Trey” Carroll ’09 traveled a circuitous route to settle on his career. Along this path, he experienced a surprising health challenge that diverted his course but helped him choose his life’s work. He now helps individuals find a more direct way to a satisfying occupation.

At Jackson Academy, Carroll was a well-rounded student who caught the attention of fellow students and faculty. “He was one of those kids that is so charming, so charismatic, driven, highly motivated, who had everything going for him,” said English teacher Sandra McKay. “Students and adults listened to him. What he said was thoughtful and had merit.” He was a nominee for Mr. JA, voted Most Charming, elected a senior class representative, and served on the Rowdy spirit team. McKay also remembers what a good writer he was in her English classes.

Carroll changed his college major five times at the University of Mississippi. After earning a degree in English, he worked in ministry, non-profits, and education, serving as an admissions counselor for the University of Mississippi. “I had a lot of different passions, and I didn’t know what to do with them.” Still unsure, he sought out career assessments and landed on The Birkman Method.

“It changed my life,” Carroll said. The Birkman Method measures characteristics that affect behaviors, motivations, and perceptions, helping predict behavior and why it occurs.

Although he better understood what career path would be most satisfying, Carroll encountered a significant setback. He had a stroke at age 28. The stroke resulted from a basilar artery dissection, a rare inside artery wall tear.

Rather than exploring his career, Carroll was now reimagining his life. For the first week, he had no movement in his left side. After a month, Carroll walked with a Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center therapist’s assistance using a gait belt. Six months later, he could walk on his own about 200 yards before he needed to rest.

During this trying season, he revisited his Birkman results. “If I cannot work my regular job, what will I do?” he wondered. The Birkman Method interested him so much that he pursued a certification in it. He began helping college and high school students, like the 30 in JA’s new life skills electives, pinpoint their majors and careers and understand what makes them tick.

During the fall of 2021, Carroll taught a portion of JA’s new Upper School electives Back to Basics and The Curated Life. The electives smooth the transition from high school to young adult life. Subjects include resume and interview skills, personal finance, career assessment, caring for home and property, and family life skills – to name a few.

“The syllabus is so much fun,” said Director of Counseling Paula Pratt. “It poses those questions that all of us wish we had learned in high school.”

Senior Molly McClure said one of the assignments in the life skills elective asked that specifically. “We were told to interview JA faculty and ask them what they wished someone had told them before college, what they had wanted to be growing up, and what they ended up doing,” Molly said. Among the answers was the advice to be open to changing career aspirations while in college.

Under Carroll’s guidance, Molly said she and her classmates completed assessments that evaluated job interests, what students think of themselves, and how students believe others perceive them. Timed brain teasers helped students see how their brains work best.

Carroll gave students individual assessment results then reviewed results with parents. Next year, JA will expand this program, offering The Birkman Method assessments to the entire grade rather than just those who choose life skills electives.

Caroll believes what high school students need most in career planning is help knowing what careers are available, such as how engineering applies to so many career fields. Other times, he finds that affirmation is what students need. Simply having an objective person affirm a natural gift can be an epiphany for a student.

Carroll’s senior quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson seems to echo throughout his journey since graduating: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.” He credits his knack for making trails visible to others to his own inability to figure out his ideal career. That struggle, coupled with perspectives gained from his illness, makes him more able to relate to others’ uncertainty. “My personal story is one of the biggest advantages to helping others,” he said. “I had to figure it out, so I know what others are experiencing when they do not know.”

The post Trey Carroll Overcomes Challenge and Helps Others Find What Makes Them Tick appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Meredith Montgomery Travelstead, M.D. ’89 has been a champion for women’s health as a Jackson area OBGYN, supporting and educating women in all stages of life. As a leader in local and state medical associations, Travelstead has influenced those beyond her immediate practice of medicine. At JA, she has served as a mentor for students interested in medicine and as a role model and speaker for JA’s Upper School girls’ Bible study.

Last night, Jackson Academy honored Travelstead, naming her its most recent recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Distinguished alumni are recognized annually at Senior Awards Night and address the graduating class at the awards banquet. Travelstead is the third recipient of the award.

Travelstead’s comments centered around making decisions. She discussed how parents and guardians had made careful choices for the seniors as they grew up. In the future, many choices will be theirs to make. She encouraged seniors to consider three crucial decision points: being thankful, using their struggles for good, and investing in others.

Decide to be thankful.

“Look at your past and appreciate all the many blessings given to you,” Travelstead encouraged. Give back, and make the world a better place, she said.

Decide to use your limp.

Travelstead referenced the Biblical story of Jacob, who wrestled with an angel of the Lord all night and, afterward, walked with a limp. She mentioned Job, who trusted God through struggle and loss, and Paul, who prayed that God would take away a “thorn in the flesh.” She advised students to seek wise counsel during struggles and learn from their experiences, using their own limp acquired during struggles to help others.

Decide to invest in people.

Travelstead encouraged students to look for divine appointments throughout their lives. She told a story where her family met a 20-year-old man who had become connected to City Church as a boy through a weekend food ministry at his apartment complex. After years of friendship, they discovered through his mother that Travelstead had been the doctor who delivered him. Ultimately, he greatly influenced her family and others at the church. 

“Sometimes, if you are looking, you can see God working in divine ways in your life,” she said. “Even more importantly, you can ask him to show you those divine appointments. You see them often by just being present, willing, and obedient.”

A Jackson native, Travelstead completed her undergraduate degree at Millsaps College, then earned her medical degree at the University of Mississippi Medical School. She also completed her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology. She practices at The Woman’s Clinic in Jackson. Travelstead is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Medical Association, the Mississippi State Medical Association, the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Mississippi Perinatal Association, and the Mississippi State Medical Association. Recently, Travelstead was named a Surgeon of Excellence in Robotic Surgery. She is a leader in her community, involved with organizations such as First Baptist Church and City Church.

She and her husband, Joel, have two current students at Jackson Academy, one senior, Reed, and one freshman, John, and a 2020 graduate, Will.

Click here to read Meredith Travelstead’s full speech.

The post JA Names Dr. Travelstead to Distinguished Alumni Group appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Endeavors students pursue in high school and college can lead to opportunities they cannot foresee, said Brad Edwards ’89. That’s how he sees his career trajectory. Edwards visited Jackson Academy’s broadcasting class Wednesday while on tour for his recently released book, “Dynasty by the Numbers,” a historical perspective of the University of Alabama’s 13-year dominance in collegiate football. 

An Alabama graduate, Edwards is known for his expertise as a statistician who could predict rankings. His statistical work led to broadcasting roles, such as working for ESPN and serving in internships with the Indianapolis Colts and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Edwards was with ESPN for 25 years.

Now touring to promote his self-published book, he shares insight into how working hard at something can lead to opportunities. “Work hard. Be humble. Be a good teammate.  If you are on a team, you already know this,” he said to the class. “It is the same in the workforce.” Edwards believes the type of work you do and the kind of person you are in the workplace make a significant difference.

In his case, people watched his work when he did not even realize it, which led to career opportunities. “All of those things I ended up doing (such as hosting with ESPN and serving on the U.S. Olympic Committee) were because of all the things I did in college, putting the work into it and having people watching,” he said. “I got to do the things I did because of that.”

Years later, Edwards’ mom, Elizabeth Edwards, who taught at JA, shared an essay of his that she found from when he was a student at JA. Edwards wrote why he wanted to go to Alabama and then work for ESPN. He had forgotten about the piece and was surprised how his high school dream had become a reality. “If you do something to the best of your ability, it may turn into something you never dreamed you could do,” Edwards advised the students.

Now Edwards is once again applying what he learned in school but in a different way. He draws on academic courses to determine how to run his business and promote his book. He noted that all the hard work going into writing a book and self-publishing would be of no value if the writer did not do the job to promote and sell the book aggressively so that people could read the book.

Edwards conducted a book signing Saturday prior to the Alabama-Ole Miss game.

The post Alumnus Brad Edwards Speaks About Sports Broadcasting Career appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Jackson Academy 2021 graduate Alice Williams was named USA Today’s “I Am Sport” recipient for Mississippi. “I Am Sport” is the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. While athletic ability is an important factor for the nomination, community service is also considered.

In a virtual ceremony this summer, Women’s National Basketball League member, Imani McGee-Stafford announced that Williams was Mississippi’s winner. JA alumni Hudson Bridges, Elena Roberts, Emma Roberts, Alex Summerford, and Williams were nominated during their senior year, along with students from other schools. Each nominee had an impressive resume of participation in multiple sports and service organizations.

Outside of JA, Williams was actively involved with the Girl Scouts of the USA. She earned bronze and silver star awards for her community service with both Community Place in downtown Jackson and by tutoring children at Canopy Children’s Solutions. Her work toward the Girl Scout gold star award has involved teaching the importance of dental hygiene to students in the Rankin County School District. At Christ United Methodist Church, she was involved as a discipleship group student leader, a Vacation Bible School leader, and youth department worker. At JA, Williams was a varsity cheerleader and had been a member of JA’s swim team since first grade.

The post JA Graduate Honored by USA Today “I Am Sport” Program appeared first on Jackson Academy.

The Book of Kells at Trinity College in Dublin is a treasured series of lavishly illustrated Latin manuscripts of the Gospels. The Greek island, Oia, is one of the most photographed places on the planet. These iconic sights are on the itineraries of JA’s two upcoming study abroad trips. 

If travel is on your mind, consider signing on with JA for trips scheduled for 2022. JA ninth through twelfth graders who are enrolled in or have completed a foreign language at JA, along with their parents and siblings, will explore England, Ireland, and Scotland during spring break on a tour called Capitals of the British Isles. JA alumni and current ninth through twelfth-grade students, parents, and siblings can choose a summer trip to Greece from June 1-10, 2022. Participants will travel to Athens, Nafplio, Paros, and Santorini during the Greek Explorer tour.

Junior Natalie Turner was among the students who traveled with JA to France in early 2020. Natalie was taking a French class with teacher Catherine Arnold at the time. She and family members Jamie and Bryant Himes plan to go to Greece next summer. 

“The trip was very well structured,” said Bryant Himes. “Our guides had been so many times and knew where to go and what museums to recommend, and they spoke the language fluently.” Himes said multiple families were on the tour, and many students joined the trip without their parents. Himes encouraged parents to send their children on a study abroad experience. “We would definitely recommend one of the trips organized by Travel for Teens,” he said.

Faculty member Madi Scott was also on the France trip. “Our trip planners did an amazing job making sure we experienced France in as many ways as possible. From the food, art museums, historical landmarks, and beautiful churches, we were able to dive right into the French culture,” she said.

Scott also encourages students to take part in the upcoming opportunities. “Studying abroad is something that I never experienced as a student, and I would definitely recommend it for current students,” she said. “It is one of the only ways to fully understand the culture of other countries. During my time at JA, I studied the French language for four years. It was amazing to finally see firsthand all of the things we learned about! I walked away from the trip with a whole new appreciation of the French culture and completely fell in love with the country. I can’t wait to go back!” 

If you are interested in finding out more, contact the JA trip leaders, or visit the links below for itineraries and pricing.

Leah Busby
lbusby@jacksonacademy.org
Capitals of the British Isles (Ireland, Scotland, and England)
Ninth through twelfth-grade students who are enrolled or have completed a foreign language at JA, their parents, and siblings.
Arranged by EF Tours

Jim Wilkirson
jwilkirson@jacksonacademy.org
Greece Explorer (Athens, Nafplio, Paros, and Santorini)
JA alumni and current ninth through twelfth-grade students, their parents, and siblings
Arranged by Travel for Teens

The post JA Begins Sign-ups for 2022 Study Abroad Trips appeared first on Jackson Academy.

His inspiring address in conjunction with Senior Class Awards Day gave upcoming graduates five lessons that were applicable immediately—and are enduring. Calvin Thigpen, M.D., ‘94,  who is vice-chair for education for the University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Medicine, associate professor of medicine, and program director for the internal medicine residency program, is the second recipient of the Jackson Academy’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year award. JA’s first recipient was Phillip Bowman ‘86. It is now the tradition that the Distinguished Alumni of the Year recipient presents to the senior class at their annual awards night dinner. Thigpen spoke on April 26 at The South in Jackson.

The award is presented annually to an alumna or alumnus who is leading a life of purpose and significance through professional achievement, service to the community, and/or loyalty to JA. Eligible nominees will have graduated from Jackson Academy and have been an alumna or alumnus for at least ten years before being nominated for the Distinguished Alumni Award.

After graduating from JA, Thigpen completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Mississippi. He was honored as the nation’s top male scholar-athlete, receiving the 1999 Walter Byers Award presented by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He distinguished himself by becoming a Rhodes Scholar. At the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, he was president of his medical school class and was named Medical Student of the Year. After completing this degree in 2005, he completed a three-year internal medicine residency and served another year as chief resident. A fellowship followed this in hematology and oncology. Thigpen and his wife Lee Ann are the parents of three children at JA, Emery, Willis, and Louisa Clare.

In his remarks, Thigpen emphasized the importance of finishing well. He encouraged graduates to adhere to five actions that make a significant difference in one’s life, actions he acknowledged that he followed at times and at other times wished he had heeded more fully.

Show Up

Thigpen pointed out the importance of being present — both physically and mentally. “You’ll be amazed at how far simply showing up will take you,” he said. College professors will listen to you and take you more seriously. You will make important connections by choosing to be present rather than skipping activities and events. Thigpen said several of his opportunities occurred because he showed up. Then beyond showing up, he advised to show up “mentally prepared with a growth mindset,” in which you are prepared to learn and grow.

Do the Right Thing

Fear can hinder decision-making. Thigpen gave examples of FOMO (fear of missing out), FOBO (fear of a better option), and analysis paralysis. He discussed dealing with the discomfort of being the decision-maker and the necessity to “do the right thing even when it is difficult.” 

Embrace the Struggle

Life can be a struggle. The struggle is part of what molds individuals into the people they are going to be. He encouraged students never to be too proud to admit they are struggling. He spoke about the experience when his best friend from high school and JA coach Scott Branning died of cancer around the same time as a difficult period of work with lung cancer patients during his hematology/oncology fellowship. “Embrace your struggles. Use them to become the person God intended you to be,” he said.

Play the Next Point

Keeping focused on what is coming up next is another key attitude. Thigpen described how a tennis player accepts things as they are, yet prepares for the next moment.  

“No matter what successes or failures come your way, playing the next point will be essential to your navigation of life. Many people have been crushed by their failures, and also, interestingly, by their successes. Enjoy your successes, but don’t let them be the end all be all. Learn from your failures, but don’t let them be the end all be all either. Play the next point, run the next play, make the next decision, truly live the next day,” he said.

Value Your Time

With references to Benjamin Franklin’s impressive use of the time he had available and his accomplishments, Thigpen challenged students to invest their time wisely.

“While there are mental, physical, and spiritual tests of high school, there is a larger test that awaits you that will be sure to challenge you in all areas, the test of time. The difficulty of the test does not hinge on how well you know it but on how well you use it. Time is as harmful as each individual allows it or as beneficial as each individual makes it,” he said.

Click here to read Calvin Thigpen’s full speech.

The post Alumni Award Recipient Encourages Seniors appeared first on Jackson Academy.

On Monday, Belmont University advanced in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in an upset win over No. 5 seed Gonzaga. One of the key players on Belmont’s team is 2017 JA graduate Conley Chinn.

Not only has Chinn excelled in basketball at Belmont, she shines in the classroom. Chinn has received an academic medal of honor for the past two years, having a 4.0 grade point average while majoring in pre-med. She has one more year of eligibility, then will seek admission to medical school.

No. 12 seed Belmont (21-5) will now meet No. 4 seed Indiana (19-5) on Wednesday. The tournament bracket is available here https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/basketball-women/d1/2021

To read more about Chinn’s time at JA and her experience at Belmont University, read Robert Wilson’s article by clicking here. 

For other NCAA Tournament coverage, click here.

The post JA Alumna Conley Chinn on College Basketball’s Biggest Stage appeared first on Jackson Academy.

An interest explored or a skill developed while at JA often leads graduates to careers that fit precisely with their gifts. Six JA alumni from California to New York recently shared a bit about their career choices and how JA influenced their paths.

Delving Into Design

Natalie Ford

Natalie Ford ’17 explored the arts in a significant way while at JA. She represented JA’s Speech and Debate Team in national competition and maintained a fashion and lifestyle blog and YouTube channel.

Ford’s pursuit of the arts gained momentum after graduation. During her time at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, she has interned with Badgley Mischka and Oscar de la Renta. She was the featured designer in the Marist Silver Needle Fashion Exhibition. Ford studied abroad in Florence, Italy, during the fall of 2019, and she has also traveled to Japan on a short-term study abroad program. For her Honors College project, the Madison, Mississippi native worked with a Marist College conference called “Leadership in Somali Education and Development.”

“Through these experiences, I’ve gained a better understanding of the fashion industry and our world as a whole,” said Ford.

What are you currently studying?
I am a fashion design major with a business minor and fashion merchandising minor.

What does your degree entail?
I am learning advanced garment construction techniques, digital design, patternmaking, and collection development.

What’s the best thing you’ve eaten, and where did you eat it?
Shrimp tempura on a stick. I got it from a food stand in Nishiki Market in Kyoto, Japan.

What is the best self-care you do when not on vacation?
My favorite self-care is to watch my favorite movies with a face mask on or doodle in my sketchbook.

Leading Global Support

Jonathan D. Moak

“Beyond a shadow of a doubt, my education at Jackson Academy was certainly the foundation for the success I have had in life,” Jonathan D. Moak ’99 said from his office at the Pentagon. Moak serves as the senior official performing the duties of the assistant secretary of the Army (financial management & comptroller).

After graduating from JA, Moak earned degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and then joined the Army. He later earned multiple master’s degrees and worked in the private sector for a time.

Moak was back on campus last fall for the class of ’99 reunion. His journey to managing the United States Army’s budget has changed him, but his friends still recognize the quick humor and loyalty that characterized him in high school. Overseeing a staff of approximately 300 personnel responsible for the education and career growth of more than 17,000 financial managers across the globe in the U.S. Army, Moak pursues a life of purpose and significance.

What are some highlights of your career at this point?
It is the professional honor of my life to have been selected and appointed to my current role, and I consider it a privilege each day to walk into the building and be afforded the opportunity to make an impact on how the Army conducts its business. In 2015, I deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Spartan Shield where my unit conducted sensitive site security operations. In the private sector at Deloitte, I was part of the leadership team for an $800 million contract which supports the U.S. Air Force’s financial improvement efforts—I will always remember that time fondly as it was, and remains, a high-performing team of roughly 300 practitioners.

What is the most exciting sporting event you have ever attended?
While she was four months pregnant with our son, my wife and I traveled to Atlanta for the Georgia vs. Alabama National Championship game in 2018. Roll Tide.

Moak resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife Jessica, 4-year-old daughter, Maeve, and 18-month-old son, Henry.

Sounds of Home

Claire Holley

Familiar Mississippi sounds represent a form of shorthand for singer-songwriter Claire Holley ’89, who now lives in Los Angeles. In conversation, a simple Southern phrase expressed a certain way is like music to her ears—helping her quickly feel connected. “I know those sounds,” she said.

Holley was in her hometown of Jackson last fall promoting the release of her new album of hymns, Every Hour. While in Mississippi, she performed on the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour at Square Books in Oxford and met students whom she mentors at Jackson Academy. Holley will return to Mississippi this spring to work on compositions for Shakespeare’s The Tempest at Mississippi College.

You perform often in Mississippi. What draws you back?
It is a combination of seeing family and having history here. My sister, Beverly Chamblin Harmon, is a 1986 JA graduate. People know my parents and my grandmother. I have a wonderful shared history that I enjoy—a shorthand. Being away makes me appreciate coming home.

What is your motivation for mentoring students?
I aspire to be generous and serve with the musical gift I’ve been given. These days, the independent artist is expected to constantly self-promote, which can be a lonely enterprise. When I get out of my own head and into the lives and work of other people (a musical collaboration, mentoring, or even teaching), it makes me remember why I’m doing this.

What is your favorite book?
One of my favorite books from the past few years is The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. Delightful, funny, smart, and relatively short!

I also liked George Eliot’s Middlemarch, which is definitely not short (and certainly not a typical read for me!), but Eliot’s insights into the human psyche are incisive and revealing. My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead is a fun read after Eliot’s novel, too.

Holley and her husband, Chad, have two sons, Jack, 15,
and Nate, 11.

Crafting Cuisine

Hunter Evans

Owner of the new Jackson eatery Elvie’s, Hunter Evans ’08 knew he wanted a career in the culinary arts before he graduated from JA. After earning a degree in hospitality management at the University of Mississippi, he attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and went on to work as a chef in New York City. He returned to his roots in Jackson four years ago.

Evans watched his parents frequently open their Jackson home to others, cooking meals influenced by his mother’s childhood in Louisiana. Trips to visit his grandmother, Elvie, in New Orleans further introduced Evans to a variety of cuisines, influencing the menu he shares at Elvie’s Restaurant, combining Southern cooking with a modern flair.

“One of the biggest joys is working closely with farmers to source the best produce and meats I can find,” he said. “Another joy is introducing people to a new food or new preparation and seeing them smile, enjoy it, and have a good time while they are eating, that’s what it is all about.”

What is the best self-care you do when not on vacation?
Definitely yoga. I am bent over a cutting board most days or lifting something heavy, and yoga has been a very beneficial body and mind practice for me.

What is the best vacation you have ever taken, and what made it special?
I am fascinated with wine. Everything about it, how it’s made, where it’s grown, what it tastes like from different regions, and of course how it pairs with food. So probably one of my favorite trips that I have taken was with my wife (Mary Kathryn Evans). For our first year anniversary, we went to Sonoma and Napa, California. It was amazing to sit and taste with winemakers on their property. I can’t wait to go back.

Excellence in Care

Dr. Meredith Travelstead

Dr. Meredith Travelstead ’89 has made it her life’s work to care for women, championing their physical health and their professional success. Her work as a board-certified OB-GYN has allowed her to support and educate women regarding their health in all stages of life. As a leader in local and state medical associations, Travelstead is an inspiration to others in her field.

In 2019, she served on the inaugural committee of the Mississippi State Medical Association’s Women in Medicine event that celebrated first-time achievements of women physicians in Mississippi. At the event, Travelstead’s former mentor, Dr. Helen Barnes, was honored as the first board-certified African American OB-GYN in the state.

Travelstead’s passion for her work and for the people in her life is evident. As the mother of three boys who attend JA, she is a faithful supporter at athletic and other school-related events. She often mentors students from area colleges and high schools, including Jackson Academy. Travelstead practices in Jackson and is on the executive committee of The Women’s Clinic.

What is the best vacation you have ever taken, and what made it special?
Our family trip to Israel in December 2018 was an unbelievable experience in the Holy Land seeing the history of our faith. The Bible truly came alive for me and my family. I look forward to visiting again.

What is the best self-care you routinely do?
My family knows that every night I have a moment of solitude in a very hot bath to cap off the day and relax the tired muscles!

What is the most exciting sporting event you have ever attended?
The best events have to be seeing my boys play numerous sports at Jackson Academy! There is nothing like it.

Travelstead resides in Jackson, with her husband, Joel. Their three sons, Will ’20, Reed ’22, and John ’25, attend Jackson Academy.

Talking Sports

Brian Scott Rippee

Sports are a significant part of everyday life for Brian Scott Rippee ’13. A former JA basketball player, Rippee has taken his interest in sports and his writing ability and turned them into a career in sports journalism.

Rippee is the Ole Miss beat reporter for SuperTalk Mississippi, based in Oxford. There he attends all practices, games, and press conferences for the three major Ole Miss sports and occasionally other sports. “I do a podcast three days a week in addition to providing written content for SuperTalk’s website,” he said. “It is all highlighted by our radio show called SportsTalk Mississippi that is on air statewide from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.”

In addition to authoring game stories and updating stats on sports teams, Rippee likes to convey the behind-the-scenes life stories of athletes. “I have found that in addition to being athletically gifted, there are a lot of incredible and inspiring people that play college athletics,” he said. “I think humanizing them and telling their stories off the field is important as well.”

What are a few highlights of your career at this point?
I covered the Cincinnati Reds for MLB.com as part of an internship in the summer of 2018. I appeared on the Paul Finebaum Show in February of 2017 to discuss Ole Miss’ NCAA investigation. I have written several features that have gotten national attention. Really, going to games for a job is a highlight in and of itself. I don’t really ever feel like I am working. I love this job and everything that comes with it.

What is the best book you have ever read?
Andre Aggassi’s autobiography Open is really good and incredibly powerful.

What is the most exciting sporting event you have ever attended?
I was in the Georgia Dome in 2008 for the SEC basketball tournament when a large tornado ripped a hole in the side of the building. I am not sure if that qualifies as the sporting event being cool, but it was pretty crazy.

The post East Coast, West Coast, Back at Home appeared first on Jackson Academy.