Jackson Academy has a tradition of honoring the dedication and loyalty of its employees by acknowledging their years of service. Recognizing milestones in increments of five years, employees are given the chance to designate a contribution from JA to a cause meaningful to them in support of the school. Those who have served for 25 years or more are honored with a plaque and special recognition.

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In a special two-part event, Jackson Academy’s sixth graders teamed up with their first-grade buddies in the beloved “Book Buddies” program. After interviewing with the first graders earlier in the year, sixth graders worked hard to make personalized books, pouring their creativity into every word and picture. This collaborative effort not only honed their literary skills but also fostered lasting friendships across grade levels, echoing JA’s commitment to phonics-based learning – a tradition upheld since its founding in 1959.

Last Wednesday, at the PAC amphitheater, it all came together as sixth graders happily met up with their first-grade friends. They shared the books they made—filled with stories inspired by their younger buddies’ imaginations. The event showed how Jackson Academy brings students together to enjoy reading and friendship, no matter what grade they’re in.

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Jackson Academy recently welcomed 25 middle school students and their families from Heritage Academy, Cathedral School, and Oak Hill Academy for the Spring 2024 JA Middle School Scholars’ Bowl Invitational. Scholars’ Bowl is an opportunity to test general knowledge in a competition setting. Coached by Brandon Richardson and Dawn Duncombe, the Middle School Scholars’ Bowl team has been preparing, practicing, and competing for the entire 2023-2024 school year.

The two JA teams totaled twelve sixth and seventh grade students, consisting of two captains, six players, and four alternates. The “A” Team was led by seventh grade captain AJ Duncombe, and the “B” Team was led by seventh grade captain Carson Lester. Each team participated in three lightning rounds, with four teams advancing to the semi-finals and two teams advancing to the finals.

The Scholars’ Bowl team participated in tournaments in Mobile, Alabama, at the MAIS state tournament in Pearl, Mississippi, and hosted the JA Spring Invitational. The team placed in the top 10 at the state competition and finished 3rd in the JA invitational.

Congratulations to the Middle School Scholars’ Bowl team on a fantastic year!

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Jackson Academy acknowledges and honors its Teachers of the Year every spring. The recognition is particularly noteworthy this year as it falls during National Teacher Appreciation Week. During the final chapel program on Tuesday, administrators called four teachers to the PAC stage where they formally expressed gratitude for the teachers’ dedicated service to the school. Faculty members vote for Teachers of the Year from among their peers by division.

Congratulations to the 2024 Teachers of the Year:

Upper School

Dee Ball
AP US Government
and AP History Teacher
35 Years of Service

Lower School

Jamie Wright
Second Grade Teacher
22 Years of Service

Middle School

Sarah Clark
Eighth Grade
History Teacher
11 Years of Service

Preschool

Courtney Bush
K4 Teacher 
8 Years of Service

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Members of Mu Alpha Theta attended the annual state convention and math competition Sunday and Monday, April 7-8. They competed in individual and team events, as well as the categories table talk, scrapbook, banner, video, and logo. Congratulations to Mu Alpha Theta!

• 9th place in Geometry Written Test – Jack Satcher
• 7th place in Geometry Written Test – Claire Champagne
• 10th place in Algebra 2 Written Test – Anna Holladay Craft
• 3rd place in Algebra 2 Written Test – Bennett Allen
• 10th place in Trig/PreCal Written Test – Crystal Gao
• 7th place in Trig/PreCal Written Test – Miller Usry
• 4th place in Table Talk – Morgan Cheatham
• 1st place in Banner – Crystal Gao
• 3rd place in Scrapbook – Jackson Academy – Morgan Cheatham 

• 4th place in Video – Jackson Academy – Richard Sumrall
• 7th place in Logo – Jackson Academy – Morgan Cheatham 
• 5th place in Junior Ciphering 
• 6th place in Intermediate Ciphering 
• 4th place in Advanced Ciphering – Gautam Ray 
• 2nd place Potpourri Team – Willis Thigpen, Miller Usry, Phillip Browning, Jack Satcher 
• 3rd place Hustle Team – Anna Holladay Craft, Crystal Gao, Stanton Cole, Gautam Ray
• 5th place Relay Team – Claire Champagne, Macy Garrard, Morgan Cheatham, Caroline Champagne
• 8th place Interschool (all participants)
• 4th place Sweepstakes (Overall category) 

Also on teams were Breck Hines, Shelby Grant, Stanton Cole, Walter Towery, Mary Laurel Boykin, and Chesley Quinn.

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The next time current students experience a total solar eclipse, they could be graduating or employed, and some could even have their own children attending JA. That’s the rarity of a total solar eclipse; NASA expects the next one in North America to appear the summer of 2044. 

Sixth-grade students in Lisa Kimbriel’s science class learned facts about the April 8 eclipse while following watch parties across the United States. This week, K4 will complete weekly readers about the eclipse and eat moon pies to celebrate the remarkable occurrence. 

The rare occasion of a total solar eclipse, where the moon blocks the sun, allows scientists to study the sun in different ways than without the eclipse. According to NBC News, tens of millions of people joined enthusiastic umbrafiles (people who traverse the world to see eclipses) as the total solar eclipse darkened skies and cooled temperatures across 15 U.S. states, parts of Mexico, and eastern Canada. People in other parts of the U.S. witnessed a partial solar eclipse.

Click here to view stunning views on the NBC News website.

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Academy Honor Roll

Twelfth Grade

Charles Baker, Vivian Baker, Mallory Brooks, Virginia Browning, Jonea’ Carter, Mya Coins, Red Deaton, Kendall Edmonson, Abby Fielder, Kate Frost, Isabella Gates, Madelyn Griffith, Alex Guild, Anna Margaret Hooker, Jada Lester, Landry Lester, Kaylee Lowther, Anna Kate Lucas, Tack Mahaffey, Zyon McDowell, Reese McMichael, Abbi Mims, A’miracle Owens, Julia Parker, Gautam Ray, Madilyn Ray, Sarah Roberson, Sam Roberts, Olivia Smith, Titus Taylor, Sydney Thaxton, Danielle Wallace, Benjamin Watson, Liles Williams, Blair Wilson, Farrah Wilson

Eleventh Grade

Anna Adkins, Thomas Beckett, Cameron Reese Benton, Julia Berman, Ella Boykin, Aniya Bradley, Logan Burger, Sherrod Cauthen, Schyler Chambers, James Chapman, Abbie Cliburn, Stanton Cole, Alex Davis, Kendell Davis, Brooke Dennis, Caroline Flechas, Parker Halford, McNeil Haraway, Sophie Henderson, Ellie Hogue, Addison Jeffcoat, Emmely Johnson, Ben Jones, Lily Beth Lee, Ellen Morgan, Sarah Breyden Moulder, Henley Nance, Elizabeth Nichols, Bella Palomo, Rob Penick, Logan Rohman, Sophie Sosa, Law Stanley, Richard Sumrall, Willis Thigpen, Matt Thomas, Olyvia Thornton, John Travelstead, Miller Usry

Tenth Grade

Evan Adams, Ava Barbour, Rebekah Brooke Benson, Sara Madalin Brown, Aubrey Chambers, Morgan Cheatham, Mary Lamar Chustz, Rimes Dehmer, Natalia Elmore, Crystal Gao, Shelby Grant, Parker Grimsley, Mac Harris, Jack Harrison, Crew Hassell, Breck Hines, Ty Jones, Sara Kate Long, Carter Mathison, Lydia Murphy, Preston Perkins, Olivia Price, Caroline Quin, Sanders Reeves, Natalie Roberson, Sadie Sandifer, Abhi Sharma, Brennon Shorter, Harkins Simpson, Justina Visgarra, Matthew Werne, Caroline Wier, Archer Williams, Sadie Williamson

Ninth Grade

Bess Borne, Carson Caraway, Carlisle Cauthen, Audrey Chapman, Anna Holladay Craft, Riley Flechas, Macy Garrard, Phoebe Graham, Daniel Green, Steven Hederman, Holt Huff, Mary Madison New, Chesley Quinn, Meridith Ray, Madelyn Rodrigue, Jack Satcher, Allie Shay, Liam Spratlin, Vaiden Taylor, Walter Towery, Elise Waldrop, Georgia Weeks, Sarah Yung

Eighth Grade

Ella Abide, Sue Berman, Mary Laurel Boykin, Lila Easley, Stone Haraway, Drew Hederman, Hart Hines, Wells Jeffcoat, Anna Caroline Long, Jana McBeath, Stella Cate McLemore, Ashton Polk, Emma Pollack, Stella Blair Sims, Gus Summers, Slates Veazey, Houston Warren, Alexander Weems, Grace Wicks

Seventh Grade

Laurence Asher, Betsy Beard, Barbara Brand, Brennan Davis, AJ Duncombe, Drew Edwards, Preston Gough, Lillian Griner, Chamari Johnson, Margaret Johnston, Jane Helen Jones, Carson Lester, Wrigzell Lewis, Daulton Lynskey, Brennan Maley, Garrett Maloney, Ann Marie Penick, Massey Rodden, Alex Rosamond, Pettey Sandifer, Ella Kate Sijansky, Sawyer Simpson, Neely Catherine Usry

Sixth Grade

Amelie Baquie, Brooks Brien, Emmy Cannady, Cole Caraway, Harper Cooley, Kate Ferrell, Lewis Garrard, Liam Gill, Jaelynn Harrington, Ava Harwell, Kate Holsenbeck, William Lauderdale, Ainslie Long, Mae Walker McLemore, Paxton Orr, Elizabeth Peters, Savannah Peters, Kate Samuels, Gage Snow, Dudley Stancill, Jules Towery, Luke Vollor

Honor Roll

Twelfth Grade

Qasim Abdul-Tawwab, Ava Antonaros, CJ Banks, Bo Barbour, Owen Bates, Darbie Brewer, Trevor Bryson, Caroline Champagne, Ford Childress, Samuel Chustz, Isabella Conn, Fagan Daniel, Turner Denton, Newell Eatherly, Meghan Ellis, Susanna Everett, Michael Greenlee, Harper Griffin, Raygaen Hall, Nicholas Harris, Eliza Hawkins, Foster Hodges, Alex Holmes, Lindsey Johnson, Genevieve Kelley, Avery Kobs, Fuller Mahaffey, Harper Mars, Alyssa Martin, Mae Mathison, Sophie McIntire, Anna Payton Parker, Matthew Ryan, Enisha Shelton, Lowe Sims, Vivien Stevens, Rett Stringer, Addison Tatum, Fisher Waldrop, Bailey Walker, Mary Hampton Walker, Liyah Wilson, Susanna Everett, Isabella Gates, Michael Greenlee, Madelyn Griffith, Nicholas Harris, Eliza Hawkins, Foster Hodges, Lindsey Johnson, Genevieve Kelley, Avery Kobs, Fuller Mahaffey, Harper Mars, Alyssa Martin, Mae Mathison, Sophie McIntire, Anna Payton Parker, Sarah Roberson, Sam Roberts, Matthew Ryan, Lowe Sims, Aden Spratlin, Addison Tatum, Fisher Waldrop, Bailey Walker, Mary Hampton Walker

Eleventh Grade

Mamie Barton, Thomas Blanks, Aniyah Brown, Caroline Bush, Weathersby Dinkins, Aubrey Edmonson, Hayes Harrell, Ian Hosch, Aaron Howard, Caroline Johnston, Davis Meeks, DeDe Miller, Molly Marie Moody, Linnie Moon, Brooke Emerson Ogden, Morgan Pollack, Andrew Provias, Natalya Salvo, John Thomas, Micah Wallace, Faith Wicks, Mike Williams

Tenth Grade

Bennett Allen, Ebbie Barbour, Camp Blunschi, Kate Wyndham Boyll, Madi Brewer, Meredith Chandler, Trey Compretta, Riley Edwards, Layla Farmer, Katherine Gault, Morris Griner, Lil Hixon, Michael Holly, Ardynn Howell, Lucy Jones, Baird Kennedy, Ella King, Chappell Lang, John Markow, Mallory Montgomery, Coby Palmer, Tristan Parr, Alex Patterson, Sela Pressler, Natalie Reedy, Olivia Salvo, Cayden Shorter, Jack Skipper, Evey Sutton, Lila Thomas, Julia Thompson, Maya Turner, Somer Wilson

Ninth Grade

Anderson Abide, Liza Benner, Ava Bondurant, Ella Kate Brien, Caitlyn Brown, Phillip Browning, Avery Buchanan, Randy Cooper, Annie Craig, Elle Earl, Hazel Ginn, Cooper Griffin, Simmons Harrell, Nicholas Jones, Keigon Lowery, Mylee Maurer, Anderson Mehrle, Isabel Russell, Sam Seward, Rhodes Tatum, Parker Thomas, Taylor Ueltschey

Eighth Grade

Roman Anderson, Arnaz Bhuiyan, Hampton Blanks, Caden Callison, Hays Carson, Claire Champagne, Leighton Denley, Jacob Gates, Herrin Goodman, Lillie Henson, Lucy Canton Hogue, Carson Hosemann, Kinlee Lutken, Reid Miller, Wyatt Mims, J. Michael Moody, Brandon Parker, Jed Rodden, Wyatt Rohman, Molly Schade, Peyton Smith, Josie Sosa, Ann Frances Tatum, Carolina Walker

Seventh Grade

Sloane Akins, Perry Allen, Andrew Baquie, Breeland Belton, Henry Bennett, Erica Buckley, Savanna Chandler, Ben Compretta, Channing Harrell, Kerrigan Holmes, Perry James, Selah Jones, Corley Kiker, Kyndal McDonald, Sam Melichar, Joseph New, Colton Pettway, Knox Seward, Emma Shay, Camden Smith, Harry Thomas, Hayden Warren, Frances Watson, Ella Williams, Londyn Williams, Lambdin Young

Sixth Grade

Aalia Abdul-Tawwab, Graham Adams, Cambell Bidwell, Cate Covault, Ricio Davis, Nicholas Lagg, Maddox Lewis, Gus Luzardo, Elizabeth Markow, Grayson Moomaw, Ava Patterson, Mackenzie Silverman, Stone Skipper, Max Summers, Vivi Taylor

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In March, the country celebrates women’s achievements and the importance of math and science education, including Women’s History Month, Pi Day, and Celebrate Scientists Day observances. Coming in April, JA’s theatre department will shine a spotlight on the life of Jerrie Cobb, a pilot and aviator influential in the space program.

“They Promised Her the Moon” is about the woman who almost became the first female astronaut. The story follows Cobb’s struggle to enter the space program. JA junior Henley Nance will play the role of Jerrie Cobb in her early years. Like Jerrie Cobb, Henley has faced and overcome some challenges in her life.

Cobb was a part of the Mercury 13, a group of women who underwent physiological testing to qualify for the astronaut program. She was the first woman to complete these tests, conducted at the same time as the tests for the Mercury 7, the men who eventually became astronauts. In the 1960s, Cobb wrote a book called “Woman Into Space: The Jerrie Cobb Story,” in which she discussed the role of women in the space program. Even though this aviator and pilot excelled in the astronaut testing and was determined to overcome obstacles in a male-dominated field, becoming an astronaut remained out of her reach, as Congress voted to keep women out of space.

Henley Nance admits that she never thought she would be able to be in an AP (Advanced Placement) class because of her dyslexia. She believed that dyslexia defined her and that she would never excel in school. However, with the help of the fantastic JA Resource team and understanding teachers, she achieved being in an AP class. Henley also has been honored by being inducted into academic honoraries in math, English, and social studies.

Now her favorite subjects are math and science, and she excels in those subjects as well as singing, dancing, public speaking, and acting. Henley believes that she can achieve something if she sets her mind to it. Her advice to her younger self is to never underestimate herself, to be herself, and to believe that she can do anything. Like the character she portrays, Henley is determined to overcome obstacles and be the best version of herself in everything she does. See Henley and other students in “They Promised Her the Moon,” April 19 and 20 at 7:00 p.m. and April 20 and 21 at 2:00 p.m. in the PAC. Mark your calendar!

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The National Junior Honor Society and the National Honor Society recognize students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. Today, JA inducted 24 Middle School students and 38 Upper School students.

Membership in one of the national honor societies indicates that a student excels in all areas of school life. Congratulations to all 2024 inductees!

National Junior Honor Society

Eighth Grade New Members

Sue Berman, Emma Pollack, Stella Blair Sims, Alexander Weems

Seventh Grade New Members

Perry Allen, Laurence Asher, Betsy Beard, AJ Duncombe, Drew Edwards, Lillian Griner, Preston Gough, Chamari Johnson, Jane Helen Jones, Selah Jones, Carson Lester, Daulton Lynskey, Brennan Maley, Sam Melichar, Joseph New, Ann Marie Penick, Alex Rosamond, Pettey Sandifer, Sawyer Simpson, Ella Williams

National Honor Society

Twelfth Grade New Members

Turner Denton, Lindsey Johnson, Kaylee Lowther, Mae Mathison, Rett Stringer, Fisher Waldrop, Mary Hampton Walker, Liyah Wilson

Eleventh Grade New Members

Mamie Barton, Cameron Reese Benton, Aniyah Brown, Caroline Bush, Schyler Chambers, James Chapman, Alex Davis, Caroline Johnston, Ellen Morgan, Bella Palomo, Morgan Pollack, Olyvia Thornton, Micah Wallace, Faith Wicks

Tenth Grade New Members

Ava Barbour, Rebekah Brooke Benson, Morgan Cheatham, Mary Lamar Chustz, Natalia Elmore, Crystal Gao, Shelby Grant, Breck Hines, Sara Kate Long, Olivia Price, Sanders Reeves, Natalie Roberson, Sadie Sandifer, Abhi Sharma, Cayden Shorter, Sadie Williamson

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Over the weekend, Jackson Academy hosted its annual Jackson Academy Show Choir Invitational (JASI) competition. The competition featured elite show choirs from various states vying for the title of Grand Champion. Twenty-seven groups with 1,100 total performers participated in the two-day event held at the Performing Arts Center. JA’s show choirs were exhibition-only, providing entertainment during breaks in competition. 

While hundreds of performers took the stage, around 150 crew members, parents, faculty, and staff kept all other aspects of a show choir competition running. Parent volunteers, led by JASI Co-Chairs Lee Ann Thigpen and Lorraine Boykin, helped this competition run smoothly under Upper School and Middle School show choir directors Garrett Lindsey and Emily Greene and performing arts and PAC staff. JA utilized five campus buildings to facilitate the event. Maintenance, grounds, and security staff worked hard to keep the facilities in excellent condition and the flow of traffic operating smoothly so that performing groups could enjoy their time in the venue. Jim Wilkirson and senior Bryan Eubank served as emcees to keep audiences informed, and the Raider Network staff provided videography of performances for groups to purchase. 

Additionally, JA offered a limited edition of commemorative JASI buttons named after JA’s cafeteria’s most popular food item – JASI Tendies. More than 100 pounds of chicken tenders were prepared for the event, said Director of Performing Arts Kerri Sanders. The JASI weekend was a huge success, evidenced by the enthusiastic posts from the participating schools, such as “Jackson Academy Show Choir Invitational was a BLAST!”

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