During the 2023-2024 graduation ceremony, the ideas of “turning challenges into benefits” and “succeeding in what matters” resonated deeply. For the first time, Jackson Academy honored co-valedictorians, Mallory Brooks and Gautam Ray, who achieved equivalent grade point averages. Mallory and Gautam delivered inspiring speeches, encouraging their peers to pursue meaningful and purposeful lives.

Gautam, a STAR student and National Merit Finalist, used the analogy of a creek and a river to describe how students can grow from something small to something powerful, navigating barriers along the way with the help of those around them, such as the faculty at JA. He asked graduates to look around the auditorium and identify people who had helped them become the best versions of themselves.

Gautam cited examples of challenging tests that prepared students for upper-level math or complex art projects that moved them toward mastering an art form. He characterized obstacles with peers as moments that helped students learn how to interact successfully with others. He encouraged graduates never to feel embarrassed about their traits but to instead be authentic and strive to become their best selves.

Headed to Columbia University, the Hall of Famer and Cum Laude Society member is the second from his immediate family to present a valedictory speech to JA graduates. In 2021, Gautam’s sister Priya Ray presented the valedictory address. 

Mallory Brooks, a Hall of Fame member, Gold Key winner in the Scholastic Art Competition, and member of the Cum Laude Society, spoke of a higher purpose for graduates’ lives beyond social status or fame. She said one’s purpose is the heart of who you really are.

She quoted from the work of author Francis Chan, who wrote about the risk of succeeding in things that don’t matter. Using an analysis from “The New York Times” noted on the Edward-Elmhurst Health site, she described how only 25 percent of the population lives purposefully. Like Alice in Wonderland, she said, the remainder “are asking the Cheshire Cat which way to go and not really caring where they end up.”

Mallory, who will continue her education at Mississippi College, then described a life that seeks a purpose that matters. Citing the Westminster Catechism, she discussed why people were created: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” Mallory noted that by living a life of purpose centered on Christ, actions will flow from our larger purpose and can have eternal meaning.

She closed with a quote from renowned Christian apologist C.S. Lewis in his book “Mere Christianity.” “Of course we never wanted, and never asked, to be made into the sort of creatures He is going to make us into. But the question is not what we intended ourselves to be, but what He intended us to be when He made us. He is the inventor, we are only the machine. He is the painter; we are only the picture. How should we know what He means us to be like?” Lewis wrote. “We may be content to remain what we call ‘ordinary people’: but He is determined to carry out a quite different plan. To shrink back from that plan is not humility: it is laziness and cowardice. To submit to it is not conceit or megalomania; it is obedience.”

Initially scheduled for JA’s outdoor stadium, the Brickyard, rain moved the ceremony into the Performing Arts Center. Ninety-eight students graduated in the May 16 ceremony.

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Jackson Academy congratulates all students selected by their grade as beauties, beaus, and class favorites.

Junior Class Favorites 

(From back, left) James Chapman, Micah Wallace, Kendell Davis, Sherrod Cauthen, Josh Dockins, (front, left) Kennedy Harris, Aubrey Edmonson, Weathersby Dinkins, Elizabeth Nichols

Junior Beauty and Beau

(From back, left) Matt Thomas, John Thomas, Rhodes Robinson, Tripp Mosal, (front, left) Anna Adkins, Sophie Sosa, Ellen Morgan, Hayes Harrell

Sophomore Class Favorites

(From back, left) Cash Malouf, Crew Hassell, (front, left) Sadie Sandifer, Rosemary Adams, Ava Barbour (Not pictured: Dereon Albert)

Sophomore Beauty and Beau

(From back, left) Baird Kennedy, Camp Blunschi, Jamison Graham, (front, left) Chappell Lang, Caroline Quin, Madi Brewer

Freshmen Class Favorites

(From back, left) McNeil Meacham, Burwell Barton, (front, left) Liza Benner, Anna Holladay Craft

Freshmen Beauty and Beau 

(From back, left) Steven Hederman, Vaiden Taylor, (front, left) Miley Williams, Simmons Harrell

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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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Family, teammates, fellow students, coaches, and faculty joined senior Lucy Lee this past week as she signed to continue her academic and athletic career at Sewanee – The University of the South. Her signing makes the eighth athletic signing for the senior class and more than 200 in JA history.

Currently ranked No. 3 in Girls 18s in Mississippi, she won the 6A singles title this year and served as captain of the JA varsity tennis team. She was the 6A doubles champion in 2022 and 2023. Lucy has been playing tennis for three years at JA. 

Lucy received the George Wilkinson Memorial Award from USTA Mississippi for exemplifying the qualities of composure under physical stress and emotional discipline in recognition of desire, integrity, perseverance, maturity, character, conduct, and appearance. In the classroom she has been on the honor roll and a member of the JA ACT 29+ Club.

Congratulations, Lucy!

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One of the most impactful JA senior ceremonies is JA’s Senior Chapel, which was held today. Seniors don caps and gowns and process into the Performing Arts Center holding hands with their Alpha & Omega buddies. 

The Alpha & Omega program pairs kindergarteners with seniors for mentoring and learning activities during the entire year, fostering lasting friendships. During chapel, kindergartners sang “Graduation (Friends Forever)” to the senior class. JA alumnus John Sharp Kirk ’15 delivered the chapel message. 

The Class of 2023 enjoyed a highly-anticipated senior week in April. On April 23, students received honors at Senior Awards Night on campus, followed by a dinner at the Country Club of Jackson. At the dinner, JA’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year award recipient John Scarbrough ’92 spoke to seniors about being wise decision makers.

Jackson Academy’s 98 seniors will participate in commencement ceremonies May 16 at the school’s outdoor stadium, The Brickyard. Ceremonies start at 7:30 p.m. Valedictorian Mallory Brooks and salutatorian Gautam Ray will address the senior class.

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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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One of the anticipated evenings each year at JA is Senior Awards Night, held this past Tuesday. At this event, JA announces members of the Hall of Fame, Most Beautiful, Most Handsome, Beauties and Beaus, Mr. and Mrs. JA, and Class Favorites, among other academic, service, and student life awards. 

Awards were presented in the Performing Arts Center. The ceremony is followed by an evening at the Country Club of Jackson, where students enjoy a meal and hear a presentation from the Distinguished Alumni of the Year award recipient.

Jackson Academy welcomes eleven new seniors into the Hall of Fame based upon leadership, versatility in activities, service to JA, scholastic achievement, and an exemplary standard of integrity in all areas of school.

Miss Jackson Academy is Liles Williams, who received a pearl necklace from Albritons Jewelers, and Mr. Jackson Academy is Zyon McDowell, who received a custom made suit from Kinkade’s Fine Clothing. 

JA Most Beautiful is Lindsey Johnson and JA Most Handsome is Owen Bates.

Beauties and Beaus: (from left) Anna Kate Lucas, Rett Stringer, Lindsey Johnson, Owen Bates, Addison Tatum, Fisher Waldrop, Farrah Wilson, Charles Baker, Abby Fielder, Harper Mars

Senior Favorites: (from back, left) Danielle Wallace, Morgan Turner, Darbie Brewer, Mary Hampton Walker, Susanna Everett, Landry Lester, Kate Frost, Vivian Baker, Kendall Edmonson, Mallory Brooks, (front, left) Ford Childress, Tack Mahaffey, Bryan Eubank, Samuel Chustz, Zyon McDowell, Turner Denton, Lowe Sims, Nicholas Harris, Dre Terry, Baker Ebner (standing)

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“Life is full of decisions. Often, they come fast, and you cannot hesitate or delay. The real power in life comes when you are confident in your decision making before you ever come to the fork in the road,” said John Scarbrough (1992) to the Class of 2024 last Tuesday evening during the Senior Night Banquet at the Country Club of Jackson.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recipient recounted some of the critical decisions he has faced in his 50 years. Some were heartbreaking, but they led to resilience and growth. Some resulted in significant opportunities, opening doors to success. Some improved the lives of others, showing the value of compassion and community. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of a “decided heart” that has considered the future of what life can be.

“Being decisive is not always about being right,” he said. “It is about having the courage and discipline to make a decision and then going about making it right.”

Scarbrough is the dealer principal/owner/operator of Paul Moak Automotive, Inc., representing the Honda and Subaru brands in Jackson. A three-generation family-operated business, the company is soon to celebrate its 80th anniversary. He has worked in every department of the car dealership. As general manager, he works with team managers to continuously improve the dealership’s customer experience. 

Scarbrough outlined nine decisions that, if gotten right, will make all the difference in life. They ranged from deciding to be decisive to determining who will be the master of your life. 

One decision included attending church. Statistics show most students leaving high school will not participate in church, he said. “I have what I call a decided heart,” Scarbrough said about attending church throughout college. It did not bother him that often he was the only person in his dorm who got up for church on Sundays. “It is said, ‘A tree falls the way it leans.’ Be careful which way you lean. Habits are formed in college that become part of who you are as an adult,” he remarked.

Scarbrough also encouraged graduates to take initiative, particularly in the workplace. “Do the right thing without being told to do so,” he advised. “Close to that is doing the right thing after only being asked once. Employers will want you if you can demonstrate initiative.”

He delved into relationships, encouraging students to decide carefully on a mate. “Choose a mate who is going to give you good advice. Choose wisely,” he said. He also spoke to the guidance in the Bible about a husband’s role in the family. “A real man loves his wife,” he stressed. “A real man is faithful to his wife.”

He and his wife, the former Jeanne Elizabeth Moak, were married in 1997. They are the parents of three boys: Thomas Hudson Scarbrough, who passed away as a child, John Moak Scarbrough ’22, and Jacob Montgomery Scarbrough, ’25. They attend First Baptist Church in Jackson. He is also active in community service, serving on boards and initiating programs to improve the lives of others; as evidenced by his recent role as Chairman of the Board for Friends of Children’s Hospital.

Scarbrough said his motivation to serve at Friends came from the loss of his son to cancer. He noted, “I had a choice to make, to be negative and bitter or to give back to the very hospital where my son’s life was stilled. The kids in that hospital became my central mission.” Scarbrough was a member of the Friends Board for fourteen years.

Read introductory biographical remarks from this year’s event

Read John Scarbrough’s full speech

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Jackson Academy is pleased to announce that Mallory Brooks of Jackson, daughter of Marie and Josh Brooks, is the Class of 2024 valedictorian. Gautam Ray of Brandon, son of Anandhi and Paresh Ray, is the Class of 2024 salutatorian. These students have excelled academically throughout the four years of Upper School and have impressive community service and campus involvement resumes.

Mallory Brooks

“Being named JA’s class of 2024 valedictorian is an incredible honor,” said Mallory. “I have extremely intelligent classmates, so it still feels surreal to me. I don’t have words to express my gratitude to the many people who encouraged and supported me throughout my academic career.” 

The Cum Laude member, the Bausch+Lomb Honorary Science Award recipient, and Gold Key winner in the Scholastic Art Competition has maintained a steady schedule throughout high school. She serves as co-president of JA’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is involved in Mu Alpha Theta, and is secretary of the National Honor Society. She was a Lady Raider on the volleyball team throughout high school. On that team, she led team devotions and prayer. She has served on the JA Chapel Lead Team. At Bellwether Church, she is active in student ministry and helps teach Sunday School for 3 to 5-year-olds once a month. She has served in roles with We Will Go Ministries and the Jackson Symphony League.

Mallory admits she is a hard worker, but she credits her community with building her up in ways that support her achievement. “I’ve worked hard throughout my high school career to be the best student I could, but honestly, I can’t take too much of the credit,” she said. “My parents instilled in me a commitment to always do my best, especially when things are hard. My teachers have been so amazing. They have encouraged me but, more importantly, challenged me to reach new levels of understanding. Most of all, I give the glory to God for the ways he has gifted me and grown me through my high school years.”

Mallory recognizes the value of things that endure. “It’s a wonderful thing to give your all to something and achieve success, but in the end, it’s the people we meet and the relationships we build that leave their mark on us for life,” she said. “I am thankful for the relationships I have made with so many of my classmates and teachers, and it’s the impact they have had on me that I will take with me into the next stage of my life.”

Gautam Ray

Gautam has found JA a welcoming place to explore his academic interests, and he encourages other students to take advantage of all that JA offers. “I am so honored to receive the title of JA’s salutatorian,” he said. “Since 2009, JA has remained an amazing second home for me and has allowed me to explore all of my academic interests, from AP Chemistry to Latin 4, so I am thrilled to receive distinction for my time learning at the institution.”

He recently was named a prestigious Coca-Cola Scholar, a STAR student, and a National Merit Finalist. He was designated as an MIT Research Science Institute Scholar, was named an International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist, and won the University of Rochester Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass Award. A member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, and the national honor societies in history, English, math, science, and Latin, he is also a Glenn Cain scholarship recipient and has won subject awards for Honors Algebra 2 and AP Chemistry. 

Gautam has enjoyed the opportunity to take initiative in addition to his academic pursuits. “If I could give one piece of advice to the student body, I’d tell them to not only take advantage of all the amazing faculty and resources at JA but also take initiative and try their best in starting and leading new clubs that best reflect your passions,” he said. Starting the Bio Club and leading Mu Alpha Theta helped me develop my interest and love in biochemistry.”

Gautam also serves as team captain of JA’s Quiz Bowl Team, president of JA’s National Honor Society, Student Body Council historian, Student Ambassador, and student tutor. “Outside school, I play the piano, serve as a member of the Mississippi Children’s Museum’s President Leadership Circle, and have conducted biochemistry and neuroscience research,” he said.

Like Mallory, Gautam is grateful to those who have encouraged him. “All of JA’s amazing faculty (from Mr. Sullivan and Coach West of the Science Department to Ms. Bannerman of the English Department) and all my fellow friends at JA have helped me so much throughout my time here, and I will be eternally grateful for their efforts helping me,” he said.

Congratulations to Mallory Brooks and Gautam Ray, our 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian!

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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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