Custom-built homes almost always reflect the personalities and desires of their owners; but the Midtown Memphis home of Betsy and Jason Hood seems to personify purpose inside and out.
44 | TRAVEL
Whether it’s a milestone birthday, anniversary, graduation, retirement, reunion or simply a chance to reconnect with the people who matter most, Royal Caribbean transforms celebrations into extraordinary journeys.
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Happy Birthday, America!
I am not a big soccer fan-not because I don’t like the game- but because I just haven’t taken the time to understand it. However, I recently found myself screaming with the TV crowd like I’m watching the Egg Bowl. I am not sure what I am cheering for, but it is contagious for sure!
One of the most enjoyable aspects of all the excitement the World Cup has brought me is the fans' take on America and all we take for granted. Fans from all over the world have been documenting their experiences across this great country we are blessed to call home. They are amazed by the friendliness and warm welcome they have received from us. A Japanese journalist shared a picture of a street in Tennessee with the caption. “It’s a view so stunning it feels like a lie.” They are shocked because the view they get of our culture from the media is quite the opposite. I find that extremely sad.
Our foreign neighbors are captivated by our restaurants, which bring you free ice, chips and salsa! Ranch dressing has been described as “manna from Heaven,” and places like Buc-ee’s have left them speechless. The only disappointing comment I read was when a lady was visiting a drugstore and she was just a bit frustrated at having to wait for a toiletry to be unlocked before she could purchase it. When the clerk explained it was due to theft, she couldn’t believe it, and said that in her country, you would simply go to jail for theft and it was not negotiable.
We do have so much to be thankful for in this beautiful country of ours. As we prepare to celebrate its big birthday, let’s see our country through the eyes of our neighbors, who are “blown away” by the beauty, abundance, and friendliness that America holds. I think we are way more alike than we are different, and sometimes it just takes someone from the outside looking in to remind us of that. We have so much to be thankful for. Not to mention we have Ranch by the gallon and Buc-ee’s!
Wishing everyone a safe and happy celebration of our nation, under God.
- Margaret Monger, PUBLISHER
Purpose Built
Custom-built
homes almost always reflect the personalities and desires of their owners; but the Midtown Memphis home of Betsy and Jason Hood seems to personify purpose inside and out.
The Hoods’ previous home on Court Avenue was an old Tudor house nearing her 100th birthday. While she was bursting with bungalow charm, the home had begun to prove challenging, with continuous renovations and a complicated floorplan.
“The home was getting a lot older and so were we, and we had already done a lot of work on it, but we felt like we had maxed out what we were willing to do without sacrificing her historical integrity,” said Betsy. “We love old homes and historical architecture, but we were ready for bigger closets and bathrooms, and smaller home projects.”
In 2022, the Hoods began a two-year construction process on their now beloved home in a distinguished Memphis neighborhood. To kick off the project, architect Brad Shapiro spent time with the Hoods in their home, engaging in thoughtful discussion and observation to understand how they lived in their house, what worked and what didn’t. And then Shapiro spent a few hours just walking the lot for the build, familiarizing himself with the space and angles. The couple engaged interior designer Anna Lattimore and contractor Tim DiSalvo who were also involved from the design phase so that the architecture and design considerations were married into the construction seamlessly.
The oblique, skinny lot was nestled between a classic English Tudor-style home and a very contemporary home, and the marriage of the two styles was not only evident in Shapiro’s design, but also very apropos for the Hoods’ eclectic vibe.
"Weviewed this ‘challenge’ as an opportunity to create a design that served as a thoughtful bridge between the two architectural styles,” said Shapiro. “What resulted was a design rooted in timeless architectural principles while incorporating subtle contemporary influences."
The classically regal stone and limestone façade are complemented by a dramatic, sculptural window, measuring nearly 18 feet tall and contributing to the home’s unique curb appeal.
"The site occupies a prominent position at the bend of the road, which created a fascinating design opportunity,” said Lesley Bell who served as the architectural designer with Shapiro. “Rather than presenting a single front elevation, we essentially designed two front facades so the home would have a strong architectural presence from multiple vantage points as you approach along the curve."
Visible from the exterior or appreciated just inside, the large light fixture in the stairwell holds special meaning for the Hoods. Rhode Island-based glass artist Tracy Glover, who is a long-time friend of the family, created this colorful, seven-globe masterpiece. Anna and Betsy collaborated on every detail, from color, to shape, to number of globes, to opacity.
“We love art, especially colorful art, so we decided to keep our walls fairly neutral throughout and let the art provide the color,” said Jason. “Tracy’s special glass piece is just one example of that.”
Pieces
from other local and regional artists including Noah Collins, Frieda Hamm, Joseph Bradley and Shawn Meharg, along with an original Dali lithograph that belonged to Betsy’s parents, sprinkle color throughout the home and play nicely with the indigo upholsteries and pops of fuchsia that brighten the living room.
Block print fabrics, possibly inspired by the couple’s trip to Morocco, complement playful pomegranate draperies, giving the main living space a bright yet soothing, and individualistic vibe. The limestone fireplace surround and flanking low bookcases give the space a true midtown feel while letting even more natural light in the large peripheral windows.
Just off the living room is an alcove lined with custom-built and lit alder bookcases. This whimsical little library is evidence of the contractor’s intense attention to detail–DiSalvo’s team took the time to sketch and measure this magnificent room until it was perfect. The beautiful shelves not only house many of the family’s treasures, including Betsy’s beloved biscuit jar collection, but they also serve as a tiny illusion. Betsy’s office door is just through the alcove, but since the door does not open directly into the living room, she jokes that she can keep the room in as much disarray as she’d like.
Intention continues in the kitchen, where drawer and cabinet size and placement were all planned around the family’s usual provisions. Additionally, the positioning of the four barstools around the 5’ x 8’ quartz-topped island proved to be a very important detail. The homeowners and designer explained that they didn’t want the usual lineup of stools along one side for a reason.
"Peoplenaturally congregate in the kitchen, and we wanted the placement of the island seating to be conducive to conversation,” said designer Lattimore. “Placing the stools around the corner allowed friends to face each other instead of looking at the wall, and we definitely have put this concept to use in this kitchen for many evenings of tapas and cocktails.”
Adjacent to the kitchen is a quaint little pantry with a funky grapefruit wallpaper on the ceiling and a timeless black-and-white checkered floor. A family heirloom china cabinet with the legs removed provides the perfect countertop storage while giving the room a cheeky nod to classic style. The original plan had the mudroom and pantry swapped, but early in the design process, everyone concluded that it would be more functional to put the pantry adjacent to the kitchen with a handy door to unload groceries while protected by the portecochere.
On the other side of the kitchen is a convenient bar where Jason and Anna designed suspended brass and glass shelves for barware and decorative glass. The glass-front cabinets open from both sides, making it convenient to reach glassware from both the bar and dining room. A hammered brass sink and neutral mosaic tile complement the sexy oil-and-water pattern wallpaper on the ceiling, along with the brass and bronze sputnik chandelier.
The additional dishwasher in the bar is just one small example of the convenience built into this home. The laundry room adjacent to the primary bedroom on the first floor is a far cry from the five flights of stairs to the homeowners’ last washer and dryer. In fact, ease of use and “aging in place” were prominent considerations throughout the entire build.
“We were intentional about making sure it wasn’t the house that would make us have to eventually move,” said Jason. “There might be other factors, but by and large, the house should accommodate us for a long time. Everything we need is on the main level, the doorways are wide, the handles on things are easy to use, the bathrooms have been designed to be safe as we age, and we can enter (from the garage) without encountering any stairs.”
Betsy added, “We don’t want to look like we are living in ‘the home’ but we are mindful of making sure our house works for us, not the other way around.”
Other ways the home has been specifically readied for the family’s comfortable aging are a zero-entry shower in the primary bath, reinforced walls for future support rails if needed, and easily accessible first-floor, attic-type storage. Additionally, the finishes–especially on the exterior–were selected for low maintenance and hardiness, requiring less constant attention and energy.
During the build process, the entire team–homeowners, architects, designer, construction leads–met every week, and often visited the site for a walk-through. This allowed them to make even the tiniest pivots and customizations, like adding a concealed cat box and builtin dog crates, reinforcing the laundry room as a storm-safe room, and adding a laundry upstairs. The process was so intentional and so personalized that the home is the epitome of tailor-made.
"Our goal was to create a residence that feels both extraordinary and deeply personal–the best homes are those that feel as though they could only exist for a particular family and on a particular site,” said Shapiro. “Our role was to listen carefully and create a home that feels timeless, welcoming and uniquely theirs."
Robbie & Laura MARSICO
FEBRUARY 21, 2026 | MEMPHIS, TN
PARENTS OF THE BRIDE: RANDY AND LYNN ROWLAND MOTHER OF THE GROOM: ROBBIN MARSICO
CELEBRATE LIFE’S BIGGEST MOMENTS AT SEA WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Article and Photos Courtesy of Barbara May of Travel Leaders
Somecelebrations deserve more than a dinner reservation or weekend getaway. They deserve sunsets over endless ocean horizons, champagne toasts under the stars, and the kind of shared experiences families and friends talk about for years to come. Whether it’s a milestone birthday, anniversary, graduation, retirement, reunion or simply a chance to reconnect with the people who matter most, Royal Caribbean transforms celebrations into extraordinary journeys. Today’s travelers are searching for experiences that feel meaningful, immersive and unforgettable. Royal Caribbean has mastered the art of combining adventure, luxury, entertainment and connection in a way few vacations can match. Every ship becomes a floating destination filled with energy, discovery, relaxation and moments designed to bring people together.
From the moment guests step onboard, the atmosphere feels electric. Music drifts through open-air promenades, ocean breezes accompany handcrafted cocktails, and every deck offers something new to discover. One moment, you’re racing down waterslides with the kids, and the next, you’re enjoying an elegant dinner overlooking the sea. Royal Caribbean creates a vacation experience where every generation can celebrate in their own way–together.
A NEW ERA OF CELEBRATION AT SEA
Royal Caribbean continues to redefine what cruising can be with an expanding fleet of innovative ships designed for travelers who want more than a traditional vacation. The newest arrivals aren’t simply ships, they’re immersive destinations built around excitement, connection and unforgettable experiences.
One of the most anticipated debuts, Legend of the Seas, begins sailing in the Mediterranean in July 2026, arriving in Fort Lauderdale in November. Designed with families and multi-generational travelers in mind, the ship combines thrilling attractions with meaningful spaces for togetherness. Guests can expect elevated entertainment, imaginative family experiences, and personalized touches that make every sailing feel special. Even Skipper the dog, Royal Caribbean’s lovable mascot, adds to the playful and welcoming atmosphere onboard.
Looking ahead to 2027, Hero of the Seas is poised to become one of the most exciting family vacation experiences ever created at sea. Sailing from Miami, the ship introduces groundbreaking attractions designed to keep every age entertained from morning to night. Guests will discover nine pools, spectacular new waterslides including the first funnel raft slide at sea, and an astonishing collection of dining venues ranging from upscale culinary experiences to casual favorites.
For families, the ship’s immersive experiences create opportunities to bond in entirely new ways. Interactive cooking classes invite children and parents to create memories together, while the threestory Ultimate Family Treehouse transforms accommodations into part of the adventure itself. Royal Caribbean understands that celebrations aren’t only about destinations they’re about the moments shared along the way.
WHERE THE JOURNEY BECOMES THE CELEBRATION
Part of what makes a Royal Caribbean vacation so memorable is the ability to wake up somewhere extraordinary almost every day. With sailings around the world, every itinerary offers its own personality and style of celebration.
The Caribbean remains a favorite for travelers seeking warmth, relaxation and vibrant island energy. Stops in the Bahamas, Jamaica and St. Maarten offer turquoise waters, colorful culture and endless opportunities for adventure. Guests can spend their mornings snorkeling in crystal clear seas and their evenings dancing beneath the stars onboard.
One of the most talked-about destinations is Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island paradise in the Bahamas. Here, travelers can choose their own version of the perfect celebration day. Some unwind in overwater cabanas and adults-only beach clubs, while others chase adrenaline on towering waterslides or float peacefully through tropical lagoons. Families can spread out across expansive beaches while couples sneak away for quiet oceanfront moments. It’s the kind of destination where every traveler finds their own rhythm.
Europe offers an entirely different style of celebration, one steeped in romance, history and cultural discovery. In 2027, Royal Caribbean will sail some of its most impressive ships throughout the Mediterranean and beyond, visiting legendary destinations across Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Croatia and Morocco.
Particularly exciting are the open-jaw itineraries aboard Mariner of the Seas®, sailing from iconic cities like Barcelona, Lisbon, Ravenna, and Rome. These journeys allow travelers to experience multiple cultures in one seamless vacation, combining the excitement of exploration with the ease and comfort of cruising.
Imagine celebrating an anniversary while overlooking the whitewashed cliffs of Santorini, or gathering family together for wine and laughter in a seaside café along the Amalfi Coast. Every port becomes part of the story.
For travelers craving unforgettable shore experiences, Royal Caribbean continues to elevate its excursions. The Ultimate Santorini Day, that has just launched. It offers guests the chance to explore the famous blue-domed villages of Oia and Fira while soaking in breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. Experiences like these transform a vacation into something deeply personal and memorable.
Beyond Europe and the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean also sails to Alaska, Asia, Australia, and beyond. Nature lovers can celebrate surrounded by glaciers and wildlife in Alaska, while adventurous travelers can immerse themselves in the vibrant energy of cities like Singapore, Sydney, and Hong Kong. Even transatlantic and repositioning cruises have become sought-after experiences for travelers who want a slower, more immersive journey across oceans and cultures.
LIFE ONBOARD: DESIGNED FOR EVERY GENERATION
What truly sets Royal Caribbean apart is its ability to create experiences for every traveler without sacrificing togetherness. Grandparents, parents, teenagers, and young children can all enjoy the vacation in their own way while still reconnecting throughout the day.
Adventure seekers can surf on the FlowRider®, zipline high above the ship, or conquer towering rock-climbing walls. Those seeking relaxation can retreat to luxurious spas, adults-only solariums, or quiet oceanfront lounges. Food lovers can indulge in everything from upscale steakhouse dining to sushi, Italian specialties, and international cuisine curated by world-class chefs.
Evenings onboard feel especially magical. Broadway-style productions, live music, aqua shows, and dazzling entertainment create an atmosphere of nonstop excitement. One night might include a romantic dinner and jazz performance, while the next features laughter-filled family karaoke or dancing beneath the stars on the pool deck.
Ships like Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas continue to wow guests with groundbreaking technology and experiences like the North Star observation capsule, which lifts guests high above the ocean for breathtaking panoramic views. Meanwhile, ships such as Ovation of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas blend elegance, entertainment, and adventure into unforgettable voyages.
No matter the occasion, Royal Caribbean offers flexible spaces for celebrations of every size from intimate vow renewals and anniversary dinners to elaborate birthday parties and multi-generational reunions. Private dining rooms, lounges, outdoor terraces, and poolside venues create endless possibilities for personalized gatherings at sea.
CELEBRATIONS MADE EFFORTLESS
Celebrations Made Effortless
One of the greatest luxuries of a Royal Caribbean vacation is how effortless the experience feels. Instead of coordinating hotels, restaurants, transportation, and activities separately, everything flows together seamlessly.
Celebration packages allow guests to personalize their experience with custom cakes, decorations, private events, photography packages, and special surprises delivered directly to their stateroom. Families and groups can focus less on logistics and more on enjoying time together. Cruising also provides tremendous value for travelers celebrating special occasions. Accommodations, dining, entertainment, and transportation between destinations are all included, allowing guests to experience more while simplifying budgeting and planning.
For many travelers, the ease of having every detail thoughtfully coordinated becomes part of the joy itself.
THE MEMORIES THAT STAY WITH YOU!
The most unforgettable celebrations aren’t always about the event itself they’re about the moments surrounding it. Watching a sunset from your balcony after a day exploring ancient European streets. Laughing together over dinner after a thrilling afternoon at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Seeing grandparents and grandchildren share adventures they’ll remember forever.
Royal Caribbean creates the kind of environment where those moments happen naturally. Every voyage becomes more than a vacation. It becomes a collection of shared experiences, spontaneous adventures, and meaningful connections that linger long after returning home.
Whether travelers are celebrating a milestone anniversary, a graduation, a family reunion, or simply the joy of being together, Royal Caribbean offers an extraordinary backdrop for life’s most meaningful occasions.
Because sometimes the best way to celebrate life is to set sail toward something unforgettable.
With the experienced team at Travel Leaders Collierville guiding every detail, from selecting the perfect ship and stateroom to arranging shore excursions, dining reservations, and special onboard surprises, you can relax knowing your vacation is thoughtfully planned from beginning to end.
Let your next celebration sail beyond the ordinary. Contact Travel Leaders Collierville for an appointment at 901-853-6200 to schedule your personal travel consultation and begin planning your Royal Caribbean journey. Visit us at 1125 Poplar View Lane, Suite #3 in Collierville, where our team will help craft every detail of your experience from unforgettable destinations to meaningful onboard moments so you can focus on what matters most: celebrating, connecting, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
Watermelon Feta Salad
WATERMELON FETA SALAD
When the heat of summer sets in, entertaining calls for dishes that are as effortless as they are beautiful. This watermelon feta salad is bright, refreshing and perfectly balanced—an easy appetizer that instantly elevates any table.
INGREDIENTS
WATERMELON, CUT INTO CUBES
FETA CHEESE BLOCK, CUT INTO CUBES
CUCUMBER, SLICED
BLACKBERRIES
FRESH MINT, FINELY SLICED
OLIVE OIL
TAJÍN
INSTRUCTIONS
Cut watermelon and feta into evenly sized cubes. Slice or gently tear mint into thin ribbons. On a large serving platter, alternate rows of watermelon and feta to create a checkerboard pattern. Scatter cucumber and blackberries throughout the platter for color and texture. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, then finish with a delicate sprinkle of Tajín. Garnish with fresh mint just before serving!
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The Patterns Between Us: Understanding the Adult Parent Adult Child Relationship
STORY BY MICHELLE JOHNS MA, LPC-MHSP (TEMP), NCC, 200 HR E-RTY, 500 HR RYT
themost
important question
I have ever asked myself and continue to ponder is “How did I get here?” The question inspires reflection. The journey it takes me on is filled with moments of gratitude, grief, sadness, pain, peace, satisfaction and joy. It is a journey of my life and lessons–aha moments. It would be futile if not used to spur transformation and deeper connection both internally (with myself) and externally (with others). I was 37ish when I first pondered the question. I had a great appreciation for my life, and I knew I had overcome a lot to get where I was. I could have been satisfied with the fact that I had gotten where I was, but understanding how I got there seemed an important question to answer. The answer shone a light on success and also revealed I might have an opportunity to do things differently. Perhaps I could stop living in the extreme fight-or-flight responses I was using to navigate life.
In all honesty, I had no idea I was living in extreme fight-or-flight responses. Initially, the question revealed I was mostly living in fight mode. I was constantly pushing myself, my husband, my children and people I worked with to do more and be more.
There is a phrase often used in exercise class, “no pain, no gain.” Often in exercise we are encouraged to “kick our own butts.” It was in exercise that I realized how much I was kicking my own butt and not only was I kicking mine, but I was kicking others as well.
Please don’t miss understand me, life was good, it was fine. I have lifelong friends who love me, a husband AND children who adore me. I am blessed by God with great talents and gifts. I am also VERY human, which means I am flawed. It is the flaws that create the chasms in relationships. While I could discount them by pointing out all of the ways I am better than my flaws, it is in recognizing them and transforming them that I have transformed and deepened my most treasured relationships--the ones with my husband and my children.
I could have “skated by” in life and stayed the course, and my family and friendships would be “fine.” However, the question, “How did I get here?” motivated me to take a deeper and honest look into my behaviors and patterns. It motivated me to greater understanding internally. In the process of discovery, I gained greater compassion for myself, I gave blame where it was deserved, and I took accountability where I needed. I began the process of transformation.
It was that journey and process of transformation that helped me see how my parenting style had influenced my adult relationships with my adult children. Specifically, my oldest child. The one who had been with me the longest. The one who had to endure the most of my firsts. The one who first revealed to me a love greater than I could ever have imagined. In my quest to protect my children from all the ills and dysfunction I had experienced in my life, I was a very rigid
and authoritative parent. I had very high expectations of my children. I was very strict with my children. Which meant they learned to navigate life around my expectations while still exploring life as humans becoming their own individuals. They pushed boundaries, made decisions with their peers, and withheld parts of themselves that didn’t fit my expectations. They would, of course, come to me when they found themselves in a situation that had gotten out of control and they had nowhere else to turn.
With my oldest son, we had developed a song and dance that included him pushing boundaries and limits to let me know he was no longer under my authority, tip-toeing around each other in order to keep the peace, and also quietly holding in tension until something small became the breaking point we were trying so hard to avoid. The breaking point ultimately created the very chaos we were working so carefully to prevent.
It was one of those breaking point moments that I finally stepped into a courageous space and invited him into a conversation with the help of a therapist to change our relationship. The courage to take this step was possible because of the internal reflection and work I had first done on my own. I knew there were things we needed to walk through. There were things I needed to apologize for–the misattunement in some places in my parenting, the overbearing style I presented in an effort to protect, the lack of understanding of how he was experiencing life with me as his parent. As the parent, I had set the stage for the pattern,
and it was my responsibility to courageously speak to it and invite my child into a conversation to change our relationship.
My situation reveals one type of pattern. The other one many find themselves living with their adult children is the perpetual song and dance to keep the peace. The one where no one speaks to the tension and they quietly withdraw and disconnect.
In my counseling practice, it is most common that people I see developed patterns of behaviors during their childhood that impact their current relationships. When given time for reflection and insight they discover they navigate their relationships with their spouse and children based on the way they learned to navigate their relationships with their parents. Most often when people come to see me, their relationship with their parents is a significant factor of their therapy.
Our homes are meant to be spaces we share with the people we treasure the most. Our family! If you find yourself caught in the tension of wanting a deeper and more meaningful relationship with your adult children, I encourage you to step courageously into the lived story of your life with your children. Begin to be curious about how you showed up when they were growing up and how that might be impacting your current relationship. It might be fine, but could it be great?
Søren Kierkegaard posited "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." To move forward, we first look backward.
HOME FEATURE
Special Thanks -
Anna Lattimore Design
annalattimoredesign.com
Shapiro & Company Architects shapiroandco.com Tim Disalvo & Company
timdisalvo.com
TRAVEL
Special ThanksTravel Leaders
901.853.6200, 901.377.6600
HEALTHY YOU
Special ThanksMichelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com
IN THE KITCHEN
Special ThanksMade by Molly @__madebymolly
ON A GOOD NOTE
Special ThanksJunior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid South jamemphis.org
Southwind Seniors Earn Spot at National Junior Achievement Competition
Four seniors from Southwind High School recently won the regional Junior Achievement (JA) Stock Market Challenge, earning the opportunity to represent the Mid-South at the JA National Future Bound Competition in Boston, Mass., June 7–11. In the regional competition, Team 901Spunk demonstrated exceptional financial knowledge, teamwork and strategic thinking, ultimately posting an impressive 21.7 percent return on their mock investment portfolio.
Hosted by Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South and presented by Wells Fargo and Donnell Cobbins, Jr. Futures Trust, with education sponsorship from New York Life, the JA Stock Market Challenge is a fast-paced simulation that condenses 60 days of stock trading into just 60 minutes. Students must react to market conditions, analyze financial information, and make rapid investment decisions while working together under pressure.
Team 901Spunk members Mark Moore Jr., Cedric Tate, Marcaleb Henderson and London Fletcher made history as the first-ever team to represent Memphis and the
STORY BY BETH OKEON
Mid-South at the national event. Competing against top teams from across the country, these students brought the grit and determination of the 901 to the national stage. The experience extended far beyond competition, giving students the courage to compete and the opportunity to learn from business leaders, connect with peers from across the country, and explore the opportunities their futures can hold.
The students were guided by Angela Higgs Monie, personal finance teacher at Southwind High School, whose instruction and encouragement helped prepare the team for success. Their achievement reflects not only individual talent but also the value of careerconnected learning experiences that equip students with real-world financial and professional skills.
Choose901 provided the four seniors with Memphisthemed clothing and swag to help Team 901Spunk represent our region in style.
For more information on Junior Achievement, visit www.jamemphis.org or call 901.366.7800.
