Community

COMMUNITY NEWS Exchange Club Recognizes USJ Students

University School of Jackson students have been recognized as “Youth of the Month” by the Jackson Exchange Club “for accomplishment and in recognition of the outstanding quality of leadership.” This recognition was earned by Stephanie Nnaji in December, Mmesoma Nwokolo in January and Blair Driver in February.

The Jackson Exchange Club’s Youth of the Month program honors outstanding students in the community who have exhibited excellence in academics and leadership. This monthly program not only enhances career opportunities for those honored, it also promotes good citizenship, a desire for greater scholastic achievement, and the development of wellrounded personalities to other young adults in the community.

Junior Rotarians Selected

Congratulations to seniors John Dougan, Sadie Hanna, Lilly Mitchell, Stephanie Nnaji, Henry Piercey, and Caroline Wilkerson who represented USJ as Junior Rotarians for the 2021-2022 school year.

The Junior Rotarian program provides for one representative from each school to attend a local Rotary Club weekly meeting for a designated month. Each Junior Rotarian is under consideration for the annual Rotary Scholarship, and typically one student from each school is selected as a scholarship recipient. We are proud of these young Rotarians and look forward to who they will become in the future.

2021-2022 Class of Leadership University

University School of Jackson juniors Zainab Baba, Ijeoma Oleru, Charley Cloud, Sanchita Jinturkar, Caroline Conder, Will Ragon, Owen Stonecipher, and John Carr Ryan were selected to participate in the Jackson Chamber’s Leadership University Class of 2021-2022.

Leadership University is a youth leadership development program for Jackson-Madison County and is made up of a diverse group of high school juniors that demonstrate leadership potential. The program started in 1999 as a team class project of Leadership Jackson, LU prepares participants to become responsible, ethical leaders that make a positive difference in others as well as their community by creating awareness in all aspects of the community. The five-month program is designed to identify a diverse group of high school students who demonstrate leadership potential, to develop in an interactive environment, the framework for constructive leadership, committed involvement, and responsible participation in the future of this community. It has developed into the premier youth leadership program in Jackson.

During the program, class members completed 32 classroom hours and six hours of community service. LU students discussed ethical leadership with local leaders, participated in mock job interviews, tackled alcohol and drug issues, and participated in other activities. The program helps the class members see their community from different viewpoints and focus on where they can make a positive difference.

USJ Students Perform in The Nutcracker with Ballet Arts

University School of Jackson students, Mimi Campbell (eleventh grade), Olivia Botter (eighth grade), Caroline Alea (eighth grade), Matilda Campbell (seventh grade), and Emi Hammond (seventh grade) danced in the 40th anniversary of Ballet Arts of Jackson’s Nutcracker performance December 10-12, 2021 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. During this enchanting Christmas Eve adventure, audience members were transported to a magical land with Clara, Mouse King, and the Sugarplum Fairy.

Since 1973, Ballet Arts has enriched the lives of thousands of dancers and patrons and is a staple in the arts community in West Tennessee. The company produces two annual performances including the longest-running Nutcracker in West Tennessee and a spring performance. The program gives students the opportunity to train and perform in front of a 2,200 seat audience while also dancing alongside professional dancers from companies like American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Paris Opera Ballet.

Students Spread Joy to the Community at Christmas

In September, students at the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools joined forces with other local private schools to collect 56,130 lbs for RIFA!

The RIFA food drive was completely student led this year by the SGA, who organized collection, and determined incentives for class participation.

The RIFA Food Bank collects and distributes food to other nonprofits in Madison County and the neighboring counties that serve individuals through their programs, shelters, food pantries, etc. Through food industry donations and community food drives, food contributions come to RIFA to help meet area needs.

The Food Bank warehouses the food and with help from volunteers, sorts, packs, and re-distributes it to partnering agencies. Each year RIFA assists more than 20 nonprofits in seven counties, distributing 100,000 pounds of food or more.

Each year at Christmas, different clubs, teams, and grades at USJ choose unique service projects to give back to the community.

Last year, Jr. K classes stocked the pantry and closet for the Dream Center with coats, clothes, diapers, food, and cleaning supplies.

Second grade students collected items for care packages for patients at the Kirkland Cancer Center. Items included warm socks, chapstick, lotion, and books.

Upper School students adopted families from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Their mission was to purchase items needed from a list provided by “angels” who participated in the program.

Thank you to all of our families who helped fulfill a variety of needs in the community this Christmas season. You truly are an excellent example of what it means to be a Bruin.