ACADEMIC NEWS University School of Jackson Students Inducted into Prestigious Academic Honor Societies

Academic excellence is one of the cornerstones that the University School of Jackson was built upon in 1970. As West Tennessee’s premier college preparatory school, USJ strives to help each student maximize their potential, beginning with development curriculum pre-kindergarten and continuing with Advanced Placement courses in the Upper School. USJ is proud of the high percentage of students selected to participate in various honor societies including but not limited to the Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Tri-M Honor Society, and the National Art Honor Society. Each honor society has unique requirements, but all have strict demands regarding GPA, AP or honors courses, and volunteer hours.

The Science National Honor Society is a prominent scientific organization that engenders a new group of young thinkers who will be the future of industry, research, and scientific exploration for America.

New members include Madelyn Badgett, Mimi Campbell, Brilee Davis, Chester Evans, Amelia Freeman, Tripp Hooper, Ashlynn Isbell, Gracie Lin, Bailey Miller, Madeline Miller, Khushi Patel, Anderson Preston, Will Ragon, Abe Stonecipher, Owen Stonecipher, Corinne Sullivan, Toni Tremblay, and Ella West.

Faculty Advisor: Jane Ramer

The Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor

Society inspires an interest in mathematics, develops strong scholarship in the subject, and promotes the enjoyment of mathematics in high school students.

New members include Kennedy Creech, Autumn Hanna, Gracie Lin, Ty Oneal, Berkeley Pettigrew, and Davis Sain.

Faculty Advisor: Tina Plunk

The International Thespian Society is an honorary group for high school theatre students and a division of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). The mission of ITS is to honor student excellence in the theatre arts.

New members include Anna Badgett, Kamryn DePriest, Mary Caryl Gwatney, Hayden Hight, Noah Martin, Reyn Montgomery, and Taylor Prince.

Faculty Advisor: Erica Davidson

The Tri-M Honor Society is a program of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), which focuses on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy.

New members include Catherine Bell, Reilly Denaburg, Mary Caryl Gwatney, Alli Harbin, Hayden Hight, Kenley Hines, Aydon Isbell, Jade Jones, Rebekah Lafferty, Amelia Lutrell, Noah Martin, Reyn Montgomery, Diego Montoya, Matthew Murray, Paige Persons, Sophie Whybrew, and Chase Wimer.

Faculty Advisor: Dian Eddleman

The National Art Honor Society supports student members in their efforts to attain the highest standards in art scholarship, character, and service.

New members include Zainab Baba, Sydney Burke, Josie Dougan, Mary Caryl Gwatney, Mary Hooper, Vinita Kumari, Lidiah Mahalati, Bryleigh McCord, Alivia Newman, Vaidehi Prasad, Jane Claire Ragon, Jenna Schultz, Bolton Smith, Olivia Welch, Maggie Wright, Macy Smith, Stella Spencer, and Leven Van Winkle.

Faculty Advisor: Leah Hackett

Fifth Grade Students Experience History In New Way at Discovery Park

The 5th grade class visited Discovery Park of America in Union City on October 3rd. While there, the group experienced the full history of Northwestern Tennessee in a nutshell. From colonial life to Davy Crockett, from Native American history to military history, our students were able to see it all, up close and personal. Some topics were general overviews, such as technology, agriculture, transportation, space, natural history, and more; but there were always specific tie-ins to West Tennessee.

“The best part of our trip was that former Tennessee Congressman John Tanner joined us to show us around his office replica,” said teacher Leslie Garrett. “The students loved this chance to interact and ask questions.”

“Visiting a place like Discovery Park makes history tangible for our students, so giving them the opportunity to experience so much of what we have discussed in class is important.”

Cassidy Bruno is Named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screen.

This year, University School of Jackson senior Cassidy Bruno was recognized as a National Merit Finalist. This award is reserved for the highest-achieving students in the nation, with only 7,600 Finalists out of 1.5 million applicants being selected to receive a Merit Scholarship® award.

Over 145 USJ students have received National Merit Recognition awards since 1973.

Cassidy Bruno is the daughter of Dr. Greg Bruno and Sondra Bruno and has attended USJ for 15 years. She was the founder and president of USJ’s Astronomy Club and served as secretary for the National Science Honor Society. A seven-year member of the USJ Band, Cassidy represented the school at All-West and played for numerous musicals at USJ. She also cheered competitively for 11 years outside of school for Jackson Cheer Company. An AP Scholar with Distinction, Cassidy was a member of multiple honor societies and was the recipient of numerous academic awards, including the Harvard Book Award. She was a Junior Rotarian, Volunteer for Boys and Girls Club, two-time first-place winner in Scholastic Art Competition, two-time national champion in All-Star Cheerleading, and was selected to attend Tennessee Governor’s School for Science and Engineering in Knoxville. Cassidy plans to major in Aerospace Engineering and continue her passion for creativity and visual arts in college.

“Cassidy joins USJ’s extensive list of National Merit alumni that dates back to 1973. This program not only provides scholarships but also aids these students in their acceptance to schools and programs with selective admissions requirements,” says Director of College Advising Carol Ryan.