JA Upper School students had another very successful year competing in the Scholastic Art Competition. For 2016, 22 of our students in grades nine through twelve earned a total of 38 awards, including six Gold Key individual and one Gold Key portfolio. Visit facebook.com/JAUpperSchoolArt to see all of our winning entries.

JA will host a speech and debate tournament on campus February 19-20. The event is expected to bring 200 students to campus from the northern part of Mississippi and the Jackson area. Students who quality in this event can travel to Sacramento, Calif. in May for a national tournament.

The speech and debate coaches of JA, St. Andrews, and JP are coordinating the event. The event leaders are currently seeking volunteers to judge debate, speech, and interpretation rounds and to provide other services such as serving food. Judge training is offered, but not required. To find out about volunteering, contact Lauren Ray at lray@jacksonacademy.org.

JA's speech and debate team has had a great start this year with 30 on the list of interested students and 10 who have already competed in tournaments. Competition season runs September to May, and students can elect to attend tournaments that fit their schedule.

Coach Sherard Shaw led the JA Raider football team to the school's first football championship in 1995 and is remembered fondly by the JA community.

The Sherard Shaw Foundation's "Gold Ribbon Night of Hope" is scheduled for Saturday, February 6 at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. It will be a fun filled evening with live music, food, and a silent auction! Come join the Sherard Shaw Foundation family and friends as they kick off their mission with this first event! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  www.sherardshaw.org.