EMPATHY, REACHING OUT IMPORTANT LESSONS OF HEIFER INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

JA continued two key experiential learning opportunities this year...both related to Heifer International, but designed differently for each age group. Lower School students raised money to help purchase animals to benefit impoverished families around the world. In Middle School, sixth graders visited Heifer Village in Arkansas for an overnight experience that reenacts what life is like living in poverty.
 
Lower School Gives 38 Animals...from Heifers to Honeybees
 
The Lower School has supported Heifer International for several years. "Three years ago, we moved it to coincide with Easter and started asking the students to earn the money that they donate rather than just asking their parents for money," said Lower School Dean Sarah Love. "Throughout the fundraising period, the teachers show videos about Heifer, and I read them stories about the families who have been helped as well as information about the ways that the different animals are used to help families. Each grade sets a goal to raise enough money to buy certain animals that Heifer gives to the families."
 
Students earned money to purchase the animals by doing chores for their families or neighbors, selling lemonade or cookies, or even bringing money from their own savings. Each grade created a display where the students used cutout paper animals to write about the work they did to earn money.
 
The students donated $5,079.52! They were able to buy 38 animals, from heifers to honeybees. "We are so proud of their hard work and their generous hearts for families around the world!" said Sarah Love.
 
Sixth Graders Face What Poverty Feels Like
 
Sixth graders traveled to Heifer Village for an experiential learning field trip. Students and chaperones were assigned to an impoverished village representing a part of the world supported by Heifer International. They stayed overnight, having to function with the resources they would have if truly living in that village. They experienced firsthand a lack of food and resources coupled with the necessity of sharing and working together for survival.
 
Faculty member and chaperone Audrey Wilkirson was impressed by the reactions of students. "They are so willing to try new things," said Wilkirson. "At Heifer Village, they are put in groups not of their own choosing. Even for adults, this is something that can be difficult, particularly when you are also in an unfamiliar situation. We believe these challenges are good learning experiences that help students adjust to a variety situations where interaction with others and cooperation are critical to success."
 
The JA Heifer Village trip is in its second year. Nic Henderson, coordinator of the character-building and experiential program, Soar, believes that word has gotten around JA about the value of the Heifer Village trip. This year there were only a couple of questions raised in advance. Also, sixth grade teachers provide information to students before the trip and reinforce lessons learned with classroom activities after the trip.
 
For a look at this story in detail, see the coverage of JA's Heifer Village trip in the Clarion-Ledger.

ARCHERS AIM FOR PRECISION

The Archery Team was formed in the 2014-15 school year and has had an active season this year. They participate in the high school AAAA division in a program called Archery in Mississippi Schools (AIMS). Bill Bunch and Mallory Gnemi coach the team.

Students have participated in five tournaments --- two hosted at JA against Christ Covenant and Hartfield Academy, one at Germantown Middle, one in Coffeeville (North State Tournament), and one in Jackson (State Tournament).

Archery team members include Karla Brown, Zach Brown, Owen Carter, Gunner Cress, Hudson Hadley, Samuel Hadley, Ann Cole Hammons, Marcus Harris, Nicholas Harris, Michael Hederman, Caleb Hernandez, Harrison Johnston, Katherine Kelly, Gracie Drew Pratt, Olivia Quin, Jude Reeves, Kendall Ross, Logan Thomas, Laila Wilkens, Skylar Wilkins, Fran Wilkirson, and Annalee Willson.

A team score in archery, a co-ed sport, is the sum of scores of the top 12 archers with at least four of the 12 top scores to be from a different gender, whether boys or girls. The team score at the AIMS (North State Qualifier March 21-23) was 2,584. At North State, seventh grader Caleb Hernandez was ranked at No. 42 out of the top 100 male scores and No. 48 out of all scores. That is 48 out of 1,425 scores. The team score from the AIMS State Tournament last week was 2,603.

Archery is considered the fastest growing sport nationally and in Mississippi according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website. The site notes that the program, which began in 2005 with 10 schools, is now in almost 500 schools and in 50 counties with more than 70,000 students participating each year. The first statewide Archery Invitational was held in Mississippi in 2011 with 400 student archers competing; and that number has expanded to over 3,900 student archers competing annually in the AIMS State Championships. Mississippi students also rank at the highest levels in both national and international archery competitions every year.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPEECH & DEBATE

'HONK' IF YOU'LL BE THERE

Adapted for young performers, Honk! Jr. is a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences with its sparkling wit, unique charm, and memorable score. Witty and hilarious, but also deeply moving, Honk! Jr. will treat audiences to equal amounts of laughter and tears.

Ugly looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother's protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out being different is not a bad thing to be.

Friday, April 15: 7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 16: 7:00 p.m.

Premium Seating Admission: $15 Regular Seating Admission: $10 Student/Faculty Admission: $5

Tickets for Honk! Jr. can be purchased online here or at the door.

MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION

A century's worth of sibling squabbles is boiled down into ten vignettes in this era-hopping tribute to family. Each short play explores a distinct facet of brother and sisterhood, from fights over who caused mom and dad to split (1985: I'm Pretty Sure This Is Your Fault) to daring escape plots that only two sisters could pull off (1922: Very Very Cold Feet). No matter the decade, audiences will see themselves in these ten distinct shorts about the undeniable bond between siblings through the ages.

Saturday, April 23: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24: 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 25: 6:30 p.m.

Premium Seating Admission: $15 Regular Seating Admission: $10 Student/Faculty Admission: $5

Tickets for Mutually Assured Destruction can be purchased online here or at the door.