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2 • SEPTEMBER 2023

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8 • JULY 2023

FROM OUR 

CONSULTING EDITOR 

This month’s issue celebrates back-to-school. 

After enjoying what has been declared his best-summeryet-in-his-whole-life, 

my son went back to college a couple of 

weeks ago to start his junior year. Time has literally flown, and 

he’ll be done with this “season” in short order. Like the song says, 

“these are the good old days.” It speaks to being present in the 

moment—something I could often do a better job of myself. 

And while it’s been well established that time is a thief, it’s the 

way we spend our time that’s important. With the turn of every 

page of the calendar, we lose opportunities—I’m talking about 

opportunities to start over, to do something nice for someone, 

to affect change. So, I challenge everyone reading this to be 

intentional with your time. 

In this issue we meet young change-makers and the 

teachers, coaches, and administrators that influence them. 

Never underestimate the impact you all have on these kids. 

That certainly falls into the category of time well-spent. 

Thank you for your commitment to our young people. 

These are the good old days, indeed. To everyone that 

finds themselves in this season as well, we wish you the 

very-best-year-of-your-whole-life-ever, right now. 

PUBLISHER & EDITOR 

Tahya Dobbs 

LAYOUT DESIGN 

Daniel Thomas 

3dt 

HOMETOWN STAFF 

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 

Barbie Bassett 

CFO 

Kevin Dobbs 

STAFF 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

Othel Anding 

CONTENT MANAGER 

Susan Wolgamott 

CONSULTING EDITOR 

Mary Ann Kirby 

STAFF 

ASSISTANT 

Debby Francis 

ADVERTISING 

ASSISTANT 

Melissa Kennon 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

ASSISTANT 

Alisha Floyd 

SPECIAL PROJECTS 

ASSISTANT 

Nikki Robison 

IN THIS ISSUE 

Reader Spotlight 15 

Preserving The Past, 

While Looking to the Future 16 

A Homeschool Journey 22 

Go Tell America 28 

A New Bridal Path 32 

Lessons From The Field 37 

Superfan Families 48 

Madison County Schools . . . . . . . . . . .62 

Salute to First Responders 120 

Rivals on the Field 122 

The Time Coin 130 

...see you around town. 

www.facebook.com/hometownmadisonmagazine. For subscription information visit www.htmags.com or contact us at info@HTMags.com / 601.706.4059 / 200 Felicity Street / Brandon, MS 39042 

All rights reserved. No portion of Hometown Madison may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The management of Hometown Madison is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers or editors. 

Hometown Madison maintains the unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted material. All advertisements are subject to approval by the publisher. The production of Hometown Madison is funded by advertising. 


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New Beginnings 

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Where Public Meets Private 

Coming Together for The Betterment of All 

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contribution they make towards our quality of life. 

135 Mississippi Parkway, Canton, MS 39046 | 601.707.3303 

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READER 

SPOTLIGHT 

Amanda 

WYRICK 

Why did you make Madison your home? 

When my husband and I graduated college, 

we decided we wanted to live in Madison due 

largely to the ambience of the community. 

Driving through town, I have always felt safe 

with the strong presence of law enforcement. 

The streets are always clean and public areas 

are well maintained. I love the way the city takes 

the time to decorate for holidays. Madison is 

an excellent place to have a family with its 

strong school systems. 

How long have you lived in Madison County? 

13 years 

Tell us about your family. 

I’m married to Brandon Wyrick from Laurel. 

We have been together since college. We have a 

Yorkie named Belle that loves to go on walks. 

We are expecting our first child later this year. 

He will be the first grandchild on my side and 

number nine on my husband’s. 

What is your favorite memory of living in 

Madison? 

I always love the Festival of Trees. We enjoy 

decorating our tree each year and watching 

the Christmas movie. 

Where are your three favorite places to eat in 

Madison? 

Local 463, Strawberry Café, Half Shell Oyster 

House. 

What are some fun things to do in Madison 

County on the weekends? 

Brunch at the Gathering, cooking school at 

Livingston, shopping at Rennaisance or the 

shops on Main Street, or a movie at Malco’s 

IMAX. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in your 

spare time. 

Reading, spin classes, brunch with friends, 

traveling. 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

I love to travel. Top three trips on bucket list are 

Italy, Alaskan cruise, and Maldives. 

Where do you see yourself in ten years? 

Working at Community Bank and living in 

Madison with my family. 

What is your favorite childhood memory? 

Family trips. Each summer we used to take a 

trip to a theme park or the mountains. 

If you could give us one encouraging quote, 

what would it be? 

There’s nothing wrong with being afraid. It’s not 

the absence of fear, it’s overcoming it. Sometimes 

you’ve got to blast through and have faith. - 

Emma Watson 



ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT 

Preserving the Past 

While Looking to the Future 

Susan Marquez 

Greg Johnston has a passion for restoring old homes. 

He comes by it naturally, spawning from sentimental reasons. 

“My grandparents, Esther and Bower Johnston, retired in the 

early 1970s and purchased a turn-of-the-century cottage at 

732 Magnolia Street in what is now the center of Madison.” 

Both of them loved antiques, and the house near the railroad 

tracks was an ideal location to open an antique business. 

They called it Williamsburg Antiques, and as a boy, Greg 

would cut the grass and gather pecans at the house. 

“I had a connection with this area at an early age.” 


That connection continues to be a strong one. In 2004, after 

practicing law for six years, Greg was ready to go out on his own. 

With the help of his parents, Brent and Cynthia Johnston, the cottage 

at 732 Magnolia was renovated to become the offices of Greg’s law 

firm, Gregory M. Johnston, Attorney at Law, P. C. It has all been a 

dream come true for Greg. “I love history, and I love old architecture. 

But I especially love the many great memories I have in this house 

that is now my office.” 

It wasn’t long before Greg set his sights on a property near his office 

located down the road at 742 Magnolia Street. “I believe it used to be 

associated with the school in some way.” It was an arts-and-crafts 

style home probably constructed in the 1930s. The building caught on 

fire after Greg moved into the house at 732 Magnolia Street. It was 

partially burned. “The Madison Fire Department was able to put out 

the fire before it was consumed,” says Greg. In 2005 he acquired the 

property and couldn’t bear to bulldoze it. “I decided to try to build it 

back, true to the period. We were fortunate to be able to restore it.” 

Two more buildings were constructed on the site in 2007. 

In 2010, the City approached Greg about a land swap. “Because 

of that, I acquired part of the lot at 736 Magnolia Street.” 

Greg, along with his business partner, Chuck Bell, began to see the 

potential in the serene area to the south of Greg’s office that is filled 

with large oak trees and pecan trees. Nestled between Magnolia Street 

and the original Madison-Ridgeland High School where generations 

of Madison County students were educated, the property they are 

developing runs between Montgomery Street on the east and Magnolia 

Street to the west. The south side of the property fronts Madison 

Avenue. When Johnston began to work on ideas for developing the 

property, he began referring to it as The Magnolia District. The 

name stuck. 

In 2018, Greg, along with Chuck, worked to acquire the original 

Price property, owned by Frances Price Cox. “I asked her about it 

on a regular basis over the years,” recalls Greg. “She was reluctant to 

sell it because it had been her family’s property for over 100 years. 

But she finally decided she’d sell it to us.” 


The property included the old home Mrs. Cox grew up in, most 

recently the location of Rock’s Barber Shop. “We also acquired the 

home where Mrs. Cox raised her family on Montgomery Street, and 

another tiny house on Madison Avenue and Montgomery Street. 

The small house was set back in the trees and hard to see if you weren’t 

looking for it.” 

The property where the three old homes were located was perfect 

for the kind of thoughtful development Greg had in mind for The 

Magnolia District. “I didn’t want to tear down the homes. I felt they 

were historic for the City of Madison, so I decided to have the first two 

moved in 2021. We completed renovations on the first two houses 

in 2022.” The homes were restored and repurposed. A law firm and 

insurance agency currently occupy two of the restored homes. A third 

building was moved in 2022 and renovations were completed in June 

2023. That building now also serves as a law office. 

If you have driven by the area lately, you have seen the two large 

buildings under construction. “It is the first phase of The Magnolia 

District,” says Greg. The 10,000-square-foot building will house 

The Foxtail, a Mediterranean fine dining establishment. “There is 

also a Foxtail in Downer’s Grove, Illinois,” explains Greg. “The chef, 

Maya Nahouli, once had a restaurant (Mezza) in Madison and she 

wanted to return. She convinced the owners of The Foxtail to open 

a second location in The Magnolia District.” The adjacent 6,000- 

square-foot building will have retail on the first floor and professional 

offices on the second floor. 

Greg is a seasoned developer in the 

area. “I was involved with the Fountains 

of Madison development,” he says. More 

is planned for The Magnolia District 

development. “We have eight more 

buildings planned down the road,” 

states Greg. “There is such a wonderful 

historic aspect to the area. It is so 

beautiful with all the old trees. My goal 

is for The Magnolia District to have a 

mini-Charleston or Savannah-like feel.” 


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A 

Homeschool 

Journey 

Temperance Babcock 

I grew up in a large, older home on Stanley Avenue, a tree-lined street in a small 

town in southern Oklahoma. I have many memories as a child practicing my violin 

on the porch of our home. The local feed mill was just a short distance up the 

road, and the odor of the feed mill wafted down Stanley Avenue, smelling like hot 

cherry pop tarts straight from the toaster. For those skeptics out there, I can 

confirm this through several fellow musicians that have visited my hometown. 


We were a homeschooling family. I had three siblings: my twin sister, 

and two younger brothers. Homeschooling blessed us with the time 

needed to develop our talents and giftings. My twin sister and I had 

started violin lessons at age four. By the time I was eleven, I knew I 

wanted to be a professional violinist and began practicing two to three 

hours every day. Felicia Moye accepted me into her studio at the 

University of Oklahoma at the age of thirteen and from that time 

forward, eight hours of practice a day was a requirement. I spent my 

high school summers at music camps and playing in orchestras around 

the country. And I loved every minute of it. 

My early training had been focused on classical violin. Shortly after 

high school I found myself drawn towards other genres of music, 

mainly bluegrass and country. This, of course, inspired me to move to 

Nashville where I had many opportunities to participate in pickin’ 

parties and jam sessions with numerous Grand Ol’ Opry musicians, 

learning many of their playing techniques, while supporting myself 

teaching others in my own studio. 

In 2004 I accepted a job offer teaching violin at a fine arts program 

in Tupelo. It was during that time that I met my husband, Chris. 

Shortly before we were married, Chris accepted a job in Jackson, and 

we’ve been here ever since. 

I played full time with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra my first 

year in Jackson. I met my good friends Bill Ellison and Jeff Perkins that 

year, and shortly after, the BTJ trio was born. 

Since my move to Mississippi, I have had the opportunity to play 

with some incredible artists such as Casting Crowns, Martina McBride, 

Michael Bolton, B.B. King, Jimmy Fortune, and Charlie Pride, to name 

a few. I have done work with PBS and other televised events. I play for 

weddings on weekends and teach violin several days a week. God has 

blessed me in so many different ways through my violin. 

In July of 2013 I experienced one of the greatest blessings of my life, 

the birth of my son. The birth of my daughter followed two years later. 

They are my world, my mission field, and my greatest responsibility. 

The decision to educate my children at home was an easy one. Proverbs 

22:6 instructs us to “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when 

he is old, he will not depart from it.” A truth I have been able to lean on 

is that God is faithful to provide every need I have to fulfill any purpose 

he has for my life. God does not leave his children to “figure things out” 

on their own. If we are walking in obedience to him, we will find his 

plan for our lives is far greater, and his provisions more abundant than 

anything we could devise. 

When my mother started homeschooling us in 1988, we were one of 

only two families in my hometown that homeschooled their children. 

At that time few people were even aware that homeschooling could be 

an option. Many people, when hearing about it the first time, were 

shocked and thought it should be illegal. Needless to say, there wasn’t a lot 

of support for homeschooling families in the ‘80s. That generation of 

homeschooling families were, without a doubt, the pioneers of their day. 

However, today there are so many support groups for homeschooling 

families I can’t keep track of them. In the Jackson metro area there are 

many co-ops that offer curriculum support and recommendations, 

along with classes, extracurricular activities, sports teams, language, 

music, etc. The list goes on and on. And more than likely, there’s one 

in your backyard! 

Within a ten-mile radius of my house, there are branches of CHEC, 

Reach, Impact, Jackson Classical, Classical Conversations, and The 

Friday Program. We have university model schools like St. Augustine, 

where kids will go a couple of days a week for classes and then spend the 

rest of the week at home doing their school work. There is, certainly, a 

homeschool model that will work well for your family dynamic should 

you feel the need to bring your family home. 

My friend Barbie Bassett shared her experience with me. 

“Homeschooling seemed like such a daunting task in 

the beginning because I didn’t know where to start. 

I connected with Jackson Classical, and it took what 

felt like the weight of the world off my shoulders. 

I wasn’t doing it all alone, but I had a group of people 

who knew more about homeschooling than I did at 

the time.” 

There are many reasons families choose to educate their children at 

home. Ms. Bassett shared, “We chose to homeschool so that we could 

spend more time with our kids while not being confined to school hours. 

Instead of learning through traditional textbooks, we would go see what 

we were learning about in person. It brings knowledge to life. We’ve 

also grown closer over the years as a family. That in itself is priceless.” 

There are many things to consider when making the decision to 

educate at home and the list seems to grow longer and longer, especially 

in today’s culture. 

The call to bring your children home may start as a gentle tug on 

your heartstrings, a small voice that stirs you to action. You may have 

already spent time on the internet researching how to educate your 

child at home, or you may have talked to homeschool parents. You may 

be feeling overwhelmed, not knowing where to start. That’s perfectly 

normal. 

God has blessed me in so many ways through educating my children 

at home. We can serve others more readily since we aren’t constrained 

to traditional school hours. Our church, Colonial Heights, has many 

homeschooling families that gather regularly to share experiences and 

encourage one another. I love my church family and homeschooling 

group, and I never feel alone. 

I still play live music when time allows. I still teach lessons and play 

weddings. But it all takes a back seat, for the time being, to answer the 

greater call to raise my children in the way the Lord has instructed me. 

If you feel led to bring your children home, please know that there 

is a great community out here ready to support and encourage you in 

this journey. 


Dr. Jason Cox 

Dr. Daniel Atkins 

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Cleanings and Exams 

Cosmetic and Restorative Procedures 

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Ryan Wade 

A MODERN DAY CRUSADE 

YOUTH RALLY 

Sunday, October 1, 6pm 

Pearl Pirate Auditorium 

METRO MS GOTELL CRUSADE 

Sunday, October 15 through 

Wednesday, October 18 

7pm nightly 

Brandon Amphitheater 

YOUTH NIGHT 

Wednesday, October 18, 7pm 

Brandon Amphitheater 

Free Pizza & Car Giveaway 


An excitement is welling 

up among people in the 

metro area about the soon-coming 

Metro Mississippi GO TELL AMERICA 

Crusade with Rick Gage which will take 

place at 7pm nightly on October 15-18 

at the Brandon Amphitheater. Gage is 

sometimes called “The Billy Graham of 

Small Towns” as he preaches the same 

message of Christian hope in smaller 

venues across the nation and the world. 

“Our purpose is to bring together all 

Bible-believing churches to present the 

Gospel message in a powerful way,” 

says Gage of the metro event. 

An evangelist from Georgia, Gage has 

been conducting evangelistic events since 

1986. At that time, Gage surrendered his 

life to full-time evangelistic ministry after 

coaching college football at Texas Tech 

and Liberty University. Gage followed in 

the footsteps of his late father Freddie 

Gage, an evangelist who was credited 

with leading over a million people to 

Christ during his 50 years of ministry. 

This October will not be the first time 

Gage has led an evangelistic effort in 

this area. In 2019, Gage led the Central 

Mississippi GO TELL AMERICA Crusade 

at Forest High School in Scott County. 

Over 600 decisions for Christ were 

recorded during that four-day campaign. 

The spiritual impact is still being felt from 

that effort. Since that time, work began to 

bring a GO TELL AMERICA Crusade to 

the metro area. 

A recent survey revealed that eighty 

percent of the metro-area is not connected 

to a church. With churches on every corner 

in our area, a large-scale event at a 

neutral site is often an effective way to 

share the life-changing message of Christ 

with those who are more apt to come to 

a place like the Brandon Amphitheater 

than an unfamiliar church building. 

A successful evangelistic outreach 

involves hundreds of Christ followers from 

local churches, businesses, and communities 

working together to reach their area. 

Conducted in cooperation with GO TELL 

AMERICA Crusades, each crusade begins 

with and is carried to completion by the 

local church, Gage noted. “These churches 

receive not only joyful benefits from 

the crusade but also spiritual renewal for 

many of their members,” Gage said. 

Leadership is the key to a large-scale 

effort like this. Chip Miskelly, a well-known 

local businessman, is leading this campaign 

along with hundreds of other volunteers. 

Miskelly noted, “I was at Billy Graham’s 

crusade in Jackson over forty years ago 

and it changed my life. My heart is for the 

youth and I’m excited to help bring this 

experience to our area to impact thousands 

with the life-changing message of 

salvation in Jesus Christ.” According to 

the North American Mission Board, more 

than 57 million students in America are 

lost and going to a Christless eternity. In 

the past two decades, there has been a 

42% decline in youth baptisms. 

While the crusade will be an inter-generational 

event each night, there is a large 

youth focus. On the final night of the 

crusade, October 18, students are invited 

to come early at 6 p.m. for a special 

emphasis called The Awakening. Free 

pizza will be served along with entertainment 

and giveaways. Noel Daniels of 

Noel Daniels Motor Company has donated 

a car to be given away to a student at the 

end of the evening. 

In addition to the crusade week at 

the Brandon Amphitheater, the effort will 

impact many in the metro region through 

outreach efforts such as neighborhood 

block parties. The crusade will also bring 

a condensed version into the prison 

system to share with thousands of 

incarcerated men and women. A byproduct 

of this effort is the unity of over one 

hundred churches working side-by-side 

for the common goal of sharing the good 

news of Jesus with people in need of 

hope. 

The crusade will happen every night 

at 7pm at the Brandon Amphitheater. 

The event is free, and all are welcome to 

attend. Believers are strongly encouraged 

to invite their family, friends, and neighbors 

who need to hear the message of change 

that Jesus can bring in a person’s life. 

Local churches provide personnel for the 

months of preparation, the crusade days, 

and the extensive follow-up with those 

who make decisions. Area churches are 

invited to participate in this crusade and 

can volunteer at the event website: 

www.metromsgotell.com. You can contact 

the local team by email at GoTellMetro@ 

gmail.com. As the crusade nears, updates 

will be posted on the Facebook page at 

“Metro MS Go Tell Crusade.” 





A New 

Susan Marquez 

Audrey Jarvis McCarty has to pinch herself 

from time to time to believe she makes a living 

doing something she has such a passion for. 

She has always loved weddings, as well as 

fashion and design. 

Since high school, Audrey has worked at The Bridal Path, 

a business with a fifty-year history in Mississippi of outfitting 

brides for their special day. “I was in college studying fashion 

design and merchandising when the opportunity arose for our 

family to buy the business. At the time, I was trying to decide 

what to do after graduation – maybe going to New York or 

something, but the Lord has a funny sense of humor.” 

Despite being a planner by nature, Audrey says the things 

that are the biggest deals in her life are the things she didn’t 

plan at all. “His plans are so much bigger than mine,” she says. 

Audrey was just 21 when she took over the business in 2018. 

“Owning The Bridal Path was my dream fulfilled, or at least I 

thought it was.” 


Five years down the road, the Bridal Path has outgrown its 

longtime location in Banner Hall in Jackson. “People just see 

the sales floor. They don’t realize how big our space there 

really is. We have 6,000 square feet in that location, and much 

of it is storage space. Even then, we are so limited in what we 

can do. We absolutely make the best use of the space we have, 

but it became very apparent that we needed to expand.” 

Audrey and her sister, Amelia, have lived in Madison all 

their lives. “When it came time to decide where we wanted to 

expand our business, there was no question that we wanted it 

to be in Madison.” The Jarvis family acquired prime real estate 

on the corner of Main Street and Madison Parkway. “We even 

used Madison architects,” says Audrey. 

Set to open in September, the new Bridal Path location 

features 12,000 square feet which will provide brides and their 

wedding party a one-stop shopping experience. 

A lot of thought went into the planning and design of the 

building. “We will have a much larger inventory, as well as an 

opportunity to provide a more intimate experience for brides. 

Brides will have privacy to try on then see the dresses with 

their family and friends in a comfortable space. A separate area 

is set up for alterations, with large mirrors and a chandelier so 

brides can see the finished product. A bridesmaids’ lounge will 

have separate dressing rooms. We will be able to do after-hour 

events with bridal parties with a mini-bar setup so they can 

bring in drinks and charcuterie to enjoy while dress shopping.” 

Shoes and other accessories to complete the look will be 

available as well. “We want a bride to visualize head-to-toe 

what she will look like on her wedding day.” The shop will also 

offer dresses for flower girls and mothers of the bride and groom. 

“We will have what I’m calling a ‘big occasions’ area that will 

include dresses for bridesmaids’ luncheons, rehearsal dinners, 

and white dresses for the bride to wear to those events.” 


But the main attraction at The Bridal Path is wedding 

dresses. “Picking a wedding dress is a big deal, and it can be 

a great memory. People travel from other states to shop with 

us, even from markets where there are plenty of options to buy 

wedding dresses. It’s our attention to detail and creating a 

special experience that pulls people to shop with us. We will 

be able to offer so much more in our new building. People 

have big aspirations for our store, and that means a lot to me.” 

The Bridal Path is a family affair. Amelia teaches sixth grade 

in Madison, but when she isn’t teaching, she can be found 

working at the store. “I love working with her,” says Audrey. 

“She does so much for the store, including going to market.” 

Their mother, Janie, is also involved with the business. “Anyone 

who has been in The Bridal Path on Saturdays has enjoyed the 

fresh cookies baked by our dad, Mike Jarvis,” says Audrey. She 

says with Mike’s background in building telecommunications 

towers, his knowledge of the construction business has been 

invaluable during the building process of the new store. 


Building a new store from the ground up has been a 

long and interesting process for Audrey. “It has been a good 

experience, filled with decisions I had no idea I would have 

to make. I’ve learned a lot, but one thing I have learned is 

that I don’t want to build a house any time soon!” 

Audrey got married shortly after they bought The Bridal 

Path, and now Amelia is planning her wedding. “It’s been an 

interesting process to plan her wedding while building the 

new store, but it’s been fun. We are both fortunate to have 

partners who are patient and supportive. They are our real 

cheerleaders.” 

www.bridalpathinc.com 


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36 • AUGUST 2023

Lessons 

____ 

from the ____ 

Field 

Few things generate the type of extreme excitement – 

often described as “religion” in the South – more than Football. 

We recently caught up with T.C. Taylor, Will Hall, lane kiffin, & zach arnett, 

for a Hometown Q&A, to find out what their days 

look like mere days leading up to kick-off. 



Coach Zach Arnett 

Building Bulldogs’ Program One Player At A Time 

Logan Lowery 

Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett experienced his first SEC 

Media Days at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on July 18, where he was 

asked dozens – if not hundreds – of questions from various news 

outlets from across the country. However, Arnett asked a question 

of his own during various stops throughout the afternoon. 

“You want to know what makes some of the brightest 

minds in all of football?” “Really good players,” Arnett said with 

a smirk. “When you have really good players and they’re executing 

and playing at a high level with the right intensity level and effort, 

that’s what makes you a pretty good coach. It has very little to do 

with the scheme.” 

Asking questions was how Arnett arrived at the decision to hire 

Kevin Barbay as his offensive coordinator during the offseason. 

Arnett spoke to numerous candidates for the position and began 

each interview with the questions ‘what is the identity of your 

offense and what does it look like when you run it out there?’ 

“It was really refreshing to hear Kevin say that he couldn’t give 

me that answer until he knew who the best 11 players are,” Arnett 

said. “When you have that level of humility it’s not about the coordinator 

or the scheme, it’s about identifying the best players and 

getting them on the field. Every year you’re going to have a whole 

different identity because it’s all about the players. Coaches and 

scheme don’t influence players, players influence and affect the 

scheme.” 

Barbay has proven his offense can adapt to the personnel 

available to him during his previous stops at Central Michigan and 

Appalachian State. Over the past two seasons, Barbay’s offense 

ranks in the top 20 nationally averaging 448 yards and 33.6 points 

per game. 

In 2021, Barbay’s offense at Central Michigan produced leading 

rusher in the country in Lew Nicholls III with 1,848 yards. This past 

season at Appalachian State, Barbay dialed up 21 plays of 40-plus 

yards (14 passing, seven rushing) which ranked eighth nationally 

while also finishing fifth in fewest negative yardage plays allowed. 

“Kevin’s done a really good job wherever he has been,” Arnett 

said. “They’ve been very efficient on the offensive side of the ball 

and very good at creating explosive plays. Everywhere he’s been 

it’s looked a little different because the players are different. Your 

job on offense is to get the ball in the most explosive 

player’s hands in as much space possible so they can 

do what they do. He recognizes that and has done that 

everywhere he has been.” 

Arnett has plenty of experience back on both sides 

of the ball with 11 starters returning, including the most 

experienced quarterback in the conference in Will Rogers, versatile 

running back Jo’Quavious Marks, four offensive linemen and the 

top two tacklers in the SEC in linebackers Jett Johnson and 

Nathaniel Watson. 

“We had a whole lot of guys who could have put their name in 

the transfer portal coming off of great seasons and didn’t,” Arnett 

said. “I think that speaks volumes about how they feel about our 

program and the direction that it’s headed.” 

Although MSU was forced into making an abrupt head coaching 

change in December following the tragic passing of Mike Leach, 

Arnett wants his Bulldog team to embody the same blue-collar 

characteristics that the program has earned a reputation for under 

Leach and his predecessors. 

“I hope our identity is a continuation of what Mississippi State has 

always had in our program – tough, hard-nosed and disciplined,” 

Arnett said. “That’s been acknowledged for a long time that when 

you line up to play against Mississippi State, you’d better pack a 

lunch box and hard hat because it’s going to be a physical game.” 

In order to do that, it’s imperative that Arnett and his staff recruit 

the right players to fit the program. Their intentions are to sign the 

homegrown talent within the borders of the Magnolia State and 

then expand their recruiting efforts out into the surrounding states. 

Of the 27 players Arnett brought in during his initial signing 

class, 16 came from programs within Mississippi and only Australian 

punter Keelan Crimmins came from outside of the Bulldogs 

deliberate recruiting footprint. 

“We live in the most fertile ground that there is for college 

football players in the state of Mississippi,” Arnett said. “Then you 

expand out from there into Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, 

Texas and Georgia…We’ve got to do a good job in the evaluation 

process and the recruiting process of showing them that they can 

achieve all of their dreams and everything is there for them at 

Mississippi State.” 

Numerous times throughout SEC Media Day, Arnett pointed 

towards some of the NFL’s elite players such as perennial Pro 

Bowlers Fletcher Cox, Dak Prescott, Darius Slay, Elgton Jenkins, 

Chris Jones and Jeffery Simmons along with the five first-round 

picks the Bulldogs have had in the past five seasons as players 

the program has consistently churned out year after year. 

Arnett is hopeful to continue that tradition of producing talented 

players and providing the Bulldogs’ fan base – one that he deemed 

“the most loyal in all of college football” - a team they can be proud 

to call their own. 

“Starkville, Mississippi and Mississippi State University 

are special places and they deserve to have a football 

team who is ready to line up, compete and is prepared 

to win some football games,” Arnett said. “That’s what 

our job is and what we’re all about so let’s get to work.” 


40 • SEPTEMBER 2023 

PHOTOS: Jackson State University

Coach T.C. Taylor 

What or who inspired you to become a coach? 

As a player, my dream was always to go to the NFL. And when that 

season of my life was over, I came back home. I got a call one day 

from a coach that was here at Jackson State when I was a player. 

He said, ‘Have you ever thought about coaching?’ I still wanted to 

be around the game, so it was a no brainer for me. I thought about 

the great coaches that molded me - James “Big Daddy” Carson 

and Robert Hughes. I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s take it and go!’ 

What do you consider your greatest achievement and why? 

As a player, it’s the success I had here. Coming in as quarterback, 

and then having that taken away from me, moving to another 

position at receiver, and then having success and helping my team 

was a huge accomplishment. It allowed me to continue my dreams 

of making it to the NFL. Coaching-wise, I started at Coahoma 

Community College—a bottom-of-the-barrel type of league, as we 

were repeatedly told. I got that program turned around. Then I 

went to Texas Southern and then to North Carolina Central and we 

won our first championship. I got a taste for it, and that’s how I 

wake up every day and approach work - thinking about winning 

the next championship. 

What’s your favorite thing to do in your spare time? 

I love the outdoors—hunting, fishing, and now I’ve picked up golf. 

Three years ago, I got an invite from our Vice President and 

Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson to play in his tournament. 

I played for the first time in that tournament and fell in love with it. 

Plus, it gives me something to do when I can’t hunt and fish. 

A lot of guys get out there and want to play against each other, but 

the real challenge is defeating the course. I love that. 

What advice would you give to a young person? 

Preparedness vs. pressure. Don’t operate under pressure. Be 

prepared. If you prepare daily for what God has in store for you, 

and you keep striving for those goals, then when that moment 

comes, you’ll be ready for it. 

What do you love most about Jackson? 

There are some amazing spots around here to eat! I grew up here! 

I love this place! The love in the city, the camaraderie, the love for 

this football team and this program hasn’t changed. But I’ve I got to 

put food up at the top! There’re some amazing spots where you 

can just eat and put your elbows on the table. 

What’s the most rewarding thing about your job? 

Seeing these kids achieve success, and seeing their faces when 

they do. When a kid calls me and tells me how I impacted their life 

– it may be a kid that made it to the NFL. It could be 

something I said, and they say, ‘Coach that stuck with 

me and made me into the man that I am.’’ That’s what’s 

big to me - mentoring these young men and getting 

them ready for real the world. 

What is a typical day like in the life of a college head coach? 

I start my day with a workout. After that, it’s getting these coaches 

and kids squared away. I try to run a first-class program with these 

guys, making sure they’re doing things and following the schedule 

the right way. Then, it’s staying out in front on things. We have a 

season to get ready for—travel, how we present and represent the 

program, game uniforms, everything. I try to stay ahead of all that. 

Besides The Vet, what’s your favorite place to play and why? 

Baton Rouge. There’s nothing like crossing that bridge to campus. 

But last year was my first time having the opportunity to play down 

in Lorman at Alcorn. To be down there, that atmosphere 

is crazy! Their fans are right there with us. The energy in that 

stadium was electric. They do it right! I have to say it’s right up 

there with Baton Rouge. 

What is your favorite childhood sports memory? 

There was this one basketball game when I was a kid, and it was 

tied up and near the end of the game. My friend was on the free 

throw line and we needed a bucket to win. He missed the free 

throw, but I got the rebound and put it back up and scored! I still 

think about that to this day. Also, the first day my mom allowed me 

to play peewee football. She didn’t want me to play but I’d begged 

her. I started my football career with the Magnolia Packers! 

Who is Jackson State’s biggest rival and why? 

Everybody thinks when you say Jackson State and Alcorn, that’s 

the big one. However, that’s more of a mutual love relationship. 

But when you talk about Jackson State and Southern? That’s a 

TRUE rivalry! We don’t like them, and they don’t like us. From the 

fans, the bands—there’s no getting along with that game right 

there. You can mark that one on your calendar! 

What’s one of the most difficult and one of the most 

rewarding things about being a public figure? 

The difficult thing for me is I’m not a big talker. But now that 

I’m head coach, I get stopped a lot. Fans want to talk and take 

pictures. The reward of it is that I feel the love, and I understand 

and appreciate it. We recently had our kids camp, and their faces 

would light up when I would go up to them and high five them! 

That means a lot to me. In the city of Jackson, it’s all about Jackson 

State. That’s what I always tell people when they ask me about 

being in this position. I understand the responsibility and importance 

of doing things the right way. 

Who is your biggest fan and why? 

My two sons and my wife. They’re my biggest fans and my biggest 

critics. They have always been honest with me during 

my entire coaching career. As a coordinator, I can 

remember if we lost a game they would tell me, ‘You 

called a bad game.’ When I’m down, they pick me up, 

and when I’m up too high, they’re going to pull me 

back down. They keep me grounded. 



Coach Lane Kiffin 


My father. I was just always around the game. I remember being 

a ball boy, sitting in meetings and seeing how someone who is 

not playing the game can impact the outcome of the game. It 

was very intriguing to me. 

What do you consider your greatest achievement/ 

accomplishment, and why? 

The ability to help take kids places that they can’t take themselves. 

It’s motivating them and teaching them. A kid may go 

first round while, if he had not come to us, he may have gone 

third round. It’s pushing a kid academically so he graduates. 

Even he might not realize how important it is until you see him 

ten years later and he thanks you for it. 

Is there a part of your job that you didn’t anticipate? 

Until you become a head coach, you really don’t know everything 

that goes with it. As an assistant, I think I understood the 

football aspects of becoming a head coach but didn’t realize 

everything else–media fans, donors, etc. 

What do you love most about Oxford? 

The people. From the warm reception at the airport on the first 

day, everywhere you go is the excitement which comes with the 

SEC and how passionate the fan-base is of all ages. 

What is your favorite Ole Miss tradition? 

The Grove, from watching it and having experienced it three 

times on the other side. 

What is your biggest win as a coach? 

USC upset Oregon at the end of the 2011 season. Oregon was 

probably going to the national championship, and we actually 

knocked them out and knocked Alabama in. Coach Saban 

never thanked me for that. 

Where has been your favorite place to play and why? 

Alabama, having been on both sides home and away. 

When I went there with Tennessee, I was coming from the 

Pac 12 and LA, which has a very late arriving crowd in all 

sports. We play at Alabama, and I look in the stands 

30 minutes before kickoff and there’s already 

90,000 people there. 


My dad coaching me. It would be baseball season, and he 

would come in his coaching gear from the Vikings. Because it 

was the offseason, he had some time. But for him to come over 

and find time, as a coach, because obviously he was very busy. 

Who would want to go coach more after work? His passion was 

unbelievable. 

What are your feelings about having more teams in the 

national playoffs? 

I think they should, just because of the margin of error. I don’t 

care who you put on that committee, it’s hard. I think it should be 

eight just because there may be a five-seed that really is better 

than a one. That would allow, in a year when there is an undefeated 

Group of 5 team like UCF, it would allow them to be in 

there as one of the eight. 

What’s one of the most difficult things being a public 

figure, and what is the most rewarding? 

Not to complain, but sometimes it can just be overwhelming, 

especially in the south. But you understand that and embrace 

it over time. And that answers the second part of the question—that 

is the passion and how much the fans care and how 

important it is to them. 

Who is your biggest fan? 

My mom. 



Coach Will Hall 


My father, Bobby Hall, was my first hero. He is the 2nd 

winningest public-school coach in Mississippi history. 

What do you consider your greatest achievement/accomplishment 

and why? 

Winning the 2012 Gulf South Conference Championship 

outright at West Alabama. It was the first time in school 

history to ever do that. We also defeated perennial powers 

Delta State, Valdosta State, and North Alabama, in the same 

season for the first time in school history. 

What’s your favorite thing to do in your spare time? 

Grill and have big time with family and friends. Life is too 

short not to enjoy it. 

Is there a part of your job that you didn’t anticipate? 

How brutal fans can be to my family at school and work. 

If you could give one piece of advice to a young person, 


Golden Rule - treat everyone the way you would want them 

to treat you. 

What do you love most about Hattiesburg? 

The location—it’s in proximity to so many great things— 

the beach, New Orleans, great food, etc. 

What is the most rewarding thing about your job? 

Impacting lives. 

What’s your biggest win as a coach? 

2014 West Georgia over rival Valdosta in the regional 

championship to go to the Final Four. They had beaten us 

40-6 in regular season. To go on the road and win that game 

at their place was truly special. 

Besides your home stadium, where is your favorite place 

to play and why? 

Brady Stadium in Florence, Alabama—home of the North 

Alabama Lions. I have truly great memories there. 


1988 Amory upsetting Rosedale to end Rosedale’s 40-game 

win streak. Also, the 1998 football season at Amory was 

special. We went 15-0 and won the state title. 

Who is USM’s biggest rivalry? 

Everyone wants a piece of USM at the Group of Five level 

because of our history and tradition. 

What’s one of the most difficult and rewarding things about 

being a public figure? 

The most difficult thing is the negative things directed at your 

family. The most rewarding is the reach you have to impact 

people in a positive way. 

Who is your biggest fan? 

Rebecca Hall – the toughest person I know. There has never 

been a day, where she did not make me a better person. 

What is the typical day in the life of a college coach? 

Solving problems and preventing problems. 


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the Martins 


David and Deborah Martin, age 59 – We enjoy spending time together 

on the lake, duck hunting, and entertaining family and friends. 

Will and Cameron Martin are graduates of Ole Miss and enjoy spending 

time with family and friends, the outdoors, and their church, Broadmoor 

Baptist. Cameron is a nurse for Madison County Schools and Will is 

director of operations with the family business – Service Specialists in 

Ridgeland. They have two children: Mae who is 5 and William who is 2½. 

Sam and Hart Martin both received their undergrads from Ole Miss and 

are proud graduates of the Ole Miss School of Law. Sam works for the 

Mississippi Senate and Hart works for the Mississippi Attorney General’s 

Office. They have a beautiful golden lab named Blue and enjoy entertaining 

friends throughout the year—and especially at Christmas. 

How did you meet and how long have you 

been married? 

We met at Holmes Community College and have been married 38 years. 

What are some of your favorite things about 

Madison County? 

We love the small-town feel but also enjoy the tremendous amenities. 

We love our neighborhood, Lake Caroline, our neighbors, and attending 

church at Broadmoor Baptist. We love that there are still country dirt 

roads, an abundance of wildlife, and beautiful rolling undeveloped 

countrysides. Our sons graduated from Madison Central High School, 

and we have made lifelong friendships with other parents from MC. 

What accomplishments make you proud 

during your time living in Madison County? 

We have made our home here and grown our business, Service 

Specialists, to two locations in Madison County. We are proud to have 

employed hundreds of Madison County residents since 1998. But our 

greatest accomplishment is our two sons and their families. We have 

loved having them return to Madison County to establish their own 

homes and families here. 

What do you love about Ole Miss? 

Our story is different than most you might hear about. We both graduated 

from MSU in 1985 and quickly became season ticket holders carrying 

both sons to games starting at an early age. Both of our sons played 

football at Madison Central and Will had the opportunity to continue his 

football career at Ole Miss. When you have family members involved, 

the decision to switch your allegiance to another school is not a hard 

one. We became avid Ole Miss fans! Both of our sons graduated from 

Ole Miss. They married Ole Miss grads, Cameron Burgess Martin, and 

Hart Pepper Martin. Sam and his wife, Hart, both graduated from Ole 

Miss law school. We became very involved with our tailgate family from 

Madison Central at Ole Miss. This group of parents has continued to 

grow over the years and it is such a joy to see our children and grandchildren 

in The Grove enjoying the fellowship of family and friends. 

FAVORITE TAILGATE RECIPE 

Best Chili Ever 

• 1 pound of Conecuh sausage, 

sliced and seared 

• 6 slices of cooked thick bacon, crumbled 

• 2 pounds of cooked hamburger meat, 

crumbled 

• 1 medium sweet onion, diced 

• 1 can of Rotel chili fixins 

• 2 14.5 oz. cans of Hunt’s diced tomatoes 

with basil, garlic and oregano 

• 2 cans of Bush kidney beans 

• 1 can of Bush chili beans 

• 2 packets of McCormick chili mix 

OR 3 Tbsp. of chili powder, 1 Tbsp. garlic 

powder, and 1 Tbsp. oregano 

Dump everything in slow cooker and cook 

on low for 4-6 hours. 



ilable for use on all 

d the Department of 

d to gameday-related 

r student recruitment 

y communications 

l media graphics 

nted by both 

ffice of University 

the Andersons 


We are Chris and Theresa Anderson and our two kids, Adeline (21) and 

Burkitt (18). Adeline is a junior at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. 

She is studying art and just did a semester abroad in Florence, Italy. Burkitt is 

a freshman at USM, going into business/entrepreneurship to further support 

the business he already runs in Madison County called The Four Eyed Maker. 

He makes live-edge furniture and exotic wood charcuterie boards at his 

shop in Gluckstadt. We live in Ridgeland. Both kids graduated from 

St. Andrew’s in 2021 and 2023. 

How did you meet and how long have you 

been married? 

We met during freshman year at USM. We were both in honors college and 

had many small-size classes together. Our first date was in February of our 

junior year. We got engaged in March of our senior year. Chris left for medical 

school at Emory in Atlanta. I stayed for two years to get my master’s degree 

in counseling psychology and we got married in July 1997. 



We have lived in Madison County for 12 years. We love the proximity to 

amenities–shopping, restaurants, schools and safety, while feeling secluded 

and not like a huge urban area. It is easy to get around with very little traffic. 

Our house backs up to the Natchez Trace walking trail so our backyard has a 

gate to the paved area where we can bike or walk/run. 

What drives you to have the job you have? 

Chris was recruited to come back to Mississippi to revamp and restart the 

abdominal transplant program. The kidney transplant program at UMMC was 

floundering and the liver transplant program had been closed for over 20 

years. Chris has since gotten the kidney program flourishing, re-started and 

supported the liver transplant program, and started the pancreas transplant 

program for the first time in Mississippi. Chris enjoys building these programs 

which help improve healthcare for all Mississippians. He also is proud of 

being able to care for patients with organ failure and/or liver and pancreas 

cancers at the state’s only transplant program. 

What do you love about USM? 

We have a long history at USM and love the diversity of students and 

programs. USM is small enough to feel familial but big enough to have 

something for all interests. Chris is in the Undergraduate Hall of Fame and 

was also inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2019. He is currently 

serving as the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation Board of 

Directors vice president. Theresa is currently on the Honors College 

Engagement Advisory Council. They have a regular tailgate set up with 

friends from college such as Theresa’s long-time roommate/maid of honor 

and her family. They have season tickets to football and basketball and 

partial baseball tickets. In addition to being athletic supporters, they also 

have a scholarship set up through the honors college and Chris’s grandmother 

has one in her memory through the nursing school at USM. 


To The Top 

• 1 black and gold tent 

• 6 folding camp chairs 

• 1 live concert before every game in Spirit Park 

• 1 or 2 trips to food trucks in Spirit Park 

• 1 cooler with Southern Prohibition Gold Rush 

beer 

• 1 bottle of Eagle Rare Bourbon 

Combine all ingredients, sprinkle with 

an abundance of friends and family. 

Finish with post game fireworks. 



the Jameses 


We are the James Family - Eddie, Shannon, Reed, Zach, and Lauren. We have been 

blessed with two wonderful daughters-in-law, Sam Curry and Crawford Pieroni. We 

are all graduates of Mississippi State University. Our children and daughters-in-law are 

graduates of Germantown High. Eddie is a project management director with ADAMS 

Management Services, specializing in healthcare construction and property condition 

assessments. He is a past president of the Madison the City Chamber of Commerce. 

Shannon is an educator with Madison County Schools. This school year marks her 

thirtieth year in Madison County where she has taught alongside some of the greatest 

educators at Madison Avenue, Madison Avenue Upper and Madison Middle School. 

Reed and Sam live in Collierville, Tennessee, where Reed is a commercial analyst with 

International Paper, and Sam is a registered nurse at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. 

Zach and Crawford live in Memphis, Tennessee, where Zach is a global planning and 

scheduling engineer with Federal Express, and Crawford is finishing her clinicals in 

occupational therapy. Lauren lives in Flowood where she begins her first year as a 

second-grade teacher at Jackson Prep Lower School. Madison County has been our 

home for twenty-nine years, where we have raised our children. 

How did you meet and how long have you been 

married? 

Although we are both from Tupelo, we did not meet until we attended State. Greek 

life and date parties brought us together. We have been married for thirty-two years. 



The things we love most are the schools, Friday night lights, and the close-knit 

community atmosphere. Although our community has grown in leaps and bounds 

over the years, it has still maintained its small-town feel. It has given us numerous 

opportunities to be involved in church, athletics, and service organizations. 

What drives you to have the job you have? 

Our jobs allow us to give back to communities that have invested in people. 

Eddie works with a variety of clients (and personalities) every day, helping them 

to complete projects with cost effective, efficient results. This allows healthcare 

organizations to focus efforts and resources on their patients. Shannon works 

with children to help them build life skills that will guide them to future success. 

What do you love about MSU? 

We love the atmosphere the campus creates on game day, whether it’s football, 

basketball, or baseball. It gives us the opportunity to gather as a family and enjoy 

each other while cheering on our beloved Bulldogs. Although our campus continues 

to grow and change, its beauty remains. Dudy Noble is electric on SEC 

weekends. Our daughter truly loved her MSU Diamond Girl experience greeting 

fans as they arrived at Polk-DeMent Stadium. The musical roar of cowbells in 

Davis-Wade are the perfect precursor to “wrapping it in maroon and white!” As an 

alumni delegate, Lauren enjoyed passing out stickers to fans as they arrived at the 

stadium. The Hump is a great place for “an evening of basketball, Mississippi State 

style!” Our love for MSU is not just for our campus. As a family, we have travelled to 

over half of the SEC football stadiums and several bowl games. Our favorite trip was 

in 2021 when MSU won their first national championship at the College World 

Series in Omaha. Recently, we began touring SEC football stadiums with fellow 

Bulldog friends. Each year we choose one MSU away game to attend to support 

our Dawgs on the road. We love taking in the sights, sounds and traditions of other 

SEC schools. 


James’ Cheese Log 

• 12 oz. Velveeta cheese 

• 8 oz. softened Philadelphia 

cream cheese 

• ½ cup chopped onion 

(sweet onion, if available) 

• ½ cup chopped jalapeno peppers 

(sweet and hot, if available) 

• Party size bag of Frito Scoops 

Warm Velveeta and cream cheese to 

room temperature. Mix cream cheese, 

onion, and jalapeno in a bowl (add 1 

tablespoon jalapeno pepper juice for 

extra kick). Place wax paper above and 

below Velveeta (prevents cheese from 

sticking to pin) and roll out using a 

rolling pin to desired length and width. 

Spread the cream cheese mixture on 

the flattened Velveeta cheese, allowing 

room to roll up the edges. Fold over the 

cheese edges to create a log of desired 

size and slightly fold/press two ends to 

seal. Place serving dish upside down 

on top of the cheese log and flip over 

for serving. Spread Frito Scoops around 

the edges of the dish for serving. 



the Williamses 


We are the Williams Family, Sharron U. Williams, Freddy E. Williams, 

Philemon Williams, and Fredrick K. Tate 



We love the variety of restaurants, parks, and other amenities that have been 

developed in Madison. In addition, we love to see the growth in Madison 

which increases the tax base to foster community and economic development 

opportunities for a better quality of life for all residents. From the rural roads 

to the urban landscape, our community is ever-changing in the city we call 

home. In addition, the increased activities that are offered are great. We don’t 

have to drive far to be entertained. 

What accomplishments make you proud 

during your time living in Madison County? 

We stand on the shoulders of our grandmother, the late Fannie Patterson 

Williams Sanders, who was a civil rights activist. Among her dedicated civic 

leadership activities in the Madison community, she served as president of 

the segregated Rosa Scott School PTA during the 1960s where she fought 

for public education for all children. As direct beneficiaries, and to continue 

the legacy of our grandmother’s focus on public education, my siblings and 

I (a total of 7) attended Rosa Scott Middle School and graduated from 

Madison-Ridgeland High School. Additionally, we are excited to see there 

are now three high schools that offer multiple opportunities for the students 

and community. 

What do you love about JSU? 

My siblings and I attended JSU and are now a part of the alumni association. 

Our proud parents, Annie and the late Fillmore Williams, supported seven 

JSU alums – Ralph J. Williams, Esq. (Lake Charles, Louisiana), Queen E. 

Williams-Bennett, Freddy E. Williams, Jackie L. Williams, Ph.D. (Washington, 

D.C.), Philemon Williams, Annie L. Williams (Portland, Oregon), and Sharron U. 

Williams, Ph.D. While attending JSU, each one of us participated in several 

activities and/or organizations. Our love of JSU extends from alumni 

meetings, football games, the band, and Sonny the Tiger. JSU has a rich 

history and legacy. To continue this tradition, we often give back to the 

university and offer support to current students, through scholarship and 

mentorship. We truly “BLEED BLUE” for JSU. 

What’s your favorite thing to do as a family? 

Our family loves to cook. Each one of us has a specialty item that we are 

known for. Cooking for holidays and tailgating is what we do each year. 

You will often see friends and family at our home or our tailgate spot. You can 

find me cooking on a Friday night or early Saturday morning. A variety of 

food is offered at tailgating such as spaghetti, cabbage, greens, pasta salad, 

ribs, chicken, and roasted corn. The spaghetti or the pasta is what goes first. 


Tri-Color Pasta Salad 

• 12 ounces tricolor spiral pasta 

• 2 tomatoes, chopped 

• 1 cucumber, chopped 

• 1 red onion, chopped 

• 4 oz. jar of pimentos 

• Salad seasoning 

• Italian salad dressing 

In a Dutch oven, cook pasta according to 

package directions. Drain and rinse in cold 

water. Transfer to a large bowl and let chill. 

Dice the tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers. 

Add all ingredients to the chilled pasta. 

Add the Italian salad dressing and salad 

seasoning. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour 

or until completely cold. 




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MADISON-RIDGELAND ACADEMY 

FUN FACTS 

• Our preschool and kindergarten started in a log cabin! 

While this was a much-loved structure, the cabin has been 

replaced with Rawlings Hall: 20 classrooms with a large 

multi-purpose room and a state-of-the-art multi-use complex 

planned for 2025. 

• We have 25 MRA alums on our faculty and staff. These alums 

came back to MRA to positively impact students just as they 

were supported and loved by their MRA teachers. 

• We won 11 state championships this year! These titles 

represented girls’ sports, boys’ sports as well as co-ed sports. 

We are state champs in: boys’ and girls’ cross country, 

swimming, cheer, dance, boys’ and girls’ basketball, archery, 

boys’ tennis, and boys’ and girls’ track. 

• We are the winners of the MAIS All Sports Trophy. 

The Patriots claimed 10 of the 18 MAIS state championships 

that count toward the All-Sports trophy, and were 2nd place 

in the state in four others. 

• Primarily as a result of stellar retention, MRA is the largest 

independent school in the state. Even though we are in 

demand, we continue to maintain excellent student-teacher 

ratios so every child is known and valued. 

• We were founded in 1969 and our first classes were in 

various Madison churches. Our first building was built in 1970. 

• We have a proud tradition of MRA students receiving 

appointments to U.S. military academies and this year’s 

senior class was no exception. Our first female cadet, Teddi 

Duckworth, received an appointment to the United States 

Military Academy at West Point. Vanndel Chinchen accepted 

an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, and 

Noah Short will attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School. 

• Our fight song has been sung since 1978 and is the first song 

taught to our littlest Patriots when they start preschool. 

Student leaders sing it over the intercom on Friday mornings, 

and all pep rallies end with it. And of course, it is played for 

every touchdown scored! 



Patriots Football 

DATE TIME LOCATION OPPONENT 

August 10 7pm Away Parklane 

August 18 7pm Home Magnolia Heights 

August 25 7pm Home Oak Forest 

September 1 7pm Away Pulaski 

September 8 7pm Home Madison St. Joe 

September 15 7pm Away Oak Grove 

September 29 7pm Away East Rankin 

October 6 7pm Away Hartfield 

October 13 7pm Home Jackson Academy 

October 20 7pm Home Jackson Prep 

October 27 7pm Away Presbyterian Christian 



Empowering Servant 

Leadership: MRA and 

Rise Against Hunger 

Unite for Global Impact 

Martha Maxey 

“Madison-Ridgeland Academy is committed to excellence in 

teaching the mind, reaching the heart, and inspiring servant leaders 

who will impact the world for Jesus Christ.” 

True to the vision of the school, MRA continues to seek opportunities 

to instill a sense of responsibility and compassion in their students. A 

remarkable example of this commitment came to fruition through MRA’s 

partnership with Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit organization 

dedicated to combating hunger and malnutrition across the world. 

Last semester, MRA students were given an impactful opportunity 

to participate in a campus-wide service project alongside Rise Against 

Hunger. The project aimed to address the pressing issue of global hunger 

and its devastating effects on vulnerable populations. During the event, 

MRA students banded together and achieved an astonishing feat - they 

packed over 41,000 meals in just four hours! 

The enthusiasm and dedication displayed by the students during the 

project were truly remarkable. They eagerly filled, weighed, and boxed 

the meals, knowing that their efforts would bring hope and nourishment 

to people in need all around the globe. Each meal packed with love and 

compassion represented a lifeline for individuals facing food insecurity, 

demonstrating the power of collective action in making a tangible 

difference in the lives of others. By engaging in this project, MRA 

students embraced and embodied the essence of servant leadership - 

selflessness, empathy, and a genuine commitment to serving those less 

fortunate. 

The impact of this partnership extended beyond the confines of 

MRA’s campus. The MRA community rallied together, raising over 

$16,000 to cover the meals’ costs, materials, and shipping expenses. This 

incredible fundraising effort not only ensured the success of the service 

project but also paved the way for transformative change for countless 

individuals deprived of access to adequate nutrition. 

As the students of Madison-Ridgeland Academy and Rise Against 

Hunger have shown, true leadership is not about power or authority; 

it is about empathy, service, and a determination to make a positive impact. 

The coming together of MRA’s vision of inspiring servant leaders and 

Rise Against Hunger’s mission of eradicating global hunger has created 

a synergy of purpose that will resonate far beyond the boundaries of their 

partnership. 

By inspiring students to be servant leaders, Madison-Ridgeland 

Academy not only prepares students for academic success but also instills 

in them a sense of purpose, calling them to make a meaningful difference 

in the lives of others. Through this holistic approach to education, MRA 

cultivates graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also 

empathetic, compassionate, and devoted to serving others with love and 

humility. By packing thousands of meals and raising funds to combat 

hunger, these young servant leaders have exemplified the vision of MRA 

- inspiring hope, kindness, and compassion worldwide. 


COMMITTED 

TO OUR COMMUNITY 

PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO 

As part of Community Bank’s Committed to Community 

Campaign, the Central MS team volunteered with Mississippi 

Spay and Neuter. Local offices collected and donated 

needed supplies to the clinic, along with 25 staff members 

who volunteered their time to assist with cleanup projects at 

Mississippi Spay and Neuter Clinic. 

Learn more about Community Bank’s 

Committed to Community Project 

MEMBER FDIC 


FUN FACTS 

• Founded in 1870 as St. Joseph Academy by the Sisters of Mercy 

• Original enrollment was 56 students 

• Today’s enrollment is about 400 students in grades 7-12 

• Originally on Amite Street in downtown Jackson 

• Moved to Boling Street campus in 1965 

• Moved to temporary site near St. Richard Catholic School in 1996 

• Moved to permanent Madison campus on Mississippi 463 in 1998 

• Accredited by the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools, 

the MAIS, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 

– the accrediting arm of Cognia 

• Campus has football, baseball, and softball fields 

• School gym hosts basketball and volleyball teams 

• Fine Arts building features a state-of-the-art 500-seat theater 

• 25 students this year scored 30 or higher on the ACT 

• An on-campus, state-of-the-art observatory where students can 

explore the night sky 



Bruins Football 


August 18 7pm Home Delta Streets 

August 25 7pm Away Clinton Christian 

September 1 7pm Home Central Hinds 

September 8 7pm Away Madison-Ridgeland 

September 22 7pm Away Green St. Joe 

September 29 7pm Home Jackson Academy 

October 6 7pm Away Cathedral 

October 13 7pm Home Prentiss Christian 

October 20 7pm Home Hartfield 

October 27 7pm Away Jackson Prep 



St. Joseph Catholic School 

Prepares Its Students for 

College and Beyond 

Terry R. Cassreino 

Ava Kathryn Stephen officially became a St. Joseph Catholic School 

alumna in May, but she was still at school this summer finishing the 2023 

edition of the school yearbook. 

While friends prepared for their first semester at college, Stephen 

said her high school experience, and six years as a St. Joe student, were so 

important that she wanted to finish what she started. Stephen is co-editor 

of The Shield yearbook. 

“St. Joe has done so much for me,” said Stephen, who was a member of 

the award-winning dance team the Spirit Steppers, served as senior class 

president, and chaired the annual BruinTHON event that raised $19,665 

for Batson Children’s Hospital. “I’ve learned so much from my time here 

that I wanted to make sure my last project, the yearbook, was done right,” she 

said. “Being able to participate in everything I did helped shape who I am. 

And that’s not just me. Others who graduated this year feel the same way.” 

St. Joseph Catholic School, founded in 1870 by the Sisters of Mercy, 

offers seventh- through 12th-grade students of all faith backgrounds a 

rigorous college prep curriculum grounded in the teachings of the Catholic 

Church. 

St. Joe, at 308 New Mannsdale Road in Madison, just west of the 

Interstate 55 and Mississippi 463 interchange, is accredited by the Mid-South 

Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of 

Colleges and Schools – the accrediting arm of Cognia. 

Life at St. Joe revolves around faith and religion. Students in every 

grade take theology courses. Every class begins with prayer. Every grade 

level participates in one annual, off-campus retreat. Students, faculty, and 

staff attend weekly Mass every Thursday. 

St. Joe’s college prep curriculum includes classes in English, math, 

science, history, fine arts, Spanish, Latin and theology. Students also can 

take advanced placement classes in English, Spanish, math, and history as 

well as dual credit courses in English and math. 

Electives include band, choir, art, ceramics, theater, engineering, print 

journalism, broadcast journalism, and sports broadcasting. 

Besides academic classes, St. Joe offers students a chance to participate 

in more than 20 team sports including football, volleyball, softball, 

baseball, swimming, track, cross country, clay shooting, girls’ and boys’ 

basketball, and girls’ and boys’ soccer. 

All sports teams compete in the Midsouth Association of Independent 

Schools. This will mark the third year that St. Joe has joined other 

Catholic schools in the Jackson Diocese as a member of the MAIS. 

“St. Joe offers students a complete, comprehensive, college prep education 

experience with strong academics and the ability to play a wide range of 

sports,” said Dr. Dena Kinsey, principal of St. Joseph Catholic School. 

“We are a Catholic school, but we welcome all students of all faith 

traditions,” Kinsey said. “St. Joe graduates students who are ready for the 

challenge of college and life as an adult. We educate the whole student, 

preparing them for their lifelong journey to Christ.” 

Besides academics and athletics, St. Joe students, faculty, and staff also 

participate in community outreach projects throughout the year – from 

feeding families at Thanksgiving and Christmas to hosting blood drives 

and raising money for Batson Children’s Hospital. 

In fact, the 2023 edition of St. Joe’s annual BruinTHON fundraiser 

– the school’s largest annual community outreach event led by students 

– raised a record $19,665 in April for Batson Children’s Hospital in 

Jackson. 

Students, faculty, and staff also annually participate in food drives to 

replenish local food banks. And last year, art students created and sold 

hand-crafted ceramic crosses with proceeds helping the people of 

Ukraine. 

Fine arts students stage two live theatrical productions every year in 

the 500-seat, state-of-the-art school auditorium. Last year, St. Joe 

produced the stage version of the popular film “A Christmas Story” in the 

fall and the musical “Footloose” in the spring. 

Student musicians and singers perform a Christmas concert “Gifts of 

the Season” in December and a spring concert in May. 

Students in the award-winning journalism program produce a weekly 

video newscast and live radio and streaming video coverage of Bruin 

athletics. They also produce an award-winning yearbook, which Stephen 

and other students were finishing this summer. 

“Being part of the St. Joseph yearbook staff as a co-editor allowed me 

to grow into a leader who thrives on capturing moments that matter,” said 

Ashmit Malhotra, who graduated in May and will study journalism this 

fall at the University of Mississippi. 

“It also taught me the importance of effective communication, 

meticulous planning, and motivating and guiding a team to greatness. 

This, and all of my experiences at St. Joe, have helped prepare me for 

college and beyond.” 


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FUN FACTS 

• One morning in 2009 toward the end of the school year, principals found 

goats and chickens on the stage in the cafetorium. 

• Madison Central High School has had a total of eight principals in 32 years. 

• Cheer won the school’s first ever state championship title in 1996. 

• Currently 13 faculty members graduated from MCHS. 

• Currently 15 teachers and administrators have children attending MCHS. 

• Currently MC has the national title holders for Miss Mississippi’s Teen and 

Miss Mississippi Teen USA. 

• The school opened its doors in August of 1991 to former East Flora and 

Madison Ridgeland High School students. 

• MCHS has been visited by a sitting president (George W. Bush, 2002), 

a candidate who went on to be elected president (Donald Trump, 2016), 

and a member of the NFL Hall of Fame (Brett Favre, 2005) 



Jaguars Football 


August 18 7pm Away Jamboree 

August 25 7pm Home Ocean Springs 

September 1 7pm Home Brandon 

September 8 7pm Away Gulfport 

September 15 7pm Away Northwest Rankin 

September 22 7pm Home Warren Central 

October 6 7pm Home Tupelo 

October 13 7pm Home Murrah 

October 20 7pm Away Germantown 

October 27 7pm Away Starkville 

November 2 7pm Home Clinton 



Madison Central: 

Bridging Education 

and the Workforce 

Audrey Guynes 

Madison Central High School proudly hosts two academies that are 

fostering the future of education, using hometown networking to 

strengthen transferable and work force ready skills in our local community 

and economy. The Academy of Engineering and the Academy of 

Multimedia and Communications both offer unique opportunities for 

students to work hands-on in the classroom, as well as outside the 

classroom, with the help of dedicated professionals in the fields providing 

job shadowing, internships, and externships. 

The Academy of Engineering is structured around Project Lead the 

Way, a nationally recognized project-based engineering curriculum. The 

PLTW curriculum provides the students insight into how their assignments 

in the classroom have relevance to real-world scenarios. To achieve 

this model, a cohort of teachers ensure that their classrooms reflect the 

academy’s lessons. This collaboration enables the student to maximize 

their education, receiving industry certifications and college credit, while 

maintaining a diverse range of classes. Students that complete the PLTW 

engineering courses, and pass the PLTW exam and at least two advanced 

placement exams, achieve the AP + PLTW Student Recognition, further 

enhancing their resumes for college entrance. Madison Central has had 

several students achieve this recognition since 2015. 

The Academy of Multimedia and Communications is a mixed 

media program where students choose between the pathways of video 

production, broadcast journalism, or sports marketing. These can be 

taken in conjunction with one another, but video production is known 

as the core of AMC as all are required to take it. The students, similar to 

the engineering academy, go through their coursework in a cohort. This 

allows the students to focus on their projects including the Jaguar News 

Network, preparing for film festival, and the various sport hype videos. 

If you have ever seen a football hype video from Madison Central, you 

have seen the work of the AMC students. 

It takes a collective effort. Each academy has its own advisory board 

consisting of students, parents, teachers, and business-leaders that provide 

input to keep the curriculum current with business needs and trends. 

The network of support is what keeps much of this program running 

and students interested. With businesses willing to participate in hosting 

students, Madison Central is able to train the next generation for the work 

force. This is a key initiative enforced in the academies for the students to 

improve upon their technological and employability skills. Undoubtedly, 

this will shape the students into future workers and gain an understanding 

of what our area has to offer. 

Laura Beth Guynes, a fellow graduate of Madison Central and 

work-based learning coordinator, plays a crucial role in bridging the gap 

between education and the workforce. She works to connect the students 

and educators with the local businesses. Students either gain employment 

or internship programs through this program. Guynes extends into both 

academies, ensuring their work-based learning experiences are aligned 

with their curriculum. “This is an experience that will not only prepare 

them for the workforce, but that will also encourage those same students 

to return home, continuing to contribute to the prosperity of our 

community,” Guynes said. Through her work, students have found 

internships through the MS Public Broadcasting, Madison County 

Library, local design consultants, Neel Schaffer Engineering, Nissan, 

Power Source, and Kiser Engineering to name a few. Several of the 

stakeholders are former graduates and parents to which they are credited 

to the success of the academies. 

The academy programs at Madison Central High School foster not 

only the development of students’ technical skills but will also pair them 

with our local firms and businesses to gain real world experience in their 

chosen fields. With the continuous support of our community, students 

are able to gain invaluable experience in their chosen fields and by forging 

strong partnerships with local businesses, Madison Central is able to 

provide work-based learning for the students to thrive. 

If you are a company interested in partnering with Madison County 

Schools to participate in the internship program, please contact Mrs. 

Guynes via email – wbl@madison-schools.com. 


WHEN THE 

GAME ENDS, 

WE KEEP GOING. 

808 LAKE HARBOUR DR 

RIDGELAND • 601.856.0789 

766 MACKENZIE LN 

FLOWOOD • 769.572.3242 

©2019 Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. BWW2019-0175265 


FUN FACTS 

• Did you know that Ridgeland High School offers nearly 

30 different clubs and activities for our students? 

• Did you know that Bianca Knight, a former Olympic track 

and field athlete, is a graduate of Ridgeland High School? 

• Did you know that Ridgeland High School has won over 

100 district and regional championships? 

• We are home to 920 students and 100 outstanding faculty 

staff members. 

• Ridgeland High School opened in August 2002 in the Madison 

County School District, one of the fastest growing and top-rated 

school districts in the state of Mississippi. 



TITANS FOOTBALL 


August 25 5:30 pm Away Harrison Central 

September 1 5:30 pm Home Florence 

September 8 7:00 pm Away North Pike 

September 15 7:00 pm Home Pearl 

September 22 7:00 pm Home Murrah 

September 28 7:00 pm Away Canton 

October 6 7:00 pm Away Warren Central 

October 12 7:00 pm Home Callaway 

October 20 7:00 pm Home Columbus 

October 27 7:00 pm Away Neshoba Central 

November 2 7:00 pm Away Vicksburg 



Ridgeland High School 

– Our Story 

Dr. Sharon U. Slater 

With still a few minutes remaining before school start time, the 

Ridgeland High School students are already huddled in small groups and 

talking just outside the school’s back attendance office waiting anxiously 

for the familiar “ding” of the school bell saying ready, set, welcome back 

to school! 

With backpacks filled with a new MacBook Air, chilled water bottles, 

and a pompom here and there, the Ridgeland High School Titans ascend 

on their school with eagerness and excitement. Shedding the slower pace 

of a sun-filled summer and shouldering the renewed responsibilities that 

come with beginning a new school year, our students are ready to excel in 

their academics, advance in the arts, and accelerate in athletics. As their 

chorus of different voices and their portrait of different faces fill the 

outside air, if one leans in carefully, looks intently and listens closely, one 

can easily determine that perhaps the most amazing thing about 

Ridgeland High School is her unrelenting desire to “Bring It!” 

The Ridgeland High School story takes place on a peaceful cityscape 

inside an architecture content to reflect the beauty of our individual 

talents and our collaborative strengths. Ridgeland is home to a family of 

Titans representing more than eleven different countries! Our people are 

dynamically diverse and purposefully passionate. Each day our principal, 

Ms. Crystal Chase, reminds us that she loves us big and wants us to “keep 

the main thing, the main thing—for the choices we make today do indeed 

affect our tomorrow!” This daily charge readies every Titan to bring his/ 

her best attitude and best effort. 

Ridgeland starts its effort to “Bring It” by establishing systems that 

support and serve our goal to motivate, educate and graduate every student. 

To accomplish this, Ridgeland must create, collaborate, and communicate 

within our own Titan community and then city, state, and national 

communities as well. One system unique to Ridgeland is our teacher 

mentoring initiative ~ “Words, Ways, and Wings.” This program provides 

our teachers the opportunity to gain support in developing the skills and 

knowledge they need to become acclimated to their Titan family and 

serve our Titan students. Ms. Christyl Erickson shared personal insights 

and inspiration with our teachers during last spring’s reception designed 

to honor and encourage one of our Titan teachers for all their efforts 

during the school year. 

Not only does RHS proudly support our teachers as they “Bring It,” 

but it also supports and celebrates our students throughout the school year 

who “Bring It” as well. One of our primary academic support tools is daily 

quality instruction. In addition to that, we provide Titan Time! This is a 

specifically scheduled time during the school day that affords our students 

the opportunity to receive targeted and specific tutoring to help them 

meet challenges set forth by daily rigorous direct instruction. For Titan 

Time, our teachers design individual and/or small group instruction that 

assists and guides our students in becoming independent and proficient 

learners. We value the time we spend affecting one or our most important 

resources–our Titan students–and during Titan Time, our teachers 

“Bring IT” – Instruction and Tenacity! 

Another system that supports our efforts is that each spring we create 

and celebrate our diverse strengths, abilities, interests, and perspectives 

with a school-wide multicultural fair. Students are invited and encouraged 

to visit more than 40 different tables that introduce them to different 

cultures and languages. Attending this event promotes cross-cultural 

communication, collaboration, and understanding, encourages critical 

thinking and problem-solving, fosters empathy and respect, and prepares 

students for global citizenship. Best of all, it’s Ridgeland’s opportunity 

to accentuate her people and celebrate their desire to “Bring IT” ~ 

Internationalism and Triumph. 

Feel the energy! Sense the anticipation. As the audience patiently 

waits for the box office to open, RHS’s auditorium was about to explode 

with teenage talent in our loud and lively rendition of Disney’s “High 

School Musical.” Our students were about to “Bring IT” as they provided 

the audience with enthusiastic entertainment, captured the interesting 

characters, and presented a youthful culture. This signature event for 

RHS always brings us closer to each other and to our beloved community 

as we tell our story in song and dance. We are bringing the mark of 

excellence to our own stage. 

Indeed, Ridgeland’s story starts at 586 Sunnybrook Road, but 

Titans touch the local, national, and international arena. Our academies 

(engineering and culinary arts) engage students in a rigorous curriculum 

and authentic workforce training. Our robotics team was recently 

recognized as state champions for the design award! They then traveled 

to Dallas, Texas, for the world championship. Our academies give RHS’s 

students a rich opportunity to feel the pulse of an ever-changing world 

and be leaders in shaping its outcome. 

Our “Bring IT” leaders are our principal, Ms. Crystal Chase, our 

assistant principals, Ms. Felicia Burton, Dr. James Gardner, Mr. Bertram 

Goodloe, and Dr. Sharon U. Slater, and our literacy/instructional 

specialist, Ms. AK Horlock. Proudly we “Bring IT” ~ Instruction and 

Thought; Inspiration and Teamwork; Intelligence and Transformation. 

Ridgeland High School is not only a great place to belong, but a place 

where the best call it home. 



FUN FACTS 

• Founded in 1869, the Canton Public School District embodies a tradition 

of academic excellence which drives the success of its over 3,300 students. 

• CPSD is a B-rated district. Four elementary schools are A-rated schools. 

Two middle schools are B-rated schools. The high school is rated C. 

• Over 3,300 students enrolled, serving Pre-K through 12th grades 

• 10 schools 

• State-of-the-art facilities and technology including internet access 

• Pre-K programs at all four elementary schools 

• Advance Placement Courses 

• Dual Enrollment 

• Gifted Program 

• Accelerated Reader/Math Programs 

• Exceptional Education Services 

• Vocational/Technical Center 

• Electronic Grade Book/Active Parent/Student Extended Day/Year Programs 

• A wide range of curricular and extracurricular opportunities are offered, 

including seven competitive sports. 



Tigers Football 


August 18 7:00 pm Terry Jamboree 

August 25 7:00 pm Away Velma Jackson 

September 1 7:00 pm Away Germantown 

September 8 7:00 pm Home Provine 

September 15 7:00 pm Home Callaway 

September 22 7:00 pm Away Neshoba Central 

October 6 7:00 pm Home Cleveland Central 

October 13 7:00 pm Away Yazoo City 

October 20 7:00 pm Home Greenville 

October 27 7:00 pm Away Gentry 

November 2 7:00pm Home Holmes County 



Canton Public School 

District Celebrates 

Success 

Beverly Luckett, Public Relations Director 

The Canton Public School District has overcome many challenges as 

it has persevered on its upward climb to increased academic achievement. 

As we continue to grow, we pause to acknowledge and celebrate how far 

we have come. 

After many years of steady growth, the Mississippi Department of 

Education rated CPSD a B-district. All four of our elementary schools 

earned A-ratings. Both middle schools earned B-ratings and our high 

school earned a C-rating. We thank our scholars, teachers, administrators, 

staff, and the community for their support, perseverance, and hard work! 

Our motto is “Perseverance Conquers All.” Even though it felt good 

to celebrate our success, we know the best is still yet to come for our 

district. That’s why we never stop focusing on achieving our next goal. We 

know there will be a few setbacks along the way, but we will always keep 

our focus on our mission and our number one priority. That is making 

sure we enable our scholars to become analytical thinkers, self-directed 

lifelong learners, and effective communicators who are prepared to 

continue their education and/or to enter the global workplace to participate 

in society as responsible citizens. 

Our talented, outstanding scholars inspire our passionate, nurturing, 

and highly-qualified faculty to remain in the district where they feel right 

at home teaching. The CPSD Family is a place where educators can offer 

support to their students and be supported by the administration. That 

has propelled our scholars to soar both socially and academically. The 

district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities and competitive 

athletics programs to help students become well-rounded, lifelong 

learners who are prepared for a successful future. 

The Canton Public School District salutes the following scholars who 

are chasing their dreams as they pursue higher education. Congratulations to 

Ahniya Myers for winning the full-ride, 2023 Angie Thomas Writers 

Scholarship. The creative writing scholarship, named in honor of 

best-selling author and Belhaven University alumna Angie Thomas (’11), 

was created to help young aspiring writers who need extra support to 

make their dreams of authorship a reality. Thomas is the author of the 

New York Times best-selling novels “Concrete Rose,” “On the Come 

Up,” “The Hate U Give,” and “Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The 

Manifestor Prophecy.” “The Hate U Give” and “On the Come Up” were 

developed into major motion pictures. 

Congratulations to Mr. Canton High School Dwight Luckett Jr., for 

signing his letter of intent to play basketball at Delta State University. 

Dwight is excited to join the DSU Statesmen. He says he is ready to 

“Join In and Stand Out” while pursuing a degree in business. Dwight 

has an impressive resume of accomplishments, leadership skills, and over 

80 hours of community service. This scholar-athlete is a member of the 

National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, 

a two-time varsity basketball state champion, former member of the 

student government association, former member of the CHS varsity 

basketball team, member of the Madison County Youth Leadership 

Program Class of 2021-2022, former ambassador for The Evers Academy 

for African American Males, and elected six times by his peers to 

represent them, among other accomplishments. Dwight was awarded 

first place for two consecutive years for winning the Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Essay Scholarship sponsored by the Rho Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha 

Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

Mr. Canton High, Dwight Luckett Jr., and Miss Canton High first 

runner up, Aniyah Myers, won $2,000 each for their outstanding essays 

that advised young scholars before they experienced K-12th grade. The 

Tender Heart Loving Hands Montessori Academy surprised the two 

scholars by informing them they were the winners of their “If I Were 

You 2K Scholarship.” The two read their essays at the Academy’s Pre-K 

graduation ceremony. 

The district is filled with outstanding, talented scholars that always 

make us “Tiger Proud” and keep us focused on elevating minds and 

empowering possibilities. 

“Perseverance Conquers All” 

www.cantonschools.net 

“Elevating Minds, Empowering Possibilities” 


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VELMA JACKSON 

FUN FACTS 

• Velma Jackson High School is home to the 5-time 3A state 

basketball champions and the 7-time state powerlift champions. 

• Velma Jackson students placed 4th in the nation in the 

Technology Student Association national rankings this past year. 

• Notable alumni include Quinndary Weatherspoon, NBA player, 

and Willie Young, coach and NFL player. 

• Velma Jackson is Mississippi’s first model Academy of Multimedia. 



Falcons Football 


August 25 7pm Home Canton 

September 1 7pm Away Yazoo Co. 

September 15 7pm Home Jim Hill 

September 22 7pm Away Leake Central 

September 29 7pm Away Ethel 

October 6 7pm Home McAdams 

October 13 7pm Home Noxapater 

October 20 7pm Home French Camp 

October 26 7pm Away Nanih Waiya 



Beyond Athletics: How 

Velma Jackson High School 

Excels in Diverse Fields 

Dina Smith, Academy of Multimedia 

Dating back to December 7, 1958, Velma Jackson High School was 

named for Velma Jackson who served as a supervisor in Madison County. 

Sixty-five years later, in today’s competitive educational landscape, high 

schools are often recognized for their athletic achievements. 

In the 2023-2023 school term, Velma Jackson High School won state 

championships in boys’ and girls’ basketball, powerlifting, and track. 

However, Velma Jackson High School is redefining success by excelling 

in a variety of fields beyond sports. 

From academic accomplishments to artistic endeavors and community 

engagement, this well-kept secret is proving that a well-rounded education 

goes far beyond the playing field. 

Fostering intellectual excellence at Velma Jackson High School, 

academic excellence is a top priority. The school consistently ranks among 

the top for its exceptional academic programs and outstanding student 

achievements. Its dedicated faculty, rigorous curriculum, and innovative 

teaching methods have created an environment where students thrive 

intellectually. 

Students are earning scholarships from not only its community 

organizations but also from collegiate institutions that recognize the 

outstanding accomplishments, dedication, and potential of these 

exceptional students. The achievements of the students not only highlight 

their individual brilliance, but also reflect on the school’s commitment to 

nurturing talent and catering to all student’s interests and abilities, 

preparing students for successful futures. 

The Velma Jackson High School choir has had a remarkable 2022- 

2023 school term as well. The choir has scored seven superior ratings in 

choir competitions, as well as three members: K’Lei Luckett, Kameron 

Murry and Madisan Willis were selected to perform with the 2023 

MMEA High School All-State Honor Choirs at USM in Hattiesburg. 

Madisan Willis was named in the Top 5 Soprano Singers in the state as 

she earned the #5 highest score during her All-State audition. 

Our very own, Joel Hill, choir director, has been named as a 2024 

National Quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year 

Award. It’s yet another astounding example of how the Velma Jackson 

High School students and educators are exceling in all arenas. 

Preparing future leaders, in an increasingly technology-driven world, 

Velma Jackson High School recognizes the importance of preparing 

students in all facets of education and for great success in life. The 

dedicated members of Velma Jackson High School’s Technology Student 

Association chapter have achieved an outstanding milestone by securing 

national recognition for their exceptional skills, innovation, and teamwork. 

In July, the dedicated members of Velma Jackson High School’s TSA 

attended the National TSA Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, in which 

they achieved an outstanding milestone by securing national recognition 

in which they were recognized as being fourth in the nation in the 

division of Digital Video Production. The chapter’s remarkable success at 

the district, state, and national level not only highlights the hard work 

and dedication of its members, but also reflects the school’s commitment 

to fostering excellence in technology and engineering education. 

Making a difference beyond the confines of the classroom, Velma 

Jackson High School is deeply committed to community engagement 

and social responsibility. The school encourages students to actively 

participate in community service initiatives, raising awareness about local 

issues and making a positive impact. From organizing donations for 

storm victims to charity events to volunteering at local organizations, 

Velma Jackson High School students are instilled with a strong sense of 

civic duty, empathy, and leadership. 

Supporting well-rounded individuals at Velma Jackson High School, 

the emphasis is not solely on academics or sports but on the holistic 

development of each student. The school provides a supportive and 

inclusive environment that encourages students to explore a wide range of 

interests, discover their passions, and develop a well-rounded personality. 

By offering a diverse array of extracurricular activities, clubs, and 

organizations, Velma Jackson High School ensures that students have 

ample opportunities to grow personally and socially. 

Velma Jackson High School is a shining example of a high school 

that goes above and beyond in fostering excellence in various domains. 

By prioritizing academics, nurturing artistic talents, promoting community 

engagement, emphasizing STEM education, and supporting holistic 

development, Velma Jackson High School prepares its students for a 

successful and fulfilling future beyond the confines of the athletic field. 

Through its commitment to all-round excellence, this exceptional high 

school inspires its students to aim higher, dream bigger, and become 

well-rounded individuals ready to make a positive impact on the world. 


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tri-county academy 

FUN FACTS 

• Tri-County Academy was established in 1970 

as an independent day school. 

• Total enrollment K3-12th grade is 408. 

• Tri-County has a long history of excellence in 

academics, athletics, community involvement, 

and extra-curricular activities. 

• Tri-County offers Christian based education 

as well as offering dual enrollment classes 

• Tri-County athletics have a long history of 

championship teams. 

• In addition to varsity and junior high teams, there 

are elementary football and basketball teams. 



Rebels Football 


August 25 5:30 pm Away Harrison Central 

September 1 5:30 pm Home Florence 

September 8 7:00 pm Away North Pike 

September 15 7:00 pm Home Pearl 

September 22 7:00 pm Home Murrah 

September 28 7:00 pm Away Canton 

October 6 7:00 pm Away Warren Central 

October 12 7:00 pm Home Callaway 

October 20 7:00 pm Home Columbus 

October 27 7:00 pm Away Neshoba Central 

November 2 7:00 pm Away Vicksburg 



The Blue Cross & Blue 

Shield of Mississippi 

Foundation Awards 

School Garden Grant 

Robbie Bennett 

The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is working 

to educate and empower students in grades K-12 to make healthy food 

choices by funding sustainable school gardens. This school year, Tri 

County Academy welcomes students to a new school garden program 

made possible by a grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi 

Foundation. The Foundation’s School Garden Program is designed to 

fully integrate gardening into the fabric of participating schools and the 

academic experience of every student. 

Since 2015, the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation 

has provided $2.4 million to implement 82 school garden programs in 

39 counties across the state impacting over 53,000 students. Bringing 

excitement to education, school gardens allow students to be farmers, 

scientists, mathematicians, historians, poets, chefs, and horticulturists 

while learning in a living laboratory outside the traditional classroom. 

School gardens provide an educational setting where students, parents, 

teachers, and community partners can work alongside one another 

engaging in moderate exercise while building positive relationships. 

“The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation School 

Garden Program provides students with a connection between health, 

nutritious food, and academic excellence,” said Foundation Director 

Eugenia King. “We are proud to partner with Tri County Academy 

to create a school garden program that fosters a sense of ownership and 

equity by increasing students’ knowledge about growing, harvesting, 

and preparing fresh garden produce.” 

Steve Flemming, the headmaster for Tri County Academy said, 

“Receiving this grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi 

Foundation will greatly enhance our in-the-field learning on how to 

manage a working garden. Our students will learn to prepare, plant, 

maintain, and harvest fruits and vegetables. Although we live in an 

agricultural section of our state, many students do not have the opportunity 

to enjoy this way of life. Thanks to the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of 

Mississippi Foundation’s grant support and the many faculty members 

who pursued this grant, our students will receive this knowledge.” 

The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation has a vision 

for a healthy Mississippi and provides leadership and targeted grant funding 

for sustainable initiatives and programs to improve the overall health 

and well-being of Mississippians. Learn more about the School Garden 

Program and the Foundation at www.healthiermississippi.org. 


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FUN FACTS 

• Mrs. Judy Martin, our cafeteria manager, has been at Canton 

Academy for 40 years. She has loved on and fed lots of children, 

their children, and even their grandchildren! 

• Canton Academy opened in 1965 in the Boy Scout Tent Factory, 

which had no air conditioning. When attic fans were turned on, 

students had to hold their papers down on their desks so they 

would not fly away! 

• Canton Academy has a Canton Flea Market school holiday twice 

a year so that students can volunteer or work at the market on the 

second Thursday of every May and October. 

• A large percentage of the Canton Academy staff consists of 

CA alumni. 

• Students at CA come from Madison, Rankin, Hinds, Scott, Holmes, 

and Leake Counties. 

• This year’s Panther Paw Walkway has a record number of Panther 

paws, which are bought by patrons as a cheerleading fundraiser. 

• Elementary classes adopt senior football players to support and 

cheer for each year. It makes their player feel like a superstar! 

• This year CA has the biggest ratio of student council members 

elected to the state student council. 

• The cheer squad won the “Banana” award for the 7th year in a row 

at UCA cheer camp. The Banana is awarded for most school spirit. 

• For CA’s 50th anniversary homecoming in 2015, homecoming 

queens from every year were invited and paraded the football field 

with their homecoming sashes. 



Panthers Football 


August 10 6pm Away Jamboree 

August 18 7pm Home Carrol 

August 25 7pm Away West Georgia 

September 1 7pm Away Sylva Bay 

September 8 7pm Home Holmes Central 

September 15 7pm Away Central Hinds 

September 22 7pm Home Tri-County 

September 29 7pm Home Central Holmes 

October 6 7pm Away Benton 

October 13 7pm Away Riverfield 

October 20 7pm Home Indianola 



More Than Just 

The Trophies 

It’s Wednesday morning, and first grader, Virginia Dare Ford, is very 

excited about school because it’s chapel day at Canton Academy. When 

asked why she loves chapel, Virginia Dare said, “because we sing to God 

and listen to God’s Word.” 

The elementary students are not the only ones who love CA chapel. 

Students in the seventh through twelfth grade building also look forward to 

this reprieve from class where they can refocus their attention on their faith 

in what staff members describe as the most important time of the week at 

the school. “We are a Christian school so It’s important to us to reach the 

students through various youth pastors and ministers from the metro area. 

Our main goal is for our students to know who their Creator is and that 

they are loved,” says CA Head of School, Ryan Laster. History teacher and 

FCA facilitator, Kristi Cook, said, “We are so blessed to set aside a time 

each week for chapel at Canton Academy. It’s a time for students and staff 

to focus mid-week on encouraging and challenging biblical teachings from 

local ministers and speakers. I value this time as a gift for our entire student 

body to renew and refocus each week in His name.” 

Another asset to students at Canton Academy is the class with artist 

Mark Millet. Millet, a well-known Mississippi artist, is in his fourteenth 

year of teaching at CA. He also teaches adult art lessons at his studio, Millet 

Studios, in Ridgeland. Students in Millet’s classes at CA are known for 

producing captivating artwork. Graduates of CA who have studied under 

Millet have gone on to be architects, graphic designers, videographers, 

photographers, and amateur and professional painters. A few years ago, 

CA administration and Millet came up with the idea to add a life skills class 

to his teaching schedule. Students in Life Skills learn to install electrical 

outlets, change oil, learn the inner workings of different types of motors, 

grocery shop for nutritious and budget-friendly ingredients, and create 

meals from the groceries they have purchased. Girls and boys alike enjoy 

any class that Millet teaches, and he definitely fulfills his calling every day 

to interest students in the arts and life. 

Amazing art at Canton Academy is not exclusive to the upper school. 

Elementary students have been a part of an art program that produces 

award-winning artwork every single year. The CA art program takes work 

to district and state competition each year, confirming for students that 

exploring their creative side pays off. Students in Mrs. Savannah Lloyd’s art 

classes started week one using various mediums like watercolors, ink, 

paint, pastels, pencil, ‘trash stamping’ with recycled materials, paint 

bubbles, painting with markers, and print making. Chalk and oil pastels are 

on the docket for September, with acrylics and watercolor following close 

behind for the fall season. Mrs. Lloyd said, “Art is so important for ALL 

students because it has the ability to reach any child, on any level, at any 

stage of development. It’s an opportunity for emotional and spiritual 

exploration just as much as it’s about exploring the limits of their physical 

capabilities. Oftentimes art is a reprieve, a ‘sigh of relief’ from the social 

and academic expectations of the students’ school day. Plus, it’s just fun, 

and kids need fun!” 

Forensics class has been a part of the high school science curriculum at 

CA for several years. Students are always interested in learning how law 

enforcement and scientists use forensic evidence to solve crimes and how 

science and math play a big part in these solutions. This year, Coach 

Jonathan Bates is teaching forensics, and all the students want to be in his 

class. Coach Bates says students will solve murder mysteries once or twice 

a week this year, depending on the complexity of the case. The year will 

culminate with a live murder mystery crime scene investigation where one 

of our staff members is found “murdered” in the building when the students 

arrive at school. Forensics students will use investigation skills they have 

learned throughout the year to solve the mystery and have the murderer 

arrested. 

Most people know that Canton Academy has a winning athletic record, 

taking home state championship trophies last year in track, cross country, 

and football. However, to the Canton Academy community, there is more 

to winning than the big gold trophy. “I have nothing but good things to say 

about my children’s experience at Canton Academy. They are both off to 

college now, both with academic scholarships and championship rings, but 

there’s so much more to it than that. They were truly known and loved, 

steered in the directions to which the Lord called them, and prepared in 

every way possible for what lies ahead. I could not have asked for a better 

experience for the people I love most in this world,” says Jenny Wadford, 

Canton Academy director of admissions. 

Whether it’s Bible class, the arts, life skills, yearbook staff, or the clay 

shooting team, good things are happening at Canton Academy. 


Joining with others to make new discoveries every day, your child sees 

education as serious and fun, essential and delightful. In these formative 

years, they learn to ask big questions and solve complex problems— 

setting them up for a lifelong love of learning. 

“I thought the children of Jackson deserved a different kind of education.” 

— St. Andrew’s Founder Sherwood Wise 

foundations – grade 12 | jackson & ridgeland, mississippi | gosaints.org 


ST. ANDREW ’ S 

FUN FACTS 

• St. Andrew’s Episcopal School was founded in 1947. Founders were 

Sherwood Wise, Reynolds Cheney, Vincent and Adele Franks, and Minnie 

Lee Hill. Tuition was set at $25 per month. Adele Eames Franks was named 

the first headmistress. 

• St. Andrew’s athletics took off in the 1970s. St. Andrew’s joined the Mississippi 

High School Activities Association. The baseball team brought home the 

Saints’ first state championship trophy in 1977. 

• St. Andrew’s had the first school soccer team in Mississippi. 

• St. Andrew’s was the first school in Mississippi to offer AP courses and have 

a Cum Laude chapter. 

• St. Andrew’s was the first high school in Mississippi to go wireless in 2002. 

• St. Andrew’s was also the first school in Mississippi in which all high school 

students worked on individual laptops. 

• St. Andrew’s continues to excel in the classroom and on the playing fields. 

• St. Andrew’s had seven students score perfect 36s on the ACT in 2017. 

• St. Andrew’s has won 118 state championships. 

• The Alexander Clark Institute for Advanced Studies offers students in-depth 

opportunities for guided career exploration, internships, and research. 



Saints Football 


August 25 7pm Home West Lincoln 

September 1 7pm Home Enterprise Lincoln 

September 8 7pm Home Sacred Heart 

September 15 7pm Away McAdams 

September 22 7pm Home McLaurin 

September 29 7pm Away Pelahatchie 

October 6 7pm Home Pisgah 

October 13 7pm Away Puckett 

October 20 7pm Home Raleigh 

October 26 7pm Away Richland 



St. Andrew’s Students 

Making a Way 

in the World 

Marlo Kirkpatrick 

Following two years of Covid-imposed travel restrictions, St. Andrew’s 

students welcomed the return of life-changing international trips and 

cultural exchanges. Global studies activities in the 2022-23 school year 

included international trips to Italy, Ireland, and the UK for upper school 

students, and Costa Rica for middle school students. 

“There’s no substitute for experiencing another place first-hand. It is 

truly life changing,” said Emily Philpott, director of global studies. “But 

what makes St. Andrew’s program unique is that global studies is woven 

throughout the curriculum. In many schools, ‘global studies’ is limited to 

trips, but at St. Andrew’s, it’s an integral part of the overall educational 

experience.” 

The school also welcomed exchange students from St. Andrew’s 

partner school in Peru. Weekly “Travel Thursdays,” an optional upper 

school lunch break program featuring speakers who share their global 

experiences, were held throughout the year in addition to virtual events 

and project collaborations with partner schools in Ghana, Peru, Germany, 

and India. 

Upcoming global studies trips for the 2023-24 school year will 

include upper school trips to Italy/Austria/Germany and Peru and a 

middle school trip to Iceland. St. Andrew’s will also host visiting 

students from partner schools in Ghana and Germany. 

St. Andrew’s global studies program is grounded in the belief that 

every student should have the opportunity to experience other cultures 

first-hand, regardless of family income. Established in 2008 through a 

generous gift from St. Andrew’s alumnus Creath Guillot (’75), the Guillot 

Global Fellows Program provides grants to help students cover the cost of 

participating in international trips offered through St. Andrew’s. “Creath 

Guillot’s gift has been instrumental in growing the global studies program 

and has given so many St. Andrew’s students the chance to experience 

another part of the world,” Philpott said. “Our hope is that Mr. Guillot’s 

gift will inspire additional financial support for the program so that more 

students will have these amazing opportunities.” During the 2022-23 

school year, 13 students received Guillot Grants. 

“My ability to travel to Italy last fall – my first trip outside the United 

States – was entirely contingent upon receiving the Guillot grant,” said 

Victoria Akins (’22). “I am an avid lover of the arts and I have always 

wanted to visit the Sistine Chapel to experience the work of Michelangelo. 

Hearing and reading about historic art can’t compare to viewing it in 

person. I will never be able to truly express my gratitude for an award this 

life-changing.” 

“I believe in St. Andrew’s global studies program even more today 

than when it was first started,” Creath Guillot said. “As much conflict as 

there is today in the world – and within the United States – creating any 

opportunity to see things through someone else’s perspective is extremely 

important. I like to think this program contributes to that.” 

Also in 2022, St. Andrew’s launched Global Voices, a lower school 

and early childhood global studies initiative. Global Voices introduces 

young students to global cultures through speakers, virtual exchanges, 

and fun-filled, hands-on activities. 

The lower school kicked off Global Voices with a presentation by 

St. Andrew’s community members with ties to other countries. Three 

faculty members and two parents spoke to students in grades 1-4 about 

what “going back to school” was like in their home countries of Kenya, 

Mexico, India, China, and Germany. 

“St. Andrew’s has been doing things like this for years, but this is the 

first year in which we have a position dedicated to bringing in these types 

of performances and events,” said Mayson McKey, assistant director of 

global studies. “The plan is to cover one topic each month. But if St. 

Andrew’s community members are interested in sharing with the students, 

we’ll have more events. This program is fueled by our St. Andrew’s 

community.” 

Global Voices was designed with students in mind, but parents 

and faculty have also found themselves enlightened and excited by the 

program. “I enjoyed giving the children a perspective of what happens in 

other countries,” said Dr. Jadeline Anyumba-Mitema, who introduced 

students to back-to-school activities in her native Kenya. “Global Voices 

sensitizes our children to differences – and to similarities – between 

people that come from upbringings in different countries.” 

“I learned so much from my fellow panelists and friends from around 

the world,” said Sandra Flores, a pre-K teacher from Mexico. “Our 

differences are an essential part of what enriches humanity.” 


Pumpkin 

Adventure 

 

 

Harvest 

Fest 

 

Homestead 

for the Holidays 

 

 


Germantown 

FUN FACTS 

• GHS has grown exponentially in its 13 years. In 2011, the student body was 

550. Now, we’re over 1400! 

• GHS also offers a Mississippi first Model Academy of Healthcare! 

The Germantown High School Academy of Healthcare Excellence is a 

three or four-year “school within a school” program which offers a college 

preparatory academic curriculum as well as career and technical experiences 

for students interested in careers in the healthcare industry. 

• We are an “A” rated school. 

• For the 8th consecutive year, we have a graduation rate of over 94%. 

• We’ve gathered state championships in girls’ basketball, dance, boys’ golf, 

girls’ golf, boys’ powerlifting, and girls’ soccer—quite the well-rounded group 

of champs! 

• Our artistic prowess is just as impressive. We have state championships in our 

band and choir programs, 80+ scholastic art and writing awards every year for 

the past seven years, and the only high school with a literary magazine 

published twice a year. 



Mavericks Football 


August 18 6pm Fall Scrimmage Lawrence County 

August 25 7pm Away Northwest Rankin 

September 1 7pm Home Canton 

September 8 7pm Away Warren Central 

September 15 7pm Home West Lauderdale 

September 22 7pm Away Pearl 

September 29 7pm Home Gentry 

October 6 7pm Home Starkville 

October 13 7pm Away Tupelo 

October 20 7pm Home Madison 

October 27 7pm Away Clinton 



Radically Inclusive! 

Ashleigh Norman 

For years, Germantown High School has done special things with our 

self-contained special education students, affectionately known as Super 

Mavs. 

What started in Mrs. Kelly McIntosh’s special education classroom as 

a life skills lesson, grew into the schoolwide tradition called Mav Café. On 

select Friday mornings throughout the school year, Super Mavs sell coffee, 

juice, and delicious homemade snacks with smiles to the students and 

teachers of GHS. The money they raise is used to fund a senior scholarship. 

This is what inclusion looks like at GHS. 

Our Super Mavs also perform a special number with the Germantown 

choir in our fall and spring concerts. Additionally, the Super Mavs 

are embedded in our general education classes where they participate in 

lectures and create projects with their peers. Our general education 

teachers collaborate with special education teachers to ensure that their 

curriculum is both appropriate for their individual education plans and 

also comparable in content and appearance to that of every other student 

in the classroom. This is what inclusion looks like at GHS. 

For the 2023-2024 school year, Super Mavs were offered a new 

opportunity. For the very first time, junior and senior Super Mavs were 

invited to run for SGA Super Mav Representative. Junior Class President 

Anna Cate Arnett represented the SGA as the opportunity was presented 

to our Super Mavs. “We want all students included in decisions here at 

Germantown,” she expressed. This is what inclusion looks like at GHS. 

Student government elections got underway with campaigning in full 

force both in and out of the Super Mavs’ classrooms. Campaign posters 

lined the halls. Campaign speeches were made to voters. Campaign videos 

circulated the building. 

When word of the Super Mav election got out, the GHS Maverick 

family jumped into action without hesitation. A voting booth was created. 

Librarian Kristy Abbey volunteered to work the polls and required each 

Super Mav to state their full name and provide their signature. Once each 

student cast their vote, they received an “I Voted” sticker that they wore 

with pride. It was important for the process to emulate a real election. 

Special education teacher Ms. Courtney Creel and Assistant Principal 

Dr. Syl Burrell organized a press conference to announce the winner. 

This is what inclusion looks like at GHS. 

On August 18, 2023, James Aaron Martin made history as he was 

officially elected Super Mav Representative for Germantown High 

School’s Student Government Association. This opportunity is beyond 

our two self-contained classrooms. This is building social skills, technology 

skills, decision-making, and encouraging citizenship. This addition to 

our Student Government Association will impact our students and 

community far beyond our careers. 

We are grateful to have students who want to be included and a 

general population who accepts and encourages everyone. Germantown 

High School is radically inclusive! On this day and every day - It is great 

day to be a MAVERICK! 


TALENT SHOW 2023 

October 6 

Babies through 

19 years old 

October 7 

Any Age, Any Talent 

October 9,10 

Mississippi Idol 



SALUTE 

to First Responders 

What made you decide to work in law enforcement? 

I never grew up wanting to work in law enforcement. I think law 

enforcement chose me. When I was working in retail, my co-workers 

always told me that I “looked like a cop.” I eventually started working 

at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, then at Jackson State 

University where I was certified. I was hired by the Ridgeland Police 

Department from JSU in 2000. 

How long have you been with a school resource officer 

with Madison County? 

I started working as a school resource officer for the Ridgeland 

Police Department in 2005. I was assigned to Old Town Middle School 

from 2005 until 2013. When the school resource officer at Ridgeland 

High School (Sgt. Gary Davis) retired, I started working at the 

high school. 


There’s my lovely wife of 27 years Millicent, and my daughters 

Alexandria (33), Cierra (29), and Christina (28). 

What is the toughest thing you have experienced in your job? 

Whenever one of our students makes a destructive decision that ruins 

their life or the lives of others. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in your spare time. 

Listening to music, watching television, and cooking on the grill. 

Resource Officer 

Ricky 

BRACEY 

RIDGELAND HIGH SCHOOL 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

I’m a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan and I’ve been to several of their 

regular season road games, but I haven’t made it to Pittsburgh yet for 

a regular season game. I’d also like to just travel around the country. 

And RETIRE! 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

I admire my wife and daughters the most. My beautiful daughters 

have grown up to be wonderful productive goal oriented young 

women. My wife is the glue that holds everything together. 

We wouldn’t be where we are today without her. 


If you could give one piece of advice to a young person, 


Just make good decisions in whatever you do—it’s not hard to know 

right from wrong. In the words of the great Lee Boozer (Ridgeland 

High’s first principal) “DO RIGHT.” 

What is your favorite thing about the city of Ridgeland? 

My favorite thing about the city of Ridgeland is the convenience 

of everything. There are a lot of activities to get involved in. The City 

is always putting on events, and we have a great infrastructure. 

If something breaks, City maintenance will fix it quickly. 

And of course, the awesome first responders!! 

What is your favorite thing about Madison County? 

My favorite thing about Madison County is the pride shown by 

each city. Especially the support given to the schools in their cities. 


Rivals on 

the field. 

Same team 

at home. 


Susan Marquez 

Fall brings cooler weather and the excitement of football season. 

Going to a game can be fun, but when the teams playing 

have an age-old rivalry, the stakes are even higher. 

Rob Juett (known to most as Rob Jay) and Tamica Smith-Juett 

met by chance in a restaurant. “I had just moved to Jackson from 

Birmingham to work at WJTV as a weekend anchor and reporter. 

It was a three-year gig, and my plans were to move back to Birmingham as 

soon as I was done,” Tamica recalls. Tamica was with her mother and 

daughter Maddie, who was three at the time. “Rob looked up from his 

meal and spotted me. He said, ‘I saw you on the news!’” Never one 

to get involved in her daughter’s relationships, Tamica’s mom remarked 

later that Rob seemed like a nice guy. “On the way out the door, he 

spoke to my daughter, telling her she could be his daughter.” 

Tamica didn’t pay much attention to the exchange until that night 

when she tuned into WLBT and saw Rob anchoring the sports desk. 

“I reached out to him and told him I would have been friendlier if 

I had realized he was a colleague.” 

The next year, Tamica wanted to go see the Battle of the Bands. 

“My cameraman told me to ask Rob, because he had access to tickets.” 

Reluctantly, Tamica called, and not only did she get the tickets, but 

they exchanged numbers, and the rest is history. 

They both knew from the start that they went to rival colleges. 

Rob attended Jackson State University, and Tamica went to rival 

Southern University in Baton Rouge. Both schools are among the most 

successful SWAC members. Attending Southern has been a family 

affair for Tamica, who is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. “When I was in 

the sixth grade I had a cousin who graduated from Southern. She 

always talked about her school. When it was time for me to go to 

college in 1990, I moved to Baton Rouge, then my two younger sisters 

followed me. Now my daughter is attending Southern and majoring in 

broadcast journalism.” 

Rob not only attended JSU, but he now works there in the position 

of assistant athletic director for broadcasting and video services. 

Because Rob is in the press box on game day, he and Tamica don’t sit 

together at the annual “Boombox Classic,” when the Jackson State 

Tigers meet the Southern University Jaguars on the gridiron. When 

in Jackson, the match-up takes place at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 

The home games for Southern are played in the A.W Mumford 

Stadium. No matter where the Jags play, you will find Tamica dressed 

in Columbia Blue and Gold. “She doesn’t make a lot of noise leading 

up to a game,” laughs Rob, “but for days leading up to it, she will start 

wearing her team colors.” 

Tamica says Rob actually buys her pieces of game day attire for 

Christmas. “It really is sweet of him to do that. I buy some of my own 

pieces, but I only buy them when they are on sale.” As for the “noise” 

Rob mentioned, Tamica admits there may be a bit of smack talking 

leading up the game. “It’s really more teasing than anything.” One 

thing Rob says he will do is to put Tamica’s Southern car flags on his 

car when he drives to Baton Rouge. “I think it may save me some 

grief after the game if things don’t go our way.” 

While they may not be aligned on football teams, both Rob and 

Tamica say they enjoy watching TV together. “We both love the news 

and movies,” says Tamica. “And popcorn,” adds Rob. As a matter of 

fact, both consider themselves to be popcorn connoisseurs. “I found 

a popcorn I really liked in Chicago, and Rob surprised me by 

ordering a big tub of it.” 

This year’s matchup between Jackson State and Southern 

University will take place September 9 at 6pm central time. It’s a 

home game for the Jags, so the Juetts will be traveling to Baton Rouge. 

When asked who they will be rooting for during the halftime show, 

Rob didn’t hesitate. “Without a doubt it will be the Sonic Boom of 

the South. I grew up watching them.” And for Tamica, it will be the 

“Human Boombox” all the way. But the truth of the matter is that it 

really doesn’t matter who wins. “I love all the teams,” says Rob. “I don’t 

hate any school. I just love college athletics, period.” 

And Tamica, who serves as the executive director of the American 

Red Cross of Southwest Mississippi, feels like she has already won. 

“Rob has been a wonderful husband for 16 years, and we are still going 

strong. He is a great guy.” 



Exploring Excellence in Healthcare 

Susan Marquez 

In a world where healthcare is 

at the forefront of everyone’s mind, 

finding a clinic that offers comprehensive, 

cutting-edge services is 

essential. Look no further than 

Integrated Medical and Wellness 

Clinic – a beacon of health and 

well-being that stands as a testament 

to innovation, expertise, and patientcentered 

care located just off the 

Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland. 

Integrated Medical and Wellness Clinic is not your ordinary 

healthcare facility. It is a place where science, compassion, and 

technology converge to create a truly holistic approach to healing. 

With a diverse range of services under one roof, the clinic is committed 

to enhancing the quality of life for its patients across the spectrum of 

health concerns. 

At Integrated Medical and Wellness Clinic, the capabilities are 

as comprehensive as they are transformative. “From regenerative 

treatments that harness the body’s innate healing capacity to pain 

management strategies that alleviate suffering, our clinic stands as 

a hope for those seeking genuine relief,” 

says Anna Thornley, the clinic’s vice 

president of business development. 

“Our orthopedic experts are dedicated 

to restoring mobility and functionality, 

allowing patients to regain control over 

their lives. With a profound understanding 

of the intricate musculoskeletal system, 

they craft personalized solutions that 

cater to each patient’s unique needs.” 

Beyond addressing physical discomfort, the clinic boasts 

aesthetic dermatology services that rejuvenate not only the skin but 

also the confidence of their patients as well. Guided by the principles of 

both art and science, the team of skilled professionals at Integrative 

Medical and Wellness Clinic ensures that beauty and well-being go 

hand in hand. 

Also recognizing that wellness encompasses all aspects of life, 

including intimate ones, the sexual wellness programs at Integrated 

Medical and Wellness are designed to help individuals rediscover 

their vitality, fostering healthier relationships and self-esteem. 


“At Integrated Medical and Wellness Clinic, innovation isn’t 

just a buzzword; it’s the driving force behind every decision 

we make,” says Thornley. “We proudly introduce our groundbreaking 

approach to diabetes treatment – DiaMetrix – a 

revolutionary solution that goes beyond managing symptoms. 

It actually addresses the root causes of diabetes, leveraging 

cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to restore the 

body’s natural metabolic harmony.” 

Thornley says the clinic’s success in Ridgeland has been 

fueled by a team of expert physicians and staff who combine 

their extensive medical knowledge with unwavering compassion. 

“We understand that each patient is unique, and that’s 

why we prioritize personalized care. This patient-centric 

approach ensures that everyone who walks through our 

doors receives the attention and care they truly deserve.” 

With a strong commitment to community, Integrated 

Medical and Wellness Clinic’s impact extends beyond the 

walls of their facility. Not just healers, they are contributors 

to the well-being of the community. They offer educational 

seminars, workshops, and outreach programs, and they strive 

to empower individuals to take control of their health. 

In a world of healthcare options, Integrated Medical and 

Wellness Clinic shines as a beacon of excellence. With a 

commitment to innovation, compassion, and comprehensive 

care, we stand at the forefront of healthcare’s evolution, 

making a positive impact one patient at a time. 

Integrative Medical and Wellness Center 

is located at 212 Draperton Court in Ridgeland. 

Find them online at www.imawc.com. 



Where 

education, 

research and 

patient care 

all come 

together for 

one reason. 

You. 

All for Your Health 

umc.edu/YourHealth 


The CHALKBOARD 

Jackson Academy 

Students Envision Careers in JA STEM Labs 

Meet Andrew Baquie, Jackson Academy Middle School 

Madison Resident 

This STEM enthusiast balances academics, sports, and music 

during the school year and uses his summers to hone leadership 

and analytical skills. 

QUICK FACTS 

• Looking forward to: Marching with the JA band 

• Favorite Subject: Math 

• New Experience: Staying on a college campus during 

the summer 2022 NYLF STEM Pathways Camp 

• Outside of School: Boy Scouts 

• Still to Do: A career in engineering 

• Just for Fun: Camping and exploring outdoors 

In the summer of 2023, Andrew attended the National Guard Kids 

Annual Training Camp for students who have a parent or grandparent 

in the military. As an aide-de-camp, he learned servant leadership 

skills attending to the 150 campers. 

“I would wake up early and do their laundry, serve them food, carry 

water to them and make sure campers were hydrated, take out 

trash and make sure camp was clean after they ate,” Andrew said. 

“The most important thing I learned is how to work together with 

other people. Our group had four aide-de-camps that had to work 

together to make sure our tasks were complete each day for the 

whole camp.” 

As part of the second phase of its comprehensive campus master 

plan, Jackson Academy renovated STEM and science labs across 

the K2-twelfth grade campus in the summer of 2023. The JA STEM 

program that motivated Andrew Baquie allows students to explore 

the world of science and engineering for themselves, collaborating 

in teams. 

DYNAMIC PROJECTS INCLUDE 

• Creating lightning bolts • Constructing a giant spider’s web 

• Soda eruptions • Rocket launches 

• Constructing a working FM radio • Simulating earthquakes 

• Building solar-powered vehicles • Dissecting squid 

• Collecting and testing evidence to solve a crime 

• Producing a newscast 

For more information about Jackson Academy, visit jacksonacademy. 

org/admissions/ or call 601-362-9676 to schedule a tour today. 


FALL VISIT DAY 

OCTOBER 14, 2023 

Plan Your 

Visit Today! 

Discover why so many students 

are choosing to build their 

legacy at Ole Miss. 

SCAN THE QR CODE 

TO SCHEDULE YOUR 

CAMPUS VISIT. 

@OleMissBound

TheTime COIN 

Camille Anding 

The countdown is close enough to hear it ticking. 

The ‘23-‘24 school schedule is here, ready or not! As a former teacher absent from the 

classroom for decades, I’m not one to offer advice or instruction for the classroom and its 

challenges of today. But there are a few things I recall that will never change. 

There will be those students entering the classroom that are shy, quiet, and reserved. Their 

thoughts and personalities will stay confined within their minds unless that gifted teacher can 

challenge them to “break out.” Those teachers will need a surplus of sensitivity and wisdom. 

Other students will bolt through the door like ignited sticks of dynamite. They will be quick to 

size up their teacher and determine that teacher’s adherence to discipline and her passion for 

teaching. That teacher will need a reserve supply of patience, wisdom, and a quick mind. 

A few students will enter the classroom quietly while surveying their new “terrain.” They will 

appear to be the model students but will possess an underlying craftiness and mischief and the 

ability to use those disruptive skills to create chaos. Teachers will need to have discernment to 

spot them quickly in an attempt to “diffuse” those skills along with wisdom to divert their chaos into 

positive channels. 

More than we want to see will be those students bringing the baggage of heaviness into the 

classroom. Poverty, dysfunctional families, and a myriad of other weights will accompany them, 

pulling those minds into a pit that will require a wise and gifted teacher to pull them into an 

educable mode. 

There will also be those students that will balance the teacher’s days when irrationality 

and total perplexity threaten to overwhelm. These students will be well adjusted, eager for 

new learning experience, and quick to take instructions. They will bring renewed hope for their 

teachers and a fulfilling reason to return to the classroom. 

When I consider all these types of personalities and needs with the hot, humid early days of fall, 

the students’ sticky, sweaty bodies, odors of new, clean, and not-so-clean clothes, I understand 

there’s an endless list of qualities that teachers need to possess. Where do we go for wisdom, 

patience, strength, and most of all love for those who are hard to love? Jesus is the Source – an 

endless supply: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” 

Proverbs 2:6. And that wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are written down in His Word for 

all to read. That truth makes me want to suggest a reading assignment for all those dedicated 

teachers.

Madison923web

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