From the CO to Silicon Valley Tyler Building Ribbon Cutting Missions: Nicaragua and Zimbabwe
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2016 | Jackson Christian’s 40th Year | jcseagles.org From The CO to Silicon Valley Missions: Nicaragua and Zimbabwe Tyler Building Ribbon Cutting FROM THE PRESIDENT Dr. Mark Benton THE LEADER 2016: The Magazine of Jackson Christian Jackson Christian School’s mission is to lead students to love God by providing a quality, values-oriented education in a Christian environment. 5 “In the midst of all this change, the Board of Trustees Rusty Butcher, Chairman Raybo Dunn, Vice-Chairman one constant and never-changing Mary Lou Gatgens, Secretary Gary Martin, Treasurer component of Jackson Christian is our Jason Rudd, Past Chairman Jeff Blankenship Bobby Coffman focus on Jesus Christ.” Monte Jones Dr. Chris Lewis 17 26 Dr. Jim Payne Dr. Cindi Swaim President Dr. Mark Benton THIS YEAR the operative word the academic center, renovation of the innovation lab and two lecture rooms, as Director of Academics on the campus of Jackson Christian is chemistry laboratory, renovation of the well as a tremendous chorus room. Lisa Hickerson most definitely “change.” Never in the library and media complex, new paint Secondary Dean of Students and history of the school has there been throughout the entire secondary building, In the midst of all this change, the one Director of Athletics such a dramatic physical change to the renovation of the band room, renovation constant and never-changing component campus. Some of the changes include: of all secondary bathrooms, renovation of of Jackson Christian is our focus on Jesus Scott Gatlin the new soccer complex, more than the cafeteria, the creation of a life science Christ. We have committed extensive Director of Elementary 50,000 square feet of new flooring on lab, and, finally, the 12,000-square-foot time and energy integrating a Biblical Linda Bradford the secondary campus, renovation of addition that includes the robotics lab, worldview into our total curriculum, while Director of Early Learning Village emphasizing Jesus as the cornerstone we Jeanna Rice work from and His love as our capstone 27 30 Director of Preschool that we operate beneath. It is our desire to be a school that glorifies Christ in Martha McDonald our actions, attitudes and words. As we Director of Advancement equip and prepare our students to have CONTENTS Chris Ramey an eternal impact upon our world, we Director of Marketing/Leader Editor 3 40 Years and Counting 20 Gifted Students Soar are deeply committed to letting Jesus Tamie Sorrell completely define them. 5 21 Tyler Building Ribbon Cutting News and Notes Leader Creative 7 23 Rest assured that as we celebrate our Lead Campaign Updates Around Campus Bramblett Group 40th birthday in the sea of change, we are 9 Senior Highlights 25 Preschool Leader Contributing Writers deeply committed to keeping Jesus as the Jackson Christian Staff 11 Eagle Award and Senior Superlatives 26 From The CO to Silicon Valley cornerstone for all that occurs at Jackson Christian. This unwavering commitment 12 Academic Data 27 Fine Arts to our Savior and His word will allow 13 Graduation 29 Nicaragua: Continuing the Mission Jackson Christian to produce another 40 years of world changers. 15 Awards Day 30 Life-Changing Encounters in Zimbabwe 17 Eagle Spirit 31 Alumni Corner 19 2016-2017 Additions 33 Donors, Honorariums and Memorials LEADER 2016 supporters, I don’t want to try and mention group to help with fundraising. Some of us set for ourselves. We have to recognize that the names of every family and individual who cleaned the building and some of us served only God made Jackson Christian the reality made JCS possible. One of the characteristics as substitute teachers. We also need to note that is today. It seems to me that those of of many of our donors was that they did not the impressive leadership of Brother John our early teachers who gave up lucrative want or need public acknowledgment of the Carey. He very carefully led us through the jobs in the public sector made serious financial support they gave. In our history, we accreditation process. Even though we were sacrifices to be a part of a small, new school. have many silent heroes who lifted up our a new and small school, under Mr. Carey’s Without those teachers, JCS would not cause and made Jackson Christian School a leadership we received accreditation from have become the educational powerhouse 40 YEARS reality, not just a dream. the Southern Association of Colleges and it is today. We need to remember our debt Schools – a very complex process. We to all those teachers and staff that took AND COUNTING There was a time in our early history that should also note that we received that very the leap of faith with us. I have to think of each of the board members was required by significant milestone before any other private people like June Pipkin, Aneita Lentz, Linda the bank to make a personal commitment to school in Jackson! Ruff, Julia Humphreys, Laura Jones, Pam by Judith Humphreys, “own” the very large debt that was part of Holmes and so many who took a chance on Member of Inaugural Board starting the school. I have laughed and said It is with such gratitude that we have to Jackson Christian. Without their dedication that there were times I would wake up during acknowledge the loving generosity of to our purpose, we would have never I feel pretty sure that everyone here is everyday operation of Jackson Christian. He the night and think, “Please God, don’t let the the elders of what was then the Central succeeded in the way that we have. familiar with the expression, “Ignorance is patiently met with us and advised us on how bank call in the note – we don’t have that Congregation. They very graciously allowed bliss.” Back in 1975 and 1976 that expression to maintain a positive direction in building much money!” I am aware that I was not the us to begin our first academic year in the While ignorance might be bliss, Jackson pretty much describes where a group of what you see around you today. only one who had those same middle-of-the- building of what is now Campbell Street. Christian stands today as a beacon of parents were when we decided it was time night prayers. In order to accommodate the necessary light and hope that our children and for us to start a Christian school in Jackson. Another outstanding Christian advisor was requirements of the fire department, those grandchildren have a stepping stone into We were a small group of Christians who Floyd Daniel, a vice president from Harding In addition to our financial efforts, many elders allowed us to kick out walls, add fire their future as Christian leaders in our were very concerned about the culture. University. He also spent time listening of us invested a lot of what I call “sweat- doors and make many more renovations that homes, in our communities and in the future There seemed to be a steady increase in to our hopes and dreams and offered us equity” in Jackson Christian. Many times were required for the safety and well-being of God’s church. troubled children and teenagers who were invaluable advice on how to set goals and our first headmaster, John Carey, and I took of the first students whose parents entrusted wrestling with getting a quality education how to obtain what we needed to do to our old farm truck and went “shopping” for their children to Jackson Christian School. and growing their spirituality. succeed in financing JCS. One piece of furniture and equipment to stock the school. If you think about the leap of faith those advice from Brother Daniel had to do with Unfortunately, at the time we were starting parents made when they loaned us their Several of us began meeting to brainstorm the actual fund-raising technique he had Jackson Christian, there were several private children, maybe you can grasp the enormity about how developing a Christian school help support the school.” I don’t know how used in his efforts for Harding. With a smile schools that were failing. Those schools of their trust in our faculty and staff. could be done and how it could be funded. to express to you how frustrating that was. and a twinkle in his eyes he said, “When you were in the position of having to sell off We purposefully committed to reaching out We needed the financial support in order to visit with someone to ask for financial help, their furniture. We bought and loaded, and Remember that expression, “Ignorance to every congregation for participation in get the school started, but apparently many always ask for at least twice as much as you then unloaded desks, book cases, fixtures, is bliss?” Sometimes I think that if we had providing our children and children to come people were not confident that in spite of think they will give. That way, they will be so supplies and many of the items we needed understood in the beginning all that starting a with a college preparatory education in an our personal lack of financial strength, God grateful to give you half of what you ask that to furnish our classrooms. The women of the school would entail, we might have cowered atmosphere where they could continue to would have His hand in our efforts. they will open up their billfolds and offer you Jackson Christian family became a catering in fear of the enormity of the task we had mature in their spiritual growth.