Junior State of America: A New Chapter

A Lamar School Junior, Isabella Gray, is expanding Lamar’s extracurricular activities this school year by establishing a new organization for high school students. Junior State of America (JSA) is a leadership program designed to encourage civic engagement within the school and the community. Isabella “realized that part of the reason some students lack school spirit was coordinated with their lack of involvement,” which inspired her to introduce an option for them to express themselves alongside like-minded students. She is offering new opportunities and experiences available to those interested in serving the community.

This November, members of JSA are creating gift packages in decorated shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Pre-K through 12th grade will give small Christmas gifts and write notes to eventually give to First Baptist Church of Meridian for underprivileged children in third-world countries. Isabella is also planning on hosting multiple fundraisers and public-speaking opportunities. By starting JSA, Isabella hopes to make students “feel like they have a voice and that they can change things.”

Isabella came to Lamar as a sophomore and has since been pushing to change this school for the better. Her past schools had a chapter of Junior State of America, where she saw how it influenced students to speak their mind. Isabella wanted to replicate that sense of empowerment and wants “other schools in Meridian to realize the benefits the club can have on a student body.” Her long-term aspirations are to have chapters of JSA throughout most of Mississippi. Although she is planning for statewide transformations, Isabella also hopes for Lamar to “create an environment of school spirit, involvement, and excitement for what is to come.” JSA and its members are excited to broaden the horizons of the Lamar School community, with their ultimate goal of uniting the students with their school and the school with Meridian.