Ellianna's JAGS Journey
Ellianna's JAGS Journey
The Jackson Academy of Global Studies - A program that creates global competence and readiness
About Me!
Hello! I am part of the graduating class of 2026. I chose to join JAGS because I wanted to grow as a person. JAGS allowed me to grow as I was able to improve my speaking skills and learn about the world. I am planning on going to college, majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Global Studies. After that, I would like to pursue a Ph.D. and become a researcher where I run my own lab. My main goal is to make an impact on people's lives, and I believe I can do this through improving medicine and researching disease. Eventually, I would like to live overseas and experience the different cultures.
While in High School, I have been focused on academics, band, and figure skating. The majority of my classes have been STEM classes, as I enjoy them much more because of the problem solving aspect. For the band, I have enjoyed the challenge that it has brought, and also the friends that I have made through the program. In figure skating, I have enjoyed the challenge that each new skill has brought, and greatly enjoyed the activity and weightlifting that I have partaken in. These four years taught me time management skills, but also the ability to have fun while working. I have had an amazing four years at Jackson High School, and hope that my future is as fun as these years have been.
The Four Pillars of JAGS
Investigate the World:
I was able to research the Haitian country and learn about their culture. I was able to see how their history now shapes their current government.
Recognize perspectives:
I was able to go on the Heifer trip, which allowed me to know put myself into someone who lived in a third-world country's shoes. This allowed me to recognize their desperate situation.
Communicate Ideas:
I had to be in multiple group projects the entire time, and had to learn how to work with others in a way where compromises were making.
Take Action:
I started teaching Sunday school at my church to kindergarteners. This allowed me to start teaching in different ways to be able to hold the attention of all.
Investigate the World:
I was able to investigate the world through the Costa Rica trip, where we were able to learn about their culture, and experience the sights and sounds of Costa Rica.
Recognize perspectives:
I was able to recognize the perspectives of my group mates with the documentary project. This was a very hefty project with everyone having different ideas, and it was important to recognize the perspectives of my group mates in order for it to be successful.
Communicate Ideas:
I was able to communicate ideas with my figure skating students as an adult. I learned how to teach in different ways, and learned that one of the most important parts of communicating is listening.
Take Action:
I took action through volunteering at Whispering Grace Farms. This was part of an animal project that allowed us to feed the horses and clean their stalls. This was a very fun volunteering project.
Investigate the World:
I investigated the world through learning about different French cultures through my French class. I learned interesting facts about most of the French speaking countries, and was able to learn about the different dialects they speak as well.
Recognize perspectives:
I was able to recognize other perspectives while doing my presentation on the ethicality of nuclear warfare. I had to look at the use of nuclear weapons through an unbiased viewpoint, which made me recognize each different perspective.
Communicate Ideas:
I was able to communicate ideas through the Europe trip. I was able to use my knowledge of French to be able to communicate with the French people, and have conversations with them.
Take Action:
I was able to take action by being a part of the JAGS service leadership team. I was able to help organize and run events, while working behind the scenes to help everything run smoothly.
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Investigate the World: [Copy/Paste bullet from the GPS that is relevant to your artifacts included in this section]
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Recognize perspectives: [Copy/Paste bullet from the GPS that is relevant to your artifacts included in this section]
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Communicate Ideas: [Copy/Paste bullet from the GPS that is relevant to your artifacts included in this section]
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Take Action: [Copy/Paste bullet from the GPS that is relevant to your artifacts included in this section]
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