ENGLISH - Romeo & Juliet + The Odyssey: Mrs DePriest
The perspective of Romeo and Juliet and The Odyssey continued that trend. English is not my strongest subject, and because of that, the material in the class was usually boring, but you have to get through it. But the reading of Romeo and Juliet gave a different perspective to reading. The ye old English and medieval times mixed in with our modern English show the evolution of our language within five centuries. And even today, we have seen our language change with different slang and terms that replace the old terms.
However, the teacher was an amazing person who tried her hardest to make English seem fun by introducing many creative things that include the pillars of English and Writing, but in a way to where we have the choice to create our own material, such as the Genius Project. The Genius Project was our way of doing creativity that we have always wanted to do, but included presentation skills, and research into why we chose it.
HISTORY - The League of Nations: Mr. Marlett
History is one of my favorite subjects to be in, and in the room, the teacher made the course more fun and less boring than what other teachers would do. His time and effort in the class are more than what most teachers would do, even with the boring sections that we need to learn to get into the fun stuff, he still made the class better for me to learn.
The League of Nations unit was my favorite, as we got to roleplay as a country and choose the outcome for our class, and see what the correct answer was at the same time. I played as Finland with my partner Mars, and together we had a fun time roleplaying as Finland, and experienced a better and more integrated subject than I have ever had in my years at Jackson Local Schools.
‘CO-CURRICULAR/EXTRA CURRICULAR’ - Summit Night
Summit Night was a special opportunity for me to share everything I’ve accomplished throughout the year in my academy. It was a moment where I could reflect on the progress that I had learned throughout the year in JAGS to the projects I completed. From classwork to hands-on experiences, I could see that I’ve grown more that what I expected from the recruitment speeches they have given in my 8th grade year. Preparing for Summit Night reminded me of the dedication, hardwork, and focus I’ve put into my learning every day.
Presenting my work to teachers and mt family, gave me a real sense of what JAGS was and how it applied to me and my future. It wasn’t just about showing good grades—it was about telling the story of my progress and the challenges I overcame. Summit Night allowed me to show my learning and review with myself the results of my hard work. It proved that everything I’ve done in my academy has a meaning and purpose in me, and it motivates me to keep pushing forward in JAGS.
WORLD LANGUAGE - Spanish I: Senora King
In Spanish I, the basic Spanish that most people know, like "Hola", was our starting point, but over the year, I progressed in the course and understood more Spanish, and could have a lower-communicative conversation with spoken English, but understood that the perspective on the Spanish culture and language is importantly different than our American Culture.
Through this class, I’ve also realized that communication is a powerful step toward taking action. Whether it’s helping someone in my community, traveling, or participating in global issues, knowing Spanish gives me the ability to listen, share, and respond more effectively. It encourages me to be more aware of others’ needs and perspectives, and shows a different side that people would see in English, which a majority of the world speaks. Spanish I has shown me that language is more than just words, it’s a way to understand people and take initiative.
SCIENCE - Frog dissection: Mr. Preston
My biology class has taught me how to observe, question, and explore the natural world in a deeper way. By studying life processes, cells, ecosystems, and genetics, I’ve learned how living things function and interact with each other. The knowledge gained from Biology helps me understand the world around me—not just in textbooks, but in real life. It has sharpened my ability to think critically, ask scientific questions, and use evidence to find answers, which are all important skills for investigating and making sense of the world, especially today as information online can be misinformed.
The frog dissection was one of the most memorable and eye-opening experiences in the class. It allowed me to see firsthand how body systems work and connect inside a living organism. Exploring the frog’s internal organs helped me understand concepts like circulation, digestion, and muscle structure in a way that lectures or pictures never could. This hands-on investigation showed me the importance of observation and curiosity in science. It also gave me a greater respect for living things and inspired me to keep asking questions about how life works, and maybe not do any more directions for a little while.
JAGS Freshmen Trip: The trip was an experience that I've never had, and now I know that I cannot survive without American snacks just because I am so picky. And yet, a group of friends or people is also helpful. Even yet, traveling to West Virginia and the 9/11 Memorial in Pennsylvania still made the trip an eventful one, even if my phone was "taken" away for the simulation. One cannot do it alone, as seen between us, Freshman. Working all together to cook, feed, and survive a night with our crew is necessary for survival.
My trip helped me see the world from a different perspective by taking me out of my usual routine and exposing me to new people, places, and ideas. Experiencing a different environment made me more open-minded and curious, and it helped me appreciate how others live and think. It reminded me that there’s always more to learn when we step outside our comfort zones.