Tommy Ralston

And All That JAGS

JAGS, looking back, has been one of the greatest choices I've made. Through JAGS, I have not only become a better student but a better person, as it has given me the skills to be successful in this world for the rest of my life. The best part, however, has got to be that I have been able to do all of these things with my friends by my side.

About Me

My name is Tommy Ralston, and I'm in the JAGS graduating class of 2026. JAGS, as I've already said, has been one of my best choices, as being a part of this program has meant so much to me. Being in JAGS has broadened my perspective to see so much more than I ever thought that I could, and has let me explore so much from all the different cultures we've seen and researched, to the experiences that we all have had. JAGS has just been an amazing part of my life, and I'm very grateful for it. In high school, I've done so much more than JAGS. I have been a Track letterman, 4 year Varsity Pole Vaulter, 4 year Purple Army Marching Band member, 2 year Purple Army Marching Band Chorus Line member, 3 year 7:30 Jazz Band member, 1 year 6:30 Jazz Band member, 2 year JHS Jazz Combo member, 1 year Tobago Steel Drum member, 1 year Smyphony Band member, 1 year Purple Concert Band member, 1 year Freshman Band member, Men's Chorus member, and have been in the JHS Musical Production of NEWSIES. After high school, I plan to pursue an education in Music Education at some school, hopefully either Mount Union or BGSU. JHS has been great for me, and I can only hope that that same greatness can be replicated post-high school.

The Four Pillars of JAGS

Investigate the World

Recognize Perspectives

Communicate ideas

Take Action

9th Grade: 2022-2023

Investigate the World: Heifer Global Village

- Through the simulation at Heifer Global Village, I investigated the world and saw how different people from different third-world countries live in their situations on a day-to-day basis. It was an eye-opening experience and one I will always have and remember for as long as I live

10th Grade: 2023-2024

Recognize perspectives: Hawaii with the Band

- After being able to go to Hawaii with the Jackson High School Purple Army Marching Band, I was able to recognize the perspectives of the people in Hawaii, their heritage, and how their lives changed after the Pearl Harbor bombing. I got to visit the U.S.S. Arizona, and it opened my eyes, and it was a very solemn experience. I learned a lot from that trip, and especially learned the perspectives of the locals who live there and what their families went through, and how they carried on as one collective whole

11th Grade: 2024-2025

Communicate Ideas: Blu Jazz in Akron

- Participating in this artifact, I was able to communicate my ideas and the overall idea of jazz to people in my community. Every year at the end of the year, the top two jazz bands go to Blu Jazz, an actual jazz club in Akron, and play a list of songs for the people who come there. Through this event, I am able to communicate the language/idea of jazz that has been passed down for generations before me

12th Grade: 2025-2026

Take Action: Back to Back Track Letterer

- To be good at something, you cannot just expect it to happen and not put in the work for it. As I have done this middle school, I have taken action and put in the work to become a 2 year track letterer in pole vault. It has not become easy and required a lot of dedication and motivation, especially in the times that I lost motivation for the sport. I stuck with it, though, and have had a lot of fun and success in doing what I love with this sport