Raising the Bar

Raised in Leland, Mississippi, by her enlightened and encouraging grandmother, Rochell Staten knew from a young age that she could do and become anything she wanted. “My grandmother wanted nothing but the best for me, and she made sure that education was a priority,” Rochell says. “Her believing in me […] made me believe in myself even more.” As a senior in high school, earning good grades and with only one year of track and field under her belt, Rochell landed a full four-year athletic scholarship to Mississippi Valley State University.

In It to Win It

Blares of music echo throughout the Harris Sports Performance building as members enter through the silver steel door. Familiar with the daily bootcamp routine, they huddle around owner Nicholas Harris, prepared to stretch before the intense workout. Harris’ tenacious voice magnifies as he briefs his clients on the selected workout, pumping up the team. “Whatever your 100% looks like, give it!” he says. “Like always, we are here to work hard and give our best, so let’s get it!”

Jackson Grown: Heather Larsen

It is one of the most tense places in the world. A tightly packed geographic meeting of three major religions and a nervous geopolitical flashpoint, the area sits within the inner circle of major foreign policy decisions for most countries. Needless to say, the Old City of Jerusalem does not regularly serve as an exhibition stage for fringe outdoor sports. On May 2, 2016, however, visitors to the Tower of David on the western edge of the Old City saw something unique.

Transcending Today

I still remember my last day of high school. I remember leaving the parking lot and listening to the Dave Matthews song “Number 41,” and I still remember the lyrics that were blaring from the speakers of my Nissan Maxima. “I will go in this way, and I’ll find my own way out. . . .” They seemed poignant at the time, though I’m not sure in what way exactly. As a matter of fact, I’m not really sure that I even liked Dave Matthews. I think I wanted to like Dave Matthews because all my friends liked Dave Matthews.

EssaysGabe HartMay 11, 2016Jackson TN, Tennessee, JCM, Jackson Central-Merry High School, Jackson-Madison County School System, Gabe Hart, education, athletics, sports, high school, school, Vision 2020, Dave Matthews, Allen Avenue, Vision2020, teaching, teacher, students, school system, job, Libert, Southside High School, South Side High School, Early College High School, integration, diversity, African American, African-American Merry High School, Jackson High School, Artis Hicks, athlete, Ed Jones, Ben Howard, Al Wilson, basketball, 5A State Championship, Oman Arena, Wesley Barlow, North Side High School, Nancy Petit, Wanda Taylor, Donna Tosh, Russ Pflasterer, O’Neal Henley, Johnny Williams, Johnny Reynolds, Tommy Allen, Tom Cobb, football, coach, Ricky Collins, Germantown TN, Jim Hardegree, Frank Shelton, Bobby Jelks, Jon Frye, Joe Davis, Willie Wortham, Jimmy Carmichael, USJ, University School of Jackson, Rothrock, Brett Favre, entrepreneur, Best of 2016