Outside the Box
About the Author: TJ Branch helped lead the charge in carrying the Jackson Central Merry High School legacy forward. He helped the Jackson Grown team rethink the structure of the program. As one of the only two Junior Fellows in the First Class of the Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship, his passion and persistance encouraged the inclusion of younger students. TJ’s participation in the group and leadership, even as a Junior Fellow, provided a solid foundation for the the program to grow. Throughout his high school career, TJ enjoyed classes in both language arts and vocational studies. TJ was involved in band and is passionate about music. In the future, he wants to pursue a career in music. Whether as a musician, advertising manager or sound stage director, he comes to life playing, performing and working around music. TJ graduated from Jackson Central-Merry at the Oman Arena on May 19th, 2023.
TJ Branch delivers a speech to 75 leaders in the Jackson-Madison County community at the 2nd Annual Challenge to the City on May 12, 2023. His speech was titled “Out of the Box: The importance of extracurricular activities for youth”. It focused on how to improve safe spaces and empowering environments for youth as well as the need to better communicate existing programs to youth and children so that they are aware of opportunities. Photo credit Hannah Gore
By TJ Branch. During the 2022 - 2023 school year I was a senior at Jackson Central Merry High School. I have lived in Jackson for nearly my entire life. Jackson is home and I love it. But it isn’t perfect. Jackson is a small city with many flaws but also one with an incredible and empowering history. Many factors in Jackson contribute to negative outcomes for teens like myself. Using drugs, joining gangs and abusing alcohol are common. Despite the many problems facing Jackson, I believe there can be a common solution. Teens lack community involvement and I believe this plays a significant role in their future. Teens not having anywhere to hang out, or people to join them there, can cause teenagers like myself to make harmful decisions which impact their future and that of others. I believe more community involvement, specifically spaces and groups designed for kids and youth, can help.
TJ Branch injects a bit of humor to the September 2022 Meeting as he describes the community challenge he had reflected on over the previous year. Photo credit Hannah Gore
When I was young, between the ages of four and seven, I sang in the choir at Greater Visions Church. At ten years old I started playing drums seriously at my church, really getting into the feel of it. But at school, I was picked on in a lot of ways. Whether it was about how I spoke, what shoes I wore, how big my clothes were, or even how my hair looked, I felt out of place. When I got to middle school I joined all types of groups like band, basketball, football, gospel choir, and many other after-school activities. Even though I was a class favorite I was still really struggling. As I entered high school trying to belong, it got depressing. I kept trying to find where I belonged in the eyes of others. Whether it was the football team or singing I wanted to stay busy. I started committing to activities that I thought were cool or activities people wanted me to do. I had a lot of friends but still no place. It wasn’t until my junior year that I started doing the thing I loved the most. I sang. I joined the Hub City Mass Choir that year. I loved every minute of it. Hub City was the first time I met people who enjoyed doing the same thing I loved.
Jackson Grown Mentor Greg Perry Jr. listens to TJ Branch decribe the challenges associated with identifying and participating in extracurricular activities. Photo credit Hannah Gore
In high school on May 28, 2022, a young life leader sent me a message asking me to go on a trip with them. I was skeptical at first because I didn’t know anyone, but it turned out great! Young Life was a place I could go and just have a good time without judgment. I met a ton of friends who turned out to be good people. I enjoyed hanging out with them. Young Life really changed me for the better because it gave me a place outside of my comfort zone which turned out to make me a better person. I want that for all teenagers my age. Some may feel left out. Some might feel they have nowhere to go. I don’t want them to go through all that I did just to find their place. I’ve seen many people lose themselves because of this very reason. To better serve the teens of Jackson, one possibility is that the city could sponsor a center for kids to pursue healthy activities and relationships. This could be run by caring people who truly want to invest in the lives of youth. In my experience, the space and the people are important. Both matter.
With the help of Jackson Grown Mentor LOLO, TJ Branch practices on stage for the last time before the 2nd Annual Challenge to the City on May 12th 2023. Photo credit Hannah Gore
TJ delivers a speech at the 2nd Annual Challenge to the City encouraging community leaders to think about ways to better empower youth by facilitating safe, healthy spaces where they can connect with peers and adults. Photo credit Hannah Gore
You often see teenagers bored at home, on the street, or wasting time on their phones. I want to create a place where connection exists instead of distraction. A safe space like a recreational center is important. A recreational center would give Jackson teens a safe place to pursue their best selves. A safe place would allow teens to come out of their shells by doing activities they may not normally do. Through games, help with schoolwork, tackling mental health issues, and creating bonds with peers, the teenagers of Jackson would be able to better define (or redefine) their futures and discover the gifts our community has to offer.
TJ Branch, a Senior at Jackson Central-Merry High Schoool, shares lunch with Madelyn Tyler, a Junior at North Side High School. Photo credit Hannah Gore
Together with Fellows from the 2022 - 2023 Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship, TJ Branch listens to a professional speechwriter about how to better structure their speeches and messages.
Without a doubt, for any type of project to run smoothly it takes great leadership. We need more involvement from the community because projects like this are what our teens need. You hear a lot of people say “it takes a village to raise a kid” but we don’t see much action being taken. Action begins with us as individuals. Importantly, there are those who want to give back. Opportunities may exist but youth like me often cannot find the right outlets. In addition, by providing marketing and communications training, volunteers with existing programs could create more awareness of what’s out there. This would help a center in Jackson to thrive and give back to scores of young people, just like me.
“ I want to encourage the engaged residents of Jackson to seek out and build new ways to empower the incredible kids of Jackson.”
I will graduate on May 19th. As I look back on my years in Jackson, I would have loved to have had a rec center or a music center that welcomed me, instead of trying to find those places on my own. I know from experience not everyone is as fortunate as I have been. As I look toward the future, I want to encourage the engaged residents of Jackson to seek out and build new ways to empower the incredible kids of Jackson. I believe needed changes begin with community, the same communal bonds that helped shape my recent teenage years here in Jackson. I hope young kids today will be able to grow up surrounded by caring adults who want the best for them, in a place where they can find their true selves and be encouraged to do so.