St. Mary’s Episcopal students learn life lessons at JA BizTown

Fifth graders from St. Mary’s Episcopal School spent the day at Junior Achievement to learn the fundamental relationship between academics and life beyond school at JA BizTown, the organization’s fully interactive simulated facility.

The visit was the culmination of weeks of classroom preparation using curriculum provided by Junior Achievement, with a focus on a basic understanding of the free enterprise system, building money-management skills and developing an understanding of basic business practices and responsibilities.

Armed with baked goods, origami trinkets, custom-illustrated notebooks and personalized checkbook covers to sell to their classmates, the students brought a unique brand of entrepreneurial spirit to JA BizTown.

“These young women came here t compete for the business of their classmates with products they crafted by hand, a testament to the preparation that went into their visit today,” said Hallie Hogan, JA BizTown manager. “Through practical role-play, the students are able to connect the dots between classroom learning and real life.

“And, as a bonus, it’s such a fun experience for them.”

The Memphis University School chapter of the National Honor Society recently selected 10 seniors and 40 juniors as inductees into the organization.

Following Headmaster Ellis Haguewood’s welcome, Dr. David Jackson, chairman of the religion department and head of the National Honor Society committee, introduced four student speakers who spoke about the NHS characteristics.

Patton Orr spoke on scholarship, highlighting the importance of following one’s inquisitiveness. “As Emerson said, ‘The one thing in the world, of value, is the active soul.’ … The notion of scholarship flows from this idea of intellectual vitality. As students, we must not approach our learning with passivity. By following our natural curiosity, we can fulfill our potential as students, as learners, and most importantly, as citizens.”

Philip Freeburg spoke on leadership. “I can think of no better place to forge us into well-rounded men who will thrive as leaders when we are needed. We are all capable of leadership, but when the moment comes, we must be ready. Earn your leadership, every day.”

Daniel Tancredi described the importance of character. “Character defines who we are, how we act and what we choose to stand for. Good character cannot be bought or sold; only developed. There is no short cut; it requires conscious effort and purpose with internal strength to stand up for what you believe.”

Finally, Grayson Lee spoke on the subject of service. “Service isn’t something we do to feel good about ourselves and inflate our egos. It isn’t waking up early on a Saturday morning to volunteer at a homeless shelter because that somehow makes you a better person. It is something much greater than that. It is something we do because we have a duty to help others. We who have been given so much have a duty to help our neighbors who have so little.”

Juniors inducted into the National Honor Society are Webster Austin, Christian Berry, Jack Crosby, Philip Deaton, Brooks Eikner, Kian Ghodoussi, Kobe Gibson, Marcus Gronauer, Davis Harano, Grady Hecht, Henry Holmes, Andrew Hopkins, Alex Hyde, Josh Karchmer, Parker Kaye, Cade Klawinski, Jamie Lindy, Ravi Lipman, John McBride, Jack McCaghren, Rahul Mehra, Jake Meskin, Kanha Mishra, Ryan Pahlow, Mayur Patil, Aneesh Ram, Joey Rodriguez, Will Schneider, Sloan Schneiter, Matt Silver, Evan Smith, Ramiz Somjee, Jacob Suppiah, Henry Trammell, Josue Vela, Tom Wells, Luke Wilfong, Louis Wittenberg III, Alex Wolf, and Ray Zhou.

Seniors inducted into the National Honor Society are Joshua Benton, Beck Blake, Carter Coleman, Jalen Friendly, Austin Lacy, Kyle Lam, Winn Medlock, Jack Richman, Andres Salas, and Theo Wayt.