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YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM RECOGNIZED BY THE CITY OF JACKSON

YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM

RECOGNIZED BY THE CITY OF JACKSON

Jackson City Councilman Combats Violence Through Writing

JACKSON, TN. – During the October Jackson City Council Meeting, middle school students

from across the Jackson-Madison County School System will be recognized for their

participation in the 2018 “Do the Write Thing” Challenge. Over 500 students accepted the

challenge and submitted writings to express how violence impacts their lives. From those

submitted, ten boys and ten girls were selected as school ambassadors representing Northeast

Middle School, North Parkway Middle School, Rose Hill Middle School, and Pope Elementary

School.

The Challenge gives students an opportunity to examine the impact of youth violence on their

lives in classroom discussions and in written form by communicating what they think should be

done to change our culture of violence. By encouraging students to make personal

commitments to do something about the problem, the program ultimately seeks to empower

them to break the cycles of violence in their homes, schools and neighborhoods.

Four-term, Jackson City Councilman, Ernest Brooks II, founded and has chaired this program

for twelve years. During his tenure, over 8,000 students from the Jackson Madison County

School System have accepted the Challenge and submitted writings. Teachers and

administrators have noticed a reduction in the number and intensity of youth violence in school.

“I would like to thank Mayor Jerry Gist and Chief Julian Wiser for their recognition of the

epidemic of youth violence and their continued support of the Challenge as a remedy,” said

Councilman Brooks.

On May 12, 2018, the twenty school ambassadors, parents, teachers and administrators

attended the “Do the Write Thing” Challenge Recognition and Awards Breakfast at the

Doubletree Hotel. The school ambassadors received trophies and a Jackson Generals Swag

Bag. Also, the girl and boy, who submitted the most responsive writings, Laila Houston and

Benjamin Pledger, were announced as the National Ambassadors. Those students, a parent of

each, and their teacher attended the “Do the Write Thing” Challenge National Recognition week

in July in Washington, D.C. – all expenses paid.

During National Recognition Week, national ambassadors presented their views on youth

violence to such national leaders as the Secretary of Education, the Attorney General of the

United States, the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

and Members of Congress. They toured the U.S. Supreme Court and their writings were

published and placed in the Library of Congress.

Brooks states, “A Coalition of business, educational and governmental leaders have forged a

lasting partnership to prevent youth violence in our community. I applaud the student

participants for their willingness to take a stand against youth violence. They are learning to

better voice their life experiences and create turning points that effect prevention.”

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