By Diane Glidewell
dglidewell@jacksonprogress-argus.com

Questions and answers flew and young brains strained as adult coaches and other teams watched and listened for over four hours in the Jackson High School Commons Area on Saturday, January 16 as the JHS NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) unit hosted the Area 12 Brain Brawl. There were 15 academic teams from throughout Georgia and northern Florida participating.

Most of the teams consisted of five students, a coach and a driver; the Brain Brawl brought approximately 90 visitors to Butts County. The Jackson High School academic team, as host, was not eligible to participate. At the end of the day, the teams from Peach County of Fort Valley; Bishop Kenny of Jacksonville, Florida; Union Grove of Stockbridge; and Cross Creek of Augusta had earned trophies and the right to move on to the next level of competition at the Championship to be held on April 20.

The other teams who competed were McEachern, Macon County, Stockbridge 2, Luella, Stephenson, North Cobb, Henry County, Macon County 2, Kennesaw Mountain, Stockbridge, Baldwin County, Lassiter, Lee County, Henry County 2, Southwest DeKalb, and Upson-Lee. Commander Patrick Moore read the questions from a pool of approximately 400 questions compiled by the Jackson High School NJROTC staff and students. This was the second consecutive year Jackson has hosted the event; so many questions could be retained from last year, but updated and additional questions were added.

Questions centered on Naval Science and current events. Listening over just a few minutes, one heard students vie with one another to show their knowledge of history, geography, religions of the world, oceanography, biology. literature, and political science. Buzzers sounded, correct and incorrect answers were offered, and points were added.

Members of the Jackson High School Academic Team are Captain Jessica Park, Robert Lunsford, Tyler Cooper, Katy Hall, Sam DiRito, David Morris, and Chelsea Cavender. They are coached by Cmdr. Moore. They will compete next at Henry County in February.

Other students who helped in hosting the Area Brain Brawl included Tevin Smith, Daniel Lunsford, Kandy Carey, Allegra Riggerio, Edward Carey, Brandon Greggs, Shaquana Smith, Cierra Crowder, Matt Rape, and Jocelyn Williams.

Chief Carey Williams of the JHS NJROTC was quick to explain that they could not have hosted the event without the hard work of the JHS NJROTC Booster Club. The Boosters provided food for the adults at the Brain Brawl and were present throughout the day, beginning at 7 a.m., to provide support to all of the guests as needed. Some of the chaperones joked they had been sure to return to the competition at Jackson for the food. The menu included stuffed pepper soup, chicken noodle soup, barbecue pork sandwiches, a sausage bake, fresh fruit, crackers, key lime pie, pineapple upside down cake, and home-baked cookies.

Students were served pizzas purchased from Little Caesar’s in Jackson at a discount and cookies made by the Booster Club.

Officers of the Booster Club are Casey McDowell, president; Sherlyn Beam, vice president; Joan Barnes, treasurer; Shirley Campbell, secretary; and Kathy Morris, catering committee. Mike and Erma Gozdick also volunteered their time at the Brain Brawl.

“It’s all for the kids,” said McDowell. “It’s worth the effort to let the kids know someone cares. We would love to have more of the parents, and we welcome anyone who would like to come help. 100 percent of donations from sponsors goes straight back to the kids.”

The Booster Club raises money to pay for the buses to transport NJROTC students to drill team, orienteering, academic team and rifle team events, to provide food at events, and to contribute $25 toward each letter jacket. Approximately 106 ninth through twelfth grades are enrolled in NJROTC at JHS.

Some of the service activities the students do for Butts County include keeping trash picked up along the mile they have adopted of Highway 16 in front of Ingles, working at the McIntosh 5K Run and Dog Jog, serving meals at a local church, and presenting colors at many school and local events.

The Boosters meet on the third Tuesday of each month. The next major event is the annual Military Ball. For more information, call 678-414-6915.