“Do the Write Thing” Challenge Kickoff
JACKSON, TENNESSEE, February 8, 2017— The Jackson “Do the Write Thing”
challenge kickoff event marks the start of this year’s Challenge in Jackson-Madison
County. The Challenge, a youth violence prevention program established by the National
Campaign to Stop Violence, gives middle school students an opportunity to examine the
impact of youth violence on their lives. Through classroom discussions and writings,
students communicate what they think should be done to reduce violence. The event will
take place Thursday, February 9, 2017, at 1:00pm at West Bemis Middle School located at
230 D Street, Jackson, TN 38301
In its 11 th year in Jackson-Madison County, over 6,000 students have accepted the
challenge and made personal commitments to do something about the problem. A writing
competition, students are asked to answer three questions:
1. What are the causes of youth violence?
2. How has youth violence affected my life?
3. What can I do about youth violence?
Students can express themselves in any written form – essays, poems, raps, plays, songs,
etc. The writings are evaluated by the Education Committee of the Jackson, TN Alumnae
Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the top ten boys and girls are selected to
attend the Local Recognition Awards Banquet. Every student that participates will receive
two tickets to a Jackson Generals baseball game. During the banquet, the National
Ambassadors are announced. They are the boy and girl who wrote the most responsive
writing that included personal expressions of the effects of violence. The student, a parent
and their teacher will travel to Washington, D.C. in July, for the National “Do the Write
Thing” Challenge Recognition Week, all expenses paid. There, they will join 80 other
students from across the country to tour the Library of Congress, U.S. Supreme Court and
U.S. Capitol, attend a breakfast sponsored by the Tennessee Senatorial Delegation and
speak to Congressmen, the Secretary of Education and other government officials about
youth violence.
Founded and chaired by Jackson City Councilman, Ernest Brooks II, the program is more
relevant today than ever. “I look forward to continuing our work to fight against youth
violence and equip our students with the tools to say no to violence in their homes, schools
and neighborhoods,” said Brooks.
Since its inception, it is estimated that over a million students have participated in the
Challenge and committed to do something about youth violence. Locally, administrators
and teachers have seen the positive impact the program has made on students with fewer
incidents and less severe acts of violence occurring in their schools.
According to Dr. Verna Ruffin, Superintendent of the Jackson-Madison County School
System, “We are proud to have students participate in the “Do the Write Thing” Challenge
as a written form of expression to demonstrate their opposition to violence in and among
peer groups and to increase their resolve to manage conflict in a peaceful, non-violent
manner. For more information, contact Jackson City Councilman, Ernest Brooks II at
(731) 425-8253 or ebrooks@cityofjackson.net.
