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.”
