News and Announcements

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Dear Parents,
In order for you to be able to plan accordingly, we would like to notify you that JFWA will be dismissing students at noon on Friday, December 16th. Students will be served lunch before leaving and all vans will run at that time.

At 10:00AM on December 16th our strings classes will present a Christmas concert to the student body in the Lincoln Museum Auditorium. You are more than welcome to attend this event. The students will proceed to lunch following the event and be dismissed after lunch.

As a note, the Academy will be closed for the Christmas break from December 19th through January 2nd. The first day back to school will be Tuesday, January 3rd.

I hope you enjoy the Holiday season with your family and friends and have a blessed new year.

JFWA ANNOUNCES HONOR ROLL

Harrogate, Tennessee, November 7, 2011 —J. Frank White Academy (JFWA) Principal Jarryd Boster has announced the honor roll for the first nine weeks for grades five through twelve at the J. Frank White Academy on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University.

Students receiving all A’s include fifth graders, Ali Graham, Nicholas Lockhart and Tallulah Morley; sixth grader Mackenzie Estes; seventh grader Cody Mason; eighth graders Meredith Barton, Ritchie Bradley, Eva Dunn, Joe Faulkner, Frank Gao, Jack Hopper, Joshua Kelly, Thomas McAfee, Joe Nagle and Emma Wiley; ninth graders Erika Batchelor, Lily Do, Diana Fitzovich and Boomer Russell; tenth graders Jeana Jessie, Alexis Paredes and Heidi Ross; 11th graders Courtney Bailey, Ashley Cummins, Alicia Jessie, Allison Moon, Jessica Rivers, Luke Thompson and Trevor Wiley; and 12th graders Tatum Barnett, Aaron Bevins, Victoria Bigelow, Mackenzie Day, Christy Do, Lauren Forster, Will Hopper, Leigha Jessie, Thomas Long, Cid Oculam and Sarah Staley.

Students receiving all A’s and B’s include fifth graders Alexie Collins and Tipton Hembree, seventh graders Leah Ellison and Shane Stevens; eighth graders Morgan Cherry and George Coker; ninth graders Thomas Cox and Caroline Younce; tenth graders Hunter Carroll, Taylor Duvall, Nathan Hopper and Cara Oculam; 11th graders John (Jay) Coker, Amelia Gipson, Abby Leaf, Cara Mackie and Christina Reynolds; and 12th grader Noah Leo.

The J. Frank White Academy is a private coeducational college preparatory school located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University and serves students grades 5-12 from Claiborne, Union, Campbell and Hancock counties in Tennessee; Bell County, Kentucky; and Lee County, Virginia. For more information contact the Academy Office at 869-6234 or visit www.lmunet.edu/academy

OCULAM COMMENDED IN THE 2012 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

J. Frank White Academy Principal Jarryd Boster presents senior Cid Oculam with a Letter of Commendation in recognition of his status as a Commended Student in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Harrogate, Tennessee, October 7, 2011 — The J. Frank White Academy (JFWA) Principal Jarryd Boster announced today that Cid Oculam has been named a Commended Student in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. Boster presented a Letter of Commendation from JFWA and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, to this scholastically talented senior on Tuesday.

“We are very proud of Cid for his academic accomplishments as well as his participation in athletics and in governor’s school last summer,” Boster said. “He is a model student and excellent role model for our younger students at the Academy.”

Oculam is from Harrogate, Tenn. He is the son of Dr. Claire and Dr. Adele Oculam. About 34,000 Commended
Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2012 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 competition by taking the 2010 Preliminary SSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nations. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

The J. Frank White Academy is a private coeducational college preparatory school located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University and serves students grades 5-12 from Claiborne, Union, Campbell and Hancock counties in Tennessee; Bell County, Kentucky; and Lee County, Virginia. For more information contact the Academy Office at 869-6234 or visit www.lmunet.edu/academy.

JFWA ANNOUNCES HONOR ROLL

Harrogate, Tennessee, July 1, 2011 —J. Frank White Academy Principal Jarryd Boster has announced the most recent honor roll for grades five through twelve at the J. Frank White Academy (JFWA) on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University (LMU).

Students receiving all A’s include sixth graders Cody Mason and Shane Stevens; seventh graders Eva Dunn, Jack Hopper, Gabe Ramos and Emma Wiley; eighth graders Lily Do, Diana Fitzovich, Boomer Russell and Caroline Younce; 10th graders Allison Moon and Luke Thompson; 11th graders Alisa Batchelor, Victoria Bigelow, Mackenzie Day, Christy Do, Lauren Forster, Will Hopper, Leigha Jessie and Cid Oculam; and 12th graders Kelly Cline, Mary Alice Coker, Maranda Copeland, Laura Hankins-Koppel, Rachel Mattie, Dillon Ramos, Samantha Rasnic, Austin Wilcox and Christina Williamson.

Students receiving all A’s and B’s include seventh graders Morgan Cherry and Joe Faulkner; eighth graders Erika Batchelor, Thomas Cox and Steven Vaughn; ninth graders Kenneth Hernon, Jeana Jessie, Cara Oculam and Alexis Paredes; tenth graders Courtney Bailey, John (Jay) Coker, Ameilia Gipson, Alicia Jessie, Cara Mackie, Jessica Rivers, James Michael Thomas and Trevor Wiley; 11th graders Tatum Barnett, Thomas Long and Sarah Staley and 12th graders Benjamin Moyers, Katie Mundy, Tien Nguyen, Gregory Dean Smith and Cyler Vaughn.

JFWA Graduates 20 in Class of 2011

May 24, 2011 - Harrogate, Tennessee, May 24, 2011 —The J. Frank White Academy (JFWA), located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), celebrated the graduation of 20 students in the Class of 2011 on Saturday. The class continues the Academy’s 100% college placement record. Included in the graduating class were Kelly Cline (Ewing, Va.), Mary Alice Coker (Jacksboro, Tenn.), Maranda Copeland (Jacksboro, Tenn.), Colby Daniels (Harrogate, Tenn.), Alexis Gale (New Tazewell, Tenn.), Laurel Hankins-Koppel (Speedwell, Tenn.), Rachel Mattie (LaFollette, Tenn.), Nathan McGlone (Ewing, Va.), Jacob Moyers (Sharps Chapel, Tenn.), Katie Mundy (LaFollette, Tenn.), Tien Nguyen (Jacksboro, Tenn.), Dillon Ramos (Harrogate, Tenn.), Samantha Rasnic (Jonesville, Va.), Dakota Robertson (Speedwell, Tenn.), Dean Smith (LaFollette, Tenn.), Cody Standifer (Middlesboro, Ky.), Cyler Vaughn (Middlesboro, Ky.), Rachel Ward (Jacksboro, Tenn.), Austin Wilcox (Cumberland Gap, Tenn.) and Christina Williamson (Harrogate, Tenn.). Rasnic was honored as class valedictorian while Ramos earned salutatorian honors.

The ceremony capped the Academy’s first year under the leadership of Principal Jarryd Boster. Former principal and current LMU Professor of Education Sylvia Lynch gave the commencement address. In her speech Lynch quoted Oh, the Places you’ll go! by Dr. Seuss and encouraged the students to believe in themselves and chose their own road, to keep moving and trust that they would know what to do. She exhorted them not to get stuck in the “waiting place” but rather to push on and live their dreams, even when the road gets rough.

A number of the graduates will continue their education at LMU next fall, including Gale, Mattie, Moyers, Robertson, Smith, Standifer and Wilcox. Cline has accepted a seat at Virginia Tech. Daniels, Nguyen and Ward will attend East Tennessee State University. Coker will attend The University of Mississippi while Copeland is set to attend Morehead State. Hankins-Koppel plans to attend Maryville College and McGlone is set to enter The University of Virginia College at Wise. Mundy will attend Liberty University. Ramos will matriculate at the University of Tennessee and Rasnic has selected the University of Virginia. Vaughn will attend the University of Kentucky and Williamson plans to attend Milligan College.

JFWA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. JFWA students enjoy small class sizes, a dedicated and caring faculty and access to LMU’s library, arena, science labs, dining hall and other facilities. Since its founding in 1989, the Academy has had a 100% college placement rate.

Caption: The J. Frank White Academy Class of 2011 celebrates following their graduation May 21. Pictured are (front row) Samantha Rasnic, Christina Williamson, Tien Nguyen, Alexis Gale, Maranda Copeland, Rachel Mattie, Dillon Ramos, (second row) Nathan McGlone, Kelly Cline, Dean Smith, Katie Mundy, Jacob Moyers, Rachel Ward, Mary Alice Coker (top row) Dakota Robertson, Colby Daniels, Austin Wilcox, Cody Standifer, Heather Hankins-Koppel and Cyler Vaughn.

JFWA Anounces Honor Roll

Harrogate, Tennessee, April 14, 2011 —J. Frank White Academy Principal Jarryd Boster has announced the most recent honor roll for grades five through twelve at the J. Frank White Academy (JFWA) on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University (LMU).

Students receiving all A’s include sixth graders Cody Mason and Shane Stevens; seventh graders Eva Dunn and Emma Wiley; eighth graders Erika Batchelor, Lily Do, Diana Fitzovich, Boomer Russell and Caroline Younce; ninth graders Jeana Jessie and Alexis Paredes; tenth graders Allison Moon, Jessica Rivers and Luke Thompson; 11th graders Alisa Batchelor, Victoria Bigelow, Mackenzie Day, Christy Do, Lauren Forster, Leigha Jessie and Cid Oculam; and 12th graders Mary Alice Coker, Maranda Copeland, Alexis Gale, Laura Hankins-Koppel, Tien Nguyen, Dillon Ramos, Samantha Rasnic, Gregory Dean Smith and Christina Williamson.

Students receiving all A’s and B’s include seventh graders Morgan Cherry, Jack Hopper and Gabe Ramos; eighth grader Parker Estes; ninth graders Cassandra Houser and Cara Oculam; tenth graders Courtney Bailey, Alicia Jessie and James Michael Thomas; 11th graders Tatum Barnett, Will Hopper, Thomas Long and Sarah Staley and 12th graders Kelly Cline, Colby Daniels, Rachel Mattie, Benjamin Moyers, Katie Mundy, Cyler Vaughn and Austin Wilcox.

JFWA Anounces Honor Roll

Harrogate, Tennessee, February 14, 2010--J. Frank White Academy Principal Jarryd Boster has announced the most recent honor roll for grades five through twelve at the J. Frank White Academy on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University.

Students receiving all A’s include sixth grader Cody Mason; seventh graders Eva Dunn and Emma Wiley; eighth graders Erika Batchelor, Lilly Do and Boomer Russell; ninth grader Jeana Jessie; tenth graders Courtney Bailey, Alicia Jessie, Allison Moon, Jessica Rivers and Luke Thompson; 11th graders Victoria Bigelow, Christy Do, Lauren Forster, Will Hopper, Leigha Jessie and Cid Oculam; and 12th graders Mary Alice Coker, Maranda Copeland, Laura Hankins-Koppel, Rachel Mattie, Katie Mundy, Dillon Ramos, Samantha Rasnic, Gregory Dean Smith and Christina Williamson.

Students receiving all A’s and B’s include sixth grader Sabrina Biel; seventh graders Morgan Cherry and Gabe Ramos; eighth graders Diana Fitzovich and Caroline Younce; ninth graders Cassandra Houser, Cara Oculam and Alexis Paredes; tenth graders John (Jay) Coker, Cara Mackie, James Michael Thomas and Trevor Wiley; 11th graders Tatum Barnett, Noah Leo, Thomas Long and Sarah Staley and 12th graders Benjamin Moyers, Tien Nguyen and Austin Wilcox.

JFWA Anounces Honor Roll

Harrogate, Tennessee, November 19, 2010 —J. Frank White Academy Principal Jarryd Boster has announced the most recent honor roll for grades five through twelve at the J. Frank White Academy on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University.

Students receiving all A’s include sixth grader Cody Mason; seventh graders Eva Dunn, Gabriel Ramos and Emma Wiley; eighth graders Diana Fitzovich, Boomer Russell and Caroline Younce; ninth grader Jeana Jessie; tenth graders Courtney Bailey, Allison Moon, Luke Thompson and Trevor Wiley; 11th graders Victoria Bigelow, Christy Do, Lauren Forster, Will Hopper, Leigha Jessie, Cid Oculam and Sarah Staley; and 12th graders Kelly Cline, Katie Mundy, Dillon Ramos, Samantha Rasnic, Cyler Vaughn, Austin Wilcox and Christina Williamson.

Students receiving all A’s and B’s include sixth graders Sabrina Biel and Shane Stevens; seventh grader Joe Faulkner; eighth graders Erika Batchelor, Thomas Cox, Lily Do, Parker Estes, Chase Kuykendall, Ingrid Leo, Katelynn Thorpe and Cory Vaughn; ninth grader Cassandra Houser; tenth graders Bethany Chadwell, John (Jay) Coker, Alicia Jessie, Cara Mackie, Jessica Rivers and James Michael Thomas; 11th graders Tatum Barnett, Noah Leo and Thomas Long and 12th graders Mary Alice Coker, Maranda Copeland, Colby Daniels, Laurel Hankins-Koppel, Rachel Mattie, Benjamin Moyers, Tien Nguyen, Dakota Robertson, Gregory Dean Smith and Rachel Ward.

Rasnic named a Commended Student in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program

Harrogate, Tennessee, September 30, 2010 – J. Frank White Academy (JFWA) Principal Jarryd Boster announced today that Samantha Rasnic has been named a Commended Student in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Rasnic, a senior at JFWA, received a Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2011 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2011 competition by taking the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. As such, Commended Students represent some of the most academically talented students in the country.

Boster Appointed J. Frank White Academy Principal

July 16, 2010 — Dr. David Hand, dean of the Carter and Moyers School of Education, announced the hiring of Jarryd Boster as principal of the J. Frank White Academy (JFWA) on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University (LMU). Boster fills the vacancy left when Dr. Sylvia Lynch moved to a faculty position within the Carter and Moyers School of Education.

Boster takes the lead at JFWA following a teaching career at Simons Middle School in Flemingsburg, Ky. He taught visual arts and reading. Boster also played an active role in Fleming County Schools athletics, serving as assistant coach of the varsity football team and head coach of the freshman/junior varsity team.

“I am excited to welcome Jarryd Boster to the J. Frank White Academy,” Hand said. “He has demonstrated a strong knowledge base in academics, curriculum, instruction and school improvement. He is also familiar with standard based assessment and has worked with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation, which will be vital as the JFWA prepares for a continuing SACS accreditation visit.”

A native of Middlesboro, Ky., Boster is very familiar with both the region and JFWA. He earned a bachelor of arts in art from Morehead State University. In 2009, Boster completed a master of arts in school administration from his alma mater. While completing his undergraduate degree, he worked with the Upward Bound program at Morehead State.

“I feel very privileged to be able to provide my services to the J. Frank White Academy and Lincoln Memorial University. I fully intend on continuing the tradition of providing the best possible educational experiences for our students,” Boster said. “With the current growth of LMU as well as the ample community resources made available to us, I feel the J. Frank White Academy is poised for similar growth not only in enrollment but in further developing academics and providing extra-curricular opportunities for our students. After meeting my faculty as well as many members of the university faculty and administration, I have the utmost confidence we will be successful in reaching the goals we have set forth and realizing our vision.”

Boster joins JFWA and the Carter and Moyers School of Education as it continues to grow. In the last four years, the Academy’s enrollment has increased by over 35% and the retention rate has remained steady at 98%. The college preparatory school recently experienced a successful Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) five-year reaffirmation review and implemented a new creative writing program. Boster will work closely with Dean Hand and the entire Carter and Moyers School of Education administration to assess and evaluate JFWA curriculum, policies and procedures as the school continues to grow.

JFWA Announces Honor Roll

June 18, 2010 —J. Frank White Academy administration announced the final honor roll of the year for grades five through twelve at the J. Frank White Academy on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University.

Students receiving all A’s include fifth grader Caroline Fort, Tanner Horton and Cody Mason; sixth graders Eva Dunn, Joe Faulkner, Gabe Ramos and Emma Wiley; seventh graders Erika Batchelor, Diana Fitzovich, Jeana Jessie and Boomer Russell; eighth grader Abigail Williamson; ninth graders Courtney Bailey, Alicia Jessie, Alyssa Johnson, J. Michael Thomas and Luke Thompson; 10th graders Victoria Bigelow, Mackenzie Day, Christy Do, Leigha Jessie, Cid Oculam and Sarah Staley; 11th graders Kelly Cline, Mary Alice Coker, Tien Nguyen, Dillon Ramos and Samantha Rasnic and 12th graders Leslie Lowry, Clarissa Medley and Madaline Walker.

Students receiving all A’s and B’s include fifth grader Sabrina Biel; sixth grader Jack Hopper; seventh graders Lily Do, Madeline Langub, Ingrid Leo and Cory Vaughn; eighth graders Cara Oculam and Alexis Paredes; ninth graders Bethany Chadwell, Jay Coker, Dillon Hinojos, Cara Mackie, Allison Moon, Jessica Rivers and Trevor Wiley; 10th graders Tatum Barnett, Lauren Forster, Will Hopper, Noah Leo and Thomas Long; 11th graders Maranda Copeland, Rachel Mattie, Benjamin Moyers, Katie Mundy, Gregory Smith, Austin Wilcox and Christina Williamson; and 12th graders Matthew Bailey, Ariel Johnson, Winston Kelly and Phoebe Leo.

Congratulations & Good Luck Class of 2010!

Lynch Shift from J. Frank White Academy Principal to LMU Professor

April 28, 2010 — Dr. Sylvia Lynch, principal at the J. Frank White Academy since 2006, will teach in the Carter and Moyers School of Education at Lincoln Memorial University next year, University President James Dawson announced on Tuesday.

Lynch will conclude her third term at the helm of the institution where she served as founding principal. Lynch played an integral role in the school’s initial accreditation as well as laying the ground work for curriculum design, teacher evaluation, policy writing and more. She served as principal at the school for a total of 10 years. She has taught or worked in educational administration since 1977, with teaching experience at all levels from elementary education through graduate school.

“Dr. Lynch has a leadership style and the experience to continue to impact generations of teachers,” Dawson said. “She has a wealth of experience at all levels of education and a passion for teaching. It is exciting to afford her the opportunity to get in front of the classroom on a regular basis. Her dynamic storytelling captivates students and peers alike.”

A published author, Lynch received Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from LMU and a Master of Science and the Doctorate in Education from the University of Tennessee. Her association with LMU is long and distinguished. She began in an adjunct position in 1985 and has served in various capacities including alumni director, Academy principal, chair of the department of humanities and assistant vice president for university advancement.

Dawson said, “Dr. Lynch has been a catalyst for growth and stability over the past four years at the J. Frank White Academy. She has assembled a strong faculty and leadership team that will continue to guide JFWA to new heights.”

In the last four years under Lynch, the Academy’s enrollment has increased by over 35% and the retention rate has remained steady at 98%. Lynch also led the college preparatory school through a successful Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) five-year reaffirmation review and implemented a new creative writing program.

“My years at the Academy have been some of the best of my professional career. It was such an honor to have had the opportunity to be a part of the founding of this outstanding school twenty years ago, and I am proud of the progress of the school during this most recent tenure,” Lynch said. “The faculty and staff are some of the best educators I have ever worked with. The opportunity to join the faculty of the Carter and Moyers School of Education is very exciting to me and feel that it has come at the perfect time in my career.”

The University will open a search for a new principal immediately.

JFWA Parent, Moyers' Deployed to Afghanistan

The father of one of JFWA's students is currently serving in Afghanistan. The student is Jacob Moyers, JFWA junior. His dad, Ben Moyers worked in Maintenance at LMU before being deployed and his mother, Debbie Moyers works in LMU’s IS department.

PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class Benjamin Moyers and other members of the Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team search an area near the Salang Pass in Salang district, Parwan province, Afghanistan, for avalanche survivors, Feb. 13. Members of the Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team assisted in search efforts alongside of Afghan National Police and Afghan locals to recover victims of the natural disaster. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Billy Vincent, Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team)

JFWA Announces Honor Roll

January 26, 2010 —J. Frank White Academy Principal Dr. Sylvia Lynch has announced the most recent honor roll for grades five through twelve at the J. Frank White Academy on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University.

Students receiving all A’s include fifth graders Caroline Fort, Tanner Horton and Cody Mason; sixth graders Eva Dunn, Joe Faulkner and Emma Wiley; seventh grader Erika Batchelor, Lily Do, Jeana Jessie and Boomer Russell; eighth grader Abigail Williamson; ninth graders Courtney Bailey, Alyssa Johnson, J. Michael Thomas and Luke Thompson; 10th graders Alisa Batchelor, Mackenzie Day, Christy Do, Lauren Forster, Will Hopper and Cid Oculam; 11th graders Mary Alice Coker, Tien Nguyen, Dillon Ramos, Samantha Rasnic and Gregory Dean Smith and 12th graders Matthew Bailey, Ariel Johnson, Leslie Lowry, Clarissa Medley and Madaline Walker.

Students receiving all A’s and B’s include fifth grader Sabrina Biel; sixth grader Gabe Ramos; seventh graders Parker Estes, Diana Fitzovich, Ingrid Leo and Cory Vaughn; eighth graders Hannah Denson, Cara Oculam and Alexis Paredes; ninth graders Bethany Chadwell, John (Jay) Coker, Alicia Jessie and Allison Moon; 10th graders Tatum Barnett, Victoria Bigelow, Leigha Jessie and Sarah Staley; 11th graders Maranda Copeland, Jessica Dixon, Alexis Gale, Katie Mundy, Dakota Robertson, Austin Wilcox and Christina Williamson; and 12th graders Winston Kelly, Phoebe Leo and Nathan Mackie.

JFWA Students Represent U.S. at World School

December 17, 2009—J. Frank White Academy (JFWA) students Leslie Lowry, Dillon Ramos and Samantha Rasnic represented the United States at the 2009 World School International Forum in Tokyo, Japan, in October. The students along with faculty representative Chastity Brooks-Deaton participated as the US team at the cultural learning project which included teams from 21 countries from around the globe.

The World School, which was initiated in 1997, aims to create a truly borderless entity that will bring together high school students and teachers from all areas of the world for the purpose of helping the participants create their image of an ideal education program. It is designed to train students to adopt a global perspective by becoming receptive to differences and to enable them to form lasting friendships. The ultimate goal of the program is to excel in a global society.

Lowry is a senior from Corryton, Tenn. Rasnic is a junior from Jonesville, Va., and Ramos is also a junior from Harrogate, Tenn.

“This is such a great opportunity for our students, and it’s a perfect activity to help us educate our kids about the importance of a global community. They develop an awareness of national and world issues, while creating a lasting network of students from all over the world,” J. Frank White Academy Principal Sylvia Lynch said. “We are so honored that the J. Frank White Academy is the only high school in the United States invited to participate in World School.”

A team made up of Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) and/or J. Frank White Academy students has represented the United States since the program’s inception. World School has been hosted by a number of different countries including Japan, Germany, Italy, Australia and the United Kingdom, and LMU hosted the World School annual forum in 2002 during its sole occurrence in the United States. The University will once again be the host in 2012.

Each forum revolves around a theme with the goal that participants will leave the program having contributed to the creation of seminar objectives, themes and ideas for a global curriculum related to the theme. The theme for 2009 was “The Environment: Food and Value”. The JFWA students researched topics dealing with food values prior to the trip and presented their findings at the forum. The team also prepared a presentation about their school, region and country, as well as a traditional American performance.

“Since this was the year to celebrate Michael Jackson, and there really isn’t a better global American Icon, the students chose to perform the dance routine from Jackson’s Thriller video,” Brooks-Deaton said. “The performance was quite the crowd pleaser. So much so, our students also taught many of the other participants the routine and I will never forget Dillon (Ramos) leading the entire crowd in Thriller during the closing party.”