Students at James Weldon Johnson Middle School thought they were attending a pep rally on Tuesday, September 9, but when they entered the gym, they discovered that their school was selected as the kick-off location for Winn-Dixie & the Jacksonville Jaguars A-Team Program.
The A-Team award program provides students and teachers with free Jaguars tickets for their hard work in academics, good attendance and overall attitude.
James Weldon Johnson, an academic magnet school, was chosen as the A-Team's kick-off site because it has received an “A” grade for the past eight years in a row.
Students were welcomed in the gym to the beat of the Edward Waters College's drum line as they were handed teal pompoms. Several surprise guests were in attendance to congratulate and encourage the students, including members of The ROAR, Jaxson de Ville, and Jaguars players Mike Peterson and Cleo Lemon, as well as retired Jaguar player Jeff Lageman.
Each guest spoke to the seventh and eighth grade students about the importance of education.
"Knowledge is key," said Lageman. "Continue to work hard to succeed academically."
"I wouldn't be playing professional football today if I didn't work hard in the classroom," said Peterson. "Those who succeed in academics also succeed on the field."
During the event, eight of the school’s students became the first members of the Winn-Dixie A-Team for this school year. These students were chosen by Principal Sharwonda Peek based on their good grades, positive attitudes and good behavior, and were awarded tickets to Sunday’s Jacksonville Jaguars home opener against the Buffalo Bills.
The entire school also received an award when Phil Woodruff, the promotions manager for Winn-Dixie, presented a $500 check to James Weldon Johnson for being an “A” school.
"We thank Winn-Dixie and the Jacksonville Jaguars for their support, and for choosing
James Weldon Johnson as the kick-off site for the A-Team," said Principal Sharwonda Peek. "I would also like to thank our students and teachers for their hard work."
Throughout the season, Winn-Dixie will award family four-packs of tickets to selected middle school students and two-packs of tickets to teachers in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam counties. It is the third straight year the Jaguars and Winn-Dixie have teamed up to encourage and reward students and teachers for success in the classroom.
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