Ava Jackson, sixth grader at Syms Middle School, gives opening at January 7 School Board meeting

Ava Jackson, a sixth grader at Syms Middle School, was selected to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and give the opening at the January 7, 2026, School Board meeting. She shared a poem called Dreams, by Langston Hughes.

 

Ava likes drawing and sketching, and is learning to play bass guitar. Her favorite subjects are math and art.

Her parents, as well as Syms principal Dr. Patrina Jenkins, and assistant principals Maurice Horton, Andrew Perry, and Ogelynn Taloute joined her at the meeting.