After much preparation, Jamaican Jam will be held Thursday September 15th in the TJ Gym for fun, dancing and the annual volleyball tournament.
Artwork by Ed Gloor
On Thursday, September 15th, the annual and long-awaited Jamaican Jam Volleyball Tournament/Dance will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the TJ Gymnasium, allowing for students to not only dance, but also have the chance to win a prize in the volleyball tournament.
The Jamaican Jam Dance has always been a favorite tradition at TJ, as it not only provides all students with safe fun, but it also gives seniors an opportunity to bond with the freshman class and make them feel welcome at the beginning of the school year. Each year, the seniors “adopt” his or her own freshman and show them the ropes of high school. Seniors can do this by taking his or her freshman to the front office while Jamaican Jam tickets are being sold, and sign up. The senior-freshman adoption has been a tradition at TJ for many years. Jamaican Jam has always been a great way for the seniors and their freshmen to bond and get to know each other. “For a little while I thought we weren’t going to have Jamaican Jam, so when I found out it was going to happen I was so excited! It is an essential part of senior year and TJ wouldn’t be the same without it,” said Senior Becca Randall.
This year, tickets for Jamaican Jam will be $5.00, and all students must bring their tickets with them to the doors the night of the dance. In order to participate in the volleyball tournament, students must pay $25 and can only have up to eight players on their team. However, a new rule states that only two varsity volleyball players are allowed per team.
While the volleyball teams will be competing hard to win the tournament, World Language Teacher Kyler Jackson will be DJ-ing on the other side of the gym, allowing for students to dance and socialize throughout the night. “I’m so excited for Jamaican Jam. I’m not Jamaican or anything, but I’ll make sure you jam!” said Jackson.
At the beginning of the school year, it was in question as to whether Jamaican Jam would even happen. However, the Leadership class worked hard in order to make sure that an extremely vital part of the TJ tradition was upheld. “Leadership this year is obviously motivated to have Jamaican Jam, and is subsequently putting a lot of time and energy into planning it because they want to keep the tradition,” said Leadership Teacher Jonathon Poole.
Tickets for Jamaican Jam are on sale now in the Treasurers office. Tickets are limited, so be sure to buy your ticket as soon as possible!
