MADISON – During the “Patriot Pride” experience, eighth-graders at Discovery Middle School toured and explored Bob Jones High School, their future home in the 2022-2023 school year.

“Patriot Pride was an exciting day for our rising ninth-graders to learn more about our Bob Jones culture,” Principal Sylvia Lambert said. “Our teachers and students did a fantastic job in sharing a glimpse of ways to get involved at Bob Jones.”

“Patriot Pride exists to ignite a sense of Bob Jones pride in our rising ninth grade as they get a brief glimpse of life as a Patriot,” Bob Jones Assistant Principal Amy Thaxton said. “We have a rich culture of tradition, legacy and family that we hope they will all grab onto and find where they connect at ‘The Bob.’”

Before the visit, eighth-grade Discovery students chose the path – RED or BLUE – they wanted to take for Patriot Pride. “This (decision) simulated our weekly ‘Patriot Path,’ because students get to choose what path they take to connect student to student, student to faculty and student to community.”

“The RED path leaned towards getting insight about our Fine Arts programs. The BLUE path allowed the students to explore Career Tech Academies. But when it comes to choosing classes, all paths at Bob Jones are open to the rising ninth-graders to explore,” Thaxton said.

Current students shared their feelings and passion for living as a Patriot. Senior Jillian Pennell focused on connecting as she welcomed the BLUE group in the gym. “My biggest advice to you is to get plugged in somewhere. You don’t have to be a part of everything but be a part of something. The doors are open, and the possibilities are endless.”

Senior Bryson Tesseneer reassured the eighth-graders in the auditorium not to stress about their courses. “What you take your freshman year does not define what you have to take for the rest of your high school career,” Tesseneer said. “If you start a course curriculum, such as health science, and decide it’s not for you . . . no big deal.”

“Find something that feels right to you for the next year. The sky’s the limit, and I’m confident that every one of you will find something that you can be passionate about,” Tesseneer said.

Bob Jones administrators invited the eighth-graders to come back that evening to Curriculum Night with their parents so they could hear from the counselors, ask questions to teachers about courses and learn more about some of the clubs that are offered, Thaxton said.

This summer, rising ninth-graders and new students can take building tours.

For more information about course registration, visit Bob Jones website at madisoncity.k12.al.us/domain/885. For highlights about Patriot Pride from “Patriot Pages,” visit bjhspatriotpages.com/showcase/2022/02/27/instilling-patriot-pride.

To view a video for Patriot Pride, visit drive.google.com/file/d/1qC4VaEFTniYi9waxBrZ-4e6Atv_PIU9K/view?usp=drivesdk. For highlights about Curriculum Night from “Patriot Pages,” bjhspatriotpages.com/showcase/2022/02/24/sampling-the-curriculum-at-the-curriculum-fair.