When junior Peyton Ellis came to Harris Academy in Brownsburg, he was looking for a fresh school start, and because of expansion, the school had a fresh new JAG program. In spite of originally not knowing much at all about JAG, five months in, Peyton has found himself flourishing.
“My counselor said it was a class about job skills, real-world stuff, and she thought I was going to like it,” recalls Peyton of his introduction to JAG.
The pairing would end up being a good one, and he remembers the moment it clicked for him in first-year Specialist Tyree Upchurch’s calls.
“It wasn’t too long ago, when (Mr. Upchurch) was talking about inspiring people, and that really drew me in,” remarked Peyton. “This class is more focused on things you’re going to carry with you, stuff you need. I don’t need to know a-squared plus b-squared, but I do need to know how to write a resume.”
Peyton, who admitted coming into Harris that he’s always been more intrigued by planning for his long-term work future rather than the rigmarole of the regular school day, did not necessarily see himself as a leader…but his JAG Specialist did.
“When I met him, he was pretty upbeat, and I knew he was going to bring a dynamic where he’s willing to do the things that need to be done,” said Upchurch, who also coaches the defensive line for Brownsburg’s top-ranked football team. “He leads by his actions. He knows what’s going to be relevant. There are times where I’d give a lesson and (his peers) want to push it off, but then they see him doing it and they follow him.”
For that quiet leadership, Upchurch added Peyton to his first-ever Leadership Council, the students who are in charge of their program’s service learning and outreach initiatives.
Upchurch said that the council will have his full trust and will be the ones reaching out to community partners and employers to learn how to have those professional conversations to get comfortable with them while he is merely in the background.
For Peyton, who is laser focused on his specific career goals, that is music to his ears. His goals include continuing to take cyber security classes at Area 31 and get into the career field as soon as possible, citing the high wages, flexible scheduling and ability to work from home.
JAG, he said, has already helped him with feeling comfortable in places he otherwise would not have.
“JAG has taught me to step back and look at everyone, see what they’re doing, see what they’re thinking, take account for everybody else and how they might be feeling. I sometimes have had a hard time doing that.”
Adds Upchurch about his program, which Ellis is flourishing in and why, “I’m a person who meets you where you need to be met, and I see where I need to go to reach you the best. If you’re looking for a support system and need a push and skills for the rest of your life, I’m going to push you to be the best person you can be. If that’s what you’re interested in, then this is a place for you.”
To learn more about JAG Indiana and programs like this one at Harris Academy, please visit jagindiana.org or visit JAG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
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