The Roanoke Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is pleased to announce the graduation and transition to the legacy status of John-Miller A. Penn, Kennady M. Wade, and A’Ron J. Wilson.
John-Miller A. Penn is the son of Courtney and Angela Penn. He has been a member of Jack and Jill for fifteen years. During his years in Jack and Jill, he gained many valuable lessons in leadership and service. Those service activities include volunteering at the rescue mission, collecting socks for senior citizens, and donating school supplies. As an active member of Jack & Jill, he participated in the Mid-Atlantic Region Jack & Jill Teen Conference as well as the JMB Teen Leadership Summit. He is a 2023 Honor Graduate of Patrick Henry High School. During his time at Patrick Henry, he was active in sports, playing on the Junior Varsity and Varsity Football Teams as well as running on both indoor and outdoor track teams. He was a founding member of the Students for Racial Unity Club at Patrick Henry and was selected to attend the Hugh O’Brian (HOBY) Youth Leadership Seminar. In addition, he was a member of the Roanoke Branch NAACP Youth Council and participated in the Juneteenth March & Rally, as well as the ACT-SO Competition. He is a member of Williams Memorial Baptist Church. John-Miller is the Athlete of the Year Awardee and will receive a special recognition award from the Mid-Atlantic Region of Jack and Jill. In the fall, he will attend West Virginia State University.
Kennady M. Wade is the daughter of Kianna Marshall and Marcus Wade. She has been a member of Jack and Jill for fifteen years and has enjoyed giving back to the community. Kennady is a 2023 Honor Graduate of Patrick Henry High School receiving the Presidential Education Award and is a member of the National Honor Society. She served as Senior Class President, as a founding member of Students for Racial Unity, and on the Roanoke City Youth Services Board where she assisted in planning the Annual Youth Summit for the past 3 years. She was also involved in athletics, as a member of the Varsity Lacrosse Team for the past 3 years, Captain of the Varsity Cheer Team, and the Track and Field Team. Since the age of eight Kennady has performed in several musicals at Virginia Children’s Theater and Mill Mountain Theater. She enjoys singing in the Church Youth Choir and is a former member of Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir and recently joined the Roanoke Branch NAACP. Additionally, she volunteers with the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and the United Way of Roanoke Valley. She is a member of Loudon Avenue Christian Church and is the Carole Robertson Awardee and will receive a special recognition award from the Mid-Atlantic Region of Jack and Jill. She is also the recipient of the Continentals Black Girls Really Rock Award. In the fall, she will attend the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
A’Ron J. Wilson is the son of Marvin Wilson, Sr., and Lorena Taylor Rollins Wilson. A’Ron has been a member of Jack and Jill for six years. During his tenure, he has served the community by donating and delivering school supplies to a local private school. A’Ron is a 2023 Honor Graduate of William Fleming High School. While at Fleming, he was a member of the Baseball Team. Other community activities include serving as a member of the Roanoke Branch NAACP Youth Council where he participated in voter registration drives and attended marches, including Say Their Name and standing up against bullying, Boy Scouts and the Marcus M. Wilson Scholarship. A’Ron has held a job with Chick-Fil-A since the age of sixteen. He attends Parkway Church. For his creativity, A’Ron is the Artist of the Year Awardee and will receive the special recognition award from the Mid-Atlantic Region of Jack and Jill. In the fall, he will be attending Morgan State University.
Jack and Jill of America is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2-19, dedicated to nurturing future African-American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving, and civic duty. Jack and Jill have 252 chapters nationwide, representing more than 40,000 family members. Jack and Jill of America create a medium of contact for children to stimulate their growth and development. The Roanoke Valley Chapter was founded in 1951.
