Jackson Central-Merry alumni reconnect at tailgate

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Jackson Central-Merry High School Tailgate has turned into an annual tradition.

Alumna Wanda Triggs Mercer from the class of ’71 reflects on a memory from her high school days.

“My basketball team, we were second runner-ups in the state. The basketball team, that’s my best memory,” Mercer said.

Mercer attends the tailgates every year. She said the basketball team is where she made some of her best friends.

“It was really the basketball players. We were close knit,” Mercer said. “Now I remember people in my class, in my other classes, but my my friendship was really based on the basketball team, and I’m just being honest,” Mercer said.

Attendees not only remember the basketball days. Organizer Dumonte Newsom says his best days were playing on the school’s football team.

“On the football team and looking across the field and seeing my brother out there playing with me,” Newsom said.

Dozens of alumni enjoyed live music and some friendly competition among classes.

Newsom says it’s an opportunity to be back together in Jackson.

“To get people to come home for this, not for a holiday, not for an unfortunate death in the family,” Newsom said.

He also thinks the tailgates will keep the spirit of JCM alive.

“But them earlier classes, they come with it, they come deep and ready to have fun and just they’re the happiest one,” Newsom said.

With a new mascot, alumni still keep the JCM spirit in a special place.

“But we’re Cougars now, and it lives in our heart,” Mercer said.

JCM alumni said they want to make sure they continue the tailgate every year.