Chapter History
The Spectacular Stone Mountain Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. began with a group of nine dynamic women seeking to continue the rich legacy of Jack and Jill of America with their children. The mothers sought to provide their children with an opportunity to learn about their heritage, make lasting friendships, and share wholesome and enriching experiences. These mothers first convened on February 2, 1985, at the home of Mother Imogene Alexander, for the purpose of establishing a new chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
In March 1986, Mother Dee Taylor was elected the 1st Chapter President, and 12 officers were elected to provide leadership for the Interest Group and Chartered Chapter. Twenty-six mothers carried the Stone Mountain Interest Group through its first year. The Interest Group earned provisional status on July 23, 1986, and received a unanimous vote at the National Convention in Norfolk, VA, that same year. Following over a year of dedication as an official interest group, the Stone Mountain Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. was installed on September 20, 1986, becoming the third chapter established in the metropolitan Atlanta area.
Today, the Stone Mountain Chapter is a dynamic force in the east Metro Atlanta area, boasting over 80 members who are leaders in various industries and communities, including educators, psychologists, physicians, judges, executives, scientists, lawyers, and more. We remain committed to working together to implement impactful programming and uphold our charge: “The Power of Us: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.”
What We've Achieved
The Stone Mountain Chapter has received awards from all levels of the organization. We received grants from the Jack and Jill of America Foundation in 1992, 1997, and 2002. In 2004, we received the National Outstanding Chapter Programming Award for the 2003-2004 Program Year. At the 2006 National Convention, we were awarded: Outstanding Overall Programming, Outstanding Cultural Programming for our Black History Program, and Best Legislative Practices. In 2010, we were awarded the National Leadership Grant Award. At the 2014 National Convention, the Stone Mountain Chapter was recognized with a Certificate of Excellence in Legislative Programming and was awarded 1 Star for our Chapter Programming. At the 2017 On the Hill, the Stone Mountain Chapter was awarded Second Place in the nation for our Legislative Programming. Our chapter received the Southeastern Region’s Above and Beyond Programming Award during the 2005-2006 program year. At the Southeastern Regional Teen Conferences, the Stone Mountain Chapter has won FIRST PLACE in Chapter Scrapbook in 1994, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016; Second Place in 2005, Third Place in 2017 in the Regional Teen Conference Step Show Competition; and Third Place for Attendance in 2015. We placed FIRST at the 2022 Regional Teen Conference Step Show Competition. We also have a number of individual awards received by our teens and mothers over the last 30 years! In 2022, during the 45th National Convention, the Stone Mountain Chapter earned the distinct honor of Five Star Recognition.
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
The Stone Mountain Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. consistently supports and promotes National and Regional initiatives. Our members, both mothers and teens, actively participate in leadership roles and regional activities. Below are key accomplishments and milestones:
National Leadership
2022-2023: Adria Welcher Appointed as National Chair, National Strategic Partnerships Task Force.
2022-2023: Adria Welcher Appointed as National Chair, Ad-Hoc Sponsorship Committee.
2020-2022: Adria Welcher Appointed as Southeastern Region Chair, National Strategic Partnerships Task Force.
Regional Leadership
2024-2025: Richard Washington, Jr. Elected as Regional Teen President at the 68th Southeastern Region (SER) Teen Leadership Conference.
2023-2025: Adria Welcher Elected as Regional Secretary at the 32nd Southeastern Region Mother’s Conference.
2023-2024: Richard Washington Elected as Regional Teen Vice President at the 67th Southeastern Region (SER) Teen Leadership Conference.
2023-2024: Hailey SmithElected as Regional Teen Nominating Chair at the 67th Southeastern Region (SER) Teen Leadership Conference.
2022: Adria Welcher Appointed as Chair, Southeastern Region Oratorical Competition.
2022: Adria Welcher Appointed as Co-Chair, Southeastern Region Cluster Committee.
2021: Adria Welcher Appointed as Chair, SER Mothers Work Day.
2021-2022: Miles Norwood Appointed as Regional Teen Chaplain, Southeastern Region Teen Executive Board.
2014 – 2015: Jacob Jordan Elected as Regional Teen Treasurer at the 59th Southeastern Region (SER) Teen Leadership Conference.
1997-1999: Ruth Wilson Elected as Southeastern Regional Director.
1991-1992: Stephen Allwood Elected as Regional Teen President at the 36th Southeastern Region (SER) Teen Leadership Conference.
2023/2024 Program Year: Senior Teen Awards & Milestones
68th SER Teen Leadership Conference - Chapter Awards
StoMo Step Team (22 teens): 1st Place in the Regional Step Team competition.
Senior Teens: 2nd Place in the SER Double Good Popcorn fundraiser, raising over $28,000.
68th SER Teen Leadership Conference - Individual Teen Awards
Luke Harris: Recognized for the Power of Kindness Award.
Tyler Raines: Recognized with the Chapter Community Service Award.
Caitlin Miller: Awarded Best Logo in the Teen Mogul Business Competition.
Hailey Smith: Earned Excellent Blue Seal for Outstanding Artist, Division II.
Sara Villavasso: Earned Excellent Blue Seal for Outstanding Athlete, Division II.
Dylan Carswell: Earned Merit Bronze Seal for Outstanding Leadership, Division II.
Crawford Butts: Earned Merit Bronze Seal for Outstanding Athlete, Division I.
Cameron Frazier: Recognized for Outstanding Athlete, Division II.
Morgan Harris: Recognized for Outstanding Leadership, Division I.
Madison Norwood (Senior Teen VP): Recognized as a VIP Vice President for hosting three teen activities with Stone Mountain’s sister chapters.
Southeastern Region Service Awards
Sara Villavasso and Madison Norwood: Each completed over 250 service hours and were recognized by the SER.
2024 Jacqueline Moore Bowles Teen Leadership Summit
Dylan Carswell: Attended the invitation-only event during the 46th National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for completing 22 leadership curriculum and financial literacy modules during the 2023/2024 program year.
Jacqueline Moore Bowles (JMB) Financial and Leadership Modules
23 Chapter Teens earned Certificates of Recognition for completing 16 leadership curriculum and financial literacy modules during the 2023/2024 program year.
Regional and National Hosted Events:
2025 Georgia SuperCluster
2021 Southeastern Region Mothers’ Work Day
2011 Southeastern Region Teen Leadership Conference
2001 Southeastern Region Mothers’ Conference
1992 Southeastern Region Teen Leadership Conference
Additional National and Regional Accolades:
2024: Earned Five Star Recognition at the 46th National Convention.
2022: Earned Five Star Recognition at the 45th National Convention.
2021 On the Hill Legislative Summit:
First Place for Legislative Advocacy related to passing Jaye’s Law and developing a GA House Resolution in honor of Dearly Departed Mother Jaye Mia Sanford. The award was accepted by Regional Director Darlene Whittington and Senior Teen Skyler Sanford.
2017 On the Hill Legislative Summit:
Awarded Second Place in the nation for Legislative Programming.
2014 National Convention:
Recognized with a Certificate of Excellence in Legislative Programming.
Awarded 1 Star for Excellence in Chapter Programming.
2010: Awarded National Leadership Grant Award.
2005-2006:
Southeastern Region’s Above and Beyond Programming Award.
National Convention Awards:
Outstanding Overall Programming
Outstanding Cultural Programming (for Black History Program)
Best Legislative Practices
2003-2004: Awarded National Outstanding Chapter Programming Award.
1997: Granted $2,300 by the Jack and Jill Foundation for the "Technology 2000" project (American Leader Foundation).
1993: Awarded $2,000 by the Jack and Jill Foundation for the project “Mother-to-Mother: A Positive Outlook Conference,” coordinated by Doris Jackson and Dee Taylor.