A computer graphics program holds the interest of 14-year-old Allen Cooke while attending the Magnet High School Showcase yesterday. -- Bob Self/staff

Magnet schools flaunt their stuff
Students gather facts during 'showcase'

By Laura Diamond
Times-Union staff writer

A group of six Jacksonville middle school students sat in a circle around Kristie Mumma and leaned in so as to hear her every word.

Mumma, a junior in military science at Ribault High, was explaining her involvement in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. She told them about the exciting aspects of the magnet program, such as using the flight simulator.

But she also warned them about the strenuous work. Students need to follow orders from upperclassmen and are required to keep shoes polished and uniform crisp.

"You have to have discipline and be willing to work hard," Mumma said yesterday. "If not, this program isn't for you. But if this is something you do want, it will be the most amazing thing you can do."

Mumma spoke to students yesterday as part of the Duval County school system's annual Magnet High School Showcase. The event allows eighth-graders to learn about the programs they can enroll in when they enter high school.

The Duval County school system will hold its annual Magnet Mania from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. Parents and students can speak with representatives from all the school system's magnet programs. For more information, call (904) 390-2082.

More than 9,000 eighth-graders are expected to attend the event, which ends tomorrow.

Magnet programs are specialized classes designed to emphasize academic achievement or a particular area, such as medicine, teaching or automotive technology. Twelve high schools offer magnet programs.

Packs of students walked from room to room at the University of North Florida's University Center to learn about the different programs. The longest line was for information about Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, a high school dedicated to the visual and performing arts.

Marshall Wilson attends the academic magnet at James Weldon Johnson and wants to attend a high school with a magnet program. The eighth-grader said he's torn between Stanton College Preparatory, with its academically challen- ging curriculum, and Lee High, which offers a math, science and pre-engineering program.

"I like being in a magnet program and I know I want to continue with it," Wilson said. "I'm just still trying to figure out which one is right for me."

Staff writer Laura Diamond can be reached at or via e-mail at ldiamond.