Officials with River City Early College (RCEC) were in attendance at Thursday’s regular meeting of the Vicksburg Warren School District with a very special guest in tow.

Jaiden McGloster, a 17-year-old senior at RCEC, spoke to board members, explaining the school’s newly adopted crest and school song – the latter of which he both wrote himself and performed during Thursday’s meeting. 

“Today I am speaking about some of the core elements that RCEC has,” McGloster told the board. He went on to explain the use of each element in the school’s crest, including the primary shade of green. 

“These colors are used to represent both Vicksburg High School and Warren Central High School. The presentation of this combination bridges the gap between the commonly separated schools as a symbol of unity. The River City Early College crest was designed in 2021 by Vernon Maxwell, who is now a graduated senior. The images used in the crest were chosen to represent the four cornerstones of River City Early College.”

Those cornerstones, he explained, include the school’s mascot – the cougar Apollo, a scale, a graduation cap, and an atom, all representing different disciplines within the institution.

McGloster went on to give board members insight into the meaning behind the school’s mascot.

“Our mascot, a cougar, represents leadership and taking charge of one’s life,” he said. “These positive attributes, which are key to success, are some things we strive to instill in our students.”

Lastly, McGloster unveiled his original song, the official alma mater of RCEC.

“Our alma mater, composed by myself, is a heartfelt anthem expressing our deep affection for RCEC. As the song lyrics state, RCEC is our beloved school, standing majestically where the river kisses the city shore.”

McGloter went on to perform an a cappella version of the song, which he pointed out was the first version the public has heard.

RCEC is a comprehensive four-year program that offers students a traditional high school diploma, as well as an associate’s degree from Hinds Community College, where the school is also housed.

Following the board’s official approval of the adoption of both the crest and song, RCEC counselor Marian Richardson said McGloster is a fine example of the success students find at RCEC.

“We created River City eight years ago,” Richardson said. “It is a program for high school students, so we pull from Vicksburg High School and Warren Central High School. But, you could come from Kansas or Tallulah, as long as you are going to move and live in the Vicksburg Warren School District. We get kids from home school; private school. Everything.”

Richardson said students at RCEC begin working toward college credit in ninth grade.

“In their freshman year, they take one college class in the fall, one college class in the spring. But on top of that, they take all the high school required classes. So we are just your normal high school. And they can leave us and move and those credits transfer. But, starting your junior year, you are taking full-time college classes. You’re still our student, but you are a college kid. And you can earn your associate’s degree, and it’s all free.”