1/28/2024

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Jordan Davis for the South Carolina Journalist of
the Year. Jordan is currently a member of my AP US Government and Politics at Wando High School and
has struck me as not only an exceptional pupil, but an ideal citizen and a multifaceted individual.

Just within the first five months of AP Government, it is clear that Jordan, through her depth of thought
and vital scrutiny of our volatile climate of the American political system, possesses a level of maturity
buoyed by compassion that you rarely see amongst high school seniors. In the quarterly debates that we
have in the course, students are assigned controversial topics that could cause uncomfortable
confrontations with their peers or even have them question their own predisposed notions. Jordan is,
without a doubt, amongst the most prepared and articulate in her arguments, even when she is assigned
a particular stance that she personally may not agree with. Her ability to look at all sides of an issue,
while basing her reasoning on evidence and analytical deduction is a standard that most adults do not
attempt to maintain. One of the most important goals that I have for my AP Government class is to
produce thoughtful critics of our nation that have the ultimate goal of civic service—without a doubt,
her voice, her genuine concern for others, and her intelligence projects an exemplary future model of
this virtue.

Her performance in my class is simply a footnote in her busy life as a Wando High student. Enrolled in a
complete program of Advanced Placement classes (9 at graduation), Jordan has accepted a daunting
academic burden to which she has met with a 4.459 GPA. But outside the considerable intellect that she
has, I think Jordan is most impressive in the leadership roles that she takes in the many academic and
service groups at Wando. Whether it is the Wando Warrior Ambassadors or AP Academy, Jordan is
always out front taking an active role leading these organizations. For frame of reference, the Warrior
Ambassadors are a collection of seniors that have been selected through a rigorous process to best
represent our student body for tours, speaking engagements, or community service. They are essentially
the “face” of Wando to visitors. The example that she sets for others to follow is rooted in her work
ethic. In some of conversations with other teachers regarding Jordan, the common denominator that
seems to always be shared amongst we educators is her seemingly inexhaustible, yet selfless diligence to
what needs to be accomplished. She needs very little direction here—she knows what these groups
need to succeed and gets the job done. That level of proactivity, coupled with the outstanding nature in
which this work is accomplished, projects an incredible future in whatever line of work she embraces.

We see her dedication to leadership and service during her junior year where Jordan served as the
singular representative for the entire of state of South Carolina in Washington, DC for the Freedom
Forum. The Al Neuharth Freedom Forum is a yearly journalism conference where high school journalists
are encouraged in their efforts to not only express free thought, but to safeguard the future of the First
Amendment protections of Speech and Press. In just our post-class discussions of life and her
performance in my Government class, there is no student that could better representative our future in
this all important crusade than Jordan.

Philip Caston, the faculty advisor for the heralded Wando Legend Yearbook, first brought Jordan’s
nomination to Journalist of the Year to my attention back in December. The pedigree of success that the
Legend has maintained over Caston’s tenure here is nothing short of astonishing—consistently awarded
Superior ratings, multiple State Yearbook of the Year awards, and a slew of individual honors, including
four Journalist of the Year winners. Jordan is not only our Editor-in-Chief for the Legend, but she has
served on the leadership board for the Southern Interscholastic Press Association for the entire state.
Caston, who has overseen a massive program with hundreds of students for close to a decade, singled
Jordan Davis out as the singular student journalist with the greatest dedication and willingness to accept
any and all tasks. That’s quite an honor considering the slew of talent that he has seen, many of whom
shared my classroom as well. I cannot begin to understand the amount of work that goes in to the
construction of a yearbook that so superbly represents one of the largest high schools in the Southeast.
Her dedication to excellence, her compassion as a human being, and her incredible talent as a writer and
editor--albeit I am an outsider, this just seems to be the very embodiment of the SC Journalist of the
Year.

Aside from all of this, Jordan is just an amazing person. She is one of the most genuine, polite, and
caring people that I’ve ever been around. At the risk of hyperbole, Jordan Davis is one of the finest
students I’ve ever had the honor of teaching in 20 years of education. I honestly cannot wait to see what
the future holds for her.

Regards,

Jared Tyler
Social Studies Department Chair
AP US Government and Politics Teacher
Wando High School