Community Engagement

Spring Jam: A World of Wonder with Paragon Bank

03-11-25

Earlier this month, Paragon Bank proudly celebrated its 11th year of partnership with the Neighborhood Christian Center (NCC) for the much-anticipated Spring Jam. This cherished event stands as a beacon of joy and cultural enlightenment for over 1,100 Memphis-area school children and Paragon team members alike. This year, the theme was “Around the World,” where students embarked on a global journey through a series of immersive experiences.

A Swiss Adventure

Paragon Bank’s contribution to this international escapade focused on the picturesque and culturally rich country of Switzerland. Our team divided into three separate groups, each tasked with bringing a piece of Swiss charm to life.

1. Recreating the Iconic Broken Chair: One group set out to replicate the famous Broken Chair from Geneva, Switzerland. Standing 39 feet tall in its original form, the Broken Chair symbolizes the opposition to landmines and cluster bombs. Our version, though smaller at 10-12 feet, was crafted with care and stood as a powerful testament to peace and resilience.
2. Painting the Majestic Swiss Alps: Another group took on the challenge of capturing the breathtaking beauty of the Swiss Alps. Using large sheets of craft butcher paper, they hand-painted highlights, lowlights, shadows, hills, and valleys, creating a stunning visual masterpiece. And yes, a touch of glitter spray paint added a magical sparkle to the snowy peaks.
3. Hoisting the Proud Swiss Flag: The final group poured their efforts into crafting a grand Swiss flag. Through teamwork and dedication, they hoisted the flag high, creating a proud display that encapsulated the spirit of Switzerland.

“Paragon’s work is always amazing,” said Tawana Goolsby, Youth Engagement Services Director at the NCC. “We can’t express enough how much their work means to us. From completing projects to get ready for Spring Jam, to educating our students on financial literacy, Paragon is invaluable to us and the work we do in the community.”

Engaging Young Minds

Beyond setting up these Swiss scenes, a dedicated team of Paragon members manned the Paragon Bank station during the event. Here, students were introduced to the world of banking and currency exchange. They explored different global currencies and received faux tender to use in the marketplace, turning financial education into an engaging and interactive adventure.

“The NCC Spring Jam was a fun and engaging experience, offering both adults and children the unique opportunity to learn about air travel, explore foreign currencies and discover the rich cultures of several countries,” said George Daley — First Vice President, Credit Risk Officer & Commercial Lender. “I am proud to be a part of this event and support such an inspiring initiative.”

Some team members even helped in other areas.

“I have volunteered for the set construction crew for years and have always enjoyed this event,” said Mark Nance — First Vice President, Treasury Management. “I was not able to attend this year, so I was happy to be able to help out during the event by volunteering in the kitchen. I love what the Neighborhood Christian Center is doing.”

Paragon Bank is honored to be part of such a meaningful event, nurturing cultural awareness and global curiosity among young minds. Here’s to many more years of adventure and learning at Spring Jam!

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