Jackson was nominated for the contest by his mother, who shared:

“Jackson is an exceptional young man whose leadership, resilience, and selflessness have truly set him apart. As the oldest of four siblings, he has always been a guiding force in his family, but during his father’s deployment he stepped up in extraordinary ways, shouldering responsibilities far beyond his years. From preparing meals to babysitting his younger siblings, Jackson provided an unwavering source of support for me. His dedication was not just a matter of duty—it was an act of love, strength, and quiet resilience. While his peers enjoyed a more carefree summer, Jackson embraced the challenge without complaint, demonstrating remarkable maturity and an unshakable work ethic.

Jackson leads not by words, but by example. His integrity, dedication, and work ethic are evident in every aspect of his life. He is a well-rounded individual who thrives in multiple areas, including basketball, cross-country, track, jazz band, shooting sports, 4-H, and his church youth group. Whether mentoring younger 4-H members, helping lead activities at camp, or simply being a dependable friend and sibling, Jackson’s steady and confident demeanor inspires those around him.

As the recipient of an Our Military Kids activity grant for summer camp, he took the opportunity to not only enjoy the experience himself, but to ensure that others felt welcomed as well. His natural ability to connect with people allowed him to encourage and support first-time campers, making them feel at ease and included.

Jackson’s leadership and commitment to service are evident in his community as well. He volunteered as a group leader for ‘Safety Town’ for two weeks, where he was responsible for teaching crucial safety lessons to dozens of children ages 5-7. Through role-playing exercises, interactive songs, and engaging activities, he ensured that young campers learned pedestrian, motor, weather, fire, stranger, water, and poison safety in a meaningful way. Additionally, as a Junior Counselor at Cousin Camp, Jackson took on meal preparation, crafts, and song-leading, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience for his younger cousins and siblings.

His leadership extended even further into his active involvement in 4-H, where he consistently steps up as a mentor and role model. He participates in monthly community service projects and played a pivotal role at 4-H camp, taking his younger brother and new members under his wing. Whether through hands-on service or leading by example, Jackson’s ability to uplift those around him is a testament to his character.

Jackson is a natural-born leader, and his leadership is perhaps most evident in the classroom. Not only does he maintain a perfect 4.0 GPA, he is also consistently recognized as an Academic and Character Student of the Month at his middle school. One teacher captured his character perfectly: ‘Jackson is a phenomenal student who is respectful and hardworking — qualities that are easy to identify. But what makes him truly exceptional has nothing to do with academics. He is kind, empathetic, servant-hearted, humble, and so much more. He is an incredible human being who blesses the lives of those around him.’”