Focus. Drive. Commitment. Perseverance. 

Four traits widely considered the pillars of strong leadership and character, and four traits that many teachers, administrators and friends use to describe Green Hope senior Justin Jackson (‘24). 

However, when Jackson walked into the Green Hope gymnasium on a Tuesday morning, he never expected that it was to receive a $5,000 scholarship for demonstrating such character throughout his four years of high school. However, exactly that happened, as his family, friends, administrators, counselors and the Green Hope men’s basketball team gathered to celebrate the prize he received for his accomplishments and leadership on Dec. 19. 

The Tatum & Atkinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year scholarship is awarded to a student who exemplifies outstanding leadership and character both on and off the court. Nomination occurs through a pool of applicants who won the Tatum & Atkinson Scholar-Athlete of the Week. Jackson was given this honor the week of Oct. 16 through 20. Later, he recorded and submitted a video where he detailed his interest in the scholarship that he was awarded on Tuesday. 

Jackson is a three-sport athlete, earning varsity letters in soccer, basketball, and track and field since his freshman year. He received the AP Scholar with Distinction award, the National African-American Recognition Award and is a nominee for the Morehead-Cain Scholarship – a full-ride awarded to incoming UNC-Chapel Hill students. He also established a tutoring business, supporting dozens of students in various academic subjects. 

Hailed as an exemplar of a student-athlete, with a strong drive and community-oriented goals, many of Jackson’s mentors who have supported him throughout his years testified to his personality and ambition. 

“He’s a leader through his actions” 

From the start of Green Hope Principal Mrs. Alison Cleveland’s tenure at the school, she knew that Jackson was a strong representative of the Green Hope community.

“Justin is one of the very first students I met when I started here, last summer. It was during basketball, youth basketball camp, and he just came up to me and introduced himself, and said he was excited for me to start,” she said. 

Mrs. Cleveland described her first impression of Jackson as being impressed by how “composed and articulate” he was, and the fact that Jackson had taken the first step to introduce himself to her. 

Although she noticed his leadership from the start of his high school career, she said his confidence in exercising it has grown since his early years. 

“He’s a clear leader, and he probably already had that leadership there, but he’s continued to grow in his overt leadership on the campus and has demonstrated a great deal of character in the class and on the field,” she said. 

Aside from being a leader, said Mrs. Cleveland, Jackson also has a sound perspective regarding his future. “I admire his drive, his goals and [his] ability to set really strong goals that are purposeful to make a strong impact in the future,” she said. 

After high school, Jackson hopes to pursue a career in business and applied mathematics. He pursued such interests by serving as Vice President of Competition in Green Hope’s chapter of DECA and earned a spot as an international finalist in the business competition. 

“He’s thoughtful about what types of things he needs to do to influence others to impact society in a positive way,” Mrs. Cleveland said. 

“He’s willing to grow and learn” 

Mr. Justin McIntyre is the dean of students at Green Hope. He worked closely with Jackson since the athlete’s junior year, assisting him in applying for scholarships and award programs. Mr. McIntyre emphasized the valuable qualities that he believed led to Jackson’s success. 

“He’s just really kind of taken the initiative just to get to know me and the counseling team and student services,” McIntyre said, noting many fond memories he had interacting with Jackson. 

In particular, he recalled Jackson’s outstanding and professional conduct during the Morehead Cain scholarship, which included a rigorous, multi-tiered process of interviews and essays. “One memory that I have of him was just his amazing performance in the Morehead Cain nomination. He did an excellent job with that, [and] I think a characteristic that I really admire about Justin is that he is very confident and secure with who he is where he wants to go,” he said. 

McIntyre also highlighted Jackson’s ability to adapt to challenges he is faced with. “But he’s also very teachable, and he’s willing to grow and learn from his experiences. So that’s what I really admire about balance,” he said. 

“He always has something positive to say, always has a smile on his face” 

Jackson’s basketball coach, Coach Alejandro Ellis, initially met him during Jackson’s sophomore year, when he invited Jackson to move from the junior varsity to the varsity team. 

In the basketball court, Justin is a versatile player. “Justin is one of our leaders. He’s one of the guys who can play one through three positions. So whatever we ask him to do we’ll do, he’ll step up,” Coach Ellis said. 

Even in the off-season, Coach Ellis detailed how Jackson busied himself with soccer, track or helping host summer basketball camps for youth in the area. 

When asked about what he most admired about Jackson, Coach Ellis cited Jackson’s ability to maintain a positive presence. “I admire his ability to get along with all of his teammates. He always has something positive to say, always has a smile on his face. And then he puts the work into being a student-athlete.” 

“It’s important to focus your efforts on the things that are important” 

While many athletes struggle to develop the skills and discipline necessary to achieve their full potential, Jackson does so by thinking of his future. “I think a big [motivator] was just thinking about my future. Thinking about the opportunities that I find for myself, you know, in college, and beyond,” he said. 

He affirmed that doing so aided him in staying on top of schoolwork and sports. “In terms of discipline, in terms of time management, and I also think that it’s rewarding at the end of the day. It’s enjoyable to be able to spend time with friends, practice doing sports, play games that you love to play, and then still succeed academically.” 

Jackson also attributed his success to a strong support system. When asked about his biggest supporters, he described the help that his parents gave him. “My parents have always been there to support me. My dad played sports growing up, my mom ran growing up, so I always come from that athletic background of kind of balancing school and sports, and they were really the ones to push me to get involved as much as I can. And to stay on track academically,” Jackson said. 

To his younger self, Jackson gives two pieces of advice: focus on the things that matter and make connections with others. 

“Something I learned my sophomore and junior year is to just to be present, to be engaged in whatever you’re doing, and enjoy things you actually love to do that are actually fulfilling for you,” he said. “A lot of kids get caught up with just trying to get as much as they can on their resume, and I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think it’s important to focus your efforts on the things that are important.” 

He credited the people whom he made connections with as a large factor behind his success in both attaining the scholarship and succeeding academically. “I think one of the biggest ways that I’ve been able to succeed with this scholarship and other things is just the people that I meet, you know, make good first impressions. Always be open to talk to somebody, and just be available. Be available and be present.” 

Jackson’s influence impacted many around him – and his younger brother is no exception. 

Jackson’s younger brother, Marcus Jackson, is a sixth-grade student at Davis Drive Middle School. “I’m very proud of him,” he said. His favorite memories with Jackson were small moments during family outings. “[It’s] probably the vacations that we’ve been on and the little things.” When asked, he said he most admires his brother’s “confidence and leadership.” 

Through his actions and leadership, Jackson makes an impact on the Green Hope community and continues his academic and athletic endeavors.