Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 5-24-19

Feature
Grad Wins $20,000 Athletic Scholarship From Footlocker
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last Friday, N’Jhari Jackson was surprised when he learned he was the recipient of a $20,000 athletic scholar- ship. He was one of 20 stu- dents selected for the honor in the nation. He was presented the scholarship at the Foot- locker Store at Brandon Town Center.
The presentation of the scholarship was made possible by the Foot Locker Founda- tion. Since 2011, the organiza- tion has presented 20 scholarships each year to stu- dents who are not only scholar athletes, but advocates of their respective communities.
Among those on hand for the surprise presentation were his mother, Ms. Lashina Lewis, Ross Anderson, founder of Men of Vision, Inc., of which he is a member, and Travis Garrett, of Wesley Chapel, who is his mentor and Boy Scouts Merit Counselor.
Richard A. Johnson,
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Foot Locker, Inc. said, “It is truly rewarding to be able to recognize outstand- ing students who have posi- tively impacted their schools, communities and teams through our Foot Locker
N’Jhari Jackson is shown holding the $20,000 scholarship with Brandon Footlocker employees Josh Spence, Jorge Cantos, James Garrett, Christopher Ventura, Joseph Pierman, and Kristina Gar- rett.
N’Jhari is shown with his mother, Ms. Lashina Lewis and Travis Garrett, his mentor and Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor.
Scholar Athletes Program, “Our mission is to empower exceptional scholar athletes and to give them the opportu- nity to exceed their expecta- tions and potential with a college education. Each year, we are inspired by the stu- dents, their stories and the promise of their future impact on society.”
N'Jhari joined the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes class of 2019, selected from a highly competitive pool of over 13,000 applicants.
N'Jhari will graduate from Carrollwood Day School, where he was the Co-Captain of the Football team and Co- Captain of the Swim team.
Some of his accomplishments include being a Coca-Cola Scholar; a 4-time Carson Scholar; Eagle Scout of the Year; AXIA Achievement Scholar; recipient of the Heart Of A Champion Award; and the recipient of the Bronze and Silver Congressional Medals.
He is a member of the Na- tional English Honor Society, National Science Honor Soci- ety, National Honor Society, and Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.
He also entered the dual enrollment college program and will graduate during the summer with his A. A. Degree. He currently has a grade point average of 4.69.
Despite having Juvenile Arthritis, N’Jhari was also a member of the Varsity LaCrosse Team.
At the age of 16, N’Jhari is the author of four books, and has founded three non-profits including the Boys Read With Pride Book Club. N'Jhari ac- tively volunteers with numer- ous organizations in Tampa including Men of Vision, the Joshua House and Children’s Home Society Florida, Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, and led an effort to raise funds for saving young hearts of stu- dent athletes.
When N'Jhari enters the University of Florida in the fall, his major will be Business Economics and legal Studies.
He has chosen Chinese as his minor.
His future plans are to be- come a Sports Attorney or Commerce Law Attorney.
N’Jhari is shown with edu- cator Ross Anderson, founder of Men of Vision, Inc.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2019