Full Name: Jackson King

What school do you attend?

Beech High School

Tell us about yourself.

I am a junior at Beech High School. I play guitar, piano, bass, and drums/percussion. I am the youth band leader at my church. I also am in the mid-state SATB choir. After high school, I am planning on attending Bethel University to major in business and minor in vocal.

What is your greatest strength, and why?

I am very determined. When I set my mind to something I will do whatever it takes to achieve the goal I set for myself. I am like this because I want everything I do to be done in excellence.

What is your greatest weakness, and why?

I am very afraid to put myself out there. I don’t ever take chances or try to go for things, because I am afraid of not being good enough.

What skills do you need to learn to turn your greatest weakness into your greatest strength?

I need to learn confidence. Most people would say confidence is just something some people have and some people don’t, but I think confidence is a skill that can be learned by anyone. It’s just harder for some to learn how to be confident. This is a great opportunity for me to challenge myself and also become more exposed to professionals that can coach me to success.

What is the biggest challenge you have overcome, and what did you learn from that?

This past year has been very difficult for me personally. I have struggled with depression and anxiety. I had a hard time doing normal things and it almost got to the point that I couldn’t function normally. I learned a few valuable lessons. One, that I had people surrounding me to help me and love me. Secondly, I learned how to use music and other things to normalise my mind and relax me. Lastly, I learned that it’s okay to not be okay and that I can use what I learned to help others with similar issues get through their hard times.

Why do you deserve this award?

I think I deserve this award because I realise the magnitude of this opportunity. I would take full advantage of this once in a lifetime experience.

Who has been a role model for you, and why?

My grandpa has been the biggest role model for me. He was an amazing musician, father, pastor, worship leader, and so much more. The last several years of his life he suffered from Parkinson’s disease. His body was in turmoil but his mind was as sharp as it was when he was a young marine. He never complained, whined, or made a big deal of his condition and he passed a happy man surrounded by his loved ones. I strive to be half the man he was as I grow into a young adult.

What is the biggest mistake you made, and what have you learned from that mistake?

This past year as I was going through a tough time, I pushed everyone away and I attempted to isolate myself. I quickly realised that it was a bad choice to make but I was scared to try to let people back in. I thought that they might not want me back because of how abruptly I cut them off. This experience taught me to always have someone to help me and hold me accountable. It also taught me to do the same for people I care about and help them.

What activities are you involved in?

I am very involved with my youth group. I am the youth worship leader and am very involved in the administrative parts of leading a youth group. I am a member of the 2019 mid-state SATB choir and my schools concert and a-capella choir. I am also involved in a bible study group that evangelises in downtown Nashville.

How are you giving back to others?

I always try to go out of my way to help people. It’s the simple things like volunteering to help with an event or helping a friend that needs help. I always try to show kindness and love because there’s already enough hate in the world.

Tell us about a personal achievement that makes you proud, and what you learned from that achievement?

I am very proud of my achievements as a worship leader. I have become a big impact on my peers. I have learned to use the tools I have to provide the best worship experience possible, I have learned how to lead others to be worship leaders, and I have learned to be patient and kind to people even when it’s not easy to be.

How do you define being a humble person?

Being a humble person is doing things that deserve credit, but not asking for any.

How do you define servant leadership?

Servant leadership is serving the people you’re leading and setting them up to do the best they can and be better than you. It is also being willing to do the dirty jobs.

Is there anything else we should know about you?

I am very grateful to be apart of this event and would love to study on Broadway. This opportunity would help me immensely to get to my goal of being a professional musician. I also plan on being a missionary worship leader in a foreign country.