Jashon Palmer

Beating the Clock

Everyone gets 24 hours in a day. Jashon Palmer has worked hard to make each one count. He’s had to. He competes in four school sports, two of which he intends to play at Rice University in the fall. He maintains a 3.85 GPA, which has put him second in his class. And he volunteers to tutor other students and support neighborhood improvement projects.

In order to do it all and do it well, Jashon makes choices every day to manage his time wisely. He works smarter in the classroom, completing assignments at school instead of socializing with his peers. And he devotes weekend hours to extra workouts so he can excel in all of his sports. Jashon prioritizes getting a good night’s sleep and eating well, which translates into more energy and greater focus, allowing him to be well-prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead of him in the classroom, on the field, or in the community that day.

Jashon’s commitment to hard work and preparation helped him earn an internship in the Houston Mayor’s Office of Education. As one of his proudest achievements, the position allows him to connect with high-impact leaders and gain invaluable experience that will support his future career goals. Just as important to Jashon, the opportunity benefits those he cares most about. His football teammates are excited about the prospect of the Mayor attending a future game. And his parents are extremely proud. Ultimately, Jashon’s drive comes from seeing the sacrifices his parents make and the effort they put into giving him opportunities to succeed. He sees the toll that demanding work schedules take on both of them. He hopes his accomplishments will one day ease that burden and benefit his family as well as himself. “Succeeding in life—on the field, off the field, in the classroom, and out the classroom—is the only way to fulfill that promise.”