Featuring Our Youth - Austin Jamerson
Austin Jamerson, Scholar, Athlete, & Musician
Austin is a fifteen year old freshman attending Merrillville High School. He has been an excellent student while participating in various extracurricular activities. Over the years he has been involved with band, piano, soccer, and track. Austin also quickly learned and enjoys downhill skiing.
Austin began band in sixth grade playing the trombone and has taken piano lessons for several years. He briefly dabbled with the guitar as well, but found it difficult to practice three instruments. He has earned gold medals in piano solos, trombone solos, and brass and wind ensembles in regional band competitions. He has made numerous contributions to church programs, recitals, and showcases with his musical gifts.
Austin typically plays soccer all year: fall, winter (indoor), and spring seasons. He has been playing since the age of six, and can scarcely tolerate a day without the sport. This year he played on the junior varsity team at Merrillville High School.
His track career began in sixth grade and Austin was quickly consumed with this sport as well. Alan, Ashley, and Austin share this love. In addition to the school season, they all participate in AAU track for summer and winter (Alan coaches). Austin has had success competing locally and nationally in the high jump, long jump, hurdles, and pentathlon (15th place). While in 7th grade he set a school record in the 110 meter hurdles and placed second in the state meet for middle schools. During his eighth grade year he won first place for his age division in high jump at the AAU Indoor Nationals. In his first spring track meet, he broke the school record again in the hurdles. His hope of bettering that record in subsequent meets was foiled as he rehabilitated from a broken ankle.
He had the privilege of completing in both ‘Academic Super Bowl’ and ‘We the People’ competitions while at Pierce. He has taken honors classes since fourth grade and was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. Other honors while attending Pierce include the American Legion Medal for his exemplary academic performance and citizenship (8th grade) as well as the school’s Athletic Citizenship Medal for both years.
Austin is fun loving, humble, and generous. He has helped developed some of his competition by coaching and encouraging other athletes. He is so humble that he will not even make a Christmas list (“too selfish”) or write his own bio (“too boastful”). As a cancer survivor he is grateful for God’s many blessings, the “hurdles” he has overcome in life, and the many opportunities that await him. To God be the Glory for the gifts, ambitions, and opportunities he has presented Austin. His parents, sister, and extended family are very proud and supportive of his many endeavors.
“And what ever you do, whether in word of deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians, 3:17NIV
11/22/2009 12:00:00 AM
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