LAURINBURG —Scotland County High School senior Travis Jackson knows all too well that its hard juggling school, athletics and daily activities.
He also knows that it is rewarding when you put in the hard work needed to succeed at all three.
The two-sport athlete has been able to be a role model among his teammates as a successful student-athlete at Scotland where he has maintained a 3.5 GPA in the midst of the high demands of both soccer and golf. Jackson also finds time in between to devote time to the school’s Key Club, Spanish Club and playing percussion in the Scotland County Symphonic Band.
While Jackson lives by a hectic schedule, he has learned the key to handling it all.
“Its just comes down to time management,” Jackson said. “I have a schedule, so I try and get homework done before practice and everything else. It takes discipline to work hard and get it all turned in on time with sports on top of it all.”
The hard work of Jackson in the classroom, on the soccer field, and the golf course is just one of the reasons that he has been recognized as the Mountaire Farms/Civitas Media Scholar Athlete of the Month for May.
The program’s mission is to highlight male and female senior student-athletes within Robeson, Scotland and Bladen counties who carry a 3.0 GPA or higher. Nominees must also be recognized by their coaches for outstanding sportsmanship and perform with superior ability in athletic competition.
Each monthly winner receives a $1,000 college scholarship and becomes eligible for an additional $1,500 in college funds that is awarded in June to the male and female scholar athletes of the year.
Jackson credits his student-athlete discipline to academics and athletics to the dedication of his teachers, a push by his mother to try his best, and encouragement by his coaches to be a role model for teammates.
Scotland County soccer coach Danny Gallagher, who coached Jackson for three years, said that Jackson’s best qualities lie in the way he carries himself, noting his positive attitude and his punctuality as the first player to practice and the last one to leave the field as examples of his character.
“He is extremely organized, goal oriented, and his goals tend to push him,” said Gallagher. “He’s extremely competitive whether its in education, on the field, or with his teammates.”
On the soccer field, Jackson played forward finishing his senior season helping the Scots to a 7-12 record overall.
Though he liked playing soccer, it does not compare to his love for the game of golf which he hopes to continue to play. Next year, he will attend Campbell University to study PGA golf management that he hopes will allow him to pursue of a career in professional golf.
According to Gallagher, whatever may lie ahead for Jackson, in golf or not, he knows that the young man will continue to be recognized.
“Everywhere he is, his work ethic and the pride he has in his work is easy to see.”
