7/25/2007 10:05:00 AM A guy to look up to Local Williams resident Brandon Jackson devotes himself to Williams’ youth
Brandon Jackson oversees a number of children during his regular duties with both the Williams Recreation Center and with the Williams Elementary-Middle School.
Brandon Jackson, 21, is well known figure in Williams. It may be that adults might not recognize him as easily as kids do, however. When it comes to the five to 13-year-old bracket, he's nearly a celebrity. For the last five years, Jackson has devoted a majority of his time to helping Williams' youth in a variety of different ways, including his work at the Williams Elementary-Middle School (WEMS) and in the Williams Recreation Center's summer program.
This is Jackson's fifth year with the summer rec program, where he helps oversee children between the ages of five to 13-years-old.
"I like it because we go on field trips every Tuesday, swim three times a week and just give the kids somewhere safe and fun to be all summer," Jackson said.
Jackson was recently bestowed first place winner of the annual Blue Ribbon Award for being a good influence in the community, particularly in regards to his work at the WEMS where he works as a teacher's aide, as well as for his work with special needs children. Jackson, along with teacher Denise Chavez, helped students train for the recent Special Olympics competition as well. In addition to his work at the WEMS, Jackson is also employed by the city of Williams for his duties at the Williams Recreation Center.
"I worked a lot in fourth grade," Jackson said. "In the mornings I worked with fourth grade. I worked with a few special needs kids until about 11 a.m. After that we worked with a couple of other special needs kids that were in fifth and sixth grade. Every Tuesday and Thursday we had Special Olympics practice for an hour and a half. We had a couple meets, so that was really fun. I love doing it; the kids are great. You have your ups and downs like any job, but the kids are great. I think the best part is (that) they like it the best. They love being able to play all the sports like everyone else and feeling involved like everyone else. It makes you feel good knowing that they feel good."
Blue Ribbon Awards organizer Sandy Roe said nominations for the honor can come from any number of sources.
"The nomination comes from the community, so it's people in the community who nominate him. From my experience working at the school, (I saw) how much all the children just love him," Roe said. "He's real active in everything at school."
Roe said winners of the award had to show an effort to create a better life for area youth.
"We try to get notices out in the community and by the newspaper and we send e-mails to all the teachers to try and have people nominate adults and youth who have contributed something to our youth in this community. This year we decided to connect it to the 40 assets. Forty assets was being established by the juvenile justice department. It's 40 things that every child needs to grow up healthy and develop into a responsible adult. We base our decision on that," Roe said.
Plans for the future
Though he enjoys art and, according to him, is playing around with the idea of seeking an art degree, Jackson said he plans to stay involved with local youth no matter what he does for a living.
"I've been saving my money since I was, probably, a sophomore. I went to one year of college in Flagstaff and did art. I'd love to something with graphic design. I like to do a lot of art stuff. No matter what I do, I'd like to work with kids, whatever it is, as long as it involves kids," Jackson said.
Other winners for this year's Blue Ribbon Awards included members of the Williams High School Student Council, teacher Kristi Fredrickson, Beth Britton, student Kailey Jensen, student Chardelle Bennett, student Chantelle Ottens, counselor Denise Heiss, Williams Police Officer Bob McCarty, Diana Croteau, Dolores Padres, Rose Newbold, Dayle Browning and Nikki Ann Carter.
