FEATURED STUDENT (Nominate a student!)

If we chose our featured students like the NFL Draft, Brandon Jaron Mitchell, would be a first round draft pick! Blessed with height, good looks, personality, and drive, this kid is destined to do great things.

I met Brandon while he was a contestant in a Business Plan Competition put on by one of our affiliate organizations, N-spirations Youth Museum and Career Learning Center. He and his team competed for the first place prize of cash and city-wide recognition. Business suit, business cards, business mentality, Brandon was the president of his fictitious company and was well prepared. Before the competition started, he personally shook the hand of each judge, gave his business card, and introduced himself. I could tell the judges were impressed as no-one other team or team member took the initiative to speak. Brandon’s team won, but that is not why we chose him for this interview. We chose him because of theway he carried himself during the competition.

There is more to Brandon besides business as he says he is, in many ways, like other teenagers. On the weekends you can find him hanging out with his friends, at the movies or just about anywhere you would find people his age. He likes sports and is a member of the Raines High varsity basketball team. He doesn’t have a girlfriend right now, but is looking for the right one. He also says he is in no rush to find one because he is enjoying being single. On the sensitive side, Brandon likes to write poetry and he also likes to read books on leadership and intrigue.

Although Brandon and his two sisters were raised by his mother in a single parent home, he was blessed to have positive influence by black males. Charles Griggs, the father of one of his closest friends, has been and still his mentor. “He has been an inspiration and mentor to me all my life”, he retorts. When I asked what was the most important thing he taught him, Brandon paused and said in a serious tone, “He showed me that a black man can be successful in this world and not have a criminal record.” Brandon also gives former City Councilman Reggie Fullwood credit as being a great positive influence in his life. As far as father figures go, Brandon said it is his uncle, Sgt. Ronnie Booker of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, who filled those shoes. Brandon says of him, “He was a strict disciplinarian and has always been there for me.”

High School for Brandon is just an obstacle for him to overcome as he strives to reach his dream of being President of The Unites States of America- Yes, President! For those of us that will be watching, he says 2048 should be the year. Of course there are many factors that can change the date, but that fact that he is serious about it is something. Before he gets there, he must deal his current school challenges- AP Literature. It is tough for him because he hates have to write literature to specific standards. Besides AP Literature, Brandon says he has to ignore some of his peers that tell him he can’t reach the goals he has set for himself. They have also taught him that he can’t fight their ignorance with anger; he just has to be a leader and do his best in everything he does. Brandon says he didn’t develop that attitude until he was able to travel. He has seen most of the United States and the possibilities the world has to offer anyone who decides to stay focused and believe. To anyone thinking that their life has limits or they can not realize their dreams, Brandon says, “there is a whole world out there waiting to be discovered. Just leave Jacksonville and see the world.” The last note Brandon would like to leave a special “thank you” for his Mother, Uncle, Mr. Griggs, and Mr. Fullwood for their sacrifices. He wants them to know that their time and efforts towards him have not gone unappreciated





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