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Terrific teens: young achievers showcase exceptional talent

Ebony, Oct, 2006 by Tracey Robinson-English

Black achievement is a product of talent that's combined with dreams, focus and just plain hard work. Seven terrific teens, all high achievers from across the nation, are exhibiting their innate gifts and are well on their way to successful careers. They include a champion golfer, a top-ranked tennis player, a computer database guru, an award-winning filmmaker, an extraordinary flutist, an accomplished author and an amazing vibraphonist who is winning nods from jazz legends.

These gifted students are representative of a number of talented African-American teens who demonstrate an unusual drive and a belief that anything is possible. But these achievers acknowledge that, first and foremost, their accomplishments would not be possible without the unwavering emotional and financial support of parents and mentors.

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Further, they demonstrate that it often takes more than luck to reap the rewards of achievement. On these pages are some of our best and brightest.

Brittney Monique Grimes

Inspired by reading greeting cards, Brittney Monique Grimes, 17, a high school senior in Baldwin, N.Y., has written more than 200 poems and published five children's books. At age 5, Brittney began writing poetry and she published her first book, Poetry For A Child By A Child, by her 10th birthday. A companion workbook followed before completion of a third book titled Ice Cream Dreams. "I wanted to show other children that they can also express themselves through writing, poetry, music or anything else they enjoy doing most," Brittney says. She uses the power of her words to uplift others and express her thoughts on issues such as Hurricane Katrina and other tragic world events. At age 8, she won first place in the talent competition during Showtime At the Apollo for reciting her poem, Children of the World. She has received commendations from world leaders, including the late Coretta Scott King, and Presidents William Jefferson Clinton and George W. Bush. Brittney, who also plays the violin in the Chamber Orchestra at Baldwin High School, plans to attend Harvard or Yale.

Jamea Jackson

Teen athlete Jamea Jackson, 19, is America's second best women's tennis player after Venus Williams. The 5-foot-4 Jackson is one of the shortest players on the women's tournament circuit, but don't be fooled. She delivers a fierce backhand, uses her speed to her advantage and is considered an up-and-comer. "I'm improving my game and getting in better shape all the time," says Jamea while competing in San Diego. "I'm quicker and use my speed to run down balls." She recently competed at Wimbledon and continues to beat seasoned champions in singles tournaments. The daughter of retired NFL player Ernest Jackson, Jamea grew up in Fairburn, Ga., and has played tennis since she was 8. She says she is following in the footsteps of Venus and Serena Williams, who also began their careers playing on public tennis courts.

Justin Thomas

Recognized by Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley as one of the city's best musicians, Justin Thomas, 19, has already performed with many legendary jazz greats, including the late Lionel Hampton, Max Roach and Wynton Marsalis. In June 2005, the City of Baltimore proclaimed a day in Justin's honor, recognizing his superior skills and contributions to the field of music. "When I can get a handshake from Wynton Marsalis and a smile from Lionel Hampton, it lets me know that the hard work and dedication have been worth it," says Justin, who received a music scholarship to study both classical music and jazz at DePaul University in Chicago. "What counts is having courage and confidence and showing what you can do without getting nervous."

Andre Juwaan Washington

Five hours of practice a day, juggling a heavy academic load and sacrificing Other activities has paid off for Andre Juwaan Washington, 18, of Chicago, who changed his career path from medicine to music after listening to the introduction to Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony. "By the end of the symphony, I felt as if I had run a marathon ... and my body felt like it was floating on clouds," says Washington. "At that point, I knew that I had discovered my life's passion." Washington Began his freshman year this fall at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. A saxophone player in the high school band, Andre needed to learn how to play an orchestral instrument to pursue classical music. His decision was the flute. Andre's interest in a music career initially did not sit well with his mother, Antonia Flynn, and "met fierce opposition" from the entire family, who had looked forward to the honors student becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. "He has the gift of music. I had to let him pursue his passions," Flynn says. Within three years, while taking private lessons at the Merit School of Music in Chicago, Andre gained a mastery of the flute far beyond his years.

Zakiya Randall

Terrific teens: young achievers showcase exceptional talent

Ebony, Oct, 2006 by Tracey Robinson-English

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