🎓#8 Salutatorian Jackson Smith
➡️ Post Secondary School: Oklahoma State University
đź“š Field of Study: Mechanical Engineering Technology
🦓 Began at CPS: 8th Grade
đź”´ What advice would you give your freshman self?
"Talk to more people. High school is a lot more fun when you have lots of friends to spend it with."
đź”´ What has the journey to this honor taught you about yourself?
"I like working hands-on a lot more than doing papers over and over, especially when I’m focused on something beyond writing notes or copying definitions."
đź”´What does this accomplishment mean to you?
"This accomplishment means too much to me. It’s the culmination of years of study sessions, cramming homework, and working hard to get to this one point."
đź”´ What was the hardest part (challenges) you had to overcome to achieve this honor?
"The hardest part was 100%, without a doubt, passing Honors Pre-Calculus with an A while balancing it with marching band."
đź”´ What are you most proud of in your high school career?
"I’m most proud of being the Claremore High School Marching Band Drum Captain for my junior and senior year."
đź”´ Looking back, what does being a Zebra mean to you?
"To me, being a Zebra means having endless opportunities, resources, and supporters. We have a small-school feel where you know many people, but also the resources of a large school."
đź”´ What ELEMENTARY staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how?
"My bus driver and Mr. Garroutte, the superintendent at the time. He was a role model who always seemed to believe in me and wanted me to do my best."
đź”´ What JUNIOR HIGH staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how?
"Mrs. Lyons, my 7th and 8th grade math teacher, gave me a strong foundation in math that will help me in my future major."
đź”´ What HIGH SCHOOL staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how?
"Mr. Z, who taught AP Lang, helped me learn the most effective way to write and produce strong college-level papers."
đź”´ Activities you have been involved in:
"Band (Marching and Concert Band), Biomed Club, ZTV, Dinosaur Club (RIP)"
đź”´ Honors / Awards:
"Most Improved Battery Member 2 years in a row, Multiple Z Awards"
đź”´ What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college?
"Talking to people and making friends really helps transitioning school easier, and that’s the one thing I want to remember for college."