Homegrown superstar’s future is so bright… he’ll have to wear shades
Photo By Christy Wise
By Ann Powers
With emerging leaders like Jackson Horton preparing to take the helm, the world is in good hands.
The Mineral Wells native, 18, is set to receive an associate’s degree from Weatherford College on May 19, two weeks before graduating from Community Christian School (CCS) as part of a dual credit program. He’s attended CCS since pre-k and is the school’s Class of 2022 valedictorian with a 4.388 GPA. School officials said he’s locked down the highest GPA in CCS history.
PHOTO BY CHRISTY WISE
Not only is Horton a star student, he’s also a star athlete. Horton was captain of the CCS Warriors’ football, basketball and baseball teams. He’s an All-State football and basketball player and participated on the Praise Team at the Well of Life Church.
So, where does he find time for all this overachievement?
“I don’t procrastinate a lot,” said Horton. “It’s really not my thing. I do a really good job at managing time.”
He’s also really good at being the kind of athlete every coach looks forward to having on the team.
“He is a competitor and one of the most intelligent athletes I have ever coached,” said CCS Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Brian Rodricks. “Jackson is a natural born leader and very smart leader on the court and field. It is like having another coach out there.”
Horton plans to attend Texas Tech following graduation as a Presidential Merit Scholarship recipient. Combined with a valedictorian waiver, he has a full ride. He said he wants to earn his bachelor’s degree “as quickly as possible” and go on to law school.
And, as if all of the above wasn’t enough – it gets even better.
Horton and his girlfriend, Hena Spahic, plan to wed this summer. Spahic is a CCS alumna and currently attending Weatherford College on a basketball scholarship.
Horton acknowledged he hasn’t officially popped the big question yet.
“I have to wait until after I graduate before I can do that,” he said.
Nevertheless, the two have discussed it and she’s on board. In the meantime, Horton is trying to figure out the most romantic way to ask for her hand in marriage.
“I’m super excited about my future,” he said.
A future well earned and well deserved for an exceptional young man, according to CCS Head Administrator Douglas Jefferson.
“While Jackson has many accomplishments and is truly an impressive young man, it is his character that sets him apart,” Jefferson said. “Sincere honesty and integrity is evident in Jackson. He has a sincere love for Jesus. Jackson cares about friends, family and his faith.”
Despite all of his success in the classroom and on the field, Horton said the most valuable thing he’s gained from CCS has nothing to do with grades nor athletic ability.
“The most important lesson I have learned at CCS is having a servant’s heart and that comes from Mr. Jefferson,” he said. “To me, having a servant’s heart is the key to having joy. I approach everything with a heart of gratitude.”
Horton is the ninth CCS student to graduate with an associate’s degree from Weatherford College as part of the dual credit program. The school’s website states CCS began in 1982. It’s the only private school in Palo Pinto County and has more than 100 students from pre-k to 12th grade.
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