Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction.
By Stacey A. Shannon—
YORKTOWN, IN—When it comes to athletics, Yorktown High School senior Javin Barnes is involved. He’s captain of both his school’s basketball and football teams. Previously he played baseball and was captain of the JV team.
But his life is about more than sports. Barnes is also a board member for his school Fellowship of Christian Athletes and part of Yorktown’s mentor program.
And somehow Barnes also finds time to be a leader in the youth group at his church, River of Life, and work in landscaping alongside the father of a deceased friend.
With his many leadership roles, Barnes realizes he is influential in the lives of younger students – including his younger brother – and takes that role seriously.
“Obviously I’m not perfect,” he said. “But making sure that younger kids have a good role model or a good influence is important to me, because I was lucky enough to have really good people in front of me to look up to.”
Part of Barnes’ leadership recently has included honing his public speaking skills. Through FCA and other opportunities, he’s had a chance to step out of his comfort zone and adjust to speaking in front of groups.
As a student juggling a variety of activities and roles, Barnes has challenges in keeping on top of everything.
“I would say for me, it’s really not even staying balanced,” he said. “It’s like organized chaos.”
Barnes said throughout high school he’s learned to prioritize and organize better Schoolwork comes first in priorities and scheduling. He’s learned that staying consistent helps make that happen during busy seasons.
“Mostly just as a student athlete, you’re relying on discipline and not motivation,” Barnes said. “Because days get repetitive; practices get repetitive.”
He pointed out having self-control to maintain habits has been important to make sure he’s getting homework completed even on the late nights he comes home tired.
Learning about prioritizing and balance will serve Barnes well in the future. He plans to go into mental health from either the counseling side or medical side. Unfortunately, Barnes had a friend die by suicide and knows others who have attempted suicide. He wants to help others as a result.
“Seeing how [suicide] can destroy a family and affect people close to them is why I want to go into mental health,” he said.
Right now, Barnes doesn’t have a college finalized for his studies. That decision will come later and be connected to his collegiate football career.
Though he is looking to the future, Barnes also looks to those coming up behind him in school and offered advice. He said consistency and being social are important.
“Be social and get out of your comfort zone,” Barnes said, “because that’s where growth really happens.”
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