Even though he’s only in the ninth grade at Kipp Collegiate High School, Szion Jefferson has already collected medals for his hard work in football games and boxing matches.
For boxing, Jefferson holds first- and second-place awards, along with a Sportsmanship Award. In football, where he plays as a wide-receiver and quarterback, he’s been awarded Most Improved. Jefferson challenges himself in each sport he plays, and his determination pays off both on and off the field.
With a family of twin sisters and 11-year-old and 17-year-old sisters, Jefferson and his older brother were the only boys in the house. Solomon, Jefferson’s 17-year-old brother, was a role model for Jefferson and taught him to love sports. But last year, Solomon was shot and killed near the family’s house. Along with mourning his brother’s death, Jefferson found himself taking on new responsibilities. Now, as the only brother in the household, Jefferson has taken on his older brother’s role of helping his siblings. Despite the tragedy, Jefferson carries his brother’s lessons with him. “He taught me to never give up and always try my best,” Jefferson says.
Solomon’s words echo in all aspects of Jefferson’s life, including the sports that he plays. When Jefferson joined the boxing team last year, he “just wanted to try something new.” Being new to the team and the sport didn’t deter Jefferson from success. He jumped at the chance to learn a new sport and worked to improve as much as he could. He persisted, and his hard work paid off when he won first-place in one match and second-place in another.
Not only does Jefferson challenge himself in boxing, but he challenges himself in school. According to Jefferson’s mother, her son loves a challenge. In school, Jefferson gravitated toward math and science, which he said came more naturally to him. Still, when he struggles, he doesn’t accept defeat. Instead, he accepts that he needs to work harder to succeed by spending extra time on a subject and asking a teacher for additional help.
While challenging himself in boxing and math, Jefferson says he plays football mostly because it’s a fun sport. For Jefferson, winning isn’t the sole focus of the sports that he plays. He wants to have fun and be part of a team. And, unlike boxing, football taught Jefferson how to work in a team and the value of supporting his teammates. At home, he spends more time watching football games than any other sport, which encouraged him to take his love of watching the game into playing it. Jefferson has a genuine passion for the sports that he plays, which is another trait he is carrying from his older brother, who also had a love for sports.
Jefferson is passing his love of sports to his siblings just like his brother did for him. Jefferson plays on his school's basketball team because he’s always played basketball growing up. He plays basketball with his friends and family, especially his younger sister. He knows his siblings look up to him, and he hopes to set an example for them by demonstrating dedication and passion through sports.
In his family, school, and athletics, Jefferson uses the lessons he’s learned from his brother and passes on his brother’s determination and hard work to everyone in his life. But his brother isn’t the only one who taught him life lessons. Jefferson looks up to his mother, who he says taught him the value of taking care of his siblings. His mom says she also learns from him, saying that she admires how he is able to smile in the face of adversity and continue to work so hard in spite of any pain that he’s in. Through heartbreak and defeat, Jefferson persists, and he hopes everyone knows that “hard work pays off.”
Memphis Parent wants to highlight the region's top student-athletes. Know a rising sports star? Submit your nomination at memphisparent.com/playbook.