Jason Bassett, 17.
School: Junior at Leigh High School
Accomplishments:
- Earned a cumulative 3.9 GPA at Leigh High School
- Currently taking one honors and two advanced-placement classes
- Participated in Leigh Marching Band since entering Leigh, served in band leadership
- Tutors classmates in mathematics
- Works in the school cafeteria
- Has served in school technology support since middle school
- Achieved Life Scout rank in Boy Scout Troop 501
- Working on his Eagle project
- Current Senior Patrol Leader, Boy Scout Troop 501
- Co-founder of Boy Scout Troop 501 Honor Guard
- Member of Order of the Arrow, an honor society within Boy Scouts focused on service
- Member of Improv high school group
- Traveled on five-home building mission trips to Tecate, Mexico
- Traveling to Guatemala this summer to build the foundation for a new church
- Founder and captain of “Ducttape” airsoft team
Key to awesomeness:
Jason's life is focused on service to others and excellence in everything he does, according to proud father Scott Bassett.
The group spends five days building homes for the poor and caring for their other needs.
"Jason enjoys using his Spanish-language skills when entertaining the children and sharing his outgrown toys with them. Last year he brought his large collection of Hot Wheels cars and handed them out to countless grateful young boys," wrote dad in an email interview.
Jason started his scouting career in Troop 340 but discovered his true passion for scouting when he joined in 2010, dad said, adding that he has advanced quickly through the ranks and merit badge challenges, and is currently working toward the top honor in scouting, achievement of his Eagle Scout rank.
Jason is a also highly motivated student at Leigh High School, and he works hard to maintain an excellent academic record despite his dedication to many extra-curricular activities, dad continued.
His favorite school-based activity is the marching band where he plays the tuba.
“Keep trying to find your niche, when you do, it will be worth it,” is Jason’s advice to any young people trying to fit in as well as, “Don’t worry about being popular, what is important is being yourself and being happy. If you need to change yourself to fit in with your ‘friends’ they aren’t true friends. When you find true friends they will be your friends because of who you are, not what you wear or any other superficial qualities.”
