I recently got the chance to hang out with Jamar Barnhill to talk about his life and what keeps him going. Jamar is a freshman at Manchester Highschool. The first thing you notice about Jamar is how much he believes in himself. He told me that being sure of himself and having a real love for both his classes and his sports are the things he likes most about his personality.

Jamar’s involvement with the gridiron began over twelve years ago. A gift from his father, his very first ball set his path in motion at age six. Although he competes on grass, his true hero is  Lebron James. This star’s unshakable grit and total commitment inspire Jamar to push himself. He brings that legendary persistence to each drill, mirroring one of his role models.

Staying on top of sports and studies requires a serious plan. Jamar navigates this by sticking to one of his dads sayings, “books before ball.” He identifies strongly as a student-athlete, ensuring his academic performance remains his top priority. This discipline keeps him grounded and ready for life beyond high school.

After high school, Jamar plans to get a job at McDonald’s. He wants to work there because he can learn how a business runs. He is excited to start earning his own money and thinks the hard work he uses in football will help him do a great job. Jamar believes this is a good way to gain experience and become more responsible as he grows up.