Alabama Scholarship Winner Puts One Foot in Front of the Other

Apr 22, 2026

By Griffin Fletcher

Operations Manager

Jackson Patterson

Jackson Patterson is a freshman at the University of South Alabama with several big ambitions. He's just not sure which ones he will follow yet. "Right now, my biggest challenge is deciding what I want my future to look like," he told me. He's studying engineering, and it's possible that he chooses to go straight into building a career in the aerospace industry after college. But it's also possible that he takes an even more interesting path - he's interested in traveling the world and performing on stage, for example - because if one thing's for sure about Jackson, it's that he's willing to branch out and try new things that he finds exciting - even if they're unconventional.

Jackson spent his early childhood in Florida, but moved to Pike Road, Al. when he was in seventh grade. He has always been competitive, especially in athletics. "I've played baseball, basketball, soccer, and football, among other sports," he said, "and through these, I've learned valuable life lessons, such as understanding others' perspectives, taking accountability, and pushing through adversity to get things done." That resilience in the face of adversity was put to the test at an early age - and it led Jackson to his real passion.

Jackson broke his arm playing football when he was 14, and the injury left him with two rods and a screw in his left arm. An orthopedic surgeon told him that he was unable to continue playing contact sports. It was devastating news for the athletically gifted young man to hear, but shortly thereafter, he found cheerleading. "Of all the sports I've played," said Jackson, "cheerleading has been the most meaningful." But that doesn't mean it didn't come with its fair share of struggles. "In the beginning, it wasn't easy to talk about. As a male high school student joining a cheerleading team, I faced teasing and even bullying," he said. "It was hard to stay motivated, and I considered quitting more than once."

Jackson Patterson at an arcade

Though he quickly developed a passion for cheerleading, this new venture also presented challenges aside from the social friction Jackson had to deal with, simply because it's a very difficult and demanding sport. With hard work, however, Jackson overcame these difficulties and was richly rewarded for doing so. He remembers one moment in particular when everything clicked: "My first ever backflip. To the ordinary person, it may not seem that impressive or important, but this moment was the culmination of over a year of hard work and fear. I really proved to myself that I could do anything that I set my mind to."

He developed lasting teambuilding and leadership skills through cheerleading as well. "[At first,] I struggled with being on teams where some members didn't share the same dedication," he told me. "It took time and growth for me to develop the confidence and to become a leader and drive positive changes within the team." He made such progress that he eventually became a gymnastics coach, teaching younger kids in the same shoes he was in just a few years prior. "Coaching has taught me a lot. It has strengthened my ability to lead and step up when others won't and shown me how fulfilling it is to help others grow."

Jackson, ready to graduate

Jackson has faced challenges far greater than any he encountered on any field or mat, however, When he was 15, he lost his father. He, understandably, was sent reeling by this tragedy, and had a hard time finding any direction for quite a while. "I struggled with self-motivation. I didn't want to leave my room and only wanted to play video games and escape from reality. I considered dropping out or skipping college." But despite suffering a misfortune that no high schooler should ever have to endure, Jackson found a way to not just graduate, but to do so on the honor roll. "Finishing high school taught me the importance of perseverance and failure," he said. "I've come to understand that while the journey is important, the outcome and refusing to make excuses matters just as much."

Jackson didn't do it all on his own, though. He had several great teachers along the way. "They played a huge role in helping me grow,' he noted, "and their support inspired me to give back - which is part of why I coach today." Most of all, however, Jackson credits his family for being there for him to lean on when he needed them growing up. He has an older sister, Callyn, and a younger brother, Luke, both of whom he said he'd "do anything for." His mom, Melody, is the rock of the family - "the one person I respect above all," Jackson called her. "She raised three kids, held a job, and went to college at the same time. I couldn't even begin to elaborate on all the things she's done for us, including getting us through the death of my father." Jackson also gave special credit to his stepfather, SSPBA member Richard Holston, a supervisory special agent with the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation. "Richard came into our lives when my family needed him most. Everything he has done has been for the benefit of us all. I respect him heavily for the kind of man he is."

Agent Holston's SSPBA membership made Jackson eligible to apply for a PBF scholarship, and the Foundation was proud to award him with the 2025 Alabama Division Scholarship to support his collegiate journey at the University of South Alabama. His adventurous outlook on life and his determination in the face of setbacks exemplify the types of character traits that the PBF looks for when choosing applicants to support with its scholarships. "I'm very grateful and overjoyed," Jackson said when asked about his reaction to receiving the scholarship. "I was shocked when I heard that I would be receiving this, but I'm going to do my best to live up to the expectations."

Jackson Patterson at his graduation with (left to right) his stepfather, Supervisory Special Agent Richard Holston, brother, Luke, sister, Callyn, and mother, Melody

He will do that by doing what he has always done. "I want people to know that it doesn't take a genius to get things done. You just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep trying to move forward."