Jadon Blackwell, left, gives his friend Lebron a piggy back ride in Talanga, Honduras, in September 2024. Blackwell visited the Central American country as part of his church youth group that helped to build three houses for locals in need. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell takes some pictures of birds in McDonough Park in November 2024. Blackwell said he picked up both bird watching and photography as hobbies last year and that taking pictures of the birds he sees has helped him hone his photography skills. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell grills up some hash browns on his Blackstone Grill. Blackwell said he enjoys the art of grilling. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell, third from the left, poses for a picture with his family at Fort Boreman Park. Pictured from left are father Jason Blackwell, brother Judah Blackwell, mother Jeri Blackwell, brother Jake Blackwell and brother Jase Blackwell. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell, left, dressed as Spider-man poses for a picture with Nate Thompson at the Church of Christ Fall Festive held at the Grand Central Mall. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell, second from the right, performs at the Evergreen Bible Church K12 Concert with Braelyn Jones, Garret Boardman and Jacob Campbell. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell, second from the left, during a youth group visit to Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas October 2024. Blackwell said he plans to attend the university after graduation to pursue a Bible Major degree. Also pictured is Noah Brown, Eli Brown, Sophie Dougherty and Maggie Ice. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell kayaks in Silver Springs, Fla. Blackwell said he has family in the state and enjoys being outdoors and fishing with his grandfather when he visits. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell, left, with his little brother Jase in the fall of 2024. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell and his father Jason at a youth event in Gatlinburg, Tenn., in February 2024. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell and his mother Jeri on vacation in the summer of 2024 playing a round of putt-putt golf. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell, left, gives his friend Lebron a piggy back ride in Talanga, Honduras, in September 2024. Blackwell visited the Central American country as part of his church youth group that helped to build three houses for locals in need. (Photo provided)
DAVISVILLE — Jadon Blackwell is a sophomore at Wood County Christian School where he says he enjoys the smaller class sizes.
“Our classes will never have more than 20 kids in them. The teacher-to-student ratio is pretty close, so we’re able to have better bonds with our teachers,” Blackwell said. “Everything is pretty laid back and you get to know everyone. I could probably give you the name of anyone in my high school.”
At school, Blackwell plays center for the basketball team and is part of the Worship Team, which helps with the school’s Wednesday chapel by leading worship songs and welcoming local pastors who speak at the school.
“I had a lot of people encourage me to join. They thought that I’d do well in it,” he said. “My English teacher (Joshua Stevens) was the primary one that persuaded me to join.”
Blackwell said he’s been singing in church since a young age and that he really enjoys the vocal range of the tenor parts of the choir.
Jadon Blackwell takes some pictures of birds in McDonough Park in November 2024. Blackwell said he picked up both bird watching and photography as hobbies last year and that taking pictures of the birds he sees has helped him hone his photography skills. (Photo provided)
He said the team started small this year but has since grown in numbers and ability.
“We have about eight to nine kids that have joined this year, so it grew a good amount,” Blackwell said. “We have enough people to have some good harmony now. So it’s been sounding good.”
He said his faith is also a central part of his life outside of school. He is involved in the youth group at his church, Grand Central Church of Christ, where the group went on a mission trip to Honduras last September to help build houses for those in need.
“It was great,” Blackwell said. “It wasn’t what I expected it to be like.”
He said when he first heard they were going to be building houses he assumed it was going to be really hard work and that he would be glad when it was over.
Jadon Blackwell grills up some hash browns on his Blackstone Grill. Blackwell said he enjoys the art of grilling. (Photo provided)
“But it was really fun to work with the people there and see how hard they worked,” Blackwell said. “We were all having fun building these houses, and seeing the reaction of the people that received the house, and how happy they were to have a roof over their heads (was worth it).”
He said he was surprised to see how much the people cared for each other and loved Jesus, despite not having much materially. He said that even though the people there had very little, they seemed “glad with all they had” in contrast to how people in America often complain and want more.
Overall, Blackwell said he found the Honduras trip to be a very impactful experience that challenged his preconceptions and made him appreciate how blessed people in America are, even if they don’t always recognize it.
“I may complain about how maybe two bathrooms are filled in the house, but these people may not even have a bathroom in their house. We have running water that’s all clean, and I may drink a bottle of water, throw it away without thinking how nice of an opportunity it is to just have water right there,” Blackwell said. “I’m seeing all these people there that they have almost nothing, and they’re so happy with what they have, and then we’re all blessed living in America, and we always complain and want more.”
He said as he continues his high school journey, he is focused on preparing for the next chapter of his life at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., where he hopes to deepen his understanding of the Bible and explore even more opportunities to serve.
Jadon Blackwell, third from the left, poses for a picture with his family at Fort Boreman Park. Pictured from left are father Jason Blackwell, brother Judah Blackwell, mother Jeri Blackwell, brother Jake Blackwell and brother Jase Blackwell. (Photo provided)
“I want to be a Bible major. I know that I would like to have that as my primary study,” Blackwell said. “Can’t necessarily say what I want to use that for, but I know that I would like to have that as my primary study.”
With a strong foundation in his faith, Blackwell believes majoring in biblical studies will provide him the knowledge and tools to positively impact others.
He said he was drawn to the unique atmosphere he experienced on campus during a visit to the university with his church youth group in October.
“Before I even visited, knowing the people that have gone to Harding and how much they enjoyed it, I’ve wanted to go there since the beginning of middle school, and once I was actually there, compared to the other colleges I was at, it was, like a mix of college and church camp,” he described. “The teachers are approachable and the students seem to genuinely enjoy themselves. It seemed like a fun experience where you can get close with your teachers and enjoy your subjects, it makes things interesting.”
When not volunteering his time to help others in his church or school, Blackwell said he enjoys spending time on his new hobby – bird watching.
Jadon Blackwell, left, dressed as Spider-man poses for a picture with Nate Thompson at the Church of Christ Fall Festive held at the Grand Central Mall. (Photo provided)
He said he got into bird watching after a friend of his youth minister, who is also involved in the youth group, introduced him to the hobby and gave him a gift.
“One year for my birthday, he got me a camera,” Blackwell said.
With the camera he received, he said he has been spending a lot of time outdoors observing and photographing birds.
“I’ve just been outside for hours, for days, just sitting on the front porch. I have that bird feeder out there,and I just watch” Blackwell said.
He said he’s been able to identify and learn about many different bird species in the area and has even learned how to recognize some of their unique songs.
Jadon Blackwell, second from the right, performs at the Evergreen Bible Church K12 Concert with Braelyn Jones, Garret Boardman and Jacob Campbell. (Photo provided)
He said one of his favorite birds is the American Goldfinch, which he said he remembers seeing often at his grandmother’s house.
“That used to be the bird that always showed up and she’d point it out, and it’s just really colorful,” Blackwell said.
He said he tries to live by the knowledge he received from Matthew 22 that he said encompasses loving God with all “your heart, mind, soul and strength”, and loving your neighbor as you love yourself.
“So love God and others, covers the greatest commandments he gives,” Blackwell said. “As long as we’re treating each other well, I don’t see many problems arising.”
Jadon Blackwell, second from the left, during a youth group visit to Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas October 2024. Blackwell said he plans to attend the university after graduation to pursue a Bible Major degree. Also pictured is Noah Brown, Eli Brown, Sophie Dougherty and Maggie Ice. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell kayaks in Silver Springs, Fla. Blackwell said he has family in the state and enjoys being outdoors and fishing with his grandfather when he visits. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell, left, with his little brother Jase in the fall of 2024. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell and his father Jason at a youth event in Gatlinburg, Tenn., in February 2024. (Photo provided)
Jadon Blackwell and his mother Jeri on vacation in the summer of 2024 playing a round of putt-putt golf. (Photo provided)
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Publish date : 2025-02-21 16:40:00
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