“A cemetery is the richest place on earth.” That is the opening line in the essay written and submitted by Cardington-Lincoln High School junior Jordan Deskins to the Semper Fidelis All – American Program.
That essay won her selection by The United States Marine Corps to participate in the 2017 Battles Won Academy in Washington DC July 13-17.
According to the release from the USMC, Deskins was selected not only for her athletic performance but also for outstanding character, academic excellence and community leadership that reflect the Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment.
The Battles Won Academy will bring together approximately 100 of the country’s top students leaders for a week in the nation’s capitol. In addition, Deskins was one of 12 students in the program selected
to have her personal story shared by a film crew which visited the
school on May 10 and followed her both in her school schedule and the
time she volunteered at the Community Food Pantry at the First
United Methodist Church.
She is secretary of her junior class, on student council, and belongs to
the Spirit Club, FFA, FCA, the Spanish Club and Improv.
Her essay, following her opening statement, said “To me, this quote
symbolizes people that never overcame adversity. A cemetery is full of books that never got published, art that was never seen, songs that were
never written and ideas that were never exposed. I believe that everyone
has their purpose here, their purpose to pursue a passion, whatever it may
be. But the difference between pursuing and not pursuing is overcoming adversity.” She explained in her essay that her father had passed away
during her freshman year and “it has been a constant struggle for me to
overcome. But I did not let that stop me from being the person I want to
be.”
The Battles Won Academy taps into the irreductible essence of the Marine
Corps which is the fighting spirit of the Marines. The essence of the Marines
individually and collectively is the willingness to engage and the determina-
tion to defeat an opposing force- whether personal or on behalf of our nation
and its communities.
Jordan is the daughter of Heather Deskins.