Jerome Deese said that he does not like to come in second to anyone. That’s why, despite the fact that he is named after his father, he doesn’t go by Jerome Deese II.

“He’s an outgoing person who gets along with everyone,” said Dayton Dawkins, Central Christian Academy’s (CCA) headmaster. “He was voted Mr. CCA and when you give him a task to do, he’s going to see it through.”

A senior at CCA whose favorite subject is chemistry, Deese is the son of Jerome and Glenda Deese. He is president of the SGA and the senior class, and a member of the Beta Club, Scholar’s Bowl Team, football team, and basketball team.

In addition to these accomplishments, he also occupies his time in more rewarding ways – by helping others.

“I do a lot of volunteer work with the YMCA – mostly clean up work for Camp Grist,” he said. “I’m a counselor for the kids that attend the camp in the summer. That’s pretty much what I grew up on.”

“I just really enjoy doing stuff for the Y because of all the people that are there,” Deese said. “I like to go out of the way for them because I know that they would go out of the way for me. It’s pretty much a mutual love and respect kind of thing.”

Despite his busy schedule, he has found ways to balance the demands of school and his extracurricular activities.

“It’s pretty easy because most of my volunteer work comes in the evenings, on the weekends, or in the summer,” he said. “It doesn’t interfere with my school activities.”

Deese, who will be graduating from CCA with honors, plans to attend Auburn University this fall.

“As for now, my major is mechanical engineering, but you never know what life will throw at you,” he said with a smile. “I’ve always had a fascination with engines, motors, and things of that nature.”

He said that he is considering minoring in electrical engineering, but he does not want that to interfere with his goal of being a walk-on, freshman football player for Auburn.

“My ultimate goal is a career in classic car restoration and engine repair,” he said. “I’m a big fan of old muscle cars, so hopefully, I will be able to build my own engine. Eventually, before it’s all said and done, I would like to run my own company.”

“I’m sure he will do well in Auburn and I’m sure he’ll do well in life,” Dawkins said. “That is just the type of kid he is.”