Nationwide — He is 10 years old now, but back in 2019, when Jeremiah Travis was a 5-year-old drummer from Greensburg, Louisiana, he made headlines when his extraordinary talent earned him a college scholarship—years before he would even graduate from kindergarten. Jeremiah, who was a student at St. Helena Early Learning Center, was offered a full band scholarship to Alcorn State University in Mississippi, set to begin in 2032. This incredible offer was presented to him on November 5, 2019, recognizing his exceptional skills on the snare drum, which he plays as part of the band at St. Helena College and Career Academy.
Jeremiah’s mother, Nicole Jackson, who also has two daughters, couldn’t be prouder of her son’s achievements. She recalls how Jeremiah’s love for drumming began early in his life, when his parents gifted him a drum that played the ABCs for his first Christmas. “He never stopped playing with it,” she shared, noting that his passion for drumming has only grown over the years. Whether he continues with the drums or not, Nicole hopes he sticks with his musical journey.
Jeremiah’s cousin, 16-year-old Kenya Brooks, who also plays drums, has been a mentor to the young prodigy. Brandon Dorsey, the percussion instructor at St. Helena and an Alcorn State graduate himself, recognized Jeremiah’s potential immediately. “He’s going to be special,” Dorsey told TODAY. Jeremiah’s commitment to drumming, coupled with his natural talent, has set him apart. “The key to success is practice, practice, practice,” Dorsey emphasized, and Jeremiah certainly lives by that motto.
Nicole Jackson can attest to her son’s dedication, noting that their home is filled with the sound of drumming. “We’ve got drumsticks everywhere,” she laughed, listing all the household items that have become makeshift drums for Jeremiah, from pots and pans to the car headrest. Even at church, Jeremiah can’t resist tapping out a rhythm on the pews.
Jeremiah’s talent is not just confined to home; he regularly performs with the band at St. Helena Hawks ballgames and special events. “He’s the Energizer Bunny when it comes to drums,” Dorsey said, marveling at the young boy’s boundless energy and enthusiasm for music. Although there are many years ahead before Jeremiah heads to college, the scholarship serves as a powerful motivator for him to continue honing his craft.
While the exact value of the scholarship wasn’t disclosed, it’s clear that it will cover a significant portion of Jeremiah’s future education costs. “We wanted to honor Jeremiah for all he has been doing in terms of percussion,” said Everson Martin, assistant professor and band director at Alcorn State. He expressed hope that Jeremiah will continue his musical journey and fulfill the potential that so many have already seen in him.
In the meantime, Jeremiah’s drumming has already made him a local celebrity. Nicole recalls a recent trip to Walmart, where a store employee recognized Jeremiah by name. “Omigod, I thought that was him,” the woman exclaimed. As Jeremiah looks forward to his next performance at a Christmas concert, where he’ll showcase his skills on holiday classics like “Jingle Bells” and “The Little Drummer Boy,” his community will no doubt be cheering him on, pa rum pum pum pum and all.
