He is now ten years old, but in 2019, Jeremiah Travis was a five-year-old drummer from Greensburg, Louisiana, who made news when his exceptional talent earned him a college scholarship—years before he graduated from kindergarten. Jeremiah, a student at St. Helena Early Learning Center, was granted a full band scholarship to Alcorn State University in Mississippi, which would commence in 2032. This extraordinary opportunity was extended to him on November 5, 2019, in recognition of his exceptional skills on the snare drum, which he plays in the band at St. Helena College and Career Academy.
Jeremiah’s mother, Nicole Jackson, who has two kids, is overjoyed with her son’s accomplishments. She tells how Jeremiah’s interest in drumming began when his parents gave him a drum that played the ABCs for his first Christmas. “He never stopped playing with it,” she said, noting that his enthusiasm for drumming has only grown with time. Nicole hopes he continues his musical adventure, whether or not he plays the drums.
Kenya Brooks, Jeremiah’s 16-year-old cousin and drummer, has served as a mentor to the young prodigy. Brandon Dorsey, the percussion instructor at St. Helena and an Alcorn State graduate himself, saw Jeremiah’s promise instantly. “He’s going to be special,” Dorsey told TODAY. Jeremiah’s dedication to drumming, combined with his innate talent, sets him different. “The key to success is practice, practice, practice,” Dorsey underlined, and Jeremiah undoubtedly embodies that philosophy.
Nicole Jackson attests to her son’s passion, stating that their home is filled with the sound of drumming. “We’ve got drumsticks everywhere,” she joked, describing all the household things that Jeremiah has used as improvised drums, from pots and pans to the vehicle headrest. Even at church, Jeremiah can’t stop tapping out a rhythm on the benches.
Jeremiah’s talent is not limited to the home; he frequently performs with the band at St. Helena Hawks games and other functions. “He’s the Energizer Bunny when it comes to drums,” Dorsey exclaimed, amazed by the young boy’s limitless energy and excitement for music. Although Jeremiah has several years before he attends college, the scholarship is a great drive for him to continue refining his talent.
While the exact amount of the scholarship has not been released, it is evident that it will pay a major percentage of Jeremiah’s future educational expenses. “We wanted to honor Jeremiah for everything he has done in terms of percussion,” said Everson Martin, Alcorn State’s assistant professor and band director. He expressed optimism that Jeremiah will continue his musical path and realize the potential that so many others have seen in him.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah’s drumming has already established him as a local star. Nicole recalls a recent trip to Walmart, where a store staff knew Jeremiah by name. “Omigod, I thought that was him,” the woman shouted. As Jeremiah prepares for his next performance at a Christmas concert, where he will display his skills on seasonal favorites such as “Jingle Bells” and “The Little Drummer Boy,” his neighborhood will undoubtedly applaud him on, pa rum pum pum pum and all.