AWM star Quiz Bowler heading to Vandy

By Billy Woods

WM School District

West Memphis' latest Division 1 college recruit from a Power 5 Conference had a tough decision to make, but he said he feels a peace about the final choice.

Academies of West Memphis senior Jason Scott nixed an earlier decision to take a scholarship to Baylor University and instead chose Vanderbilt.

Scott won't be blocking or tackling on the gridiron at Vandy.

But he will be tackling neuroscience and saxaphone performance.

Scott, the captain of the AWM Quiz Bowl team turned down a $78,000 scholarship offer to Baylor and will head to Nashville on a Questbridge National College Match Scholarship Program.

"Being on the Quiz Bowl team I've learned to think on my feet," said Scott. "And I've learned a lot of things in the broad spectrum of education. Being captain of the team I've also learned a lot about leadership."

Judging from her comments, Scott is a favorite of Quiz Bowl sponsor Dee Kirkland.

"Jason has one of the biggest hearts of any student I've ever taught," she said. "He's always willing to help anybody. And he never has a bad day. He's also really, really intelligent."

Scott's list of accomplishments at AWM is too lengthy to mention, but the highlights include first place in the state foreign language contest last year at Harding University, two-time all-state tenor saxaphonist, bronze medalist at the state Skills USA Health Knowledge Bowl competition, a part of the University of Central Arkansas wind ensemble for two years and two-time captain of the Dixie Band Camp.

Scott says his two biggest heroes are both teachers at AWM: Kirkland and math department chair Joanne Smith.

Scott attributes his academic prowess to "my love for challenges."

"Whenever something is challenging for me it motivates me instead of degrading me," Scott added.