Future forensic scientist dreams of playing in the NFL

DELAITRE J. HOLLINGER
Youth Editor

Youth of the Month

Jakarri Mar’Quise Thomas, 16, has already created an impressive list of academic, cultural and athletic achievements. He is an upcoming junior in Amos P. Godby High School’s Academy of Information Technology. On April 28, 2010, Thomas, who maintains a 3.85 grade point average, was named runner-up during the Committee of 99’s 29th annual awards banquet.

The Committee of 99 is a community-based support group for local law enforcement agencies. Thomas was elated to be honored among other honorees that included an elementary school student who helped to save a 4-year-old from drowning, the lead investigator in the Cheryl Dunlap murder case, two officers with 20-plus years of experience, and a man who helped track down two armed robbers. In 2008, Thomas was ranked as the eighth student having the highest GPA. He said that “living life to the fullest” is his motivation. “I want to achieve the best; not the almost best, but the best.”

Having made stellar academic achievements, Thomas also has done well in the athletic circuit. At 180 pounds, Thomas is a defensive end player and has a record 107 tackles for the 2008-09 academic year. For the 2009-10 year, he had only 55 tackles due to a hand injury. In 2010, he was named All Big Bend, an award given only to Tallahassee’s best and brightest football players. In 2008, he was honored for being a part of Godby’s fourth state championship team.

A certified CPR Specialist, Thomas is also an avid basketball player, and an award-winning competitor on Godby’s track and field team. “Jakarri is a great football player, and he works hard,” said his brother Emanuel Godfrey. “He’s a great brother and tries until he can’t try anymore.”

On October 31, 2008, the Godby and Madison High School football teams were ready to fight for their undefeated seasons, but this time they slipped their hands into pink gloves as an initiative for breast cancer awareness. “My mom had passed away from breast cancer,” said Thomas. “I think she would feel real good because it honored her.” The game, covered by ESPN-U, aired live on national television. Godby’s season remained undefeated.

Thomas’s dream is to become a forensic scientist, but first, he wants to take a shot at being drafted into the National Football League. He wants to “help the world uncover crimes and mysteries.” When Thomas thinks about attending college, Florida State University, the University of California-Los Angeles, the University of Southern California and the University of Georgia all come to mind.

His slogan is “Being the best is not everything, but performing to the best of my ability is everything.”