“Every morning, I make a schedule for the day so I know exactly what I need to accomplish.”
Class of 2025’s valedictorian Jackson Hutchinson said that time management is crucial when it comes to getting the important things done. “Having a plan helps me stay focused and productive,” he said.
What “important things” does Jackson Hutchinson typically need to get done? It’s quite the list:
Hutchinson is currently the president of Lane Tech’s Polynesian Club, which he regards as a very meaningful leadership experience. He also highly recommends joining an I-Days club to anyone at Lane. “It’s an incredible way to connect with others and celebrate culture,” Hutchinson said.
Additionally, Hutchinson played varsity baseball and was the captain of the golf team for four years. “[This] helped me stay active and build strong community bonds.”
Outside of school, Hutchinson ran a nonprofit organization called “Teen Innovators,” which focuses on introducing youth to business and entrepreneurship. “It was a truly special experience because I was able to test my ideas and make an impact on the youth of our city,” Hutchinson said. “So far, we’ve worked with over 450 students.”
On top of his extensive extracurricular involvement, academics were certainly a priority for Hutchinson as well. However, finding a balance between the two worlds proved to be a bit of a challenge.
“Since I was involved in so much outside of class, I didn’t always have a ton of time to study. My strategy was to stay engaged during school hours and ask questions when needed, so I didn’t have to spend as much time reviewing later,” Hutchinson said. “My main study tip is to figure out what method works best for you—whether it’s creating study guides, watching videos, reading, or discussing the material with friends.”
Despite having to juggle two realms of commitments, Hutchinson does not carry any regret about the roles he took on. In fact, he would advise other students to follow a similar path.
“You can accomplish so much more when you’re involved in things you’re passionate about,” Hutchinson said. “Also, keep your mind open to new experiences—you’ll learn a lot about the world and about yourself.”
Hutchinson is ecstatic about being this year’s valedictorian.
“I love this school so much, and it feels amazing to be able to represent our community,” Hutchinson said.
Beyond graduation, Hutchinson has exciting plans for the future. This fall he will be attending Cornell University to study Industrial and Labor Relations.
“The ILR program explores the economics of work and how it shapes society through the lenses of business, law, politics, and sociology,” Hutchinson said. “As technology and AI continue to transform the job market, I believe studying work at ILR will give me the tools to help create a more equitable and effective work environment for everyone.”
