Scholar of the Week

Jasmine Cousins of Richmond Community High School

By Janeal Downs

It was when she was in the fifth grade and the school was having a reading fair when Jasmine Cousins first found Rick Riordan’s second book “Sea of Monsters.” She said because of Riordan’s books and his style of writing, case he has become one of her favorite authors and has inspired her to continue reading. “The way that he wrote his books and how he ties in history with it, viagra because I’m in love with history, physician ” Jasmine said of why Riordan is such a big influence. “I just wanted to discover other books like his.” She said now she is always toting books around.

Riordan and other authors have inspired Jasmine so much she aspires to also be an accomplished author one day. In order to achieve her dream of becoming a writer, Jasmine hopes to go to college and double major in English and History. “I want my books to be an escape and a safe haven for other readers as books I have read have been for me,” Jasmine said. She said going to college will help her creativity and teach her how to better track her thoughts and write them down on paper. Her plan is to complete her first book soon after she graduates from college. Her top choices for college are University of South Carolina or University of Richmond.

Jasmine said she has read so much to the point where she has characters living in her head that have been with her through her own struggles and triumphs. Slowly these characters are what helped her realize that she wanted to be an author. Jasmine said she previously kept her dream of becoming a writer to herself before telling her mother who encouraged her to write down her thoughts and work toward her goal of becoming an award winning author. She said her mother inspires her to succeed the most in life. “I feel like after everything she’s been through, she still went on without letting anybody stop her or drag her down and I’m going to do that too.”

Jasmine does not only keep her head in the books, but she also is involved in the community. With her mother, she goes to visit the elderly. With her church, she has fed the homeless and is a part of their hospitality committee. She also has volunteered in a hospital. Jasmine also is a member of numerous organizations including Partnership for Future, the Book Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Key Club, Sisters with an Intuition, Environmental Club, and is the Vice President of the National Honor Society.

Jasmine hopes to be an inspiration to people who also want to write books and wants to one day be the author of a book series that is so good it becomes a movie. She wants to write multiple series and said she wants to be accomplished like Meg Cabot, John Green, or John Grisham. She said she wants her readers to get excited when they hear there will be another Cousins’ book release like she does when she hears about Sarah Maas, C.C. Hunter, or Gail Carriger having a new book. Jasmine said she is interested in writing Young Adult books with fantasy or drama. “I’m not scared of being who I want to be and I’m not scared to take on a challenge,” Jasmine said. “If I tell somebody I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it.”