Fine Arts

meet Jackson Williams

Presbyterian School ’15
Episcopal High School ’19

Find out what you are interested in as early as possible ...[because it] lets you create a very solid foundation at a young age that will set you apart from your peers.
I got into programming when I was 11 years old. My dad bought me an iPod Touch, and when I started downloading apps on it, I was very interested in how it worked. When I asked my dad how to make apps, he explained that I had to learn to program. The Christmas of my sixth grade year at Presbyterian School, I asked for a laptop and started teaching myself how to program. I read programming books after school and on class trips to learn how to make simple websites and games.

PS provided the foundation for my programming, and I’m grateful I was in an environment where my programming was appreciated and inspiring to everyone who interacted with my interest. During my eighth grade year, I made a game website that younger kids could play in the STEAM Museum. The younger kids’ interest made me feel that I had really accomplished something by making a website others could enjoy so much. The feeling of friends and teachers wanting me to succeed in what I was doing and helping me along the way is a great memory and affirmation of confidence from Presbyterian School.

After PS, I chose to attend Episcopal High School because I felt I would have the ability to achieve the most there. I enjoy the balance EHS offers between schoolwork and free time, because my free time is when I do the majority of my programming and investing. I do both every day and by doing so have gained a substantial understanding of both subjects. I believe that by doing what you are interested in for at least 30 minutes a day, you can truly become affluent in the subject, and over the years, this strategy has helped me.

When my first game app, Fast Feathers, was put on the App store, I was extremely happy to see everyone download it. I made three major game apps when I started high school. The summer before my sophomore year, a friend’s dad asked me to make a utility app for their life insurance company, Goheen Companies. I was ecstatic and started working on it right away. I finished the app a year later, with lots of learning taking place about how to work with a business. I still make modifications and updates on the app to this day.

This year Aston Martin hired me. I created an app that allows clients to customize an Aston Martin inside the dealership. The app helps to determine which options are available and compatible for customization. I have completed an app for the Aston Martin DB11 model and am discussing making a second app.

Programming has had a great number of ups for me, including job opportunities and the ability to fix everyday problems through technology, make use of my time efficiently, and express myself through the software I write. Bugs in code are frustrating when it feels like I’ve tried everything, but I always end up with a solution.

I have accepted jobs where professional results are expected while I am not currently a “professional.” This has pushed me to work harder and dedicate a lot of time to learning how to program more professionally. I’ve enjoyed these jobs, but some have more stress because I have to meet deadlines while balancing schoolwork. Stress is easily mitigated though creating a clear and organized schedule for the week and month to outline the programming work I have to complete. I’ve gained priceless insight into how a real job works and am very excited for what the future holds.