Jordan Wilson: the pawsitive puma

Jordan Wilson playing guitar (Aiden Damasco/The Puma Prensa)

By Aiden Damasco, Staff Writer

Once they reach a certain age, many teenagers have already found their hobbies, stick to them, and never attempt to leave their comfort zones. However, this is not an issue for Jordan Wilson, a junior at Maria Carrillo High School.

If Wilson’s name sounds familiar, it might be because he has been involved in several impressive feats over the years. Wilson has held various “concerts” during his tenure as a student at Carrillo, his most famous being at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Wilson sang Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” as his final act, which gathered hundreds of onlookers, including then vice-principal Amy Wiese. 

Unfortunately for Wilson, his magnum opus was met with vocally negative feedback, being booed by numerous students watching. Though, outside of the performance, many congratulated Wilson and held much respect for him, which encouraged him to hold more concerts in the following year.

Wilson described himself as “just trying to find [his] place in [the world],” and music became one of the ways that helped him achieve this. Wilson found his inspiration in the second grade, where his father played him metal bands such as Megadeth and Tool. “My mind was just blown open,” Wilson recalled. “I just wanted to pick up a guitar and play.” 

Wilson expressed that, on the off chance he becomes a viral sensation due to his music, he “want[s] to be as good of a person [he] can be, better than the day before.” Wilson hopes that his posts on Instagram & Snapchat spark interest in music and help others learn new things, as he thinks music can “open people’s minds,” much like it did for him.

Besides music, Wilson has also joined a boxing club outside of school. Initially, he picked up the sport because he thinks “the world is a dangerous place, and everybody should have the right to defend themselves.”

During the time Wilson progressed, he realized that it would be one of his long-term goals. Wilson explained that “[he has] always had this dream of making it and going pro.” To him, progression is much like a tree. “It starts off small,” he stated. “Then you get sturdier and tougher… and there’s a bunch of different things living in those trees giving them life.”

When asked about his motivations to improve, he stated that his motivations are not only for himself, but also to help his friends’ mindsets and attitudes. Wilson believes if a person “has a big smile on [their] face…that inspires [other] people to smile more.” He hopes his positive attitude makes people avoid focusing on the small things, but instead focus on their main goals in life. “Don't let small things get in your way. You've got to remain tall, remain strong, and remain sturdy.”

Despite his other hopes, Wilson’s ultimate goal is the spreading of positivity and encouraging everyone to live their best lives. “Don’t let anybody tell you you’re different. Be yourself.”