At Diamond Ranch High School, senior Jared Jordan is known for much more than his accomplishments. With his welcoming personality, bright smile, and genuine kindness toward students and staff, Jared leaves a lasting impression on everyone he meets. Now, after 11 years of dedication and hard work, he has earned one of the highest achievements in scouting — the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America.
For Jared, earning the Eagle Scout honor is deeply personal. He began his scouting journey at just seven years old, and over the years learned the value of perseverance, leadership, and service. As an African American young man, the accomplishment carries even greater significance, knowing that only 8% of Eagle Scouts are African American.
“It took a lot of hard work, time, and support to earn this award,” Jared shared. “This accomplishment means even more to me because of the representation it brings.”
While scouting taught him many practical skills, Jared says the biggest challenge came when he had to step into a true leadership role. Organizing his Eagle Scout project required him to guide others, communicate clearly, and trust his team instead of trying to do everything himself.
That project became one of the most meaningful parts of his journey.
Inspired by his desire to help children access books and learning opportunities, Jared created Free Little Libraries for the community. The libraries were installed at Centennial Park in Downtown Pomona and at Willie White Park — a location especially meaningful to him because of Willie White’s dedication to supporting children and future leaders in Pomona.
Jared hopes the libraries will become spaces where children can discover new stories, grow their imaginations, and develop a love for reading, especially for families who may not have easy access to a public library.
After graduating from Diamond Ranch High School, Jared will attend Azusa Pacific University where he plans to play football and study criminal justice. Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue a career in law enforcement or politics with the goal of creating positive change in both his community and the world around him.
Whether he’s serving his community, encouraging others, or simply greeting people with his friendly smile on campus, Jared Jordan represents the very best of leadership, character, and heart.