With AP tests and graduation season creeping up on Bowie, stress and anxiety are not hard to find. But within the bustling, fast-paced environment, senior Roman Jacobs can be found hollering hello’s in the hallway to friends and acquaintances alike, engaging in conversation with faculty and staff, and aiming to spread a little more joy to others.
Jacobs has been involved in a wide array of organizations and sports, but what he is known for the most on the Bowie campus, is his positivity and deliberate actions to better the community. His reasoning for these everyday acts consists of a lengthy list of role models, his belief in living for a greater purpose, awareness of other’s situations, and a routine of gratitude.
“I make an effort to be kind by helping out others, even if I’m not benefiting myself,” Jacobs said. “For example, trying to ask people how their day is, complimenting people, or even simple things like if I pick up trash on the ground or hold the door for people.”
During his time at Bowie, Jacobs has been involved with the Bowie soccer team, the Bowie chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA), National Honors Art Society (NHAS), and Bowie Cross Country and Track.
“In his everyday life, Roman makes a genuine effort to be kind and work hard,” Roman’s mother Amy Jacobs said. “He starts each day with gratitude and takes time to slow down and have meaningful conversations with others. He looks for opportunities to volunteer, whether at school, with neighbors, or with family, and often takes initiative without being asked.”
Roman has recently been involved with Hungry Souls, a non-profit organization that provides meals to food-insecure families and children. He volunteers with them every two weeks, packing and delivering food items.
“I think selflessness is a very important thing to have, and I think it’s great to practice, because the act alone of doing something for someone else, without expecting anything in return, is great because it’s the greater purpose that you’re affecting,” Roman said.
After high school, Roman plans on attending a three year university in Europe. He is considering countries like Spain, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. He intends to get his undergraduate degree in Business Administration, with the goal of working for a non-profit he truly believes in, or one day founding his own.
“Whether it’s picking up trash on a field or in a hallway, or running to the store to replace something at home, he understands that small, consistent actions matter,” Amy said. “Those habits not only set an example for others but also shape the kind of person he continues to become.”
Roman credits his affinity towards kindness to his mother and sister, alongside the inspiration his teachers and coaches at Bowie have set. He stated that by watching his family members go out of their way to be kind to others, he learned to do the same.
“As he was growing up, I always tried to teach him to treat others the way he would like to be treated,” Amy said. “Another important lesson was to approach people with grace, because you never really know what someone else may be going through. I think those ideas stayed with him and shaped how he interacts with others.”
Senior Lennon Bres can’t recall when he became friends with Jacobs, only that since then he’s been a constant in his life. Jacob reaches out to Bres frequently, checking in with him and offering study hangouts. Bres is just one student who has witnessed Jacob’s approachability and kind greetings across campus.
“I think on campus, he makes people happier overall,” Bres. “Having someone who makes you smile definitely brightens your day. He might not notice it but I definitely have a better day when I get to see him.”
Despite no longer being in cross country or track, Jacobs has a passion for running, and is currently training with the goal of attending a marathon. He runs almost every day, and claims it’s a large part of his positive mindset.
“What is inspiring to me is the results afterwards, because I know that after I run I feel good about myself and I know that I’m improving my physical health too,” Roman said. “I feel like running really helps me to relieve a lot of stress, and when I’m not stressed, I can be a lot nicer and help people more.”
On the Bowie campus, Roman’s inspirations include cross country and track coach Lora Tilson, math teacher Dana Stiles, coach Brian Long, and more. Through Bowie classwork, he’s had the opportunity to pitch and lead community efforts, like preparing a meal for the cafeteria staff through his culinary class.
“When hearing new ideas, concepts, or opinions, I don’t think you should be so quick to immediately shut it down with what you think, or disregard it, without asking more questions about ‘why do you feel like this or what has shaped you to think like this’,” Roman said. “So many people are quick to judge something in a negative manner. So, I think asking more and figuring out more is best for being open minded.”
Roman has built up a solid system of beliefs around how best to exert kindness and positivity, and advises small acts of kindness without shouldering full responsibility to change a person’s life or day. Through his time at Bowie and learning from family, he has plans to continue his open-armed approach to life.
“I have definitely seen my kindness affect others around me. For example, I had someone come up to me and say ‘I always see you being so positive to people and nice to people’,” Roman said. “I’m super honored to have that as a connotation of what people view me as.”
