Freshman Jenson Payment came to La Salle after attending St. John the Baptist Catholic School.
Due to his religious upbringing and time at a Catholic school, faith plays a huge role in Jenson’s life as a practicing Catholic.
At La Salle, he appreciates his teachers.
Payment enjoys his physics class, taught by Science Department Chair Mr. Kyle Voge, due to how fun and interactive it is and how influential Mr. Voge has been for him. “I’m pretty good at Physics,” he said. Some other classes he enjoys are his Algebra 1 and English I classes.
In addition to Mr. Voge, Payment connects with religion teacher Mr. Noah Banks because of their similarities in faith.
Despite adapting smoothly into La Salle, he has noticed the significant rise in school work coming from his middle school.
“It’s much different work-wise,” he said. However, he said that the teachers all share the trait of being willing to help their students.
Outside of academics, Payment is a linebacker and tight end for La Salle’s junior varsity football team, a sport he has been playing since middle school, when he played for Rex Putnam’s youth league. Additionally, in the spring, he is planning on playing baseball — which he has played since he was six — and possibly basketball in the winter.
Football has always played an influential role in Payment’s life. He remembers watching Sunday night football games with his family growing up. His NFL team is the Carolina Panthers and for college he cheers for the Oregon Ducks.
His love for sports stemmed from watching the NFL and MLB as a child which drove him to not only watch, but also play both sports.
Despite his busy schedule, Payment said he is able to juggle sports and academics while still finding time to hang out with friends and participate in his favorite hobby: playing video games like Madden NFL and NBA 2K.
He also enjoys listening to music in his free time, especially hip-hop and classic rock, including 2Pac and Elvis Presley.
Payment also noted how he has met many of his friends through La Salle’s athletics and is building a strong community at La Salle.
At home, Payment has a strong family life. He views his mom and dad as his role models and looks up to them. He also has a pet dog, a 16 year old corgi named Elwood who he described as “fluffy and energetic.”
During the summer, he spends a lot of time practicing sports and spending time with his friends. Over the weekends, he often spends time at his grandma’s beach house.
In the future, Payment wants to expand his horizons and travel to Europe, especially England, where his grandma is from, as he wants to learn more about his heritage.
