Jon-Ford Scott

Jon-Ford Scott – Texas
Nomination by Mende Moore
Photography by Hayly Hext Photography
Issue 71 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​Nomination: Jon-Ford Scott was born with a congenital heart defect, Transposition of the Great arteries which required open heart surgery at 5 days old. Second, he has a speech impediment "stuttering" which has been difficult throughout school. When told he couldn't play contact sports because of his heart, he picked up tennis and played Varsity Tennis through High School. When struggling with speech, he joined Theatre and was cast in every production the school offered, winning numerous awards, and qualifying for Nationals in Monologue Acting. Plus, he was actively involved in Speech and Debate qualifying for State in Prose Interpretation.

Photography by Hayly Hext Photography

​What has growing up with a congenital heart defect helped you learn about yourself and the world around you?
Growing up with a heart defect makes me really grateful that I have the opportunities I do. I was given a second chance and I want to do all I can to live life to the fullest.

What do you wish others knew about stuttering?
I wish people knew that stuttering can’t be helped. You can’t “spit it out” or “just slow down”. I think that sometimes people automatically assume that people with a stutter aren’t as intelligent as they are. We want to be treated just like everyone else. Yes, sometimes it might take me a while to tell my story but let me tell it my way.

Tell us about your tennis career.
I started playing tennis in the 7th grade. The seventh grade is when tackle football and basketball started. I had played flag football throughout elementary but once it came time for tackle, I needed a new challenge. Tennis was it. I am now in college and don’t play competitively but I do play for fun whenever I get the chance.

What is the hardest part about learning/playing tennis?
Learning and playing tennis came easy for me. The struggle I had was learning to control my excitement, frustrations, and emotions on the court. I am a lefty, so my serve took a while to master as well.

What is your tennis team like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
When I made the Varsity team my freshman year I was the baby. The team was a tight knit group of older guys. They were all very serious and hardly smiled. They were just that competitive. Bus rides were a bore. After a few days they had taken me under their wings. I became the team leader of our chants, the cheer leader on sideline, and the singer and jokester on the bus rides. They quickly became my best friends and still are.

Photography by Hayly Hext Photography

​What is a favorite accomplishment in tennis?
I received first team all-district in singles, and first team all-district in double my last year of playing. Another favorite time was when me and my doubles partner, James, qualified for Regionals and we were the underdogs.

What was your first production in Theatre and what role did you play?
The Wizard of Oz. I had the role of the Lion.

What has been your favorite production and role - and why?
My favorite production is Bob: A Life in Five Acts. I received the role of Bob and it was my first lead role. I know now that the director picked the play specifically for me and it just was so natural for me. I had so much fun with that role because I could play the character so well without really trying. I was Bob!

What are some of the awards you've won for acting?
Honorable Mention All- Star Cast, All-Star Cast, Best Actor, and Top Performer awards.

What monologue did you do to qualify for the Nationals in Monologue Acting and why did you pick it?
I picked a monologue from the play Defying Gravity in the role of CB Miller. It was a play based on philosophical journey of the space shuttle Challenger that blew apart shortly after liftoff. CB reads a letter to the deceased schoolteacher’s daughter admitting guilt for the explosion because he was the NASA astronaut that passed the shuttle for lift off. It was a very emotional piece, and I was able to express that when I performed it.

What has been your favorite topic to debate and why?
My favorite topic to debate was in Congress. I was able to freely argue with someone over something I believed in and I love it!

What is the most interesting thing you've learned in Speech and Debate?
The most interesting thing I have learned in Speech and Debate really has nothing to do with specific topics or debates I participated in. I found it really cool how many different competitions there were at each tournament and hard you must work to be successful. The amount of work and talent it takes is really underestimated.

Tell us about the State in Prose Interpretation and how you qualified.
I performed a piece called Love is Never Black or White. I was nervous because I was up against some tough competition. I knew I had to put all the emotion I could into that piece. I chose to use a heavy southern accent and thankfully for me, it worked.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I have had some difficult times in my life but I don't choose to use them as an excuse. I have a confidence inside me and I choose to overcome rather than feel sorry for myself. Yes, I wanted to play football but because of my heart I couldn't. So, I picked up tennis and fell in love with it. Yes, I have a stutter and it was difficult sometimes when people laughed or I couldn't get the words out right, so I joined Theatre and Speech & Debate. What could be called a negative, became my calling.

What else would you like to talk about?
I love building people up and being part of a team. I have been told by my coaches that I am a natural leader. I will cheer for you louder than I will ever cheer for myself.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Science. I love it. I can read for hours about different theories and trivia. There is so much out there we have not even come close to learning and that really fascinates me. Did you know that it's impossible to burp in space?

How did you find your photographer, Hayly Hext Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My aunt made arrangements for Seniors pictures to be taken by Hayly. Hayly had taken my cousin's pictures and I liked her work a lot. We worked with my High School Theatre Directors so that I could take the photos on stage in the Theatre at school. I think that was my most favorite thing, being on stage having my picture taken where I felt most at home. It was really cool (except for the fact I had a hole in my sock).

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
At the lake. I love to water ski.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
College! I am studying Theatre in college now and have recently been cast in my first college production.

Look for Jon-Ford in issue 71 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 71

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