Jameon Rush

Any time senior Jameon Rush does anything, he does it one hundred percent. It’s proven by his career-long success on the wrestling mat, his 4.0 GPA in Web Communication Design, several successful internships and the music video he created that has had more than 7000 hits on YouTube.

A native of Clay Center, Kan., Jameon got his first taste of video production and graphic design creating highlight videos for his high school sports program. When he heard about the new wrestling program at Hastings College, plus the opportunities offered by its phenomenal communications department, his choice was made.

For a project for the J-Term course Digital Video Editing, Jameon contacted a local Nebraska country-rock band, Dylan and the Dirt Road Detour, and formed a contract with them to produce and shoot their first music video. The contract allowed Jameon to post the video of their song “Turn the Radio Up” on YouTube and add it to his professional portfolio.

“I liked that there was no preconceived notion of the video or song, so I could create my own vision,” Jameon said. “I could have the experience of working with a client and have the freedom of creating a completely new video.”

Jameon says the biggest challenge completing the video was the complexity of working with a client that was two hours away in North Bend. Due to time constraints, the video had to be filmed all in one day. HC senior Dale Brooks, Englewood, Colo., assisted Jameon with filming, set up, lighting and equipment.

The lead singer for Dylan and the Dirt Road Detour, Dylan Bloom, said Jameon and Dale were very professional about making the video for his band.

“When I first watched the video, I was very surprised and more than happy with the outcome,” Dylan Bloom said. “The video has proven to be a great marketing tool for the band, and we’ve had people from all over see it. These guys [Jameon and Dale] are great and deserve recognition for their hard work. I am looking forward to working with them in the future to maybe do some more stuff like this.”

The video has also been posted on the band’s website and Facebook page, and fan feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It was the lead singer’s [Dylan's] dream to do this video,” Jameon said. “It was a real passion for him. For fans to see their music and respond live in such a visual age, this now gives people more chances to listen to their music and see how beneficial social networking is.”

Jameon ultimately hopes to become an art director for a major advertising agency. He’s completed internships at Idea Bank Marketing in Hastings and at Bosselman, Inc.’s corporate offices in Grand Island. He created the website for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Hastings. He’s the graphic designer for many of the HC athletics posters and marketing materials, and he plans to intern in the Hastings Museum’s marketing office next spring.

His first job a traveling reporter for a farm radio station, Jameon grew up one of four brothers, all wrestlers. Jameon is one of only three seniors who have thrived on the wrestling team and who have remained grapplers throughout the life of the young program at HC. According to Coach Kelley, Jameon will wrap up his career as the most decorated wrestler at HC so far. Jameon is a four-time national qualifier and repeat All-American, All-Conference and school record holder for career wins.

“My entire family is a big wrestling family, but I’m the only one to compete at the college level,” Jameon said. “I’m pretty proud of my accomplishments. I didn’t want to look back and have any regrets. I wanted to do everything I can now.”