WHENEVER he participates in any Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) drill and march, 13-year-old Meshach Williams’s demeanour is too impressive to go unnoticed.

From as early as age four Meshach has been attending regular drill and march rehearsals with his mother Roxan Chance Williams and his skill and attitude made him fit to participate in other marching activities in the SDA Pathfinder Club.

Meshach is now in the Pathfinder’s Ranger Class and is making plans to pursue the master guide and drill instructor course.

“It feels great to accomplish something you have been working hard for,” said Meshach during an interview with the Jamaica Observer days after his outstanding drill and march performance at the opening ceremony for the SDA fifth Pathfinder Camporee at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium last Tuesday.

According to Meshach, he is not deterred by the major roles to fill as a master guide and drill instructor.

“I don’t really think it is a challenge to me, as long as you work hard it will come,” said Meshach, a grade eight student at the Corporate area-based St Andrew Technical High School.

He said there are youngsters, including his nine-year-old nephew, who view him as a role model and who are willing to follow in his footsteps.

“Everything I do, my nephew wants me to teach him. If I play football, he wants me to show him how to play and if he sees me marching, he wants me to teach him how to march,” said Meshach as his beaming mother looked on.

“I am very proud of him because he started at a tender age and is achieving so much in Pathfinder. He brings joy to my heart,” said Chance Williams.

“It was amazing, when all the officers and dignitaries saw him and knew he has been marching from a tender age, it felt good,” added Chance Williams who is a master guide and drill instructor.

In the meantime, Meshach is encouraging other youngsters to go set their goals and go after them.

“Work hard, follow your dreams and they will come true,” declared Meshach.

The five-day event, which was being hosted by Jamaica for the first time, saw hundreds of Pathfinders from more than 50 countries participating in a series of activities geared towards social, physical, mental and spiritual development.

The event was previously held in Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.