CHELTENHAM, Md. — Rising senior Alexander Barbour has always had a heart for service—whether it’s helping his neighbors, contributing to his community, or preparing to serve his country. The Cheltenham, Maryland, teen is an overachiever with a clear mission: to push himself every day to become a better version of himself.
“He’s always been so helpful and looks after our neighbors without even telling me about it,” his mother, Natasha Barbour, said. “This past Christmas, a woman came to the door asking for Alexander. She left a Christmas card and wanted to thank him for bringing her mail to her during the snowstorm. He never mentioned it to me. It’s just nice to know that your child is making good choices without being asked to.”
Alexander attends Frederick Douglass High School, which doesn’t offer a JROTC program, so the family set out to find the structure and discipline of a unit that would be inspiring and challenging.
He said he’s aiming every day to be a better version of himself.
“I enjoy helping people, and in return, it improves myself,” Alexander said. “Now I’m aiming for the Marine Corps next year. I knew at the age of 11 that I wanted to serve in some capacity.”
8th & I Young Marines, District of Columbia
The Barbours reached out to the Young Marines, a nonprofit organization for boys and girls ages 8 through high school.
Alexander Barbour is involved with the Young Marines unit in the District of Columbia, at the corner of 8th and I streets.
Per the website, the Young Marines strengthen the lives of America’s youth by teaching the importance of self-confidence, academic achievement, honoring veterans, good citizenship, community service, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Natasha said Alexander has been presenting material regarding the Drug Demand Reduction efforts.
The Department of Defense honors participants with the Fulcrum Shield Award for excellence in youth anti-drug programs.
The average time of community and volunteer service is now at 3,784 hours per unit.
Unit Commander Joe Garcia has known the Barbour family since 2018 and said one of the biggest reasons for Alex’s success is the strong support he gets from his family.
“He’s also coachable,” Garcia said. “What makes him stand out is his willingness to learn, adapt, and work hard.”
Garcia said that over the years, he and Alex have learned how to communicate and work together, which has helped Alex grow into the leader he is today, making the unit stronger.
“Alex is really starting to take ownership of the program,” Garcia said. “He’s stepping up to lead the unit and set the example for others to follow. He’s also well-rounded, which is something I encourage in all my Young Marines. Whether it’s sports, clubs, or other activities, I want them to be involved in different things. At the end of the day, it’s on me to make Young Marines the program they want to prioritize over anything else.”
‘Hell Day’ in Virginia Beach
Alexander had the experience of “Hell Day” in Virginia Beach, Virginia, last year. His fastest 500 freestyle swim put him at the top of the class. He said he was challenged in many ways.
“Some of our instructors were Navy SEALs, Special Forces, Army Rangers, and someone from the British Army,” Alexander said. “We had to work in the sandpit, we did a lot of running and physical exercise, and we had to tread water with our rifles over our heads.”
He said his mindset was to push through it. He was 16 at the time.
“The instructors pushed me. I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Alex said. “It made me put my all into it; I know what that physical breaking point is. We started with 51 participants and ended up with 36 finishing. I did cramp up at the end.”
Natasha said her son should have been drinking more water, but she was very proud of his PT scores.
“He’s doing 24 chin-ups in a minute and 86 sit-ups. He’s nearly at a five-minute mile. He’s self-motivated. He does enjoy video games like other kids in school, but it’s not a priority to him. He’s always liked to be out engaged in an activity. He enjoys swimming. His swim team is an all-Black team, and they are setting records; they’re a great team.
“There is so much attention paid to the kids that are behaving badly, but we have a lot of kids out here that are working toward goals for themselves. Alex is one of them; we still have good kids out here.”
Alexander is a fully certified lifeguard and a varsity team captain on the swim team. He swims the 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 200 and 400 relays. He also swims long distance in the 1,650.
He is going to take an opportunity to learn the game of lacrosse to finish out his junior year at Frederick Douglass.
Gaining a Closer Walk With God
Earlier this year, Alexander spoke with his mother about going back to church and making each day count. On Feb. 9, he decided to get baptized at South Potomac Church in White Plains under the direction of Pastor Sadiqq Abdullah.
“I’m so proud of the young man Alexander has become,” Natasha said, “and now he just got his driver’s license, so he’ll be able to run some errands for me.”
For more information regarding the Young Marines at 8th & I, visit Young Marines or call headquarters at 800-717-0060.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
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