Meet Chloe Adams, Great James Madison High’s unstoppable senior leader

By Kar’Mel McBride, Journalism Pathway Fellow and sophomore at The Great James Madison High School 

Before the first bell rings, The Great James Madison High School senior Chloe Adams is already balancing her roles as an athlete, entrepreneur, and student leader, sometimes on only four hours of sleep. 

Driven by faith, family, and a relentless work ethic, she pushes herself far beyond what most high-schoolers would dare to take on. Managing four sports, a growing hair business, and leadership roles across campus, Adams has become one of Madison’s most recognizable student leaders.

“I want to be someone younger students can look up to. If I’m going to talk about working hard, I have to live it every day,” she said. 

During a school week, Adams also does hair for 3-5 clients, specializing in both braids and weave styles.  She usually schedules appointments on weekends and days she doesn’t have practice. 

Adams started doing hair at the young age of 8. Growing up, she watched her mom do hair and she was often told “you don’t have anything to do. Just go braid.” 

That encouragement gave Adams the ambition to start getting clients to improve her skills. She officially started her hair business during her sophomore year and makes about $500-$900 each month.

“It’s a lot, but I plan everything out. I know when to lock in and when to breathe.”

Her dedication shows most clearly in the spaces where her leadership and athleticism overlap like being the captain on both the basketball and volleyball teams.

“Chloe brings great senior leadership as well as a sense of energy that is effective to the whole team,” said Coach  Phillip Thomas, head girls basketball coach. “She’s vocal. She has no problem putting herself in a position to defuse or ignite.” 

Adams is a people person and shows compassion. That’s why others are drawn to her, said assistant principal Pamela Bryant.

“It takes moments within meeting a student like Chloe to understand that she has what one would call natural leadership abilities,” she said. 

Adams will attend East Texas A&M University in the fall. She plans to major in business and grow as an entrepreneur.