Bass is originally from Belleville, Illinois, right outside of Chicago, and he moved to Jackson during high school.
He went to Northside High and was actively involved with their marching band, show choir and Junior Civitan International, a student community service organization focused on youth development.
Junior Civitan is what made him want to pursue a career in political science.
“I want to scale the political realm and be one of the professing and outstanding Christians in it,” Bass said. “I hope God can use me to make him be seen.”
He wants to open doors into the world of political science and educate youth about how to get involved.
Music is another interest of his. Most of his family of seven are musically gifted.
“I’ve been drumming and banging on things for as long as I can remember,” Bass said.
He started playing auxiliary percussion and reading music in the fifth grade, and he has since spent a large amount of time honing his skills. Bass now plays for Englewood Baptist Church on Sunday mornings under the Worship Pastor Travis Cottrell.
Englewood has had a large impact on his life, he said. It was his youth director, Josh Allen, who first planted the idea of coming to Union in his mind.
“God has really worked in my life,” Bass said.
Bass carries daily reminders of his loved ones. He sports a bright red headband in honor of a close friend who gave it to him, and the name he chooses to go by, Rock, was given to him by his first girlfriend who passed away in a car accident three years ago.
“It stands for Respect, Optimism, Courage and Knowledge,” he said. “She said those were my four main characteristics.”
As a freshman, Bass is “still figuring it all out.” He said he is enjoying school and all of the opportunities that Union is bringing him.
