PITTSFIELD — The phrase “for the love of the game” is one of those catchphrases that athletes sometimes use with sportswriters in post-game interviews.

But what might seem like a throwaway line is no cliche for Xzavier Markham, who last month was named to Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts' “18 under 18” list for 2026. He’s the only Berkshire County high school student to make the list this year.

His teachers hail his tenacity and his willingness to help others, especially peers who, like him, live with a visual impairment. His friends appreciate all that too, as well as his sense of humor.

Xzavier Markham, a Pittsfield High School junior, was praised for his work by teachers as they all celebrate his Junior Achievement "18 under 18" award.

The phrase came up several times at a table in the PHS library, where Markham and his friends gathered to commend him on the honor, and feast on some chocolate chip cookies made by the school’s culinary students.

“He’s always up for a challenge,” Khaleed Ahmed said of Markham’s academic ambitions. “He takes AP classes for the love of the game.”

Was this just kids being clever? Not really. Markham used the phrase several times – citing it as his motivation for taking a summer pre-calculus class and pursuing a master's in business administration after he obtains his law degree.

“I’m serious when I say I do it for the love of the game,” Markham said. “There's no reason behind it, except for 'it’s possible, I could just do it, so why not?’”

Markham and 17 other Western Massachusetts teenagers who "exemplify innovative spirit, leadership and community involvement" were honored in May during a dinner at the Storrowton Carriage House on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.

Markham will enter his senior year this fall. He was nominated for the award by Pittsfield High School teacher Lynn Shortis, who has been his teacher for the visually impaired and a mentor since he was 4 years old.

Xzavier Markham, a junior, gets lightly roasted by his best friends and praised for his work by teachers as they all celebrate his Junior Achievement "18 under 18" award with free cookies in the PHS library on Tuesday.

Despite visual impairment that led to Markham being identified as “legally blind” when he was 4, Markham has pursued all the Advanced Placement courses he can take at PHS. He competed on the school’s cross country and track teams, took part in the school’s trip to Italy, and was a small group leader during PHS’ annual Student Voices Summit. And he's been active in Work Beyond Sight, the school's group for visually impaired students.

In her nomination letter for the award, Shortis said Markham “strives to not miss out on anything,” even when it means putting in longer hours to access curriculum and take advantage of learning opportunities.

Shortis also noted his active participation in Work Beyond Sight, “spearheading fundraisers as well as educating the general school population on the overall needs of the visually impaired.”

Advanced Placement exams are challenging by design, and for Markham, the accommodations, such as enlarged text and extra time, pose an additional hurdle that he works hard to overcome.

“An exam that would normally be three hours for a student is six hours, and when you multiply that by like multiple AP courses, it really is just a willingness to put in the time to excel despite some things that make it more challenging,” said Emily Pink, his AP Government teacher.

Asked to describe Markham, the group of friends gathered at the table took turns describing what makes him a great friend. Most have known him since the seventh grade at Herberg Middle School; many are his track and cross country teammates.

“He's been kind of the smart person that I steal all my answers [from],” Cayden Mackey joked. “I'd say he's more of a little bit of a leader, a contrarian. He’s honest, he’s smart, and he’s driven a little more than me.”

Mackey said he was in that summer precalculus class with Markham. “A lot of us took it over the summer together. I retook the class. I couldn't … this guy went right into calculus.”

Sienna Maruli agreed about Markham’s smarts and ambition, explaining that the two of them have a friendly academic rivalry that motivates them both to do their best. But she also spoke highly of his friendship qualities. “He always likes to reach out and check in on people,” she said.

Others pointed to his keen sense of humor.

“Xzavier is a funny guy,” Jedd Ofori said. "He always just finds some way to make you laugh."