By Ken Hansard

Kailyn Jackson, a senior forward for Wichita Heights’ High, is a highly rewarded four-year starter for the Falcons.  Even so, one of her biggest challenges is still balancing soccer with a busy life off the pitch: “Time management is tough – balancing senior year and soccer. There’s the school day, soccer practice, homework… All that while trying to incorporate conditioning and strength training. And just trying to just be a teenage girl with a social life. It can be extremely difficult.” 

Difficult or not, Jackson must be succeeding.  She has led the Falcons from 3-13-2 a year ago to a 6-7 record so far this season.  Leadership is a role she has embraced:  “I believe my role is to uplift and motivate. As a senior with four years of varsity experience, it’s the right thing to do.  Being an underclassman can be overwhelming, but it helps when you have someone in your corner.” 

As a freshman year Jackson was named Honorable Mention All-City, and was named to the Second-Team as a sophomore and junior. She has been in the top 10 leading goal scorers in the GWAL all four years and has been in the top three scorers the past three.  Despite her many accomplishments, Jackson refuses to take her journey for granted, “High school is so short and it feels like as soon as it starts, you blink and you could miss it.”

Kailyn is a member of Heights’ Multiethnic Club, Interact Club, and a mentor for their Next Up program.

When asked about her future, Kailyn had this to say:  “I love that your work ethic determines how good you are. I love to be in control of my own future.”

In the fall, Kailyn plans to attend Division I Southern University, and to continue to play soccer and study child development, which she hopes will lead to a career as a child psychologist.