Super-Williams
by Jenny Thomas
Is she an alien or is she just naturally talented? Meet a one of a kind sophomore, Jaclyn (Jackie) Williams. She is an amazing student who currently holds New Hyde Park Memorial High School’s record for winter shot-put (30 feet 1 inch) and spring shot-put (34 feet 7 inches) as well as New Hyde Park Memorial’s record for spring discus (95 feet 2 inches). Jackie has set all three school records when she was a freshman. She also balances being on the track and field team with being part of the school’s kick-line team, the Romanettes.
Most people join the track and field team to run either long or short distances. Likewise, Williams joined track and field to run, but later found something else which she grew to love. “I never liked running, but I liked the idea of being a track and field athlete. And so when I discovered shot-put, I realized I could actually use my strength for it. Once I realized I was actually good at it, it seemed like the right thing to do was to join the varsity track and field team,”” said Williams. In addition to being an amazing shot-putter, she is incredibly kind and helps out others if they need it. “When I started shot-put for the first time, she made me feel welcome and broke the ice with everyone! I look up to her physically and emotionally,” said sophomore Kyra Siton.
Jackie plans to make it to Counties this winter season, and exceed her shot -put record and throw at least 35 feet. Jackie expectations of herself are truly setting the bar high, as she wants to throw over 100 feet in discus, not just to qualify for championships.
Also a Romanette, Jackie always consistently pushes herself to do her best. “She’s fun to be around, and always has a smile on her face. She has made so much progress since the beginning of the year. I could not be more proud,” said Romanette co-captain and senior Samantha Verdecchia.
Jackie is a humble individual who doesn’t flaunt what she has achieved. If you go and ask anyone on the track and field team or the Romanettes team about Jackie, the team members first would say how crazy she is, but they’ll also say what a good and humble person she is. She tells only a few amount of people about all the success she has achieved.
Normal students can’t handle being on a sport team and maintaining a good grade, but Jackie is no normal girl. Jackie, a track athlete for both seasons and a Romanettes year round, taking an AP class, maintaining a black belt in mixed martial arts (MMA), and still keeping an overall average of above a 90, is truly an individual we should all look up to.
Is she an alien or is she just naturally talented? Meet a one of a kind sophomore, Jaclyn (Jackie) Williams. She is an amazing student who currently holds New Hyde Park Memorial High School’s record for winter shot-put (30 feet 1 inch) and spring shot-put (34 feet 7 inches) as well as New Hyde Park Memorial’s record for spring discus (95 feet 2 inches). Jackie has set all three school records when she was a freshman. She also balances being on the track and field team with being part of the school’s kick-line team, the Romanettes.
Most people join the track and field team to run either long or short distances. Likewise, Williams joined track and field to run, but later found something else which she grew to love. “I never liked running, but I liked the idea of being a track and field athlete. And so when I discovered shot-put, I realized I could actually use my strength for it. Once I realized I was actually good at it, it seemed like the right thing to do was to join the varsity track and field team,”” said Williams. In addition to being an amazing shot-putter, she is incredibly kind and helps out others if they need it. “When I started shot-put for the first time, she made me feel welcome and broke the ice with everyone! I look up to her physically and emotionally,” said sophomore Kyra Siton.
Jackie plans to make it to Counties this winter season, and exceed her shot -put record and throw at least 35 feet. Jackie expectations of herself are truly setting the bar high, as she wants to throw over 100 feet in discus, not just to qualify for championships.
Also a Romanette, Jackie always consistently pushes herself to do her best. “She’s fun to be around, and always has a smile on her face. She has made so much progress since the beginning of the year. I could not be more proud,” said Romanette co-captain and senior Samantha Verdecchia.
Jackie is a humble individual who doesn’t flaunt what she has achieved. If you go and ask anyone on the track and field team or the Romanettes team about Jackie, the team members first would say how crazy she is, but they’ll also say what a good and humble person she is. She tells only a few amount of people about all the success she has achieved.
Normal students can’t handle being on a sport team and maintaining a good grade, but Jackie is no normal girl. Jackie, a track athlete for both seasons and a Romanettes year round, taking an AP class, maintaining a black belt in mixed martial arts (MMA), and still keeping an overall average of above a 90, is truly an individual we should all look up to.