Washington County Public Schools recently honored seven graduating seniors with True Grit Awards.
The recipients were selected by their schools for demonstrating perseverance in overcoming hardship while remaining committed to their athletic teams.
Here are the seven honorees — one from each of Washington County’s public high schools — and the reasons they were selected, in their schools’ own words.
Mikayla Bailey
Boonsboro High School
“Following the unexpected loss of her father this past fall, she demonstrated extraordinary resilience, strength and determination both on the field and in the classroom. In the face of tremendous personal adversity, she continued to lead by example and excel as a student-athlete.
“During the basketball season, she earned Athlete of the Week honors, was named to the WCAA Public School Third Team and was selected as an All-County All-Star. In the spring, she once again distinguished herself on the lacrosse field, earning Athlete of the Week honors, was named to the Central Maryland Conference Small School First Team and was selected as an All-County All-Star.
“She also excelled in the classroom, earning MPSSAA Minds in Motion Scholar-Athlete recognition by maintaining a minimum 3.25 GPA. Her ability to persevere through hardship while maintaining her commitment to academics, competing at a high level in two varsity sports, supporting her teammates and representing her school with pride is a testament to her exceptional character, resilience and determination. She truly embodies the spirit of the True Grit Award, making her a deserving recipient of this special recognition.”
Logan Burcker
Williamsport High School
“Logan was a four-year member of our football and wrestling programs.
“Battling through numerous serious and nagging injuries, Logan was always the heartbeat of our football team. Elected captain by his teammates each season, his tenacity in overcoming injuries and any on-the-field challenges inspired both his teammates and coaches.
“Logan dealt with multiple injuries during both his junior and senior years but never let them keep him off the football field or wrestling mat. He played more than half of the football season with a partially torn ACL, yet he never missed a game or even a practice. The injury was still not fully healed when wrestling season began, but he continued to compete through the pain. During wrestling season, he also sprained both thumbs, including one he had broken during football season as a junior. He also injured his ‘good’ knee.
“Despite all of this, Logan still won more than 30 matches and qualified for the regional tournament, even though he was never truly healthy. He never missed practice and never complained. He showed a young team how to fight through adversity and persevere no matter the situation.
“Too often, injuries lead student-athletes to disengage from their teams. With Logan, the exact opposite happened every time. He was an inspiration to work with each day, and we can’t wait to see what his future holds.”
Landyn Clark
Hancock High School
“Landyn is a pivotal part of our athletic department. His athletic success makes him an important member of each team. However, it is his spirit, support and compassion that truly set him apart.
“Landyn cares deeply about his teammates. He’s constantly encouraging others, lifting them up when they need it most and celebrating their successes as if they were his own. His energy is contagious, and his intensity fuels the team’s drive. He brings a level of passion and focus that makes everyone around him better, and his presence is felt in every moment. He is the heart of the team in every sense.
“When I think of the True Grit Award, I think of Landyn Clark. Not because of hardships off the field, but because of the adversity he overcame through injuries and his determination to keep competing. During our fifth game against North Star, Pennsylvania, he injured his knee and eventually had to come out of the game. He was questionable for our sixth game against Stonewall Jackson, which ended up being our final game of the season.
“Landyn played well against Stonewall, making several tackles from the safety position and recording an interception in the second quarter. In the second half, he injured his knee again and came out of the game. The athletic trainer worked on him, and because it was a close game, he returned and played until about a minute remained before finally admitting he couldn’t continue. It proved to be a season-ending injury, but Landyn showed me what he was made of. His determination to be there for his teammates until the very end, leave everything on the field and never quit defines true grit.
“Even while injured, Landyn remained a true leader who took time to support his teammates and coach them up when no one else was around. This year alone, he suffered three time-loss injuries that kept him off the field or track, yet he persistently worked his way back to competition with grace and humility. At every practice and every game, he celebrated and supported his teammates.”
Heather Engelbrecht
North Hagerstown High School
“Heather Engelbrecht is the embodiment of true grit. She consistently puts others before herself, always stepping in to support her teammates and help them grow, often behind the scenes. Her knowledge of cheer and willingness to lead with patience and kindness have helped elevate the entire team.
“Heather may not always be in the spotlight, but she plays a vital role in helping others shine. Her quiet strength, resilience and selfless dedication make her a truly deserving recipient of the True Grit Award.”
Kaelynn Kunkle
South Hagerstown High School
Flag football: “Kaelynn (KK) stepped in as quarterback without hesitation when we realized we needed to make position adjustments. She did everything asked of her without complaint and found success in her new role as a senior who had never previously played the position. She worked hard to improve and maintained a calm demeanor in high-pressure situations. We were so excited to see her succeed in this role and are very proud of the leadership she showed.”
Softball: “KK played her freshman year on JV before earning an end-of-season call-up to varsity. She made varsity as a sophomore, while her sister Jordyn was a senior on the team, but was academically ineligible for the entire season. Despite that setback, KK came to practice every day and put in the work.
“Last spring as a junior, KK’s grades improved, and she earned the starting shortstop role on varsity. However, she had a rough start to the season, leading the team in errors and struggling at the plate. Her confidence took a major hit. After moving to the outfield, she excelled. She became a reliable outfielder and rebuilt her confidence.
“When our starting catcher went down with an injury over the summer, KK stepped up to learn yet another position — one of the hardest on the field. She continued to grow as the season progressed. The fact that she volunteered to make that move spoke volumes and was something the freshman version of herself never would have done.
“She was also selected by the coaching staff as a captain this spring. KK batted second in the lineup and posted career highs in multiple offensive categories. She has signed to play softball at Frederick Community College next spring. FCC is getting a good one. KK truly was the heart and soul of our team!”
Layla Smith
Smithsburg High School
“Over the past four years, Layla has been a dedicated member of the Smithsburg softball program, spending three years on JV before earning her place on the varsity team this season. In addition, she has been an important member of the school’s flag football program, where she was a key contributor on defense and an essential part of the team’s success.
“Layla is the kind of athlete every coach hopes to have. She works tirelessly, seeks feedback and immediately applies what she learns to improve herself and support her team. Her discipline, focus and commitment never waver, and she consistently demonstrates a willingness to do whatever is needed for the good of the team. On the field, she encourages her teammates, is eager to learn and is always willing to step up in any situation.
“What makes Layla especially deserving of the True Grit Award is the perseverance and resilience she has shown off the field. After her mother became unable to care for her, Layla lived with her grandmother, who became her guardian. Last year, after the heartbreaking loss of her grandmother, Layla was suddenly left without a guardian and faced unimaginable uncertainty. Despite these difficult circumstances, she continued showing up to school, athletics and her responsibilities every single day with determination and purpose.
“During softball tryouts last year, Layla formed a strong connection with Angela and Tuhin Bhowmik, who welcomed her into their family. With their support and care, Layla has flourished both personally and academically.
“Beyond her athletic contributions, Layla is a natural leader. She leads not only with her voice but with her actions. She makes a conscious effort to lift others up, encourage her teammates and create a positive, unified environment. Her presence brings out the best in those around her, which is a true mark of leadership and character.
“Layla’s resilience, determination and positive spirit embody the true meaning of grit. She plans to continue her education this fall at Newberry College, where she will play flag football while pursuing a future in the medical field.
“Her story is one of perseverance, courage, leadership and hope, making her a truly deserving recipient of the True Grit Athlete of the Year Award.”
Hannah Vong
Clear Spring High School
“Hannah has been a member of the varsity volleyball team for three seasons, being a two-time state champion and a state finalist. Hannah came to practice every day, hustled and served as a captain this year and during her sophomore season on JV before moving up to varsity. She leads with a smile on her face, though she didn’t see much playing time. Last year as a junior, she got into a match and, about two plays later, suffered a concussion right before the playoffs and was unable to play the rest of the season. This year, she dealt with a shoulder injury at the beginning of the season and continued to practice and rehab it. She was always yelling and cheering for her teammates from the bench, offering encouragement and a listening ear, and showed up every day with a ‘How was your day, Coach?’ even though I know she wanted to be out on the court for matches. I appreciate her so much and her spirit that never gave up.”
