Burnet’s Jones, Llano’s Hays up for Community Heroes awards
CAPTION: Burnet High graduate Grant Jones is the total package, according to football head coach Ben Speer. What he does on and off the playing field is why he was nominated for the Chicken Express Community Heroes award. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
Two Highland Lakes student athletes are in the running for the Chicken Express Community Heroes awards.
They are 2024 Burnet High graduate Grant Jones and Llano High rising senior Ciara Hays.
People can vote multiple times a day online. Voting ends July 1.
The male and female Community Heroes recipients get a $1,500 scholarship.
“Let’s go ahead and get out the vote,” Burnet High football head coach Ben Speer said. “Let’s see if we can get Grant voted in. We’re ecstatic he was nominated as one of those guys.”
“She was no-brainer,” said Llano Independent School District athletic director Matt Green, who nominated Hays. “She brings leadership, she brings humbleness, she treats her teammates extremely well.”
Highland Lakes fans know what each brings to their respective playing fields.
Jones was the District 13-4A Division I overall Most Valuable Player in helping the Bulldogs capture a share of the district crown in football and a bi-district title. His speed, quick hands and intelligence allowed coaches to create offensive packages for him and use him as a defensive back and return specialist.
In track and field, he won three District 24-4A gold medals in the long jump and as a member of the 400-meter and 800-meter relays. He advanced to the Class 4A state track and field meet in the long jump, placing sixth with a mark of 22 feet and 2.25 inches.
Green nominated Hays in the fall of 2023 because of her commitment to athletics, academics and the Future Farmers of America. She is a grand champion overall speaker of the State Fair of Texas and a reserved national champion. She also is the 2023 Miss AquaBoom.
She is a Llano High varsity cheerleader, cross country and track runner and the starting point guard on the basketball team where she is a first team all-District 5-3A selection. The cross country team has won the last three district titles.
“She participates in a lot,” Green said. “I felt like she had done a great job in our program. She gives so much effort. She plays so hard. I think she’s a good teammate, and I think she treats her teammates very well.”
While Jones’ sports accomplishments speak for themselves, Speer noted his character and the person he is far exceeds his athletic talent. The coach pointed out that Jones has made it a point to talk to to his own sons when he sees them, and his family has gotten to know him beyond his uniforms.
“He’s everything,” Speer said. “He’s the whole package. He’s awesome academically, he has a good solid base of faith around him. He’s an outstanding young man. He’s caring and helps others, and he’s a great athlete. I don’t think you can have anybody more rounded than Grant.”
Jones accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Abilene Christian University’s football team.
“We know he’s going to do great things at ACU,” Speer said. “It’s great that my boys got to be around him. As coaches you don’t get the opportunity to be around that a lot. We were fortunate. My wife (Jennifer) and I talk about this. We were so grateful our boys could be around him and several of those (graduates). They’re outstanding young men.”
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CAPTION: Llano rising senior Ciara Hays epitomizes doing what it takes to help her team. Last season she became the Lady Jackets point guard, a position she hadn’t played and helped the team return to the playoffs. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
