For an ambitious freshman, earning a starting spot on a varsity athletic team is a dream come true. But when Ava Jacklin stepped onto the varsity softball field at Lyons Township High School in the spring of 2023, she quickly realized that athletic talent alone doesn’t automatically guarantee a sense of belonging. Separated by campuses from the upperclassmen and feeling like an outsider looking in, Ava made a quiet, definitive choice. She decided that if belonging didn’t exist naturally, she would build it herself—not just for her own sake, but for every younger athlete who would follow in her footsteps.
The Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Foundation is thrilled to introduce Ava Jacklin as a 2026 scholarship recipient, recognized for her incredible leadership, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to making sure no one on her team ever feels alone.
A Captain Chosen by Her Peers
Ava’s exceptional play as a four-year starting shortstop earned her impressive accolades, including Team MVP, All-Conference, and All-State honors. Yet, if you ask Ava, her most rewarding achievement didn’t come from a stat sheet or a trophy. It came during her junior year, when her teammates voted her team captain. They chose Ava because she modeled exactly what it means to be an inclusive, dependable leader.
Remembering the isolation she felt as a freshman, Ava revolutionized the culture of the LT softball program. She made a deliberate choice to play catch with a different teammate at every single practice, using those moments to truly learn about each girl. She brought the team together outside of school, hosting gatherings at her home to weave a tight-knit community. Her former head varsity coach, Megan Quinn, recalls Ava as a completely selfless competitor who repeatedly stepped out of her comfort zone to play unfamiliar positions without a moment’s hesitation, always prioritizing the team’s success over personal spotlight.
Light Attracts Light
Ava’s impact as a “bridge-builder” extended far beyond the diamond. Whether she was helping kids under the age of six learn sportsmanship through the Energizer program, packaging meals for Feed My Starving Children, or driving school spirit through the Lions Den club, Ava consistently showed up as a dependable helper.
In a moving recommendation letter, LT language arts teacher Bradley Anderson described Ava as the “emotional anchor” of his classroom—a student filled with a rare interpersonal grace who listened with intention and lifted the spirits of everyone around her. Having coached two of Kelli’s closest friends on the varsity golf team years ago, Mr. Anderson noted a beautiful truth: “If Ava had been the same age as Kelli… I have no doubt they would have befriended Ava instantly because light attracts light.”
Giving Others a Voice
Growing up attending Highlands, Ava learned about Kelli’s legacy at a young age, carrying an enduring desire to mirror that same radiant kindness and positivity. The adversity Ava encountered and overcame on the athletic field has ultimately shaped her vision for the future.
This fall, Ava will be taking her talents to the University of Kansas, where she plans to major in Speech Pathology. Her ultimate dream is to work in the communication disorders field, transforming her passion for togetherness and acceptance into a career dedicated to helping individuals find their voice and feel understood.
The Foundation is incredibly proud to support Ava with a commitment of $2,000 per year ($8,000 total over four years) as she takes her joyful, purpose-filled spirit to the next level.
Congratulations, Ava! Welcome to the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial family of scholars.
