South Johnston's Kennedy Byrd wins Extra Effort award

"T-R-O-J-A-N-S!" Kennedy Byrd leads a count of jumping jacks as the team takes the field. South Johnston softball begins with her.

"Ever since she came on campus she's made an impact," South Johnston softball coach Ashley Ennis said. "She's pretty easy to coach to be honest with you. She wants to win, she does everything the right way."

Byrd also plays volleyball and basketball at South Johnston. When she's not competing she's volunteering. She's a part of the Trojan Ambassadors program at South Johnston and coaches kids at softball and volleyball camps.

"I just try to stay focused as much as I can," Byrd said. "I love the school, I love the sports I play. So I try to stay focused and locked in at all times."

"She's what you want in a student athlete," Ennis said. "She does an outstanding job in the classroom. She just works, she puts in the effort."

Byrd hopes to end her high school softball career with a win.

"I mean it's senior year, state championship that's in our eyes right now," Byrd said. "It would be amazing honestly."

Next year she'll play softball at Louisburg College. She hopes to be remembered for being a great teammate and leader at South Johnston.

"I love being a leader for my team," Byrd said. "I feel like they look up to me as a senior and I've been a part of this program for four years."

Byrd's work in the classroom and on the field has earned her the Tom Suiter Extra Effort award.

"It means everything," Byrd said. "My coaches, my family, my teammates, my friends everybody it really means a lot for them to encourage me to do this."