Senior Jeslyn Victor is Captain of the girls lacrosse team and a varsity starter for the girls basketball team. She has 4 years of experience with both the basketball and lacrosse teams here at J.P.
Her basketball career started in 5th grade when she attended the Christian Academy for Girls. Being the only sport offered, she “saw it as the best sport ever and wanted to be a part of it.” Her goal was always to play in high school, and the goal was quickly met in freshman year.
Throughout her high school basketball career, Jeslyn describes the friendships forged as her favorite aspect. She describes them fondly, saying, “These girls are my best friends, and I have had so many good memories with them that will last me a lifetime!” Her senior 2024-25 winter season specifically was a rollercoaster. Despite starting the season with a 3-10 record, the team did not give up like others might have. In fact, Jeslyn said, ”We went on a huge run, making our record 11-12 and shocking many people who viewed us as a bad team.” She also explains the impact of the season on herself, describing it as “a big year for myself, being in the starting lineup and having a vital role on my team to help win games.”
She further describes how, “despite the many upsets, tears, and hardships we went through as a team, this will be my favorite season, as it showed how even in the worst times, there can be change. I will always be grateful for the memories I created with the program.” When speaking about the sport, it is evident that Jeslyn has both given to and received so much from the JPS girls basketball team. For the 2024-2025 season, she earned the Hawk Award for her excellent teamwork.
As for lacrosse, Jeslyn decided to play because her sister had played for J.P. and described the experience as fun, specifically the coaches and the friends she made from the sport. With the help of her friend Senior Parie Modha, she quickly picked up the game and made varsity her freshman year.
Her favorite aspect of lacrosse is the “fun environment created by the players to make sure everyone feels included.” Regardless of wins or losses, the J.P. girls lacrosse team has each other’s back and celebrates both good and bad moments. Going into the spring 2025 season, she is most looking forward to her last season alongside teammates she’s been with since her freshman year. “This season will be so special since it will be my last one,” Jeslyn remarked. Most of all, she’s looking forward to her year for Senior Night and knows her “teammates are gonna do amazing!”
Jeslyn received the Girls Lacrosse Coaches Award for the 2024 season as a junior. The Coaches Award is given to players who possess leadership skills both on and off the field. In response, Jeslyn said it “meant a lot to me, as I did not realize the impact my words had on my teammates.” As for the 2025 season, she continues to be a leader through her position as team captain. She knows she has “a role for my teammates to look up to” and “will continue to be a leader going into my last season.”
Across both sports, she describes the leadership and teamwork skills as valuable lessons. She learned to think on her feet and be there for her teammates despite them giving up hope during losses. Jeslyn further states, “I am so grateful for what I have learned playing these sports.”
Though Jeslyn will not be continuing her basketball or lacrosse careers upon graduating, she emphasizes the love she has for both sports. She explained, “When entering this new chapter of my life, I need to leave behind sports and focus on new opportunities.”
