Each week News 5 in conjunction with Mountain Area Ford Dealers have showcased some of the finest student-athletes from each participating school named as Scholar Athletes of the Week.
Now that the calendar has shifted into mid-December, it was time to honor the Scholar Athlete of the Year from those chosen.
So on Wednesday morning, Christmas came early in Honaker for Kathryn Jessee - a three-sport athlete set to finish first in her class of 2024 upon graduation.
Very happy. It’s very exciting," said Jessee in happy tears. "I’m thankful for everyone that’s helped me.
With family and school administration alongside, News 5 had the pleasure of surprising Jessee in her second period class - causing a wonderful reaction.
Jessee's athletic journey has been a roller coaster, battling injury after injury with each of her shoulders - which forced her to get two several surgeries. Nonetheless, Jessee managed to be an All-State defender in soccer, an All-District selection in volleyball, and be part of Honaker's state championship basketball team two seasons ago.
“Overcoming that definitely helped me in athletics but then I also carried that same effort in the classroom and all other parts of my life, too," added Jessee. "It showed that I can overcome anything that gets in my way."
But even more impressive was her ability to excel in the classroom and having a constant presence in her community.
"She's a natural leader in so many ways," said Kate's volleyball and basketball coach, Misty Miller. “I could brag on Kate all day. She’s such a pleasure to coach. I’m going to miss her dearly. Just a model student, a model athlete, that any coach would be lucky to have.”
Although Kate is undecided on where she will attend college and bring her $5,000 scholarship with her, she plans on going to medical school to become a pediatrician and come back to serve the Honaker community - surrounded by all of the special people around her.
“I’m just very thankful for my school, my teachers, administrators, all my classmates. Everyone that’s in my life.”