MIDLAND, Texas — Being a student athlete at any level is not easy. Having to juggle academics and sports can create plenty of challenges, and for one Midland High School junior, she is doing more than just the two.
Jess Ikporo is actually a student athlete musician. Not only is she a stellar student, but she’s also found success on the basketball court and with the orchestra.
From playing the violin to posting up on the hardwood.
“As long as I’m coaching, I would love to have a lot of Jess Ikporo’s, because that’s just who she is," said Olivia Pyburn, Girls' Athletic Coordinator and Head Women's Basketball Coach.
But there is only one Jess Ikporo.
“I have practice, but then I'll go home and then I have to go practice my violin while also having to do homework; but it all works out," Jess said.
As Jess balances the two, she also sees similarities.
“We all individually practice on our own different, separate things, but it all comes together," Jess said. "In orchestra we all have our own concerts and performances, and then everything we do in basketball, it all comes together during games and stuff like that.”
Jess has made quite the impact on Coach Pyburn.
“Sometimes I look at her like she’s my motivation to keep going just because of the balance that she upholds; because it’s a very rigorous program here in basketball that she’s having to learn, and then obviously the expectation of learning her music on the orchestra platform as well is huge, and I think being a junior and being able to do that says a lot about her," Coach Pyburn said.
Jess appreciates the people she meets in basketball and the challenge that playing orchestra music presents.
Nikesha Hailey-Hicks is the Head Orchestra Director for the Midland High Theatre System, and she has seen Jess’ growth.
“She started out in being in the symphony group, and now she’s in the symphony group and she’s in the top varsity chamber group," Director Hailey-Hicks said. "She’s advanced by sitting in first chair in the second violin [and] she’s grown as becoming a leader in the orchestra.”
Leadership that impacts success.
“Being a leader is very important in both things because it sets the tone for how things are going to go in concerts and during basketball," Jess said.
Steady hands on the strings and firm hands on the floor, those two loves are getting Jess ready for whatever her future has in store.
“If she can take the lessons that she’s learned about being involved in two things that require a lot of her time -- and finding the balance and time to be successful at both -- she’s going to blow life away," Coach Pyburn said.
Jess noted that both Coach Pyburn and Director Hailey-Hicks help her balance the two and not slack off with either of them. She also mentioned that basketball and orchestra keep her on her toes when it comes to staying focused on her grades as well.