“What you’re not changing your choosing,” Varsity Football all around player, Keidran Willis Jr, otherwise known as KJ, notes as he has been named the Brian Piccolo High School Athlete of the Year.
Making Jaguar history, this is the first time an athlete from Pembroke Pines Charter High School has received this award. The Brian Piccolo High School Athlete of the Year award is a highly honored and prestigious award given to high school football players that show excellence on and off the field.
On Thursday, April 10th at 10 am, several athletes, school administrators, and family members of KJ gathered around the main office for this historical award and event.
Alongside this award, he had also received a $1,000 scholarship and along with an invite to attend the Broward County Brian Piccolo Chapter’s Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet, a senior exclusive banquet, and an invite to make a speech at the banquet, which other award recipients, family members, and friends will be in attendance for.
KJ expresses his gratitude, saying, “ I am blessed to receive this award. I thank God and everyone who helped me to get here. I am happy to receive this award, and I am excited for my future.”
Being a leader on the field, KJ led the Jags as captain on the varsity football team since his sophomore year, while being on the team since his eighth grade year.
Shining the most his senior year, Willis led Pines Charter in touchdowns and even ranked 67th in the state for touchdowns, with a total of 18.
Continuing to make history, KJ was named Broward County Athletic Association (BCAA) player of the week and was even featured on live television.
Crediting his dad, Coach Keidran Willis, for his success and his “biggest inspiration, as I have seen the way that he has persevered through life while being a father and teaching me, he has inspired me to keep going.” Coaching KJ throughout his whole life not just as a father but as head coach of the varsity football team.
Coach Willis explains, “KJ is a good kid, it took a lot of hard work, dedication, blood, and sweat, while we did everything possible to make him successful.”
Not just dominating on the field, he also does in the classroom. This is displayed through his GPA of a 5.2, taking AICE and AP classes, and being a part of many school clubs including National Honor Society.
KJ’s story is most certainly not done, as he continues to be a leader and inspire many athletes and students around him. Graduating in less than two months, the impact he has left at Pines Charter on and off the field is historical.
