Jazmine Franklin, lighting up the universe every day. (John Fisken and Jazmine Franklin photos)
Most days at Coupeville High School, it seems like there are two suns hung in the heavens.
There’s the real sun, and then there’s Jazmine Franklin, who easily outshines the star above.
The Wolf senior, who celebrates her birthday today, radiates pure joy every time I see her.
Even when she’s fully invested in playing the role of a stone cold killer while posing for photos with cheer running mate/best bud Maddy Neitzel, Jazmine can’t help it — she makes the world a happier place with her presence.
Frankly, there’s nothing Franklin can’t accomplish when she sets her mind to it (at least as far as I’ve seen).
Bouncing madly from cheer to tennis to guiding the school’s executive board, she nails everything she does, while dispensing dollops of joy everywhere she goes.
Every single time I have seen Jazmine, the first thing you notice is how everyone in her immediate vicinity is smiling. It never fails.
She seems to bring out happiness in others, and she remains one of the most enduring fans her fellow Wolf athletes have.
If there’s an event, she’s there, game in, game out, and not just for a quick moment or two.
She’s loyal to her friends and classmates and backs them every step of the way.
Based on what I see and hear, I can’t help but think that, as talented as she is now, we have only begun to see the tip of what Jazmine will accomplish.
We turn around a few years from now, as she wows the entire world, and it will be easy to say, “Told you so.”
I don’t see any limits on where she goes and what she accomplishes.
Miss Franklin is truly one of those rare people who will soar as high as she chooses to reach.
And the best part is, how happy all of us will be for her, because she emits such serene joy into the universe and deserves to receive it back.
Happy birthday, Jazmine.
I hope your cake day is an awesome one, and I hope you keep spreading joy for many more.
Coupeville Sports 