Ja’Kenya Hoskins (left) celebrates graduation with sister Ja’Tarya. (Photo courtesy Hoskins family)
Her impact goes far beyond mere stats.
Ja’Kenya Hoskins, like her siblings before her, is a naturally talented athlete, to be sure.
Even with the loss of competition inflicted by a worldwide pandemic, the youngest of the four Hoskins children had a sizable impact for Coupeville High School sports teams.
She made it to the state championships as a mere freshman — running a leg on a 4 x 200 relay unit which claimed 3rd place in Cheney — then came back around to qualify for three events as a senior.
Only a 9th grader and already one of the fastest runners in the state. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Entirely denied a sophomore season by Covid, then restricted by a cut-down junior campaign, Ja’Kenya roared back into the spotlight during her final go-round.
With the state meet back in place for the first time in three years, she earned a place at the starting line in the 200, 4 x 100, and 4 x 200, capping a memorable run in the red and black.
Across what essentially amounted to 2.5 seasons of competition, Ja’Kenya competed in six different events, from sprints to relays to flinging herself airborne in the long jump.
All while looking like she was having the time of her life every day, every meet, every practice.
But Ja’Kenya was far from a one-sport athlete, as she gleefully rumbled on the basketball court — both for school and non-school teams.
Ja’Kenya touches the ceiling. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Her long arms yanking down rebounds, she would spin, hit the gas pedal, and lead mad charges down the floor, crashing pell-mell through rivals on her way to the hoop.
When Ja’Kenya was on the fly, bodies would hit the floor — often her own — and through it all, she wore a huge smile, a trail of giggles coming from her as she surveyed the damage left in her wake.
The youngest Miss Hoskins is the giddiest one of the bunch, and her enjoyment of sports, and of life, has always been a huge part of her success.
But like I said — we can look at the stats, the times and distances, the points and rebounds, and it would give us just a partial view of what makes Ja’Kenya so special.
To fully appreciate her impact, to realize why she is so well-liked and why she will be fondly remembered long after she’s moved on to conquer new worlds, you have to marinate in her personality.
To pay tribute to how Ja’Kenya is one of the sunniest, kindest, smartest, strongest young women to ever grace Coupeville with her presence.
The first time I noticed her impact was when she was boppin’ through her middle school days.
Basketball season arrived, and with it, the Ja’Kenya Love Fest began.
Every time another school would arrive in the CMS gym, the screaming and whooping would begin, as, invariably, most of her “rivals” would throw their bags into the bleachers and sprint to the other side of the floor to madly hug Miss Hoskins.
Everyone knew Kenny, and everyone loved Kenny, and she loved them back.
She seemingly knew every name, remembered every face, and embraced her celebrity, dispensing love and joy and getting it right back.
Sure, a half hour later she might be in the thick of a fight for a rebound, her windmilling elbows slicing off the head of anyone in the vicinity.
But that was just part of the game, part of being a competitive hardcourt warrior, and just about every girl who got dropped by a Ja’Kenya elbow accepted their fate blissfully.
Her energy, and entertainment value, carried over to her later years, and I also saw a different side of her when she ran the clock during high school soccer games.
Yes, the fact she had the barest concept of what a video store was — proving once and for all time that my Videoville days are truly long gone, was a wee bit disturbing.
“But I’m sure I would have loved it!” she said, and if we ever build that time machine, Ja’Kenya would surely be one of the all-time great employees in a different timeline.
Once she stopped laughing over the idea people were watching movies on something called a VHS tape…
A star is born, waving to her future fan club. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
It was in the press box where I came to fully appreciate how truly kind Ja’Kenya is, as she had something genuinely positive to say about everyone.
Well, except for maybe that one rival soccer player who riled her up when they hip-checked Wolf sparkplug Cael Wilson from behind, sending him sprawling.
“I will throw hands if you make me come down there!!!!,” she blurted before realizing her microphone was still in the on position and dissolving into a giggle fit.
Of course, if a riled-up Miss Hoskins had thrown open the press room door and sprinted for the field, telling her fists “Mic check! One! Two!” the reality is the rival player on the field would have probably looked up and yelled “Ja’Kenya!!!!! Remember me? From middle school?????”
You know it. I know it. We all know it.
Hard to truly be a bad-ass enforcer when everyone is your best friend.
Ja’Kenya is a positive force of nature, shooting good vibes out into the world, and all of us should try and be more like her.
In the long stretches between scoring plays (it’s soccer…) she talked about her job, how the pandemic changed school, her trip to Washington, DC with her sisters, Jai’Lysa and Ja’Tarya, even her thoughts on the universe.
Her stories are entertaining, her giggles epic, and her heart bigger than you can imagine.
Embracing challenges, reaching every goal, just being the best darn version of herself possible, Ja’Kenya is a rare gem.
This time, she’s the senior star. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
All of her siblings are talented, standouts in both athletic and academic worlds, and Coupeville is blessed the Hoskins family chose this cow town to be their home.
Today we induct Ja’Kenya into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, where she joins her sisters — older brother Will played during my video store days, so he’s the lone Hoskins I never covered in person.
After this, if you bounce up to the top of the blog and look under the Legends tab, you’ll find the trio hanging out and classing up the joint.
It’s not going to be the last time someone honors Ja’Kenya.
I have no doubt she will go on to light up the real world — the one beyond her prep sports days — wowing everyone she meets with her grace and kindness, her joy and wonder.
Miss Hoskins the 3rd has a rare talent of making everyone around her feel better, of bringing light and love into the lives of others, and I hope it is always reflected back to her.
You are a truly amazing young woman, Ja’Kenya, a bright, shining star and you deserve all the props.
Ja’Kenya and Izzy Wells, forever friends. (Katy Wells photo)
Coupeville Sports 