Jaylon Saxon and Haley McNeill of Durant High School have been selected as the Shamrock Bank Impact Athlete and Performing Arts Students of the month for February 2024.
Saxon, who participates in basketball, football and soccer is a repeat honoree who was first selected in December 2022.
Jaylon is a three-year starter on the DHS varsity basketball team.
“If I could sum Jaylon up. He is a competitor and a team leader,” Lions basketball coach Aaron George said. “He is really aggressive and has some glue to him. He really keeps us together.”
The 6’0, senior has led the team in the scoring the past two seasons averaging 13 points per game. A model of consistency, Saxon scored in double figures 13 times and tallied 20 points on four different occasions this season. He also served as point guard directing the team on the floor.
Saxon has been something else on the football field.
He was a three-year starter at quarterback who also played in the defensive secondary and served as the Lions punter. His 2023 offensive numbers were impressive. Jaylon completed 83-115 passes for 1159 yards and 15 touchdowns with just six interceptions.
A winner of the Durant Lumber Company Hard Hat twice during his varsity career, Saxon picked off six passes this fall and was named the Class 5A-district 3 safety of the year and a 5A-All Star on defense by the Oklahoma Coaches Association. He also punted 34 times with a respectable 34 yards per punt average.
In addition, Jaylon was a member of the Academic State Champion soccer team.
A star in the classroom, as well. Saxon has compiled a 3.9 grade point average and is a member of the Indian Honor Society. His future plans are to attend college with a focus on Real Estate and Safety.
Jaylon’s mother is Nicole Tucker and step-father, Kyle Tucker. His father is Justin Saxon and he has a brother, Jordan Saxon and a sister, Sophie Saxon.
Haley McNeill is a highly accomplished member of the DHS Varsity Choir and DISD Music Theatre.
She is a section leader in DHS choir and uses her talents to teach notes, rhythms and general music to her classmates. She also leads daily vocal routines and actually teaches some her classmates how to sing.
The list of Haley’s choir honors is long and impressive.
+2017, 2018 Seiling Music Festival superior in vocal solo and ensemble
+SE All-District Honor Choir 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
+Superior OSSAA District Vocal Solo and Ensembles 2019, 2020
+Superior OSSAA District and State Vocal Solo and Ensembles 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
+Oklahoma High School all-state Chorus 2023,2024
+Oklahoma Junior high all-state Chorus 2021
+SW American Choral Directors Region, National Honor Choir 2020, 2022, 2024
+National American Choral Directors 10-12 grade National Honor Choir 2023
The senior’s musical theatre credits include “Tarzan”, “All Shook Up”, as the Evil Stepmother in “Cinderella”, Ms. Hannigan in “Annie” and as Gertrude McFuzz in “Suessical.”
Haley is active in the First Baptist Church of Durant and sometimes will lead the music at the Wednesday night and Sunday worship service and during special occasions . In addition, she sings in the community at various functions and for groups.
She has recorded a 3.7 grade point average and will pursue Music Education, Vocal Pedagogy, Vocal Music Performance, and Musical Theater in college. She is unsure of her college destination.
Haley’s parents are Garry and Heather McNeill.
She has two sisters, Reeselyn and Brynlee, and one brother,Garrison.
Congratulations to Jaylon Saxon and Haley McNeill the Shamrock Bank Impact Athlete and Performing Arts Students of the Month for February 2024.
