Butler earns top student award while excelling on court
For Jackson College basketball standout Kaylona Butler, success hasn’t come easy – but it has come in abundance.
The sophomore guard from Toledo, Ohio was recently awarded the 2025 George E. Potter Outstanding Student Award, recognizing her not only as a force on the court but as a leader in the classroom and around campus.
“It really brought me joy because I work hard and all the things that I do just got honored,” she said. “I really appreciated it because I try my best to stay humble and put others before me. I work hard, waking up early in the mornings, getting my workout in, getting my homework done and to make it so somebody noticed it I really appreciated that.”
Butler’s path to Jackson College wasn’t always clear. She admits her high school recruiting journey was tough.
“In high school, I was not the outstanding player, so I was kind of in the background. I was kind of in the shadows. Recruiting didn’t go very well,” she said.
But once head coach Heather Brown and assistant Kristopher Wallace got in contact with her assistant coach at Toledo Christian, she was on the way finding her future home.
“I toured the campus, met some of the girls and I just really enjoyed the experience,” she said. “Out of my senior year of high school, I chose to go to Jackson College, just because Heather Brown and the campus and the people that I met during my tour just really brought me to where I am today.”
Two years later, she is no longer in the shadows. On top of winning Jackson College’s Outstanding Student Award, Butler was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-American Second Team. The honor came after the guard averaged 19.5 points per game, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 43.3 percent from the floor and 82.4 percent from the free throw line.
“Being around the team 24/7 it most like brings like a family vibe that really makes you feel at home and welcome,” she said. “It began with Coach Heather Brown with her positivity and how she pours into her players.”
Outside of her excellence on the basketball court, Kaylona serves as a resident assistant, a student recruiter for Sisters of Strength, is part of the Heritage Center and is a writing fellow.
“Those experiences have really allowed me to connect with people from Jackson College – students, staff, administration – really helped me understand what Jackson is about,” she said. “I’ve created good relationships with people.”
One of those relationships is with Professor Diana Agy whom Kaylona credits as a mentor to her.
“She was my English teach my freshman year and has really been outstanding. Just her comfort level and how she pours into her students. Her support and encouragement throughout my two years here have been incredible,” she said.
Among her favorite memories? Winning the district championship during her freshman year.
“It hasn’t been done before in a while here and being able to win the district against Lansing Community College was really fun,” she said. “We got to make it to the national tournament. That whole experience and that process was really fun being able to experience that with my teammates and coaches.”
Kaylona will be graduating with an associate degree in business administration. She plans on continuing her academic and athletic career at Lourdes University.
