TAYLOR, Texas — It’s Homecoming at Taylor High School and Jarvis Anderson has certainly garnered a few votes for king these past two years.
"I just feel involved,” Anderson said.
Taylor ISD has worked to provide Anderson with a daily ASL interpreter and other support services to help him comfortably acclimate to this school system. With this tremendous educational and athletic support system, the Ducks Class 4A track and football star has flourished.
"I just keep going, that's who I am,” Anderson said.
However, when you’re born deaf, there will always be doubters — and the 4.4 two-way speeder is using his senior season to prove he belongs among the best.
"You can watch me and look at me and see my performance,” Anderson said.
As one of the nation’s best in the high school boys triple jump and hurdles, Anderson knows there’s a realistic path to college in those events. However, playing football too would be the dream.
"I never felt awkward, I am who I am,” Anderson said. "I'm deaf, I have something to prove."
Those who’ve stood witness to his inspirational journey believe it’s time for others to look beyond any perceived athletic disabilities and let the results speak for themselves.
"It's time for these coaches to acknowledge that he's one of the best athletes in Central Texas,” Jarvis’ father, T.L. Garner said.
Anderson has worked hard to build a rapport with his current Ducks coaching staff and ways to communicate effectively during practice and games. Defensive coordinator and track and field coach, Earven Flowers, believes he’s talented enough to have 25 Division I scholarship offers, instead of two (Stephen F. Austin and Austin Peay).
“If this kid could hear he’d be a four-star prospect, no doubt in my mind,” Flowers said. “There are guys in this area that are rated pretty high. They can’t outrun him, out jump him and go to the stats, can’t make plays like him.”
Off to a 3-2 start to this season, head coach Brandon Houston has credited Anderson with helping to play a pivotal leadership role on and off the field.
"He can communicate so well, he makes you at ease with the conversation,” Houston said. “So it has been a joy to view things from his perspective."
Blocking out the noise has never been an issue for Jarvis Anderson. He’s too busy making it for those who’ll follow.
“I bring to my team to think positively and get in a good mindset,” Anderson said. “I feel honored that people look up to me and it feels good to be a player and to have that kind of inspiration.”