Anna Jankovic

During her career at Averill Park High School, Anna Jankovic stood out with her athletic and academic achievements, but it was the way she treated others that impressed so many people around her.

That included her coaches, teachers, community members, fellow students — and, in one particular case, the 8-year-old daughter Keira of Averill Park girls’ basketball head coach Sean Organ.

“Keira told me when she is old enough to play school basketball, she wants to be just like Anna,” said Organ, who coached Jankovic during her all-star career that included helping Averill Park to multiple area championships. “Keira explained it is because Anna plays harder than any other player, is nice to her teammates and players on the other team, and [because] ‘Anna always asks me how I am doing in school and in basketball.’

“I can only hope that Keira becomes the student, athlete and compassionate person Anna is.”

Jankovic is one of 10 high school honorees for the second-annual Capital District Sports Women of the Year awards. Her resume sparkles with all types of honors, yet the humble 17-year-old who will play basketball and study biology at D’Youville College in Buffalo said she was “so grateful” to even be considered for Capital District Sports Women of the Year honors.

“I was so excited. It’s a big honor to be the person from our school to be nominated,” Jankovic said, “To be in the top-10, it’s just so cool. I wasn’t expecting it. There’s so many great people out there from the other schools, so I’m very honored to be in the top 10.”

Jankovic starred in basketball, volleyball, and track and field during her years at Averill Park. She also was a high-honor-roll student, a National Honor Society member, and involved in a variety of community and school activities.

Jankovic has spent time working with elementary school-age children, tutoring others and spent three years participating in the high school’s orientation program that helps newcomers.

“I just wanted to make them feel welcome in the school,” Jankovic said.

As a senior, Jankovic wanted to make sure the school’s teachers felt appreciated, too. Through her participation in National Honor Society, she helped lead a drive to make appreciation cards for teachers making the school year possible despite the novel coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions surrounding it.

“We just wanted to show them we were grateful for them, especially this year during the pandemic,” said Jankovic, who won her school’s Al DeShaw Award, which is Averill Park’s highest athletic award and given based on an athlete’s dedication, athletic skills and successes, and character.

After college, Jankovic wants to enter into the medical field. She has “always wanted to be a doctor,” and wants to base her career around helping children.

“I feel like I’m patient and I’m calm,” Jankovic said. “I want to comfort them so they’re not scared.”

Averill Park athletic director Mark Bubniak said he has “no doubt” Jankovic will be successful in whatever she decides to do.

“Anna is an extremely hard worker and work ethic has gotten her to where she is today,” Bubniak said. “She is a great student, talented athlete, and serves her school and community in a variety of ways.”

“With her determination, work ethic and compassion, there is no doubt that Anna will achieve any goals she so desires,” Organ said.