LONGWOOD, FLA – There is no one specific way to show someone love. It comes in different forms and is sometimes unexpected.

The best kind is one that is unconditional.

That’s what Carly Burns and the entire Lyman High School community put out during this historic 2022 campaign. The Greyhounds clinched a winning record for the first time since 2009.

“It means a lot and not just for us but the community around us,” said head coach Jermel Jones. “They haven’t had the excitement of being this good in years or over a decade.”

It only took one month for the program to show their love to one of their newest and most celebrated members, Ja’Brea Joiner.

During a Friday afternoon pep rally, Burns, the school’s athletic director, proudly states what this year is all about.

“Our entire season was dedicated to our athletic trainer, Miss Ja’Brea Joiner, who was diagnosed with leukemia. She’s in the hospital fighting and so the players and coach Jones came to me and said can we dedicate our season to Miss J and we said absolutely.”

“Honestly I was surprised,” Joiner said over a virtual interview. “I had literally been at Lyman for like a month. I guess I just never really knew the impact I had on the kids.”

Joiner was welcomed to the Lyman family just this summer. Her effect goes well beyond taping ankles and ice packs. She’s a friend, mentor and in a lot of ways big sister to her training staff.

“I’ve never connected with an adult so easily before so when she left it really affected all of us because it was just different without her,” said junior Mackenzie Morrow.

“In the short amount of time she was here we’re still applying those things,” said senior Lireyli Cintron. “We miss her very much.”

While she endured two rounds of chemotherapy over the last two months, her training girls and Burns stepped in as best as possible. Prior to becoming the Greyhounds athletic director, Burns was the school’s athletic trainer.

It’s back to her roots in a time of need.

“Even after an 80-hour work week I go home and I’m tired, I’m doing it for Miss J and she would do anything to be here right now so that keeps me going.”

The spirit of ‘Miss J’ guided the Greyhounds to a district title match with rival Oviedo last month. It was a 43-13 loss on Friday, October 21. That same morning felt like a victory for Joiner when she was released from the hospital.

“When they told me on Wednesday that I was going home on Friday I was very excited,” Joiner said. “My rules are pretty much the same. I can’t be around too many people, but it’s a blessing to be home.”

Her fight goes on and she continues to explore all options. She knows she’s not alone as she has the unconditional love of her Lyman family.

“Honestly just a big thank you. To have your job, your boss, your coworkers, your students your athletes to be behind you 100% means a lot.”