The 2023 senior class has had a rollercoaster of emotions throughout their high school tenure. The world shut down for COVID in 2020, and for almost a year and a half, high school students were learning virtually. Luckily, the pandemic didn’t stop senior Donovan Claiborne from making the most out of his high school experience.

Claiborne has been playing baseball for most of his life and that hasn’t changed throughout high school; he has been a part of the JFK Mustangs baseball team for the last four years. He’s been the ace of the pitching staff, and will be named captain ahead of the 2023 season.

“It was against Brick Memorial,” said Claiborne when he was asked about his favorite baseball moment.

In the first round of the state tournament, the number 15 seed, JFK was set to face Brick Memorial. Claiborne started that game on the mound and went 5.2 innings pitched with four RBIs himself at the plate. The Kennedy Mustangs made headlines when they upset Brick.

Claiborne was lucky enough to share the last two years playing alongside his older brother, Calvin Claiborne. 

“We do everything together… he’s been there to bring me up,” Donovan Claiborne said.

Luckily, the two brothers will have the chance to play together on the field again. Donovan is committed to Rutgers-Newark to play baseball, where his older brother Calvin currently attends.

Claiborne is looking forward to the second semester of his senior year. His goal is to bring home a division or state title championship for JFK.