The Burford twins were a big part of Santa Barbara High winning its fourth straight Channel League boys water polo title this season.
Jaxon Burford stopped the shots as the Dons’ goalie, while Jerrard Burford played in the field and led the team goal scoring.
The pair served as co-captains on a squad that went 25-7 and qualified for in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.
The brothers have made an impact in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community as well.
The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table honored Jaxon and Jerrard as the Scholar Athletes of the Year for Santa Barbara. They were presented the awards at Monday’s SBART Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.
The sons of Jeanine and Jerrard Burford not only share their love of competing in water polo for the Dons, they cherish the experience of doing it together.
Said Jerrard of the unique experience: “I played with my twin brother and best friend all throughout my water polo career, brother in goal and me in the field.”
Jaxon echoed the feeling.
They both played four years of varsity water polo and were members of the 2019 CIF Division 3 championship team. They also compete for the swim team in the spring.
The brothers play club water polo for the Premier Water Polo Club.
There are some differences between the twins. Jerrard’s GPA is a teeny-tiny bit higher than Jaxon’s: 4.9091 to 4.9.
Jerrard’s class load includes Advanced Placement statistics and economics and calculus BC
Jaxon has AP classes in statistics, macroeconomics and English literature.
The pair hold Seals of Spanish Biliteracy, are AP Scholars with Distinction, USA Water Polo Academic All-Americans, and Career Technical Education Pathway finishers from Santa Barbara’s Multimedia Arts and Design Academy.
Jaxon served as a project manager in MAD’s Advertising Agency.
The brothers make a difference in the community. They are both active in the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and started a club on campus, so high school students can connect with children suffering from cancer. They’ve developed community outreach by writing cards and holding bake sales.
The brothers founded the Center for Successful Aging Club at school, which helps high school students connect with senior citizens who are in need of assistance and social contact.
They started the club following the Montecito debris flows tragedy.
Jerrard also started a business club on the SBHS campus. In addition, he’s a member of the Green Club, Direct Relief International and the National Honor Society.
The boys both have an interest in studying business administration in college.
Jaxon is also interested in economics and international relations. Jerrard’s focus is entrepreneurship, with the goal of starting his own company.
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