Kaila Smith graduated in the Beaufort High School Class of 2013, as the 2013 4A 400M hurdles State Champion, and is also ranked #4 in the U.S. among high school girls in the 400M hurdles.

From May 24-26, Kaila performed at the Central American Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica. Many people and organizations in Beaufort helped her to raise funds to be able to attend the championships via Panama. Kaila’s grandmother, Jannie Smith of Beaufort’s “Jannie’s Bread,” was essential to her money raising efforts through selling raffle tickets at the local Farmers Markets where she sells her baked goods, and for getting donations from her church, Grace AME.

<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/image_1.jpeg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-11645" alt="SONY DSC" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/image_1-242x300.jpeg" width="242" height="300" /></a>Kaila competed on all three days in 11 events total in the Femenino Juvenil A category. She came in first in the 100M hurdles, setting a PR and Central American Jr Record. She also came in first in the 400M hurdles and the 4x100, setting two Central American Jr Records. She came in first in the 4x400, as well as in the Heptathlon, and it was the first time ever competing in this event. She was named the MVP in the Girls 18-19 age group, according to her father and coach, Kenneth V. Smith, a Beaufort High School graduate himself.

Kaila plans to attend Coastal Carolina University in the fall, but during the summer her schedule looks like this:

• June 14-16: 2013 New Balance Outdoor Nationals

• June 20-23: 2013 USA Junior Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships

• July 22-28: 2013 USATF National Junior Olympic Track &amp; Field Championships.