Jasper ISD Reflects on the Legacy of the Burt Family One Year After the Loss of Coach Ayden Burt

A legacy of love and leadership: Coach Ayden Burt and her father, David Burt.

As the one-year anniversary of Coach Ayden Burt’s passing approaches, Jasper ISD Superintendent John Seybold issued a heartfelt statement honoring not only Coach Burt, but the larger legacy of the Burt family—a name deeply woven into the history and heart of the school district.

In the year since Ayden’s death, the community has also mourned the loss of her father, Mr. David Burt, a longtime educator, principal, and coach who spent decades shaping lives within Jasper ISD.

“Together, along with David’s parents and Ayden’s grandparents, Sammie and Billy Burt,” wrote Seybold, “the Burt family served Jasper ISD for an extraordinary 105 years. Their collective impact on our district and community is immeasurable.”

Coach Burt was known not only for her leadership and dedication to students, but also for her pride in her roots. In a message that still resonates throughout the district, she once wrote:

“I am proud to say I was a Jasper kid. I am going to set an example for the present Jasper kids that they too can be proud of where they come from.”

Those words now stand as a testament to her life’s mission—serving as a mentor, role model, and relentless supporter of Jasper’s youth.

The Burt family’s impact continues through several lasting tributes:

• The Rose Garden at Jasper Junior High, planted in Ayden’s memory.

• The Ayden Burt Memorial Scholarship, supporting graduating seniors.

• And the soon-to-be-completed Burt Family Strength & Conditioning Facility, made possible by the Texas High School Coaches Association and Fin Ewing’s Iron Sharpens Iron Foundation.

“While we continue to grieve their loss,” Seybold said, “we remain committed to honoring their remarkable legacy and the countless lives they touched—students, colleagues, and community members alike.”

As the Jasper community moves forward, the Burt name will continue to be synonymous with pride, purpose, and Bulldog spirit.