Signing Day. For high school athletes, it is the ultimate sign of success.
The commemorative occasion where seniors can publicly declare their commitment to their chosen college or university was on Feb. 7. On National Signing Day, a group of seniors was graced with this opportunity to represent their community as they move on to bigger and brighter pursuits.
According to NCSA, over 48,000 students sign NLIs each year. It allows seniors reflect on what lessons they’ve learned through high school up to this point and how these lessons would inspire messages to themselves four years ago, at the beginning of their journey as Wildkat athletes.
“I went through losing a few friends during high school and realized that your life can be shorter than you expect, and you should live and love it,” senior Emily Vaughn said. “I would tell myself to not give up and stick it out. Things will get hard but in the end, it will fall into place.”
Vaughn’s future university was inviting as it offered her opportunities for her career path as well as to continue her passion for cheer.
“I chose this school because I love the environment around campus, and going to the cheer clinic, I fell in love with the cheer team and the coach,” Vaughn said. “And the campus is beautiful and has so many opportunities for my nursing career.”
For athletes like Isaac Stafford, continuing the athletic journey is the logical next step, for him and his family, as well as to take advantage of the gifts he was given.
“I have a single parent, so we don’t have the most income per se,” Stafford said. “I was trying to make it easier on her and on me, so I could get the best education possible, but also not put a financial burden on her. I’m blessed to do this, and now I’m using my God-given abilities to pay for my future.”
This signing day was more than just a symbol of commitment, but also a marker of transition into a new chapter in life.
“It is kind of like signing into the next stage of your life,” Stafford said. “You’re not going to normal, public school anymore, you’re going off to college. It’s a new step, new experience, moving a whole state away, so it like a whole new chapter.”
Seniors feel like their sport is something their parents have put an exorbitant amount of money and effort into as well. For Kynlie Chapman, her softball prowess has been years in the making and has made her the person she is today.
“My parents put a lot of money into the sport that I’m in, and this is one way I can pay them back for something they’ve put years of effort and work into,” Chapman said. “I started when I was four years old, so I’ve not only grown physically but I’ve grown mentally, and it definitely made me a better person than what I would’ve been without the sport.”
The declaration of the signing ceremony is a moment of excitement for Chapman. It’s about making her goals a reality and welcoming new opportunities.
“I feel like it’s me making it real that I’m attending this school,” Chapman said . “I’m excited to go to college. I think they’re going to give me more opportunity, and I feel like I’m going to have fun.”
At the end of the day, this ceremony can also serve as a symbol of inspiration for younger Wildkats, and that’s what senior Debraun Hampton is hoping for.
“It gives little kids something to look up to you know, and inspiration that they can do it,” Hampton said. “If I could tell an elementary school kid one thing it would be don’t give up, chase your dreams, it’s not impossible.”
