Students and their families gather at the Dr . Jim Vaszauskas Center for Performing Arts to celebrate the athletes ’ commitment to play sports at the collegiate level .
101 ATHLETES COMMIT TO COMPETE IN COLLEGE SPORTS
Katie and Gracie Walker
Family and friends were packed in tight with cameras and phones ready to snap pictures and record video of the more than 100 MISD student athletes who signed a ceremonial letter of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers in college .
Students from MISD ’ s five traditional high schools participated in the district ’ s annual signing day ceremony . National signing day was Feb . 1 , but because of the inclement weather school closure , MISD ’ s annual event was postponed until Feb . 25 .
Julius is headed to Oklahoma State University next fall where he plans to study aviation and play baseball .
Kylie Marshall is ranked the number one girls basketball player in the state of Texas . The Lake Ridge High School senior is committed to Texas A & M University .
“ It just means hard work pays off , and everything I ’ ve done has led up to this point . It ’ s an exciting thing to be here ,” Marshall said .
Kylie Marshall
Blake Julius
Brodrick Stewart
MISD Athletics Director Tammy Lusinger said the athletics program is a tool students use to learn discipline , leadership and other important skills . Both in the classroom and in their chosen sport , these soon-to-be graduates are fulfilling MISD ’ s Vision 2030 — by being life , career and college ready .
“ We talk a lot with our coaches about developing their athletes as human beings because we feel like at some point , depending upon where their athletic careers take them , the human being part is what ’ s going to take over to determine their success ,” Lusinger said .
MISD ’ s signing day event is the celebration that comes after years of hard work , sacrifice and determination – something students look forward to .
“ It ’ s just a really cool experience to be here with all my friends who I ’ ve played with all my life and get to sign with them ,” said Legacy High School ’ s Blake Julius .
Twins Katie and Gracie Walker are captains of the Mansfield High School Lady Tigers swim team . The sisters are committed to Texas A & M , where they plan to room together .
“ When we started swimming about 10 years ago , never did I think we would be swimming D1 in college ,” said Gracie Walker . “ When we went to Aggie swim camp , we thought we would never be able to swim on the team . But , here we are signing and going in the fall so we ’ re super excited .”
Brodrick Stewart received a full ride to Northern Arizona University when he graduates from Summit High School in May . He plans to study neuroscience and said his experiences in MISD prepared him to take the next step .
“ I ’ m ready , they set me up well . The classes , the opportunities , everything ,” Stewart said .
17 MANSFIELDTODAY