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Killeen ISD hosts virtual signing day for 45 student-athletes

The signings took place virtually. Each campus athletic coordinator spoke at the district’s administration boardroom to introduce individual coaches and students.

KILLEEN, Texas — Killeen Independent School District’s four high schools celebrated the ceremonial signings for 45 seniors scheduled to continue their education and athletics at the college level in a live-streamed social media session Wednesday.

The signings took place virtually, and each campus athletic coordinator spoke at the district’s administration boardroom to introduce individual coaches and students. They signed national letters of intent in their homes, with family members cheering in the background.

Harker Heights High School began the series of four sessions with 17 student-athletes.

In the end, Harker Heights Athletics Coordinator Jerry Edwards and his fellow coaches in the boardroom cheered for the athletes and successful conclusion of a unique signing process.

“It was a different way to honor and recognize our athletes,” he said. “These students have represented our school and the community. We’re proud of them.”

While the online version was not preferred, Edwards pointed out that he noticed how families decorated their living rooms just as they normally decorate tables for traditional ceremonies in school gyms and auditoriums.

He also said that athletes learn to adapt to challenges in the competitive arena, in the classroom and even in the midst of a disruptive global virus.

After Ellison High School’s 10 student-athletes signed, Athletic Coordinator Todd Wright noted the talented group represented everything admirable about high school athletes moving on to college.

“They have been a part of everything,” he said. He noted that one won a state championship, that more than one competed in multiple sports, another participated in band and other activities. “Talented kids get signed,” he said.

Wright, seated with three other Ellison coaches, smiled and laughed at times as highlight videos aired and students signed. 

“You could see the smiles of parents. You want them to have that energy. Seeing the families all together and their fancy backdrops is fun to see,” Wright said.

Six Killeen High School student-athletes signed letters of intent to the praise and applause of their coaches and other guests.

“This is a time when we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we do know about the work these athletes have put in,” KHS Girls Basketball Coach and Assistant Campus Athletic Coordinator Jennifer Graham said.

“We don’t forget our kids,” she said. She noted that this year’s unusual format actually made the signings available to a larger audience than ever before.

“It was great,” she said. “To see them in good spirits. The parents have always been there and they were there today.”

Shoemaker High School finished the district’s four-part virtual signing ceremony with 11 student-athletes.

“These kids sacrificed far more than just during high school,” Shoemaker Athletic Coordinator Toby Foreman said. “You set a goal at a young age and it’s a lot of work. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do it in person. It’s a great attribute to our administration we could get it done in this way.”

Like all the coaches at every school, Foreman and his staff laughed along with students and their family members during the streamed ceremonies. 

“I thought it was pretty cool we could see our students and parents in their home settings. It’s exciting for the families, for their friends, and for all the coaches,” Foreman said.

Superintendent John Craft also praised the student-athletes and their families. He noted that the seniors would soon graduate and put into practice the skills they have learned in sports and in working through the unique challenges of the end of their senior year.

“You have learned to deal with adversity,” Craft said. “Don’t let anything slow you down in achieving your highest aspirations in life.”

Harker Heights:
Andre Gebhardt - Football - Trinity University
Cynaye Bobbitt - Basketball - Western New Mexico University
Celise Bobbitt - Basketball - Weatherford College
Brielle Dorsey - Basketball - University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Princess Roberts - Basketball - Southwestern University
Ryan Chamberlain - Basketball - Central Baptist College
Saniya Keeton - Track - Tuskegee University
Zach Brown - Track - Jacksonville College
Lindsey Ratcliffe - Softball - Hill Junior College
Kaycee McDowell - Softball - Southwestern Assemblies of God
Ja’Lynn Swiney - Softball - Texas Southern University
Chardinee Hunkin - Softball - Kansas Wesleyan University
Ethan Villa - Soccer - Penn State Greater Allegheny University
Gabriel Silva - Soccer - Washington Adventist University
Vincent Mbo - Soccer - Finlandia University
Carlos Ruiz - Soccer - Paris Junior College
Andre Rich - Soccer - Midwestern State University

Ellison:
Janissa Ortiz Acosta - Girls XC - East Texas Baptist University
KJ Wilkerson - Football - Texas Lutheran
Chyra Thompson - Volleyball - University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Arrianna Faulks - Basketball - Schreiner University
Mylaiysha Norman - Basketball - Kansas Christian College
Alina Simon - Basketball - Western New Mexico University
Di’Ambria Whyte - Basketball - University of North Texas at Dallas    
Ethan Buchanan - Soccer - University Mary-Hardin Baylor
Daniela Barrantes-Perez - Soccer - Salem College
Stacy Brown - Track - University of Texas

Killeen:
Rhepsey Wyman - Basketball - Trinidad State Junior College
Taniya Harrison - Basketball - Blinn College
Kalia Wilborne - Track & Basketball - Southwestern College
Makayla Garner - Track - Missouri Valley College
Kelvin Coker - Wrestling - Texas Wesleyan
Michael House - Basketball - Howard Payne

Shoemaker:
Ariana Laboy - Soccer - Navarro Junior College
Jesus Encarnacion Pagan - Baseball - Concordia University at Austin
Justin Winters - XC/Track - Oklahoma City University
Deonna Roberts - XC/Track - Huston-Tillotson University
Viveca Henry - XC/Track - North Central Texas College
Alex Duran - Track - Texas Weslyan
Trinity Smith - Basketball - Southwestern College - Kansas
Amaya Coakley - Basketball - State Fair College - Missouri
Destiny Tollette - Basketball - Bethel College - Kansas
Nassir Kirk - Basketball - Solano Community College
Devin Owens - Football - Northern Arizona University
Israel Alexander - Football - Tabor College

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