Why Mary H. started running at Ferguson Junior High is simple: her friends were doing it. When they stopped, she kept going. Apparently that's the mantra for Mary, a distance runner at Arlington High School who has signed a letter of intent to attend the Texas A&M University - Commerce in the fall.
Mary was joined Wednesday morning at the Mac Bernd Professional Development Center by 63 other Arlington ISD students who will take their athletic talents to universities across the country, from Duke University (Martin High School's Nick H. for baseball) to TCU (Bowie High School's Kolby L. for football) to Tarleton State University (Lamar High School's Mason W. for cross country).
"This is their day," said Arlington football and track coach Rick Keith. "Through their efforts, this is what happens. They get a chance to continue a sport they love at a school they want to attend and do it without the usual financial concerns. It doesn't get much better than that."
Seguin senior Jacovan O. didn't think he could afford Bethany University, which is tucked away in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Northern California, if it weren't for his football scholarship. Now he'll get a chance to continue his playing and plan for a marketing career.
"Football is sort of ingrained in me," said Jacovan, whose father played for the University of Oklahoma. "My dad always said don't worry what school you go to, just put your heart into it, study, and the opportunities will come."
During the AISD National Signing Day celebration, each school was called with the signees trotting up on stage to receive congratulations from Superintendent Jerry McCullough and school board members. From there they signed their letters of intent and took a flurry of photos with their parents, coaches and friends.
"This is a good time to thank those who supported you - your parents, coaches, teachers, administrators who gave you a pat on the back," Board Vice President Bowie Hogg told the students. "This is also a time when you make the mark to take your future forward. The great thing about a college scholarship is that no one can take the education away from you."
For Jazmyne S., a Martin soccer player who signed with the University of Pennsylvania, she wants to pursue architecture.
"I'm just so excited," she said. "I've been playing soccer since the age of four. I played select. I worked hard with Martin. Now this. It's just awesome."
Pictured: Martin soccer player Jazmyne Simmons, coach Ruth Knight, and parents John and Bless Simmons take a picture during the National Signing Day celebration. Jazmyne will attend the University of Pennsylvania.
Arlington ISD
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