<div style=”width: 480px; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; font-size: small;”>Spring High School National Signing Day 2017<br /> <iframe src=”https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sHqfv_ZtG8VCTJf0MJpVCToL8nQu3QQom-mtXQoEwYY/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000″ width=”480″ height=”389″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=”true”></iframe><br /><hr />Westfield High School National Signing Day 2017<br /> <iframe src=”https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qgqL6E-GPC8GHIYBzabZnnHkptidz7diuGqJZ8jS5mA/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000″ width=”480″ height=”389″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=”true”></iframe><br /><hr />Dekaney High School National Signing Day 2017<br /> <iframe src=”https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1eFvP9o7gIykl3LKalPJ8LnMZhdeuc-DbYX1bUt_ESC4/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000″ width=”480″ height=”389″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=”true”></iframe></div>
<p>HOUSTON – Feb. 1, 2017 – On National Signing Day, Feb. 1, student athletes at three Spring ISD high schools – Dekaney, Spring and Westfield – signed letters of intent to attend universities and participate in collegiate athletic programs. Family, friends, coaches and fellow students gathered to show their support and wish the players well as they look toward the next stage of their athletic and academic endeavors.</p>
<p>Eleven Spring High School student athletes signed letters of intent: baseball player Lance Lusk (Angelina College); football players Deonta Adams (Texas A&M Commerce), Arnezz Archie (Texas A&M Commerce), Davon Blakes (Navarro College), and Jacorey Jackson (Maryville College); soccer player Alessandra Rivera (Prairie View A&M); softball players Caitlin Garcia (University of Louisiana at Lafayette), Lauren Gutierrez (Texas College), and Alyssa Hernandez (Northwestern State University); track athlete G’Auna Edwards (Texas Tech University); and volleyball player Shauntevia Brown (St. Mary’s University).</p>
<p>At Westfield High School, eight football players signed letters of intent: Bryce Cook (Trinity Valley Community College), Jarrett Craig (University Of Houston), Jaylon Garrett (Blinn College), Jeremiah Hadnot (Grand View University), Kerry Johnson (Texas Christian University), Jaylin Martin (Blinn College), Azuka Mgbemena (Sam Houston State University), and Daniel Young (University Of Texas).</p>
<p>At Dekaney High School, five seniors signed letters of intent: football players Le’Verek Scott (Navarro College), Elliott Albert (Navarro College), and Joshuah Bledsoe (University of Missouri); wheelchair basketball player Bryce Cruz (University of Texas at Arlington); and baseball player José Galván (Richland College).</p>
<p>Other student athletes are still considering their options in order to find the best post-graduation fit for them, with additional signing announcements expected over the coming weeks.</p>
<p>“It’s something to be celebrated,” said Spring High School Recruiting Coordinator Chad Johnson, who emphasized National Signing Day as the culmination of many years of concerted effort on the part of Spring ISD student athletes. “It’s about all the hard work they’ve put in, both on and off the field.”</p>
<p>Interim Spring High School Head Coach Trent Miller, meanwhile, gave special mention to parents and family members for their support of student athletes. “They already know how we, as coaches, feel about them; they know we love them. So we really wanted to make the event today about them and their families. Just to be a part of something this special in their lives is rewarding for all of us.”</p>
<p>Westfield Head Coach Matt Meekins applauded the group onstage at his campus, saying, “Scholarships come because of grades and students’ scores on the SAT or the ACT, but most importantly through hard work and sacrifice,” a theme that was emphasized at each of the three schools during Wednesday’s events.</p>
<p>At Dekaney High School, Head Coach Anthony Williams encouraged his players to take the long view when approaching their scholarship and college playing opportunities. Reflecting on the story of senior Bryce Cruz – who took up wheelchair basketball during his high school years and, in addition to earning a college scholarship, has also been invited to participate in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association – Williams said, “I just want to tell Bryce he’s an inspiration for all the Wildcats. He’s an inspiration for me.”</p>
<p>Cruz, in reflecting on his college plans and the path that brought him there, said, “I want to thank everyone who has been here with me. Especially this two, almost three, years in a wheelchair – sticking with me and not going anywhere. I love you.”</p>
<p>Williams concluded by addressing the whole group, saying, “The last message that I’d like to send out to these guys is this: The scholarships are great. Football is great. But that is not the main reason you are going to college. Keep the main thing the main thing. Your primary reason for going to college is to get an education. If you do it the right way and you trust the process, great things will happen for you.”</p>
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