On Nov. 9, 2016, the first National Signing day of the year will be held in the school’s cafeteria directly after school. Students, families, and friends are welcomed to gather in and celebrate the hard work of East Grand Rapid’s own student athletes and their formal commitments to continue their careers at the college level. Those who attend are encouraged to represent the schools of the athletes who will be signing. It will be a quick ceremony with desserts served afterwards, where Athletic Director, Tim Johnston, will briefly introduce the athletes that will be signing their national letters of intent, a binding contract to pursue their athletic careers into the next level at a particular college. This is the first early period for athletes to sign their letters, and there will be three more by the end of the year, depending on the sport of the athlete.

Of the athletes signing on that day, four will be continuing their sports careers at the Division One level: Justine Banbury ‘17 will be taking her fencing career to Northwestern University, Eleanor West ‘17 will be attending the University of Wisconsin to continue her crew career, Gabby Higgins ‘17 will be going to the University of Wisconsin for swimming, and Ben Keller ‘17 is going to the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, for his lacrosse career. Grant Williams ‘17 will be going to  Lindenwood University, a Division Two school, to continue his diving career.

Gabby Higgins ‘17 is excited to continue her swimming career at the collegiate level and is happy with her decision to attend the University of Wisconsin. “I looked at many schools, including Yale University and Northwestern, but Wisconsin resonated with me most because of the great academics, athletics, and school spirit,” Higgins ‘17 said.

All of these athletes have worked hard for many years to earn their spot on a collegiate team and Nov. 9 is the date that all their effort and hard work pays off.