Signing day is a ceremony where student-athletes are celebrated for committing to play a sport for college. Many of our students have built a connection with the sport they play and want to continue it throughout college. Samantha Chen, a senior, has been on Central’s dance team and has committed to dancing in college. 

“I committed to Maryville, I love their campus and the community they have there,” Chen said. 

Chen found that dance has given her an outlet to express herself through movement like no other sport does.

“I’ve been dancing all my life and I’m not ready to give it up yet,” Chen said.

Sean Kang, a senior, found a similar outlet with a different sport. Kang has committed to SIUE, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, to play baseball.

“Baseball is a big part of my life and takes up all my time, but it has taught me many lessons and I’ve made many friends through it,” Kang said.

Making the decision to continue his sport in college was an easy decision for Kang. 

“I fell in love with the sport from the start and I’ve always known that I wanted to play baseball for as long as a possibly could. When I got the choice to play in college it was hands down easiest decision I’ve made,” Kang said. 

 Both Kang and Chen have chosen colleges close to home, hoping to make it easier to balance their sport with school with the support of their family nearby.

“I’m pretty nervous about juggling a schedule that includes both academics and sports but I’m starting to feel more comfortable with the idea since I’m closer to home,” Chen said.

The process of making their college teams was different for the two students. 

“I attended a tryout which basically they had me show the coaches what skills I could do,” Chen said.

Kang’s experience very much differed from Chen’s.

“There was lots of traveling, lots of workouts to get better and lots of talking with college coaches,” Kang said.

Despite the long process, Kang is ready to continue his journey in basketball.

“The best part is that I get to play baseball every day and spend even more time on it then I do now,” Kang said.

Similar to Kang, Chen feels determined to have a good season in dance during college.

“I can’t wait to be on a new team, meet new people and just continue doing what I love the most,” Chen said.

As both athletes see their last day of high school approaching, they also are moving closer and closer to becoming D1 athletes.