Signed, Sealed, Determined
Seven seniors officially signed to play sports at the next level on March 8 which showcased a wide variety of sports.
3:10. The bell rings. The hustle and bustle of after school life begins. However, this day is different. Several parents rush around the New Grande Salle with cakes, cookies and balloons. Tables are set up and covered in collegiate, colorful table cloths. Students wait in anticipation for the ceremony. Families arrive and suddenly a stampede of girls rush into the gym. Six tables are lined up in the gym. Seven girls take their seats. The ceremony begins.
Seven seniors began a new journey in their lives March 8 as they signed their National Letter of Intent to play sports at the collegiate level. The sports represented were soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, rowing and basketball. Not only was this one of the larger signing ceremonies, it also presented a wide variety of sports among the girls. Sophomore Meghan Frerking attended the signing and thought it was unique because of the variety of sports showcased.
“I thought [the signing] was different since there were a lot of people [signing] versus the normal three or four,” Frerking said.
Out of the seven girls, Stephanie Ostrander, Izzy Romano and Alexis Cutrera, signed to play soccer in college. Ostrander will continue at Rockhurst University, Romano will continue at Northwest Missouri State University and Cutrera will continue at The University of Evansville. Molly McEnerney signed with Benedictine College to play lacrosse, Lauren Dwyer signed to Hendrix College for volleyball, Camille Keane signed with Washington University (St. Louis) to play basketball and Erin Mills signed with Kansas State University to row.
Because of the large group size, there was a variety of speakers during the ceremony. Each player had about one to three coaches or mentors speak on their behalf. Varsity Soccer Coach Matt Darby, Varsity Volleyball Coach Robert Lampen, Assistant Varsity Lacrosse Coach Jim McEnerney, Varsity Swim Coach Kelly Timson and Varsity Basketball Coach Leslie Berger spoke for each of their players.
During the ceremony that lasted around one hour, each player got the chance to be recognized for their accomplishments by teachers, coaches, mentors and even friends. Assistant Athletic Director and P.E. teacher Kate Pilgreen was amazed by the amount of girls signing and thought that it was phenomenal.
“[The amount of girls signing] shows that Sion can be a powerhouse when it comes to athletics and that the senior class is so athletic in itself,” Pilgreen said. “It really speaks to what they’re capable of and how competitive they are and their drive.”
Senior Camille Keane, accompanied by her parents Paul and Patty Keane, signs her National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Washington University in St. Louis.
Senior Erin Mills, accompanied by her father, Todd Mills, signs her National Letter of Intent to row at Kansas State University. According to Mills, she plans on majoring in engineering and minoring in business.
Senior Molly McEnerney hugs her father and coach, Jim McEnerney, before signing to play lacrosse at Benedictine College.
Senior Lauren Dwyer, accompanied by her parents, Terry and Patty Dwyer, laughs as Volleyball Head Coach Robert Lampen speaks about her time on Varsity Volleyball. Dwyer signed her National Letter of Intent to play volleyball at Hendrix College.
Senior Alexis Cutrera listens to teammates tell stories about her time on the Sion soccer team.
Senior Izzy Romano signs to play soccer at Northwest Missouri State University.
Senior Erin Mills and her parents, Todd and Anne Mills, listen to swim and dive coach Kelly Timson speak about Erin’s time on the swim team.
Senior Camille Keane thanks her parents, friends and coaches for helping her achieve her goal of playing basketball in college. She signed to play basketball for Washington University in St. Louis.
Coach Leslie Berger speaks about senior Camille Keane’s contributions to the Sion basketball team this season.
Peter Arch, Alexis Cutrera’s club soccer coach, speaks about Cutrera’s drive and dedication to soccer.
Juniors Zoé Trouvé and Angela Neunuebel share memories of Sion soccer with the crowd.
Senior Beth Borgmeyer tells stories about her and Izzy Romano when they used to play grade school soccer together.
Alumna Anna Romano speaks about her younger sister, Izzy, signing to play at Northwest Missouri State
Senior Stephanie Ostrander, accompanied by her parents Cyndi and Bud Ostrander, signs her letter of intent to play soccer at Rockhurst University.
Senior Lauren Dwyer speaks about how she’s looking forward to playing volleyball at the next level and thanks her coaches and family for all their support.
Senior Molly McEnerney’s mother, Sarah McEnerney, hugs her as her father, Jim McEnerney, talks about Molly’s love for lacrosse and how proud of her he is.
Jim McEnerney, senior Molly McEnerney’s father, speaks about Molly’s love for lacrosse.
Swim Head Coach Kelly Timson speaks about how Erin Mills was a leader on the swim team.
Senior Camille Keane’s basketball trainer, Victor Williams, talks about the honor of seeing Keane and her siblings grow as basketball players.
Senior Izzy Romano and her father, Tony Romano, laugh at the stories being told by Izzy’s teammates.
Senior Alexis Cutrera and her mother, Maria Cutrera, listen as Varsity Soccer Coach Matt Darby talks about Alexis’ actions on the soccer field.
Senior Stephanie Ostrander and her mother, Cyndi Ostrander, laugh as Ostrander’s KC Fusion Soccer Coach, John Almelda, tells as story about her joining his team. Ostrander signed her National Letter of Intent to play soccer for Rockhurst University.