Desoto independent school district

DeSoto ISD Celebrates Student-Athletes and Families on National Signing Day

Posted on 02/08/2022

Seventeen student-athletes accepted college athletic scholarships Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2022 at DeSoto High School during the school’s annual National Signing Day event.

After being individually announced and marching in with family members, the student-athletes took their seats at tables decorated and carefully crafted with their names and signage of their schools of choice.

The cheers, smiles and laughter proved it was definitely a time of celebration for these volleyball and football signees. A variety of speakers, including coaches and school board members, shared personal sentiments and advice for their futures.

“It’s more than football. If I just teach them football, I have failed them in life. It’s about life. It’s about grooming our young men and young ladies today,” DeSoto ISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Claude Mathis said.

For Malaika Gillespie, mother of football signee Blake Gillespie, the parental excitement was familiar, yet just as meaningful this time around.

“He’s our last baby and everybody has gone to college,” Gillespie said. “Just to know that everybody has the opportunity to get their  education and do what he wants to do playing football, we’re excited for our family.”

For the Gillespies, it will be a family affair at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.

“I’m very excited,” Blake said. “My brother is up there so I get to be with him for another four years.”

Student-athlete Stephon Johnson revealed his decision during the event, commanding cheers from the crowd as he proudly stood and unzipped an all-black jacket, displaying orange and black colors signifying his commitment to play football at Oklahoma State University.

Paine College in Augusta, Georgia volleyball commit Makayla Evans gave a bright smile along with a few parting words. 

“DeSoto ISD it’s been a great run,” Evans said. “Thank y’all for everything, see y’all later.”

Makayla’s mother, Stephanie Rogers, held back tears as she watched the watershed from the grandparents.  

“She’s been playing since the fifth grade,” Rogers said. “For her to get a full-ride to Paine College to finish her collegiate act, I’m super proud.”

Whether following another’s footsteps or stepping out on their own, there’s hope that the accomplishments of all student-athletes celebrated will extend beyond high school.

“Thank you for doing well in DeSoto ISD, in the classroom and on the field. We expect that and more when you go off to college,” DeSoto ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Larry Lewis said. 

As a message to the community, Dr. Lewis added, “We’re proud of them, we love them and just want them to be the best that they can be and represent the Eagles well. As I always say, ‘Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.’” 

Head Volleyball Coach and DeSoto High School Health & PE department chair Rhea Reed feels DeSoto ISD prepares student-athletes for both collegiate athletics and academics. Her desire is that they remain grounded in the next phase of their lives.

“Stay true to who you are, know your foundation and really take with you those values that DeSoto has instilled in you to work hard, to be dedicated and to persevere,” Reed said.

Pride was expressed all throughout the colorful gym.

“It was wonderful seeing our young athletes signing and then being able to go to college,” Mathis said. “They’ve just got to continue to keep their head on straight and continue to do well and continue to fight because life is not easy, but we have to teach them about life, and it’s not all about sports but it’s about life and educating our kids.”

 

The 2022 class of DeSoto High School student-athlete commitments are listed below: