Time and time again, West Lauderdale’s athletic programs produce quality athletes seeking opportunities beyond the high school playing field. On November 13, West Lauderdale High School hosted its annual Signing Day for senior student-athletes advancing into college athletics. Signing Day is held annually in the high school gym to recognize seniors as they commit to the colleges and universities they will be playing with.

West Lauderdale had eleven seniors commit to play college athletics this year. Amongst the baseball players, Ridge Brown and Carter Horton signed with Meridian Community College. Kayden Peoples and Jacob Wooten signed with East Central Community College, and Hunter Russell signed with East Mississippi Community College. As for soccer, Lillian Anderson, Haley Graham, and Anna Vincent signed with the University of West Alabama, East Central Community College, and Gulf Coast Community College, respectively. Courtney Lewis signed with Jacksonville University for softball. Maddie Kate Bunyard and Lilly Grace Henderson signed with East Central Community College for volleyball and will be a part of East Central’s first volleyball program.

Maddie Kate Bunyard gave insight into her decision-making process:

“I was really in between choosing soccer and volleyball, and I instantly had a connection with [my future coach]. He just made it feel like home and made me really excited before I even committed.”

Bunyard shared that her “love for volleyball” also pushed her to make her final decision. She expressed her excitement about being involved in East Central’s first volleyball program, sharing that she looks forward to “making an impact and leaving a legacy.”

Signing Day was an exciting day for student-athletes, as well as their friends and families, as it gave them the opportunity to reflect on their athletic careers and anticipate the steps they plan to take in the future.