CV Athletes Take Part in National Signing Day
Six athletes from Castro Valley High School held a ceremony last Wednesday to celebrate their commitments to the colleges and universities that have recruited them into their respective sports programs.
Those participating included Taylor Hodges (soccer), Kai Liebowitz (rowing), Natalia Perez (water polo), Gabriella "Gabby" Schirado (volleyball), Gabriella Tavares (softball), and Kyndal Todd (softball).
More than 100 people—families, friends, and coaches—packed the Center for the Arts Expo Hall to cheer on their students as they signed a letter accepting offers of a spot on a team next school year. Balloons, banners, flowers, and sports equipment adorned the signing tables. Each student and many of their supporters wore t-shirts, hoodies, and hats in the colors and insignia of the schools they will attend in the fall.
"What you see before you is the dedication of these students and their balance of family, school, and sports," CVHS Athletic Director Kathleen Stacy said during the signing ceremony.
Each student was introduced by their coach with a few words about how each one will be missed and how much of an impact they had in their respective sport. Each year the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) estimates that 48,000 high school seniors participate in National Letter of Intent and National Signing Day ceremonies.
"A lot of work goes into not only being an athlete but a great student and a leader," CVHS Principal Christopher Fortenberry told the Forum. "It's a fantastic day for Castro Valley High School and for high school sports. We're very proud of these students and their accomplishments."
Of the six students, Hodges will play soccer at Sonoma State University and study psychology. Liebowitz will be on the rowing crew at the University of California, San Diego, where he'll major in public health and hopes to one day be a doctor.
Perez has signed up with Orange Coastal College to play water polo and study criminology. Schirado will be playing volleyball at Moorpark College in Ventura County, where she plans on studying animal behavior.
Tavares signed up to attend the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP) in the fall to play softball and study sociology. Todd will play softball for the University of California, Berkeley, where she will study forensic science.
Unlike past signing ceremonies, this year's students had a tough time getting in front of athletic recruiters because the COVID pandemic restricted much of their playing time in the last few years.
"We took Taylor to a special recruiting camp just so schools could see her play," reflected Taylor's mom, Julie Hodges. "Unlike some districts, Castro Valley followed the pandemic protocols, but that meant some of these students weren't able to show off their skills as much last year."
To help get their athlete's name and video of their playing style out there, the Hodges and other families turned to social media to attract recruiters' attention.