Nov. 13 marks Branson’s fall sports media signing day. This year, Branson’s class of ‘25 celebrated four fall recruits for sports offers. 

This day is a pivotal year for the seniors, as they officially commit to their school for the next four years. For the 12th graders, it’s an unforgettable time where their hard work to master their sport pays off, and a time that marks a new chapter in their lives as they move into college.

“The kids have put in thousands of hours of hard work and dedication to take their games to a place where division one colleges have taken notice and want them to continue playing at their institutions,” said Tyler Gottschalk, Branson’s associate athletic director.

Gottschalk, along with Athletic Director Frances Dillon, worked with these seniors through the four years of highschool, seeing their journeys from ninth grade to now. 

At Branson, this day was celebrated with Dillon setting up the gym with four tables for each of the 12th graders, full of balloons, a flag of their college and a cake. 

However, this day would cease to exist without the hard work and dedication that these four seniors have put into their sports. 

Whitney Collet ‘25, who committed to Colgate University for soccer on Nov. 13, moved during ninth grade to a club team in Danville, seeking a more competitive opportunity.

“It’s pretty stressful with my team being out in Danville. I’ve had to really balance my schoolwork well and sometimes it can be really stressful like doing my homework in the car and everything while having a lot of showcases and everything, but it’s very rewarding,” she said.

Elena Fisher ‘25, who signed to Stanford University for beach volleyball, spoke about the highlights of the sport and the friendships within a sport

“Getting to know people through a sport is such a different way of getting to know someone because the amount of time you spend with them and seeing their competitive side just naturally brings you closer,” Fisher said.