Callaway Holds Annual Academic Signing Day

Representatives from the United States Navy presented future sailors Amiyah Bailey, Chaple Butler, and Derriyounna Andrews with a $180,000 check for the GI Bill.

Tommy Murphy

Staff Writer

Callaway High School held its sixth annual Academic Signing Day to announce the commitments of outgoing seniors who are headed off to college and the military with athletics-style signing ceremonies.

The event was held Wednesday morning in the Callaway gymnasium to a large crowd of attendees. The l Academic Signing Day gives academic based college decisions a similar experience to that which elite athletes receive when they commit to schools for athletic scholarships.

The event mimics the pageantry of the press conferences where athletes officially announce the school that they are going to attend. The idea being that that academically inclined students should be celebrated as well.

Most of the participants are heading off to college or similar post-secondary education, but some will join the military or begin working with a trade school.

“We just want to celebrate all of the students that have a plan for after high school,” said Callaway Principal Jason Graham.

“When we began this program six years ago, we never expected the level of support that we have experienced,” he said.

Each participant was given a prize via raffle from over 60 gifts donated by teachers, parents, community partners, and local and national businesses. The gifts included some college essentials ranging from school and dorm room supplies to a microwave and mini-fridge.

A total of 42 students signed mock college commitments to “officially” declare their commitments to their chosen schools in front of the packed gymnasium. More than 25 different colleges and universities were represented, including local and out of state schools, and three military branches.

The event has become a signature tradition for Callaway High with many students looking forward to it and countless community members donating to help make it a continued success.

The following Callaway High Seniors committed to their chosen school or military branch during the event:

•Derriyounna Andrews (US Navy)

•Amiyah Bailey (US Navy)

•Zikei Brooks (Howard University)

•Chaple Butler (US Navy)

•Oscar Campusano-Aguilar (Columbus State)

•Alex Cho (Georgia Tech)

•Starjanae Crawford (Fort Valley State)

•Kaitlynn Creed (Southern Union)

•Iriana Dean (Fort Valley State)

•Kevin Diaz-Alfaro (Gordon State College)

•Kennedy Donnell (Tuskegee University)

•Rebecca Duchesne South (Georgia State College)

•Cameron Dunson (Lane College)

•Jakia Gilmore (Fort Valley State)

•Tela Hand (University of West Georgia)

•Jaylon Harmon (Georgia Southern)

•Aubrey Higgins (Tulsa Welding School)

•Kier Jackson (Berry College) •Yujung Jang (Georgia State University)

•EJ Johnson (Jacksonville University)

•Gabrielle Johnson (Clayton State)

•Hyeonju Kim (University of Arizona)

•Nate Lee (Mercer University) •Charlie Lin (Georgia Tech)

•Nitiya Marshall (Gordon State College)

•Jesse McCauley (University of North Georgia)

•Justin Moore (Lurleen B. Wallace Community College) •Aaliyah Morman (Fort Valley State)

•Rida Naveed (Georgia State University)

•Blake Owens (Kennesaw State)

•Malini Patel (Georgia State University)

•Darlecia Reeves (Gordon State College)

•Jayden Ross (US Air Force)

•Ann Roychan (Kennesaw State)

•Mikhala Smith (Kennesaw State)

•Mikayla Speer (West Georgia Technical College)

•Tucker Starling (Central Alabama Community College)

•Shaunna Tumlin (University of West Georgia)

•Molly Weatherford (La-Grange College)

•Hunter Widener (Marine Corps)

•Jala Williams (University of West Georgia)

•Serenity Woodyard (Florida A& M) Congratulations to all the signees!

Alex Cho, Charlie Lin, Jaylon Harmon, Kier Jackson, Nate Lee, and Molly Weatherford

Zikei Brooks, Serenity Woodyard, Hyeonju Kim, EJ Johnson, and Cameron Dunson

Starjanae Crawford, Jakia Gilmore, and Aliyah Mormon

Malini Patel, Yujung Jang, Kevin Diaz Alfaro, and Nitiya Marshall

Jala Williams, Shauna Tumlin, Tela Hand, Mikhala Smith, Ann Roychan, and Blake Owens

Hunter Widener, Amiyah Bailey, Chaple Butler, and Derriyounna Andrews

Kennedy Donnell, Tucker Starling, Justin Moore, and Kaitlynn Creed

Jesse McCauley, Oscar Campusano Aguilar, Mikayla Speer, Gabrielle Johnson, and Rebecca Duchesne

Callaway Senior Charlie Lin signs his intent to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology.