Liberty Christian School recently recognized 10 seniors on National Signing Day who are committing to play sports at the collegiate level.
The coach of every student addressed the crowd of parents and fellow students who were in attendance that day to applaud these athletes’ accomplishments.
Assistant Athletic Director Johnny Isom said, “As coaches, we are so proud of these students who have displayed leadership, skill, and courage through many practices and games over the years.
“We pray they will carry on what they have learned at Liberty and be lights and world changers at their universities, rising to meet the challenge of college sports.”
Hannah Albert signed with Harding University to play soccer.
She said, “Receiving a scholarship to play soccer at the next level means so much to me. The countless hours of practice are paying off.”
Hannah said soccer has been something she has loved since she was five years old. She has won two state championships in club soccer and played twice in the national championships. At Liberty, she has also been involved in Key Club, volleyball, and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). She has traveled to other countries with Liberty on mission trips and is currently an Impact mentor leader to Middle School students.
She would like to major in social work, so in that in the future, she may counsel and work with children.
“I believe Liberty has prepared me very well academically, athletically, and spiritually,” she said. “It has taught me time management, study techniques, and dedication.
“I’m excited to see where this next chapter of my life takes me.”
Brooke Bancroft signed with Baylor University in equestrian.
She said, “The years of hard work and dedication to receive this accomplishment were well worth it. Riding for a Division I school in Baylor is a dream come true.”
Brooke said her love of horses and the equestrian sport began at an early age, from practicing, caring for animals, and dedicating herself to riding.
She has been a member of the Denton Country 4-H for 10 years and a foster “parent” for the Humane Society of Flower Mound. At Liberty, she is an Impact leader, a varsity cheerleader, and a graduate of Liberty’s Leadership Academy. She has also received multiple “Top in Class” awards at Liberty.
She would like to major in communications or therapy/rehabilitation of small and large animals.
“Liberty’s tough standards have prepared me for my continuation of academics at Baylor,” she said. “Early and late practices disciplined my work effort as I enter into university athletics.
“I want to thank Liberty teachers and staff for supporting me over the past four years. I also want to thank my family and my horses who have prepared me for my next four years and future competition.”
Jaden Cook signed with Western Oklahoma State University to play baseball.
He said, “It is amazing to be rewarded for all of the hard work that has been put forth.”
Jaden said he has grown up playing baseball and has always loved playing the game and working to be better.
He is a member of National Honor Society and an active volunteer in the Miss Sweetheart Special Needs Pageant.
Jaden would like to study construction science and run a business in the future.
“Liberty has shown me how to work hard and push through adversity,” he said.
Hunter Griffith signed with Abilene Christian University to play football.
He said, “This honor has shown me that hard work pays off and that God is good.”
Hunter said he loves competing. In his junior and senior year, he made first team all-state in football, and in his sophomore year, made all-state in baseball.
He is undecided in his major but is considering forensic psychology.
Drew Hunnicutt declared his intent to play football at Dartmouth University.
He said, “I will remember this honor for the rest of my life. All my hours of work and effort have paid off.”
Drew said he is very passionate about the game of football, dedicating many hours of practice and preparation. He was named the most valuable player on this year’s football team with Liberty. He was chosen by the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) as a first team all-state and first team all-district defensive back. He was also honored as an academic all-state athlete. He has been on Liberty’s honor roll every year in Upper School, and he is also a member of the National Honor Society. In addition, he has traveled with Liberty on Spring Break mission trips to El Salvador for the past two years.
He would like to major in economics.
“Because of Liberty, I know my athletic and academic potential,” he said. “I want to thank God, my family, and my friends for helping me along the way.”
Katherine Keith signed with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to play soccer.
She said, “The honor to sign on National Signing Day is a huge blessing. I have dedicated a lot of time and hard work into soccer, and I can’t wait to continue that work for the next four years.”
Katherine said she has enjoyed playing soccer since she was four years old. Each year, she has set a goal for herself and accomplished it. She has extensive club soccer experience, as well as achievements in the soccer program at Liberty. She has also participated in the Olympic Development Program. She has taken Pre-Advanced Placement (AP) and AP courses at Liberty and plans to graduate with honors. Last year, she was named best in class for English. She is an Impact mentoring leader for Middle School students and a graduate of Liberty’s Leadership Academy. She has also been a member of Key Club and SADD. She has traveled with Liberty the last two Spring Breaks on mission trips to El Salvador and plans to attend this year’s in Panama. She has volunteered at Mission Arlington and as a youth soccer coach.
She would like to major in global securities and intelligence studies and hopes to have a career working in the CIA or FBI.
“Liberty academics prepared me with time management and the willpower to complete challenging work,” she said. “Liberty athletics taught me to glorify Christ in all I do.
“I am also incredibly thankful for the love and support of my family. They are the reason I have pushed myself to limits I thought were not possible.
“I also thank my friends, teammates, and coaches along the way who have been incredibly tough on me because they knew my potential.”
Eduardo Perez signed with Dallas Baptist University to play soccer.
“This is a great honor,” he said. “It has always been a dream of mine to play college soccer.”
Eduardo said he has played soccer for 13 years and that the sport means everything to him.
“It’s my comfort place,” he said. “Just being on the field makes me happy.”
Eduardo has been a varsity soccer starter for Liberty since his freshman year and a captain since his junior year. He has taken Pre-AP and AP Spanish courses and has been a member of the Spanish, SADD, and Key Club. He has been a volunteer in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and has served on Liberty’s mission days at Beautiful Feet, Six Stones, and others. Last year, he traveled with Liberty on a Spring Break mission trip to El Salvador and plans to attend this year’s to Panama.
In the future, he would like to go to medical school.
He said, “My coaches’ influence has really made an impact in my academics and athletics that has helped me become the player I am today.
“I would like to thank my family for being my biggest supporters and my parents for always watching me play no matter what the weather is like outside.”
Sophie Standifer signed with Abilene Christian University to play soccer.
She said, “I have been working for this day for as long as I can remember. It is a dream come true.”
Sophie said soccer has been a huge part of her life since she was little. “I loved soccer as a kid, and I love it now even more,” she said.
In addition to playing club soccer, Sophie has been the captain of her Liberty soccer team for the past two years. She is also in the top 10 percent of her class and is a member of National Honor Society.
She would like to pursue a degree in mathematics and teach secondary education.
She said, “I feel ready academically for college because of the work ethic I have learned at Liberty.
“I am thankful for the people in my life who have supported me through this process and helped me become the person and player I am today.”
Tanner Terry signed with Lyon College in wrestling.
He said, “This honor means the world to me. Most student athletes dream of competing at the collegiate level, and it feels good for all the years of hard work to pay off.”
Tanner said injuries kept him down for many seasons, but prayer, passion, and drive kept him going.
“None of it was easy, but I wouldn’t change a thing,” he added.
Tanner was awarded newcomer of the year at Liberty. At his previous school, he was a member of National Honor Society and UNICEF.
He is currently undecided in his major, saying he is just going to keep wrestling and go in the direction God points him.
He said, “The academics at Liberty have set me for college, and the athletics have helped me with my attitude and the importance of honoring God in my performance.”
He added, “Without the love and support of my family, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”
Coleton Vick signed with the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to play soccer.
He said, “This honor means so much to me. I am happy all the hard work has paid off.”
Coleton said he has loved the game ever since he was five years old.
He added, “Since then, I have had my foot on the ball every chance I got.”
In addition to being a club soccer player and a National Honor Society member, Coleton has been a class representative every year in Upper School and has traveled on a Liberty mission trip to El Salvador during Spring Break.
He would like to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting.
“Liberty has prepared me both academically and athletically to take on the next challenge in my life at college,” he said. “I want to thank my family, friends, and coaches for all their support. I would not be here without them.”
Vivian Nichols is part of the public relations team for Liberty Christian School.
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