The gym at Stanhope Elmore High School was full of excitement last Friday as five different students inked their next athletic endeavor in college.
“This is a big day for us here at Stanhope High School,” athletic director Hunter Adams said. “These kids are getting to continue their dream of playing in college.”
Jamari Coleman will play football at Huntingdon College; Zoie Holmes will play volleyball at Lawson State Community College; Jay Meyers will play soccer at Mississippi College; Thomas Richardson will play soccer at Southern Union State Community College and Toni Taylor will throw the discus and shot at Huntingdon College.
All the student athletes acknowledged family, God and friends as being a large part of their dreams to play at the next level becoming reality.
Holmes had been going to camps at Lawson State for the last two years with hopes of elevating her game and playing at college volleyball.
“It really means a lot because making it to the next level, that's like the ultimate goal of playing sports in school,” Holmes said. “I was always, I was going to go to college regardless, but I really, really wanted to have the experience of playing ball. So it feels really good to be able to walk away from Stanhope Elmore to do that.”
Holmes started to connect with the current team at Lawson State through a camp this past summer.
“They took a really strong interest in me,” Holmes said. “They really wanted me to come to their school and then I got the tour. I met the team. I stayed with the team. It was really a really good experience that I really enjoyed.”
Holmes will be close to family in Birmingham as her older sister Zyou is at UAB. Her younger sister Zori is going to the University of South Alabama.
Richardson thanked God for his talents and giving him a chance to play at the next level. Richardson also thanked his parents for all that they did for him to get him ready for high school and college soccer.
“I want to thank my parents for all the money and time they spent to get me to this point,” Richardson said. “I'd like to thank my coaches and my future coaches for putting their trust in me and just allowing me to play for the program. They have helped me improve to become the player that I am today.”
Richardson’s teammate Meyers signed with Mississippi College and has plans to attend seminary.
“I just wanted to express how grateful I am for this opportunity,” Meyers said. “I would not be able to do this without Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. None of this would be possible. I want to encourage everyone in this room that doesn't have Jesus as your Lord and Savior to talk to somebody to further that relationship with Him. Because without him, like, I wouldn't be able to do this at all.”
Adams is also the football coach at Stanhope Elmore. He has been on the field with Coleman for the last four years and has grown a deep admiration for the student athlete.
“He's a catalyst,” Adams said. “When he has a great day of practice, where he has a great workout everybody does. You got to love that about him. He brings the energy in the room. There's a reason that C is on his jersey.”
Coleman signed to play at Huntingdon College and got support from his family as he spoke to the student body.
“I want to thank my mom for being there for me when no one else was,” Coleman said. “She has been my backbone from the start of it all. I thank her for all the support that she's given me throughout the years. No matter what it was, she was already there. She was always standing there in my corner.”
Taylor has been Stanhope Elmore’s mascot. She is also an athlete who has tried many sports but being a thrower in track and field stuck.
“My mama's been there for me every time I had a new sport in mind,” Taylor said. “I picked up basketball. Track and field she was like, ‘Go for it. She took me to each meet I had. She did not let me ride that bus at all.”
Adams said football athlete Arthur McQueen will sign at a later date.
“We are still evaluating some last minute offers,” Adams said.
