Monday was a proud day at Shepherd High School as three Lady Pirate athletes took the next step in their academic and athletic journeys.
Surrounded by family, friends, coaches, and members of the media, Adison Simpson, Callie Dean, and Jayci Wilson officially signed a college letter of intent, marking a milestone moment for both the athletes and the Shepherd athletic program.
The ceremony celebrated years of dedication, early mornings, long practices, and countless games that helped shape these young athletes into collegiate competitors.
Adison Simpson signed to continue her softball career at Texas College, where she plans to major in Business while also pursuing a license in Cosmetology. Simpson hopes to eventually open her own business after completing her studies.
Reflecting on her time at Shepherd, Simpson laughed as she shared one of her favorite memories from her freshman season.
“I thought I could steal third base,” Simpson said. “I ended up getting caught, and Coach Suzon Martin threw her hat over the dugout after I crossed the base. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Jayci Wilson will continue her softball career at North Central Texas College, where she earned a scholarship to play for the program. Wilson plans to study physical therapy, with the goal of helping athletes recover from injuries and stay active in their sports.
Wilson said her time at Shepherd helped inspire her desire to work with athletes and remain involved in the sports community.
Callie Dean signed with Arlington Baptist College, where she will continue playing volleyball while majoring in Elementary Education. Dean hopes to one day step into the classroom as a teacher while staying connected to athletics.
One of her favorite memories from Shepherd was in the relationships built along the way.
“My favorite part of high school was learning how to work together as a team and accomplish goals together,” she said.
