ROCHELLE — For Rochelle Township High School athletic director Rich Harvey, Tuesday’s Signing Day ceremony was an opportunity for senior Hub and Lady Hub student-athletes to be recognized one last time in their home gymnasium before beginning their college careers.

Fifteen student-athletes from nine different sports gathered with family members and coaches to sign their letters and finalize their athletic and academics commitments to their respective collegiate programs. Student-athletes took turns signing letters in the middle of the RTHS gymnasium, taking center stage one final time as their high school careers come to a close.

“It’s really neat and it’s a great opportunity for the kids to see each other one more time,” Harvey said. “These student-athletes have grown up together for the past 12 to 14 years and it was important to me that we recognized these kids, especially since we weren’t able to do this last year. Seeing these kids go on to compete collegiately says a lot about our coaches, our kids and the excitement they have to not only play sports, but carry those sports on collegiately.”

The following student-athletes attended Tuesday’s ceremony to sign their letters: Afi Gati (Augustana College women’s track and field), Matayo Rodriguez (Kishwaukee College baseball), Bella Lodico (Judson University softball), Trevor Goodwin (North Central College men’s track and field), Oscar Linares (Kishwaukee College baseball), Kiya Porter (Beloit College women’s track and field), Megan Thiravong (Saginaw Valley State University women’s golf), Clare Green (Cornell College women’s volleyball), Kyler Lara (Kishwaukee College baseball), Ben Harvey (Washington University in St. Louis football), Vianey Perusquia (Kishwaukee College women’s soccer), Reese Kirk (Kishwaukee College men’s golf), Ethan Albers (Wartburg College football), Keith Holland (Kishwaukee College men’s bowling) and Garrett Burdin (Loras College men’s basketball).

College-bound student-athletes not present were Zane Walters (Carroll University men’s soccer) and Michael Schlenbecker (Kishwaukee College baseball).

“Our coaches spent a lot of the time with the kids and they really connected with them,” said Harvey, whose son Ben was one of several student-athletes to sign letters on Tuesday. “The seniors are all great leaders and they’ve given us a lot of great memories. We’re going to miss them. It’s a special class because it’s my son’s and I had a lot of memories with them.”