SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Calvary Day School celebrated eight athletes continuing their academic and athletic careers at the next level.

Most, if not all, of the athletes signed earlier in the academic calendar year. The Feb. 20 ceremony was a way to honor their achievements.

Emma Overby is a softball pitcher who’s headed to East Georgia State College.

“The girls were very welcoming,” Overby said. “They talked to me, they cheered me on. They immediately like grabbed onto me and was like, ‘Oh, we’re so excited that you’re deciding to come here and we’re excited you’re here.'”

Moses Echols is a defensive tackle who will play at Benedict College.

“I love coaches who believe in God,” Echols said. “They ain’t sugarcoat nothing to me. They will be straight up with me and they made me feel like it was home.”

Bre Jones is a basketball guard committed to play at Flagler.

“It means the world,” Jones said. “Like I said, it’s a God-given opportunity that I’ve been blessed with. I wouldn’t be able to do this without God and my coaches and my family.”

Walter “Buddy” Mathis is a defensive tackle going to play at LSU in Baton Rouge.

“Coach Kelly spoke volumes to me,” Mathis said. “He let me know how they use me, how I would play a part in their defense. Just the players and the faculty and staff reminded me of Calvary.”

Destini Gooddine is a point guard traveling two and a half hours north to play at Allen University.

“Another milestone in my career that I’m kind of completing,” Gooddine said. “I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life. I’ve been working my whole life. So I’m glad somebody finally gave me the opportunity.”

Thomas Blackshear is a wide receiver. He’s staying in state and headed to Athens to play for Kirby Smart. There was a brief moment when Blackshear said he was committed to UGA, but open to listening to other schools.

“I was committed to the University of Georgia and the Tennessee coaches were just showing me a lot of love,” Blackshear said. “It was getting me a little bit, but Georgia was just home.”

Blackshear signed during the early signing period.

Abby Walsh will play soccer at Radford. Walsh initially was bound for Kennesaw State, but because of the NCAA roster limits her spot on the team was rescinded, according to her.

“I’ve been wanting to play in college since I was a little girl since I started,” Walsh said. “I couldn’t be more proud of myself and my family supporting me.

Tatiyana Modicue will cheer for Charleston Southern. She said she’s been competing since she was four. She also feels a lot of people don’t feel that it’s a sport.

“It’s just really an honor and a privilege to be able to do that,” Modicue said. “Thankful for Charleston Southern to give me that opportunity to do the sport I love at the next level.”