Traditions are unique and help make each high school their own and for Nease High School they hope to start a new tradition as they had 22 seniors sign to play sports at the college level during a special combined ceremony on the field at Panther Stadium on Monday, March 24.
The ceremony commemorating the spring signing period is something that Nease athletic director Christos Mastoridis believes will be the latest tradition created at the school.
“People know that we have strong academics in addition to the athletics and these individuals here represent both those bases of Nease,” Mastoridis said. “This is the day that marks the next step in their journey, and they have carried the name of Nease High School with pride and in doing so they have upheld a tradition of excellence. They’ve set a standard for future generations and proven that success is not given but earned through sacrifice, determination and an unshakable belief in oneself.”
There were many in attendance as parents, friends and coaches that had an influence along each student athlete’s path were in the stands to witness the ceremony.
According to Mastoridis, it is the support and sacrifice that was behind every offer, victory, and moment of growth the seniors had to help get them to the point of signing to play college ball.
“As you move forward, whether it is on a court, field, track or in the classroom, know that you’ll always have a home here at Nease,” Mastoridis said. “You will now represent not just yourselves, but the community, this school and all those who have supported you along the way, and I have no doubt that you’ll continue to embody the values you have brought here today.”
“We are Nease,” is a slogan that has become a part of the community at Nease High and not just on the athletic fields but across anything that the school is involved in.
Mastoridis was recently asked at an athletic competition by an opposing coach about the saying and asked him to describe what the meaning behind “we are Nease,” is all about.
“Individually you are Nease, but collectively, we are Nease, and that’s what we are all about,” Mastoridis said. “One individual is not a team, and one individual is certainly not representative of Nease, but together we form a very tough competitor.”
The slogan is so ingrained into the fabric of the Nease community that every athlete that came up to the podium to speak after being introduced ended their speech with the words “I am Nease,” and each time it was followed by a roaring applause.
Athletes from various sports were on hand to put pen to paper and sign their college letters of intent, one from baseball, four from football, one from boys golf, three from boys lacrosse, one from girls lacrosse, one from boys soccer, two from girls soccer, six from swimming, and two from girls volleyball.
