Celebrating the achievement of Class of 2025’s athletes continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level, the MVHS Student Athletic Senate held a Division 1 National Signing Day Ceremony during lunch on Wednesday, Nov. 13 in the rally court. Three senior athletes — Davina Huang, committed to Harvard University for swimming, Clara Fan, committed to Brown University for track and field, and Ethan Lien, committed to UC San Diego for golf — were honored during this ceremony.

National Signing Day is an official event where high school student-athletes commit to playing sports at the collegiate level by signing their National Letters of Intent (NLI). This binding agreement between the athlete and the university confirms their decision to compete in Division 1 sports at that school to further their athletic career. The day is celebrated nationwide, providing athletes, their families and communities the chance to recognize athletes’ achievements and commitment to their respective colleges. 

In the ceremony at MVHS, the Student Athletic Senate and MVHS Student Leadership set up a table in the Rally Court decorated with flags of each athlete’s college where students gathered around to watch the signing. The three athletes got together to sign their National Letters of Intent and then proceeded to take photos with friends and family, marking the moment of their official commitment. Huang said that her recruitment process for swimming began at the start of her junior year. She reached out to coaches and participated in recruitment trips to various schools, where she had the opportunity to interact with college programs and assess their offerings. 

The college recruitment process generally begins early in an athlete’s high school career, as early as freshman and sophomore year, with coaches first recruiting athletes who meet basic requirements and then having them showcase their skills through camps and showcases. As athletes progress, they reach out to coaches, attend recruitment events and create online profiles to highlight their achievements. By their junior or senior year, athletes may receive scholarship offers and upon committing, sign their National Letter of Intent to officially join a college program. 

For Huang, being recruited by Harvard was an exciting moment, as she received the offer during a call with the coach, surrounded by her family. She says that out of all the schools she visited, Harvard felt like the right fit for her and she was thrilled by the opportunity. At the signing ceremony, although she had already committed to Harvard, it was a special way to solidify her commitment and celebrate this milestone with others. 

“I’m definitely going to be swimming for all four years of college, so I’m excited to meet the new team and meet these new people at Harvard,” Huang said. “As for competitions, I’m definitely hoping to participate in the NCAA championships. I hope to make it to the finals and gain points and wins for my team.”