High school athletes participated in ceremonies last week, signing letters of intent on National Signing Day.

Many seniors signed on to play sports in colleges as their friends, teachers, coaches and families stood by in support. Federal Way High School celebrated their football players heading to play in college. Chico McClatcher signed to University of Washington, Jared Pulu signed on to the air force, Charlie Taumoepeau signed to Portland State and David Tiumalu to South Dakota School of the Mines.

Federal Way Football Club also celebrated their senior soccer players signing to colleges. Maddie Michaud is going to Pacific University, Dacia Alexander to Western Oregon University, Taylor Cecil to Bellevue College, Chentay Warnes to Highline College, Abby Smith is headed to Seattle Pacific University, Rachel Stowell to Dominican University, Tanna Brinkman to Azusa Pacific University, Morgan Roan to Western Oregon University, Molly Mortensen to New Mexico Highlands University and Mary Witkowski signed to University of the Pacific.

Todd Beamer High School celebrated Christian Stafford as signed to play football at Central Washington University. Hassani Dotson will play soccer at Oregon State University and Taylor Davis will play baseball at Lower Columbia College.

Todd Beamer’s athletic director Jerry Peterson said Stafford, Dotson and Davis are not only great athletes, but great students.

“These students are great role models and leaders at Todd Beamer,” Peterson said. “I feel blessed to be a part of their lives and share in their excitement as they head off to great futures.”

Stafford was on the football and soccer team where he received a few awards including outstanding athlete. He took the football team to state for the first year, Peterson said.

“He struggled with having type 1 diabetes, but watching him play or practice you would never know,” he said. “He always worked so hard and persevered through everything.”

Stafford credited his family for helping him accomplish his athletic goals.

“My family always supported me through the tough times and my fellow football players made me competitive,” Stafford said.

Davis was the quarterback of the football team and played baseball for four years. He was an all-league selection winner and took two teams to state in two sports while maintaining a 3.9 GPA.

“All my success is due to my family, my parents for driving me to all my games and practices over the years, and all my coaches here,” Davis said.

Dodson went to all-league for soccer where he scored 11 goals and made 18 assists. He plays for Crossfire Premier Soccer Club where he made 9 goals and 21 assists this year.

“I owe everything to all my coaches I have had over the years and the players I was lucky to have on my teams that pushed me to be a better athlete,” Dodson said.

Federal Way High School seniors signed off to play sports in college during a ceremony at the school. Contributed photo

Federal Way Football Club seniors celebrate National Signing Day with a ceremony. Each senior signing to play soccer at a college next year was honored. Contributed photo