An honor for many high school athletes, signing day shows a player’s years of effort and determination for the sport they play. For Kylee Hanson (12), it is all of that and more. A day surrounded by her family members, teammates, and coaches, Hanson officially commits to the University of North Georgia. The University of North Georgia is a public, Division two school in Dahlonega, Georgia. Hanson’s decision marks a milestone she has been working for throughout her entire softball career.
“I’m going to the University of North Georgia. It gives me the options to do big things with my career,” Hanson said.
Years of dedication have brought Hanson to the player she is today. Years of practice and training have set her future as a college athlete.
“I think it means everything. We’ve put in so much work to get to this point,” Hanson said.
For Hanson, family is at the core of everything, including her athletic journey. From teammates who become lifelong friends to coaches who have guided her, she values the relationships she makes on and off the field. There is one that stands out the most: her father.
“My dad, he makes me believe in myself even when I don’t,” Hanson said.
After countless games and tournaments, Hanson’s family is there for her, being her biggest cheerleaders. Through Hanson’s father’s support of her love for the game, she wouldn’t be where she is today. For Hanson, softball is more than a sport; it is her future. And the foundation that built her future years ago.
“The family it creates [is what first got me interested in softball],” Hanson said.
Choosing a college can be an overwhelming experience for many athletes, but Hanson felt a powerful connection to the school and the team as soon as she arrived. The early conversations with her future coaches helped cement her decision on the University of North Georgia.
“The immediate connections I made with the coaches [were reassuring],” Hanson said.
Although talent alone doesn’t build a successful career, character plays a part too. Hanson is ready to contribute to her new team with her many strengths. Whether Hanson is encouraging her fellow teammates, pushing herself during workouts, or sealing the deal for her team during difficult games, Hanson has shown traits of a natural leader.
“My leadership, outgoingness, and determination [make an impact on the team],” Hanson said.
As Hanson prepares for her transition to the college level, she carries the legacy she has built through her time on the high school softball team. A legacy of hard work and passion for the game she plays. The University of North Georgia has not only gained a skilled athlete but a player who is ready to embrace the challenges thrown her way. They have also gained a player with the determination to continue chasing her dreams. Her family, who have been cheering her on from the beginning, get to watch her start a new chapter in her softball career. Hanson’s new chapter is just the beginning of a story that she has been writing for her whole life.
