Signing Day At Greenwich High School Extra Special This Fall

GREENWICH, CT — There were nothing but smiles and excitement inside the gymnasium at Greenwich High School on Wednesday, as the school held the first signing day event for student-athletes this year.

Overall, 19 seniors will take the next step in their athletic careers next year at various Division 1, Division 2, and Ivy League schools.

For GHS Athletic Director Gus Lindine, Tuesday was extra special considering what the students have gone through over the past 18 months in the COVID-19 pandemic,

"It's been difficult for all of them. That's what makes this even a little bit more special. They've certainly met every expectation that's been asked of them," Lindine said.

"We're so fortunate to have so many wonderful boys and girls at Greenwich High School," he added. "They've worked so hard to achieve such greatness and I can't be happier. It's a very special day for moms and dads, and all the folks that have worked so hard to help them along."

Liana Sarkissian, a volleyball co-captain at GHS who helped lead the Cardinals (22-1) recently to a Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference title (FCIAC) over Darien, will attend the University of Dayton next year.

"I've been really looking forward to today. When I went to Dayton, everyone was so welcoming, and I'm really excited for it," Sarkissian said Tuesday.

But first, Sarkissian is focused on finishing out her senior season, with the state tournament beginning this week.

"I think we've done a good job staying focused and working on the fundamental skills and applying that in all of our games. I think it showed with our record and our recent FCIAC title we just won," she said.

Another student-athlete, Chason Barber, will head to Brown University next year to play football. Barber is the son of former New York Football Giants star Tiki Barber.

"It's great," Chason said Tuesday. "There's a huge sense of accomplishment in the air with all the athletes. Everyone here has worked so hard to get to where they are. We're being rewarded for our efforts."

Chason said he's going to miss the camaraderie within the GHS football team, but noted he felt a lot of camaraderie at Brown during his visits to the school. He said he'll miss his coaches at GHS, who have helped him develop as a person and football player.

"They've done a great job. I definitely would not be here without their help and their guidance. I'm thankful for what they've done for me," he added.

GHS Principal Ralph Mayo proudly stood in the gym Tuesday morning and watched the student-athletes take pictures with their family and friends. He has known many of the students since they were in sixth grade, going back to when he served as principal at Eastern Middle School.

Mayo said the event is symbolic of what the GHS community is all about.

"One of the things you hear is that public schools are in decline, but if you came here today, there's no way you can say our schools are in decline," Mayo said. "When you look at these kids and where they're going, it's just amazing. They're such hard workers and they're so dedicated. They're our future, and I'm so proud to be their principal."

A list of student-athletes who have committed to play at the collegiate level can be found below:

• Eva Anderson, Georgetown University, Crew
• Chason Barber, Brown University, Football
• Lucy Barratt, Boston College, Crew
• Annie Bingle, University of Pennsylvania, Diving
• Isabelle Blackburn, Syracuse University, Crew
• Andrew Cavanaugh, Yale University, Crew
• Zita Cohen, Brown University, Field Hockey
• Marian Cracraft, University of Wisconsin, Crew
• Bianca Granitto, University of Pennsylvania, Crew
• Zachary Jelinek, Bucknell University, Track/Cross Country
• George Lathrop, Princeton University, Crew
• Brandon Mark, Northeastern University, Crew
• Ella More, Stanford University, Crew
• Andrew O'Donnell, University of Pennsylvania, Track
• Isabelle Ritchie, Harvard University, Crew
• Liana Sarkissian, University of Dayton, Volleyball
• Isabella Schraa, Bucknell University, Water Polo