Sunlake High School held a signing day for seniors who have committed to a college, including McKinzie Smith, who is set to play softball at Indian River State College (IRSC).
When asked why she chose IRSC, McKinzie shared, “I knew I wanted to stay in Florida and be within a four-hour drive of my family. IRSC is a three-hour drive from my family but also ten minutes from the beach! The dorms are huge, and the girls there are amazing, so I had no doubt that it would be my future home.”
Sunlake’s signing day was a special event where seniors celebrated the next chapter of their lives. McKinzie said it went well but admitted she was nervous. “Signing day was good! It was definitely nerve-racking, especially since my sport was last. Overall, I had fun, and it was a great event to bring people together.” She especially loved seeing the people who supported her throughout the process. “It was amazing to have my supporters come to Sunlake to watch me sign. Also, setting up the tables was fun, and getting to sit next to my best friend made it even better.”
McKinzie put a lot of thought into her college choice because softball is such a big part of her life. “I play softball, and I’ve loved it since I was three years old. My parents are my biggest supporters and have fueled my love for the game.” Although she’s passionate about the sport, she recognizes its challenges. “Softball is a game of failure, and going 3 for 10 is considered good. But growing up in a game of failure has taught me countless life lessons that I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
Now, as she prepares for this next phase, McKinzie is both excited and sentimental. While it’s hard to leave this chapter behind, she’s looking forward to seeing what God has planned for her at IRSC.
