A group of Collinsville High School staff members have pondered for several years how to get the same attention for students that sign academic scholarships as is given to those signing athletic scholarships. In February, they found a simple answer, have the same type of signing ceremony.

But how many would attend a ceremony, held in the middle of the day on a Monday, for a group of students who don’t have fans sitting in the stands to watch them perform? The answer was hundreds.

As parents, family members, teachers, district administrators, media members, university representatives and students moved into and out of the four signing ceremonies held to accommodate the 67 honorees, CHS principal Eric Flohr was pleased with the result of the hard work of Karen Olsen, Pat Szpila and Bill Gottschalk, the three he credited for the successful day.

“This has gone past my expectations, especially with the number of parents that came out,” Flohr said. “This is in the middle of the day, on a work day.”

Although Flohr, who hand-signed every invitation, was quick to deflect credit, Olsen said the day would not have gone as smoothly if it were not for Flohr’s hands-on assistance and complete support of the project.

The event put together by the four honored CHS students who received a scholarship from the school they will be attending. Many were attending their second signing ceremony, having previously signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers also.

Terry Wilson, father of Sam Wilson, who received the Anthony of Padua Scholarship from Quincy University, where he also received a football scholarship, said he was more impressed with the academic scholarship.

“The academic (scholarship) is much better, that’s what most parents like,” Wilson said, noting that Sam’s academic scholarship was also for a greater value than the athletic scholarship.

Kayla Marshall’s mother, Lori Alexander, and great aunt, Denise Duckworth attended the ceremony Monday to support her on another special day. Marshall signed a letter of intent in February to be part of the Central Michigan University track team this fall. Alexander was proud of her daughter for receiving the Academic Excellence Award & President’s Tuition Award from CMU.

“Academics are the number one priority,” Alexander said.

James Williams, admission counselor at Southeast Missouri State University, said it was good to see the smart kids honored.

“They have worked hard for four years, just like the athletes, Williams said. “It’s good that they are recognized for their achievements.”

The following is a list of students honored at the 2014 Collinsville High School Academic Signing Day