WASHINGTON CITY — There have been a handful of previous letter of intent signing ceremonies at Crimson Cliffs High School, but Monday’s was the first to feature a musician.
Kaden Jarvis stood out, even among other standouts.
The senior was among eight Mustangs student-athletes who committed to taking their talents to the next level, but Jarvis will be the only one who will take a French horn with him when he goes.
“He has given his everything to this band program,” music teacher Chris Raybould said at the ceremony.
It was appropriate that Jarvis was honored at the same ceremony that saw seven excellent student-athletes commit to playing in college.
Raybould said band members put just as much time and effort into learning their instruments as the athletes do increasing their physical skill sets.
“Athletes have the weight room. For band members, it’s the practice room,” Raybould said, adding that Jarvis was in the practice room early and late each day, all throughout his high school band career.
Jarvis signed a letter of intent to play in the band and study music education at Southern Utah University in Cedar City.
“I’d like to thank my parents for dealing with me practicing in my room,” Jarvis said. “Sounds like a train from upstairs.”
He noted how proud he was to represent the Fine Arts community at the signing ceremony.
“Band has been an instrumental part of my high school experience,” Jarvis said. “I’m so thankful for the many friends and experiences I’ve been able to have, being here.”
Also standing out Monday, literally, was Crimson senior Sean Felts. Listed earlier this year on the basketball roster at 6-foot-11, Felts is still growing and might be at the 7-foot mark at this point.
Felts had a strong senior season on the hardwood and earned the attention of the coaches at Snow College in Ephraim.
Felts will join Dixie High School graduates Kyle Lemke and Jordan Roberts on the Badgers next year.
“They just have a really good program,” Felts told St. George News. “So I think it will be really cool to go play at a really good school and play with some of my buddies.”
Darius Strickland made a name for himself as a three-year member of the 4A state champion Mustangs football team.
Strickland signed his letter of intent to play football in California at the University of La Verne.
“Everyone is their own writer,” Strickland said in his speech. “You’re the narrator of your own story. Don’t ever let anyone tell you, ‘You can’t do anything.’ Be creative, be bold, and be spontaneous. I’ve enjoyed my four years here at Crimson, and may the story continue.”
Conrad McKinnon, part of the two-time defending 4A state champion Mustangs baseball team, committed to play ball in Kansas for Hesston College. He will go to flight school while he’s there.
“Just remember, it doesn’t matter where the train is going, it just matters if you get on,” McKinnon said.
Also signing letters of intent Monday at Crimson Cliffs were Kinsey Plewe (Gillette College women’s basketball), Hinckley Heaton (Colorado Northwestern Community College men’s soccer), Paisley Hinton (Southern Virginia University women’s soccer) and Lexi Leavitt (Southern Virginia University women’s golf).
Eli Allred inks to play at Green River
At Desert Hills High School on April 17, Thunder basketball star Eli Allred signed his letter of intent to play at Green River, a community college in Auburn, Washington.
Allred, a versatile scorer who can hit from a distance and create shots at the rim, told St. George News that he formed a strong relationship with Gators coach Godfrey Drake.
“He was a great guy, the first one to start talking to me,” Allred said, adding that extra motivation to sign there came when Dixie High School graduate Logan Wideauer also committed to play for the Gators.
“That was the biggest thing that got me there, and I have some good family and friends about 15 minutes away,” Allred added. “Decided it was far enough away but felt like a family when I was there.”
Allred said signing day for him was the culmination of a life-long dream.
“Even when I was a little kid, my goal was always … to play college basketball,” he said. “Now seeing that happen, it doesn’t feel real. Super excited for the opportunity.”
A new era at El Capitan
According to a press release, El Capitan High School in Colorado City, Arizona, saw a school record 14 seniors commit to going to college. They held a signing ceremony on April 4.
Two of the students, Denim White and Zedakye White, were the first athletic scholarship winners in school history. They’ll soon play football for the St. George Eagles.
Suzanna Jessop, Isabella Timpson and Villette Barlow will attend Mohave Community College.
Hannah Barlow received scholarships from Southern Utah University while Paige Barlow and Violet Barlow will go to Utah Tech University.
Six El Capitan students earned Lumberjack scholarships to attend Northern Arizona University: Kamryn Crider, James Allred, Vanessa Richter, Darrian Jessop, Viola Barlow and Emily Draper.
“This group, on this day, made history for the school in more than one way,” the press release states.
Photo Gallery
The senior class at El Capitan High School, here with school officials, made history when 14 students and student athletes earned college scholarships, Colorado City, Arizona, April 4, 2024 | Photo courtesy Laurie Harper for St. George News
Crimson Cliffs senior Kaden Jarvis signs a letter of intent to attend Southern Utah University, Washington, Utah, April 29, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Crimson Cliffs senior Darius Strickland signs a letter of intent to attend University of La Verne in California, Washington, Utah, April 29, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Crimson Cliffs seniors Conrad McKinnon (left) and Sean Felts (right) at their college signing ceremony, Washington, Utah, April 29, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Crimson Cliffs seniors Lexi Leavitt (left), Paisley Hinton (middle) and Kinsey Plewe (right) at their college signing ceremony, Washington, Utah, April 29, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Crimson Cliffs seniors Kaden Jarvis (left) and Hinckley Heaton (right) at their college signing ceremony, Washington, Utah, April 29, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Desert Hills senior Eli Allred signs a letter of intent to play basketball at Green River, St. George, Utah, April 15, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
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