Signing the Future: How Freshman Commitment Ceremonies Bridge High School and Career Success
"Who you become is going to be far greater than what you achieve." These profound words from Coach Brandon Mullins at Shawnee High School set the tone for the Freshman Commitment to Graduate Ceremony.
The Freshman Commitment to Graduate Ceremony establishes the foundation of a promise for every student in the Academies of Louisville. This pivotal event, held across all high schools implementing the Academy model, formally marks the start of a student’s career journey, serving as a public declaration of their commitment to high school graduation and the pursuit of a successful pathway beyond. The ceremonies at Eastern High School and Shawnee High School recently featured two compelling speakers whose personal stories connected commitment, perseverance, and identity directly to the path that lies ahead for these freshmen.
The Power of Preparation and Perseverance at Eastern
At Eastern High School, Jordyn Bloomer, the starting goalkeeper for Racing Louisville FC, shared a career trajectory defined by grit and strategic preparation. Bloomer made it clear to the incoming class that her professional dream did not materialize overnight; its achievement was directly tied to the commitment she showed in the classroom.
Bloomer's parents insisted that she focus on grades, knowing that chasing an athletic scholarship "was only going to be possible if I also excelled in the classroom." This foresight led her to secure not just an athletic career, but also an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis—a formidable academic safety net and achievement in its own right.
Bloomer’s story highlights a series of obstacles she repeatedly likened to being "hit by a bus." From being redshirted in college to facing season-ending spine surgery as a pro, each setback forced a crucial decision: to be derailed or to use the challenge to become better. Reflecting on the toughest moments, she told the students, "I hope that you're able to recognize that you can fill in my story with any dream, and these same principles will apply. You will face some sort of obstacle that will force you to answer the question of ‘what do I do now?’”
Her message validates the freshmen’s initial commitment, proving that the pathway ahead demands consistent, quiet work and the foresight to secure the academic backing that allows dreams to persist. She emphasized the value of self-reflection and hard work, saying, "I knew if I wasted this season, being sad or mad...it was ultimately going to take me away from my ability to reach my bigger goal of playing professionally." Bloomer’s triumph affirms that by choosing to "keep showing up and keep chasing the dream," commitment will eventually be rewarded.
Identity and Ownership at Shawnee
Meanwhile, at the Academy at Shawnee, Coach Brandon Mullins challenged the freshmen to look inward, focusing on how they develop their character, asserting that the "art of becoming" is paramount. His address centered on personal growth and accountability.
Mullins drove home this point with a profound anecdote from a trip to the Ivory Coast in West Africa. The purpose of their trip was not, as they initially thought, to build classrooms, but rather to be built themselves so they could return to the world and build others. This lesson in identity aligns perfectly with the Freshman Academy’s mission to develop the essential academic and social skills students need to be "sophomore ready one freshman at a time."
Mullins reinforced this theme of ownership with a powerful childhood memory of his mother fighting off an attacker to protect her purse. Her words became a powerful mantra for the students: “Because, Son, it’s my bag. And nobody has the right to snatch it.” He stressed that students must possess the same fierce ownership over their dreams and goals.
Mullins connected the themes of identity and responsibility to the students' daily lives and future opportunities. He reminded the students that "the mirror doesn't smile before you do," emphasizing that internal mindset and self-worth dictate external success. Like his mother protecting her purse, the students' commitment must be fiercely defended and proactively maintained through accountability. He stressed that education is their “passport to the future,” a crucial marker distinguishing global success, and warned them that their conduct directly impacts future access. For the freshmen, signing the commitment banner is the moment to claim that “bag” and vow to protect it throughout their four years.
The Foundation of Future Success
Though one speaker was an elite athlete and the other a community leader and coach, both Jordyn Bloomer and Coach Mullins delivered the same core truth essential to the Academies of Louisville model: the commitment made today is a down payment on your future self. Freshman Academy provides a strong foundation, focusing on how students belong, explore, plan, and succeed. The speakers at Eastern and Shawnee provided living proof that the necessary ingredients for success in any field are not luck, but perseverance through obstacles, the development of character, and the strategic use of educational opportunities within the Academies of Louisville to meet the demands of the future workforce.