Thursday was a very important and exciting day for Charles Henderson High School senior Taylor Smartt and her family.

At a ceremony held in the school’s athletic building Smartt did something that no one else in the school’s history had done before – sign an athletic scholarship to play softball on the colligate level.

She wont be going to far away from home either, as she signed to be a letter of intent to play for the Troy University team.

“Excited most of all,” Smartt said before her ceremony on Thursday morning.

“I am glad that I will be playing for my home town team – it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The CHHS senior said that while it was a relief to have the recruitment process over and had signed with a team, she was a bit nervous about what’s next.

“I just want to get out on the field and play and have fun – that’s all I am looking forward to now.”

Before Smartt signed on the dotted line, several people close to her spoke about what the day meant to them as well as what she meant to them.

“I am very proud of her not only to be able to continue her education but also to have the opportunity to play softball at the next level,” CHHS principal David Helms said.

Coaches and family members followed Helm’s lead.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” CHHS softball head coach Steve Haug said after the signing ceremony.

“It is a very exciting time for everyone here.”

“Taylor is so deserving of [this opportunity]. She has always worked hard to get better.”

Last but not least, Smartt had a few things to say herself.

In her speech, she thanked the Lord, former players and coaches, friends, classmates, her teachers and her family.

The 2008 AHSAA All-Star signed the letter shortly afterwards, making her commitment official.

“I am very excited for her,” Troy baseball coach Mark Smartt said about his daughter.

“She is very deserving of this opportunity.

“She really has worked hard to earn this and as a parent, I am extremely proud of all her accomplishments,” Smartt’s father added.