Mattoon High School held its annual College Signing Day on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. 15 seniors signed with the support of their families, friends, and school, as they continue their athletic/military careers at the next level.
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Chloe Dodd signed with Southern Illinois University Carbondale where she will continue her dance career. Dodd has been dancing in Mattoon for the past four and a half years, along with participating in FFA, Bionic, Student Council, and on the Leadership committee. She plans to study Agricultural Systems & Education in college and noted that she chose SIUC for their great dance team and amazing ag program. Dodd stated, "Malia Smith gave me a chance and I took it, and now look where I am at. I am a D1 collegiate dancer all thanks to the help of all of my coaches.”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Chloe Hettinger signed with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she will continue her cheerleading career. Hettinger has been cheering in Mattoon for the past seven years, along with participating in Track and Competitive Dance. She plans to study Architecture and will continue her sport as a flyer in college. Hettinger stated, "Ever since I went to a U of I Spirit Day with MMS Cheer in the 6th grade, it has been my dream to cheer at the collegiate level. Now, as a Fighting Illini Cheerleader flyer, that dream has become a reality. The 7 years I spent in the Mattoon School District cheer program helped prepare me for this next step in my athletic career. Without the coaches and girls in this program throughout the years, this dream never would have become possible. Thank you to everyone who has ever come to a game to cheer me on! I can't wait to see you this fall in the orange and blue. Go Illini!”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Madden Johnson signed with Lake Land College where he will continue his baseball career, playing both as a pitcher and a shortstop. Johnson has been playing baseball in Mattoon for the past twelve years, participating on teams at MMS, MHS as well as on the Mattoon Hit-Men and Mattoon All-Stars teams. Throughout high school, he also was an active participant on the MHS Golf and Basketball teams, NHS, B.I.O.N.I.C, and as a LIFT student. Johnson plans to study Exercise Science in college and noted that he chose Lake Land because he felt it was the best place to improve not only his baseball skills, but also his education and life skills. Johnson stated, "I’m very excited to start this new chapter in my life and I know I’ll come out of Lake Land a better baseball player and person. I want to thank all the coaches and teammates from MHS that have helped push me into becoming the player I am today.”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Cale Kimbro signed with Eastern Illinois University where he will continue his football career as a linebacker. Kimbro has been playing football in Mattoon for the past eight years, where he played on both the JFL Breakers and Mattoon Greenwave teams. Throughout high school, Kimbro was also a participant in basketball, baseball, and track. Kimbro plans to study Criminal Justice in college and noted that he chose Eastern because it was close to home so his parents could watch him play. Kimbro stated, "I had a great experience at Mattoon and am very excited about starting the next chapter of my athletic and academic career at EIU!”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Ashlynne Kuhn signed with Kaskaskia College where she will continue her volleyball career. Kuhn has been playing volleyball in Mattoon for the past five years, with eight total years of playing experience. She has participated on both MMS and MHS teams as well as the Rapid Fire Volleyball Club, and will continue playing as a middle blocker in her college career. Kuhn plans to study Early Childhood Education in college and noted that she chose Kaskaskia because of the location, the team, and the education. Kuhn stated, "I am beyond excited for this next chapter in my life. I am blessed to have the opportunity to continue my volleyball career at a collegiate level.”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Kameron Lathrop signed with Parkland College where she will continue her soccer career. Lathrop has been playing soccer in Mattoon for the past eleven years, participating on teams at MHS as well as the Mattoon Soccer Club, EIFC, and Midstate teams. She will continue playing as a center back in her college career. Along with soccer, Lathrop participated in Tennis, BIONIC, NHS, and Student Council throughout high school. She plans to study Biological Science in college. Lathrop stated, "I am excited to meet new friends and make new connections. I am also excited for the opportunity to continue playing the sport that I’ve been playing since I was 7.”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Lily Maninfior signed with Lindenwood University where she will continue her cheerleading career. Maninfior has been cheering in Mattoon for the past four years, with a total of eight years of experience. She will continue her role as a base and tumbler in college cheer, and chose Lindenwood because of the good coaching staff and the team environment. Maninfior plans to study Pre-Physical Therapy in college. Maninfior stated, "I am very excited to continue cheerleading at the next level and hope to contribute to the many national championships they have earned in the past.”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Bella Masse signed with Purdue University Fort Wayne where she will continue her soccer career. Masse has been playing soccer in Mattoon for the past thirteen years, participating on Mattoon Soccer Club, Midstate Soccer Club, Central Illinois United, and MHS Girls Varsity Soccer. Although she played center midfield in high school, Masse is excited to play a forward position in college. Throughout high school, she also participated in Basketball, NHS, Student Council, BIONIC, and LIFT. Masse plans to study marketing in college. She chose Purdue because of the competitive environment and the strong family culture within the women’s soccer program. Masse stated, “I fully believe in Coach Jason Burr’s vision for Mastodon Women’s Soccer and I am excited to get to work!” She also shared her appreciation, “I am very thankful for the support I received throughout my soccer career at MHS. Both Coach Ghere and Coach Morgan always pushed me to be the best I could be, and allowed me to be myself on the field. Not only did I become a better player, but I became a better person and leader on and off the field. The teams I was a part of made a lot of history for MHS Girls Soccer and I’m grateful to have been a part of it. I believe the skills I obtained through my 4 years with MHS Girls Soccer will translate to the Division 1 level at Purdue Fort Wayne, and I am excited to see what all I can accomplish in the next 4 years.”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Aylexis Otto signed with Greenville University where she will continue her softball career. Otto has been playing softball in Mattoon for the past seven years, with a total of eleven years of experience. She has participated on Mattoon Pride, Mattoon Cobras, and Charleston Chill, and will continue her role as a pitcher and utility position in college softball. Throughout high school, she has also participated in Basketball, Student Council, National Honor Society, Team Massive, BIONIC, and the Lift LEAD team. Otto selected Greenville because of the environment and having the opportunity to join a winning and successful team with a great group of girls. Otto plans to study Forensics in college. Otto stated, "I am super excited to be able to continue my athletic and academic career at Greenville University! I am blessed to have Coach Estevez provide me with this opportunity and for all my coaches past and present who helped me get where I am today.”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Nadya Paredes signed with Danville Area Community College where she will continue her volleyball career. Paredes has been playing volleyball in Mattoon for the past six years, participating on MMS and MHS teams as well as Rapid Fire Volleyball Club. Throughout high school, she has also participated in BIONIC, Massive, and National Honor Society. Paredes selected Danville because she fell in love with the space and the old look it had to it. She also shared how well she blended with the team, noting how welcoming and kind they were. Paredes plans to study Pre-Medicine in college and will continue her role as a setter in college volleyball. Paredes stated, "I’m so excited for this amazing opportunity to play at the next level! My coaches and teammates are what allowed this to happen so I’m beyond thankful for them! I’m also thankful for all the support I’ve received from Mattoon athletics throughout the past six years I’ve played. Thank you!”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Blair Powers signed with Eastern Florida State College where she will continue her golf career. Powers has been playing golf in Mattoon for the past six years, participating on MMS and MHS teams as well as travel teams. Throughout high school, she has also participated in National Honor Society, Student Council, BIONIC, and Team Massive. Powers selected EFSC because she really loved the coaches, teammates, facilities, and area. Powers stated, "I am extremely excited for the opportunity to play golf at the next level in Florida. I have always wanted to play in Florida for college, so the past 4 years playing high school and travel golf have paid off. I can not wait to play in college, and I will only get better from there!”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Trysten Sewell signed with the University of St. Francis where he will continue his football career. Sewell has been playing football in Mattoon for the past ten years, starting with flag football. He has participated on Mattoon Breakers, Tribe Travel Football and MHS teams. Sewell will continue his role as a running back in his college career. He selected St. Francis because of the winning football program. Sewell plans to study Criminal Justice in college. Sewell stated, "I am just excited for the opportunity to continue playing a sport I love so much. I'm taking everything these coaches taught me to the next level in College Football. The NFL is my ultimate dream! Let's Go Saints Football!”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Dalton Short signed with Illinois College where he will continue his tennis career. Short has been playing tennis in Mattoon for the past three years, with a total of four years of experience. He selected Illinois because of the coach being very aspiring. Short plans to study Mechanical Engineering in college. Short stated, "I am very excited to continue my athletic career and have fun playing the sport I love.”
MHS 2025 Graduate and Student-Athlete Joey Stewart signed with Kaskaskia College where he will continue his baseball career. Stewart has been playing baseball in Mattoon for the past eleven years, participating on MHS teams as well as Mattoon Hitmen, Illinois Black Sox, and Canes Midwest. Stewart will continue his role as a pitcher in his college baseball career. He selected Kaskaskia because of how he connected with the pitching coach and his overall appreciation for the baseball program. Stewart plans to study to be an Athletic Trainer. Stewart stated, "I would like to thank my dad for always supporting me on and off the baseball field. He has always pushed me to work hard. I also would like to thank all my coaches that have helped me along the way. You have all helped me get to this point that I’m at today.”
MHS 2025 Graduate Gavin White signed with the Illinois Army National Guard, where he plans to further his career as a Motor Transport Specialist. White stated, "I am in the Illinois National Guard for motor transport specialist, and I’m excited to further my career into college.” Mattoon CUSD2 thanks you for your service, Gavin!