From Dreams to Destinations: East High Athletes Commit to Their Future

East High’s signing day was filled with excitement, pride, and powerful reminders that dedication truly pays off. Four outstanding seniors — Kenneth Cleaves, Terrance Little, Excell Thomas, and Oscar Chatman — officially committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level in football, each with a unique journey but a shared message: the work matters.

Family members, coaches, teammates, and staff gathered to celebrate these scholar-athletes as they signed to Missouri Valley College, Upper Iowa University, Milliken University, and Southwest Baptist University.

Kenneth proudly announced his commitment to Missouri Valley College, expressing gratitude and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

When asked about his initial reaction after learning of his acceptance, he shared:

“I was really excited knowing that I got somewhere to go at this high school and will keep playing college ball.”

For Kenneth, the opportunity to continue competing is matched by his excitement for growth and new experiences. “Really, you get to meet new people, new coaches, and just have fun.”

His advice to younger student-athletes reflects the mindset that carried him to this moment:

“Just make sure you do your work, stay on task, and always work hard for what you want.”

Senior Terrance Little committed to Upper Iowa University after navigating a competitive recruitment process. While the decision wasn’t easy, it was ultimately rewarding. “It was really a hard decision finding what school I was going to go to because a lot of schools were making offers to me, but when I really figured it out, I was kind of excited.”

Looking ahead, Terrance is eager to embrace the full college experience.

His advice to future athletes is simple but powerful: “Just put in the work. You’re gonna get what you put in.”

Excell Thomas, a senior at Hazelwood East, signed with Milliken University to continue both his football and academic career. His journey was one of discovery and determination. “At first, I didn’t know if I was going to college for football. I didn’t know if I was going to college at all. But once I started reaching out to coaches and seeing the exposure that I was getting, I really locked in and went ahead and committed.”

When he received his acceptance, Excell felt relief and pride. “It was not surprising, but it was a relief for me because it is a private college, so they have higher expectations. I was really excited and relaxed when I finally made my decision.”

He closed his interview with school spirit and confidence: “Go Big Blue.”

Oscar Chatman Jr., another proud senior from Hazelwood East, committed to Southwest Baptist University after narrowing his choice to two schools. For Oscar, the deciding factor was comfort and connection. “With Southwest Baptist, it felt like home, and it wasn’t too far from St. Louis, so I wanted to stick around and stay in the area.”

His excitement was immediate once he received his acceptance: “I was very excited because at that point, that was the school I wanted to go to.” Oscar also offered meaningful advice rooted in long-term discipline: “Everything matters starting from your freshman year–weight lifting, taking things seriously. Just everything matters.”

Signing day at East High was more than a ceremony — it was the culmination of years of early mornings, late nights, practices, lessons, growth, and perseverance.

Each of these student-athletes demonstrated that success is earned through consistency, commitment, and belief in oneself. As they take the next step toward collegiate athletics, they leave behind a powerful message for the next generation of East High students: Work hard. Stay focused. Trust the process. Your moment will come! 

Congratulations to Kenneth, Terrance, Exell, and Oscar — HSD and East High are proud of you!