Editor’s note: Jerry Lindsey took the photograph.
Morrison High School Senior Kaylee Shetler received an early, life-changing birthday present, on Friday, December 7, 2018. One day before she turns 18, Shetler signed a Letter of Intent to play Women’s Volleyball at Kishwaukee Community College, in Malta, IL, near DeKalb. KCC is a two-year college.
At 5:00 p.m. in the school Cafeteria, several supporters witnessed the official acceptance of a KCC scholarship for tuition only. Seated left-to-right were Morrison High School Girls Volleyball Coach Julia Deter; Kaylee Shetler; Girls Volleyball Head Coach at Kishwaukee Emily Bodmer.
Kaylee’s father, Chris, four grandparents, Principal Kay Harwood, MHS Activities Director Gregg Dolan, and others attended Shetler’s ceremony.
For two years, Bodmer has been Girls Volleyball Head Coach at Kishwaukee. She said the program is “building. I started with nothing.” The Lady Kougars play in the Arrowhead Conference, as does Sauk Valley Community College.
Shetler also plays on the “No Limits” Club Volleyball team in Sterling, IL. When Coach Bodmer recruited Shelbie Preston, a current KCC player, Preston told her about Shetler.
Coach Deter helped develop Shetler’s skill set for four years. “Kaylee played 7th and 8th grade volleyball, too,” Deter stated.
Dolan said these significant, personal achievements are usually held prior to school day dismissal. That is so other students can support and congratulate the athlete. The receipt of a signing offer from a future college coach illustrates the quality of the MHS athletic program. Public signings can inspire Morrison athletes to excel and strive for similar college financial aid.
He added, “Coaches see something in Kaylee that [spurred] them to offer an enticement for college.”
Coach Bodmer reported she has “six Kougars coming back. There are two signings today[, including Kaylee], and four-to-six more will come. We will start with open gym time this summer. The season starts Thursday, August 1.”
Kishwaukee Community College has no on-campus housing. So, one of Kaylee Shetler’s first college tasks will be to find her own apartment in DeKalb.