A pair of Billingsley High School students signed athletic scholarships during a ceremony on March 9.

Both players signed in the school gym in front of the student body, as well as a mixture of both family and friends.

Kenzie Glass will be playing basketball at Wallace Community College in Selma, while Larry Starks will be attending Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo. to play football.

Both Starks and Glass are anxious to test themselves against the next level of competition.

“It was a very long process,” Glass said. “I worked very hard because I couldn’t stand the fact of not being able to play basketball after high school.”

The proximity of Wallace Community College to Billingsley intrigued Glass. She looks forward to having the opportunity to come back and watch her fellow teammates compete next season.

Glass prides herself on her ability to be a threat from long range, as she finished with over 100 three-pointers made during her five years as a member of varsity.

According to Glass, ever since Glass took up the game of basketball at six years old, she has been known as a shooter.

She has played on the girls varsity basketball team since 8th grade, when head coach Shunn Bailey could see that the potential for great things existed.

“You could see that she was very passionate about basketball and she was always looking at what she could do to get better,” Bailey said. “You can’t coach that in a kid. I feel like I am a part of her family, because I have watched her grow for the past five years.”

Starks will be attending Culver-Stockton along with teammate Webb Dobbins, who had previously signed.

Both will play on the same side of the ball, Starks was recruited to play wide receiver and Dobbins along the offensive line.

“It will be good to have someone there that I know, as we get adjusted,” Starks said. “It’s a big change for both of us.”

Starks’ speed on the football field is a dynamic presence and the capability of a big play at any moment.

His versatility was on display throughout his high school career, as he played multiple positions, including quarterback.

“You have to use a different technique depending on the position,” Starks said. “It’s all about thinking on your feet and adjusting to the game.”