Messmer High School senior football players Tywan Ramsey and Jonathan Carson faxed in their National Letters of Intent and their acceptance of athletic scholarships on February 5, 2014. At 4 o'clock pm that Wednesday afternoon there was a celebration and announcement at Messmer. This event was for media, friends and family to take pictures.
Senior Tywan Ramsey said, “I will be attending South Dakota State University because it gives off a family environment.” Several other schools were interested in Tywan such as Northern Illinois, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, West Point, North and South Dakota and UW-Madison. South Dakota State University offers a nursing program that Tywan says is wonderful. He received a full ride scholarship to study nursing. Tywan said, “The football program at Messmer was wonderful in training me, and the academics prepared me for the college [expectations].” The signing event was something to remember. Tywan said, “This was the first time in history for the co-op [Messmer-Shorewood] schools and it was the first time in over 20 years for Messmer High School.” He also said, “ I feel honored to even be considered let alone receiving a scholarship, and be one of the first to do it in a long time at Messmer.”
Senior Jonathan Carson said, "My signing event was very historical and it made me feel like I was being honored by my school." Carson will be attending Central Michigan University because it is has a family environment and it "makes me feel like I am back at home." Just like Tywan, several other schools were also interested in Jonathan. Wisconsin, Michigan state, Northern Illinois and Harvard were all interested in him. Central Michigan University offered Carson a full ride scholarship to play football. Jonathan said, "Messmer helped me prepare myself by making sure my grades were up and on point and by making sure my work ethic never changed." Jonathan says that he thinks this signing event had the biggest impact on his parents because they no longer have to pay for college.
Coach Drake Zortman, also Messmer’s PreCalculus teacher, said, “Jonathan is a great young man, he made himself into a scholarship player at the highest level with his hard work and determination year round.” Coach also said that Tywan has the potential to be a special player in the coming years. He said that Tywan has a huge upside even though he has been only playing football for three years. Coach Drake also said, “I hope people realize that Milwaukee has special athletes in all sports, not just basketball. There are some very good football players in the city that people need to know about. We were lucky enough to have two in one class, which is not common.”
This signing event was one to remember. These two young men are grateful for all the support they received from family, friends and the media.
--Contributed by senior Brittany Harmon
