Trojan Hall was full of students, teachers, teammates and families Feb. 2 as four Daphne High School seniors signed scholarship letters to play on the collegiate level: three football offensive linemen and one Lady Trojan basketball athlete.

Tiana Smith will continue her basketball career close to home as she attends Spring Hill College in the fall. Over her career at Daphne High School Smith has lettered in basketball, track and field and volleyball while holding a 4.2 grade-point average. During the 2021-22 basketball season she averaged 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals per game. Smith ends her career at Daphne High School with over 500 rebounds, 152 steals and as a leading scorer for two consecutive seasons while increasing her points per game percentage by 25%.

"When I first met her, she was a very shy and nervous tenth grader. After talking with her and getting to know her she had high hopes and aspirations then of playing collegiate basketball. Over the years I have seen Tiana grow on and off the court," said Kimyatta Perry, Daphne High School basketball coach. "I am so proud of the leader you are and the resilient woman you are becoming."

Daphne High School offensive coach Matthew Wells said, "This is my 20th year of coaching and I have never had three offensive lineman sign scholarships in the same year. That is a testament to how hard they work."

Ashton Donald will continue his football career at Albany State University in Albany, Georgia. Donald was a three-year starter for the Trojans and was a 2021 team captain. Over his time at Daphne High School Donald has held a 3.1 GPA, lettered in football and track and field, was a part of the DHS Leadership Council and DHS Community Service initiative.

"Ashton made himself and willed himself into a great player. He worked extremely hard in the weight room. He was versatile. He played every position for us except for center. Not only is that physically demanding it's mental too. He had to know all the plays. You were definitely a tool for us that we could put anywhere. We are appreciative of you and how hard you work," Wells said.

Taylor Hicks will continue his football career with the University of West Alabama Tigers in Livingston, Alabama. During his time at Daphne High School Hicks was a three-year starter and lettered in football, participated with the DHS Leadership Council and DHS Community Service Initiative and held a 3.5 grade-point average.

"Taylor is so good. He is a technician and a good kid and has done everything we have asked of him. He has gone through so much injury wise. This year he was dominating knockdowns and in the third game he got hurt once again. But that is a testament to how hard he worked because colleges and coaches saw his body of work even though it was only three games to offer him this scholarship. I am impressed with you and impressed with what you have overcome. I am excited you are getting your school paid for as well," Wells said

Jacob Galmiche will join teammate Hicks at University of West Alabama. During his time as a Daphne Trojan, Galmiche lettered in football, was a three-year starter and a 2021 team captain. He also participated with the DHS Leadership Council and DHS Community Service Initiative and held a 3.3 grade-point average.

"Jacob is one of the hardest workers I know. He calls all the line calls for the rest of the lineman and he is the leader in that offensive line. He led the team with nasty blocks. It has been a real pleasure to watch him grow, and I think West Alabama is getting a deal with him," Wells said.