Five seniors at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School will be collegiate athletes next fall.

The regional high school celebrated the athletes Thursday afternoon by organizing a signing day for the students and their families. 

Assistant athletic director Jeff Duarte opened the ceremony by congratulating everyone on their accomplishments and wished them good luck on their future endeavors. 

Kaua De Assis, center, with family. — Courtesy MVRHS

Students in the spotlight included Felicity Lepine, who will play field hockey at Nazareth University, Elaina Cacchiotti, who will play field hockey at Allegheny College, Camille Brand, who will run track and field for Tufts University, Lily Haynes, who will play lacrosse at Simmons University, and Kaua De Assis, who will swim for Bridgewater State University.  

Brand only started running track during her sophomore year of high school but immediately found success in the high jump. She holds the school record and has competed at the national level for the past three years. 

Still, she didn’t expect to compete in college, but then met the Tufts coach last summer at a track camp and the commitment process went smoothly from there.  

Lily Haynes, center, with family. — Courtesy MVRHS

“I just reached out to him, and then I went [to Tufts] and did an official visit and stayed the night there,” she said. “It was super cool. I really liked the team and everything about it.” 

Brand’s father, Kris Lukowitz, is proud of his daughter’s accomplishments.  

“She’s worked hard [and it is hard] just to get into Tufts academically, and the fact that she’s also going to do a sport is just incredible and a testament to how talented and hardworking she is,” he said. 

Lepine said she is looking forward to her next chapter of education and athletics.

“I’m excited to be a part of a team and the friends that come with it and the experience of playing field hockey at the next level,” she said. 

Brand echoed the excitement about heading to college with new teammates by her side.  

“I’m super excited to have a team going in there since college is socially daunting,” she said. “Having a group of people who are just like me and who I’ll be with all the time is really comforting.”