Early Signing Day at Montgomery Catholic was an emotional affair decorated with plenty of crimson. Seniors C.J. Person and Amaris Tyynismaa signed their commitments to become scholar athletes in front of family, friends, faculty, and the media.
Person is a three-star defensive tackle who was instrumental in taking the Knights to the second round of the playoffs this season. He has committed to play football at Indiana University and credited his coaches and his family for his success as both a student and a stand-out athlete. The future Hoosier expressed his gratitude for the love and support from his grandmother and thanked Montgomery Catholic President Mrs. Anne Ceasar for being “like a second mom” during his time at MCPS.
Tyynismaa has earned 5 consecutive individual state titles for cross country running, holds over 20 state titles in cross country and track & field events, and led the Lady Knights to their first ever state championship in cross country. She has committed to run at the University of Alabama. Sharing her deeply personal struggle with Tourette’s syndrome and overcoming negative comments from others, she emphasized the importance of persistence, hard work, and never giving up in the face of adversity. Both athletes warmly congratulated each other on their accomplishments and expressed the gratitude for being classmates at Montgomery Catholic.
“It was a great day for C.J. and Amaris as we celebrated their college choices,” said MCPS Athletic Director Mr. Daniel Veres. “I’ve had many heart-to-heart conversations with both of them about their college options, and Indiana and Alabama are getting two great people to join their programs.”