It’s a day Faith Blethen began dreaming about as an 11-year-old dribbling a basketball at the local YMCA. Her dream was playing Division I basketball at a great university, and on Nov. 16, Blethen’s dream came one step closer to reality. Blethen, a Boothbay Region High School senior, signed her National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for George Washington University in Washington, D.C. next fall.

A large crowd of friends, family and fans attended the signing during a ceremony held in the BRHS gymnasium. The  National Letter of Intent program began in 1964 with seven conferences and eight independent institutions. The program now includes 657 Division I and Division II participating schools. The NLI is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and a college or university.

For Blethen and her family, the letter-signing was a culmination of years of hard work which began at the Boothbay Region YMCA, continued as a Maine Firecracker playing AAU, and also playing for local Boothbay Region school teams. Blethen said there were too many people to thank individually for helping her reach her dream. But she did specifically mention her family, teammates and coaches for playing such a critical role in her basketball success.

“Thank you Mom, Dad and G (Glory). Without the team of support and investment in my dream this would not be possible,” Blethen said. “Also, my coaches who helped me develop as a person and player. My Firecracker teammates and coaches challenged and supported me every day since I was a fifth grader.”

BRHS principal Dan Welch opened the ceremony by recounting his first sighting of Blethen as a YMCA athlete. Welch witnessed Blethen’s growth from her start as a sixth grader to playing in last year’s Class C regional final. He praised Blethen for her hard work, dedication and tenacity. “You’ve taken every setback as an invitation for improvement. It is evident the time you’ve spent honing your skills is from a true love for the game,” he said. “I’m also impressed at how selfless she is as a player. Instead of scoring at will, she tries to elevate her teammates and lead by example.”

The final speaker was Brian Blethen who serves double duty as Faith’s coach and father. He credited the community in helping his daughter reach her goal. Blethen described Faith’s signing as a great moment for Boothbay schools, the Firecracker team, the local YMCA and the state of Maine. “You all contributed to her growth and the success story of a young girl who embraced her parents' passion for a sport she learned at the local Y, and represented her hometown and state as she relentlessly pursued the dream of a Division I college basketball scholarship,” Brian Blethen said.

He also told how proud the entire family was of her. “I remember thinking what kind of person, student and athlete she would be as young girl. Never in my greatest hopes, as a new parent, would I imagine my daughter becoming a high-honored student, Division I scholarship athlete, along with all your grace and dignity. I’m so proud of you, and love you, congratulations,” he said.

George Washington University plays in the Atlantic 10 Conference and is coached by Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Jenn Rizzotti.