College signing day is a big deal for high school athletes, but now students who are focused on the academic or career side of their education will get to share a little bit of the excitement.

George Rogers Clark High School will host its first academic signing day on March 21 honoring  the achievements of all 373 members of its 2017 graduating class.

We applaud this idea and think it was a great way to reward, recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of all the students who have worked hard to prepare themselves for the next chapters of their lives.

More than 40 organizations including colleges, universities and the U.S. military will be present and students will get to sign certificates to replicate the signing events that many college-bound athletes participate in each year.

Anything we can do to elevate all our students and put them on the path toward success in life becomes important. This event will be time well spent.

We applaud this unique concept and appreciate that it will be inclusive of all students, even those who have not yet decided what they want to do after high school or are taking a different career path.

Not every student plays sports, gets a scholarship or even goes to college, but each and every one deserves to feel special for a day.