Submitted by RLS Staff

Joined by more than a dozen administrators, former/present coaches, parents, students and friends, 17-year-old Arts High School senior Fredrayah Heyward has confirmed that her basketball talents will be shared with the Wagner College Seahawks to begin the 2019-2020 college basketball season.

Arts High School's Principal Ricardo Pedro closed-off the school's atrium on Monday, November 19th, for Fredrayah's official 'intent to play' signing that began at 2 p.m. as he took the opportunity to praise the success of Heyward.

Principal Pedro went on to congratulate the talents that encompass students at the United State's first school of the visual and performing arts of its kind; Arts High School.

"I am honored to have another student here at Arts High School obtain a scholarship in her intent to play basketball for Wagner College. I am extremely proud of Fredrayah" Principal Pedro said in the opening statement.

According to officials, Heyward, a four-year starter, 5' 7" tall point guard knocked down over 1000 points to close her junior year as the Jaguars excelled in the Super Essex Conference of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association American Division.

Heyward's tenacity off the basketball court earned her excellent academic success while her on the court toughness gained her a First Team All-Conference bid from Super Essex Conference officials.

In a statement released by Arts High School's Girls Basketball Coach, Ms. Ray-Quell Cotton, Heyward's basketball skill sets were praised then congratulated.

"Fredrayah encompasses a combination of natural athleticism and hard work. She is going to be a great asset to Wagner because she brings experience and knowledge that will allow her to contribute to the Lady Seahawks of Wagner team immediately" Coach Cotton said.

On the campus of the Staten Island liberal college, The Wagner Seahawks women's basketball team represents and currently competes in the Division 1 Northeast Conference.

According to the college's website, Wagner began women's basketball began competing in 1970. They have won the Northeast Conference title just once, in 1989. That year, they went 22-7 (14-2 in conference play), winning both the regular season and the tournament (66-60 over Robert Morris). The Seahawks have never qualified for a postseason tournament, neither Division I nor WNIT nor WBI. As of the end of the 2015-16 season, the Seahawks have a record of 511-665.

Heyward, a Television Production Major at Arts High, plans temporarily move away from the visual arts craft and focus on Criminal Justice at Wagner.