Kem Nwabudu and Zhanela Thybulle, seniors at Elmont Memorial High School, have signed National Letters of Intent to attend and play Division I basketball at the collegiate level. The girls celebrated the occasion with their coaches, teammates and families during a special ceremony on Nov. 14.

Kem is heading to Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she will study biology. Zhanela will attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Wilmington, North Carolina, and plans to study sports marketing.

Principal Kevin Dougherty welcomed everyone in attendance and congratulated the girls on their outstanding achievements.

“On behalf of Elmont Memorial High School, I could not be prouder of these two young ladies. They are not only wonderful basketball players, but they are wonderful people as well,” Dougherty said.

Both Kem and Zhanela spoke briefly during the ceremony, thanking their coaches and teachers. The girls also expressed gratitude to their families for supporting them in their high school careers and helping them get to this milestone achievement.