Cire WIlson '25 Recruiting Profile

Balancing the demands of being a four-sport athlete and attending Duke Ellington School of the Arts is no small feat, but for me, it’s a way of life. Each day starts early with track practice, where I hone my skills with hurdles, pushing through various drills. The teamwork and discipline required in football translate seamlessly into my other sports, and because I stay so tough on myself, I’ve turned myself into a formidable competitor in track, basketball, football, and baseball. The adrenaline each sport provides such as a game-winning touchdown or a perfectly executed fast break fuels my passion for athletics.

Transitioning from the sports field to the artistic halls of Duke Ellington, I embrace a different kind of performance. The school’s rigorous curriculum challenges my creativity and intellectual growth. I find a unique balance between the physicality of sports and the introspective nature of the arts. For instance, as student government eleventh-grade class rep, I ran the first-ever Student Vs. Staff basketball game in Duke Ellington history in the 40 years since the school first opened. I used my creativity and leadership to have the national anthem sung by one of our student vocalists and had a half-time performance from the step team that brought much life as we (the students) were losing. The students eventually won the game, and I was proud to bring back a tradition that now will happen every year! The diverse environment at Duke Ellington encourages me to explore all facets of my identity, blending the worlds of sports and art in a way that is uniquely mine.

Despite the demanding schedule, I excel academically and artistically, while at the same time maintaining a very high level of peak athletic performance. I’m dedicated to my work and thanks to the support from home and the amazing staff at Ellington, I maintain a 3.7 cumulative unweighted GPA all while excelling in all 4 of my sports: being the captain in basketball & track and having huge leadership roles in football and baseball. My dedication to both pursuits testifies to my exceptional time management and unwavering commitment. Late nights are often spent studying or perfecting a poem or film of mine, while early mornings are usually reserved for conditioning and practice. I try to stay resilient and passionate making me a true embodiment of what it means to be multifaceted, driven, and endlessly creative.

The support of my coaches, teachers, and family is vital in this journey. My coaches push me to be the best athlete I can be, instilling a strong work ethic and competitive spirit. Meanwhile, my teachers at Duke Ellington nurture my artistic talents and academic growth, encouraging me to push the boundaries of my creativity. My principal pushed me when she was fighting with DCPS, our school board, about maintaining the arts at our prestigious school. She called on me and my best friend to create poems that pushed the boundaries of not only our creativity but also the school board’s because our poems called them out about how important the arts are. The piece was called  “Our One Thing” which exemplified how “Everybody got that one thing” and how ours was Duke Ellington. This eventually led to us performing the poem in front of the DCPS building and leading the peaceful protest that guaranteed our arts for the following year.

 My family provides a foundation of unwavering support, helping me manage my demanding schedule and cheering me on in both my athletic and artistic endeavors. My mom was adopted as a kid so I acquired a third grandmother better known as “Mama” She is one of my biggest supporters and provides financial support for getting to practices, paying for equipment, and college camps; she’s essential to my success. This network of support empowers me to pursue my passions fully and strive for excellence in all areas of my life.