For Denisse Jorge-Garcia, the moment she declared her commitment to play collegiate soccer at Chowan University was about far more than signing a piece of paper.
It was about family. It was about community. And it was about continuing a legacy that began just one year earlier when her brother, Henry Jorge-Garcia, made the same decision.
Inside the halls of Hobbton High School, surrounded by teammates, coaches, friends and family, the Lady Wildcat standout reflected on the overwhelming support she received on a day she will remember for the rest of her life.
“I really did not expect a lot of people to come,” Denisse shared with a smile. “But people always support you. Even if it’s not people showing up to your games or anything like that, you always have that one person who is there for you no matter what. I appreciate the love.”
That support has been a constant throughout her journey.
A dream years in the making
From an early age, Denisse dreamed of playing soccer at the next level. The road to that dream was not always easy, but her belief in the gift she felt God gave her never wavered.
“It’s always something that I dreamed of,” she reflected. “I always wanted to go play college ball. Sometimes throughout my career, I had ups and downs about what I really wanted to do, but no matter what, the Lord gave me this gift, and I have to use it throughout life.”
For Denisse, the game of soccer has always been about more than scoring goals or winning matches.
“Even if it’s not playing college ball, it’s just showing love,” she explained. “Showing everyone that love can get you somewhere in life, and that gifts come from the Lord.”
Her ability to blend skill with humility has made her one of the most respected student-athletes to come through Hobbton in recent years.
A legacy shared
Denisse will not be entering the collegiate soccer world alone.
Her older brother Henry is already a player at Chowan University in Murfreesboro. Growing up, the siblings pushed one another relentlessly, sharpening each other’s skills in the backyard and on the training field.
“That’s my built-in best friend since day one,” Denisse expressed. “We’ve always pushed each other and trained together. I really hope I can push him as much as he pushes me, and we just keep the community going and put Newton Grove on the map, as well as Hobbton High School.”
For Henry, watching his sister follow him to the same program is both emotional and rewarding.
“Honestly, words can’t describe what I’m feeling for her right now,” Henry admitted. “I never thought this day would actually come, and it did. Now we’re both going to be there playing the sport that we love.”
Henry acknowledged that their parents laid the foundation for everything the siblings have achieved.
“It all starts with our parents,” he noted. “They gave us everything that we needed. Without them, we wouldn’t be here.”
And while Denisse has made it clear she wants to surpass her brother’s goal-scoring record at Hobbton, Henry says he would welcome the challenge.
“She probably could beat it,” he added with a laugh. “She’s worked hard for it, and she wants it really bad. If she does beat it, I wouldn’t be upset because it’s one of my own.”
Seeing potential early
Those who coached Denisse throughout her development recognized her potential long before her college commitment became reality.
Damon Burnett, who coached her during middle school, said Denisse and her brother consistently set the standard for what it means to be a student-athlete.
“Denisse, along with her brother Henry, set the example for what it means to be a student athlete, with student definitely coming first,” Burnett remarked. “They’re always thinking about others before themselves. That tells me they have a servant heart, and they’re going to do extremely well at the next level.”
Former Hobbton coach Eric McDonald remembers the first time he watched her compete.
“I couldn’t be more proud of her,” McDonald stated. “From the moment I saw her as a freshman, I knew she was special.”
While her skill level stood out immediately, McDonald said her mentality separated her from the rest.
“The talent was obvious, but what truly stood out was her mindset, her focus, her confidence and her relentless work ethic,” he explained.
One moment in particular remains vivid in his memory.
“I’ll never forget watching her compete in a tournament against boys,” McDonald recalled. “She was fearless — brave in every challenge, tenacious in every battle and completely unshaken.”
According to McDonald, Denisse’s soccer intelligence and creativity make her a rare player.
“She’s a prolific goal scorer with exceptional vision, immaculate passing, and an elite soccer IQ,” he added. “She doesn’t just play the game. She understands it and elevates it.”
McDonald believes her collegiate career is only just beginning.
“This moment is the result of years of hard work and belief,” he said. “And I have no doubt this is only the beginning of an outstanding college career.”
Current Hobbton head coach Juan Sanchez expressed pride in Denisse’s growth as both a player and a person.
“I am very happy for Denisse. From the time she began playing, she always showed strong performances and has improved a lot over the years,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez said her dedication in the classroom and on the field helped make this moment possible.
“She has worked very hard to reach this point,” he continued. “We hope she does very well in this new chapter at Chowan.”
Love from the community
Perhaps no one felt the magnitude of the moment more deeply than Denisse’s mother, Sonia Jorge-Garcia.
Watching both of her children pursue college soccer is a point of pride for the family.
“I’m very proud of both my kids,” Sonia shared. “First Henry and now Denisse, it’s so amazing how great God is. She has always been the kind of child who gives everything to the school.”
That dedication to others is why so many people came out to celebrate her commitment.
“She always supports everybody,” Sonia added. “Now everybody is supporting her the same way.”
While the thought of both children being away at college brings mixed emotions, Sonia says faith will guide their journey.
“It will be sad when they are far away,” she admitted. “But I’m very proud and ready to see what God has prepared for them.”
Playing for something bigger
As Denisse looked out at the crowd during her signing ceremony, she carried one more person with her in spirit.
Her grandmother, who recently passed away, remained close to her heart.
“I know she would be proud of me,” Denisse said softly. “My grandma was like another best friend to me. If I had a bad game, she was one of the first people I would talk to.”
Though her grandmother often worried about her getting injured playing soccer, her encouragement never wavered.
“She always told me to keep striving for something that I love,” Denisse remembered.
Denisse made sure to acknowledge the people who sacrificed the most for her dream — her parents.
“To my parents, I love y’all so much,” she said. “Thank you for always sacrificing.”
The countless car rides, practices and games were moments she will never forget.
“My dad would go into work earlier just so he could come watch me play,” Denisse recalled. “When I looked in the stands, those were the two people I was always looking for.”
Their encouragement often pushed her to improve, even when she performed well.
“There was always, ‘You did good, but you can still push more,’” she said. “They always saw potential in me.”
Now, as Denisse prepares to graduate and head to Murfreesboro, the journey that began on the fields of Hobbton is entering a new chapter.
But her goal remains the same — represent her family, her school, and her community with pride.
“We just want to keep putting Newton Grove on the map,” Denisse said.
And if her track record is any indication, the Hobbton standout is just getting started.