ROUGHEDGE — Before millions of families across the country begin their feasts today, most will keep with tradition — bowing their heads to give thanks for blessings.

The McAteer family has something a little extra — if not a lot extra — to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day.

Last Friday, Parkwood High senior Makenzi McAteer signed a letter of intent to play softball at Division I Western Carolina University.

McAteer is the first Division I softball signee in Parkwood’s history. Between academic and athletic scholarship money, McAteer’s education will be fully funded.

According to CNNMoney.co, the annual cost for an in-state student at Western Carolina is currently valued at $12,954.50.

Her contributions for the Rebels’ softball program are less tangible.

“Right off the bat [McAteer] has been a tremendous contributor,” Parkwood coach Don Mather said. “She started as a freshman and was one of our better hitters and then as a sophomore she had a tremendous year – that was really her breakout season.”

In her first three seasons at Parkwood, McAteer has a .388 career-batting average, 16 triples, 10 doubles and one home run.

McAteer said she was also recruited by Division II schools Wingate University and Queens College, but felt the Catamounts suited her best.

“The last time I visited [Western] I got to spend the night and got a chance to hang out with the team and I felt like I had known them for a long time,” McAteer said. “And I loved the coaches – it’s just really good to know that I’m going to be playing for them.”

McAteer plays shortstop for the Rebels and third base and outfield with the Carolina Cobras, her traveling squad, but can play almost any defensive position.

“[Western] pretty much said they can see me playing anywhere, so I’ll just be anywhere that they need me to play,” McAteer said.

The Rebels went to the state playoffs for the first time in school history during McAteer’s freshman season and again her sophomore year. After staying home for the playoffs last spring, McAteer is hungry to lead the Rebels back into the postseason.

McAteer has been a four-sport athlete for Parkwood, including softball, basketball, cross country and volleyball. She always knew softball was her best chance for a scholarship, so she chose to focus in on it — which meant giving up other sports along the way.

“Every time I played softball I loved it,” McAteer said. “I would have loved to play basketball last year and this year, but if I got hurt and ruined my chances of playing softball in college, all of that work I put in would have been for nothing.”

Instead, softball has given McAteer plenty of reason to be thankful.