Fifty-one students in the Bishop T. K. Gorman Catholic High School Class of 2008 graduated on Friday, May 23, 2008 in the Haddad Gymnasium on the Gorman campus in the Forty Eighth Annual Commencement Exercises. Select "Read More" for pictures.

Highlights of the graduation ceremony included a commencement speech by forty-year teacher Mr. Larry McClellan.

The Class of 2008 has received more than $2,500,000.oo in scholarships awarded.

The 2008 Christus Award Winners are Hannah Michelle Meads and Patrick Michael Rydzak.

 

The Gorman Class of 2008 is led by Valedictorian Sarah June Gleason. Sarah, a member of the National Honor Society and recipient of Principal's Honor Roll status for all grading periods in her high school tenure, was also involved with the Gorman Academic Team, and the Youth Rally Staff. Sarah won the highest award at Gorman, the Christus Award in her ninth grade year, was awarded the Rev. Jerome Milton Scholarship Award in her junior year, was the Captain of the Cross Country team her senior year and track team Captain both her junior and senior years. Sarah has $150,000 in scholarship offers. Sarah will attend Texas A&M University in the fall.

Emily Margaret Droder is the Gorman Class of 2008 Salutatorian. Emily’s seven year tenure at Gorman includes membership in the National Honor Society, the Gorman Academic Team, the Crusader Fine Arts Team, the Student Council and the Student Ambassador program. In addition, Emily participated in high school basketball, tennis, Junior Symphony League and was awarded the Windsor Service Award her senior year. Emily has $204,000 in scholarship offers. Emily will attend Carnegie Mellon University in the fall.

Fifty-one seniors in the Gorman Class of 2008 have been accepted to numerous universities and colleges in the United States including: the Arizona State University, Auburn University, Austin College, Baylor University, Boston University, Bryant University, Cabrini College, Centenary College of Louisiana, Central Christian College of Kansas, Creighton University, East Texas Baptist University, Florida Institute of Technology, Houston Baptist University, Indiana University, Kansas University, Kilgore College, Mary Baldwin College, Millsaps College, Mississippi State University, Newman University, Northeastern University, Rhodes College, Saint Edward’s University, Saint Louis University, Saint Mary’s College, Saint Mary’s University, Salem State College, Sam Houston State University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Shawnee State University, Southern Methodist University, Southwestern University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University – Galveston, Texas Christian University, Texas Lutheran University, Texas Tech University, Transylvania University, Trinity University, Truman State University, Tulane University, Tyler Junior College, University of Arizona, University of Colorado – Boulder, University of Dallas, University of Denver, University of Incarnate Word, University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, University of North Texas, University of Oklahoma, University of Rochester, University of Texas – Arlington, University of Texas – Austin, University of Texas – San Antonio, University of Texas – Tyler, and the University of Utah as well as many state universities.

Interesting statistics about the Class of 2008:

• Average time in the Tyler Catholic School System: 9.4 years
• 21 students in the class began in either Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten at St. Gregory
• 34 of the 51 (63%) have no younger sibling in the School System.
• 33 of 51 (61%) are the youngest or only child in the family.
• Three are Eagle Scouts
• 46 of the 51 have participated for at least one year in the fine arts.
• 22 of 51 earned college-level passing scores on AP Testing in their junior year.

Members of the Class of 2008 include:

*Denotes National Honor Society