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GHS taps top scholars 
TOP SCHOLARS: During an awards ceremony Wednesday, Granger High School Class of 2008 Valedictorian Thomas Scott Janke, left, and Salutatorian Garrett Leonard Pekar were recognized for outstanding academic achievement. Janke will graduate Friday with a 100.52 grade average while Pekar earned a 100.32.
staff photo by JASON SCHAEFER |
By Jason Schaefer The final scores are in for Granger High School, and Thomas Scott Janke and Garrett Leonard Pekar have earned the positions of valedictorian and salutatorian in the Class of 2008. The two leaders have gone to school together since kindergarten, and they look back on their school years fondly but with big plans for the future. With an overall average of 100.52, Janke, who is valedictorian, plans to attend Texas A&M University in Kingsville to study range and wildlife management. His passion is farming as well as hunting and fishing, and after earning his master’s degree, he plans to manage a ranch in Texas and eventually own one of his own. An active member of Boy Scouts of America Troop 324, Janke earned the Eagle Scout rank and continued to lead his fellow scouts as an assistant scoutmaster. Janke will retire from scouting after he helps advance another member to Eagle this Saturday. Janke excelled in football, playing center and defensive end on the 2007 state semi-finalist football team, and was named to the first team academic all-state, a football award for students maintaining a grade average above a 95. He’s worked on his academic success since seventh grade, when both he and Pekar attended Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic School. “It’s a relief to finally have it over with,” Janke said. Janke will work his way through college, he said. He will get the results of his scholarship applications after graduation Friday. Pekar will graduate with a grade average of 100.32, and plans to attend the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, where he will work toward a degree in mass communication and journalism. Pekar has earned a total of about $13,000 in scholarships to date after applying for about 15 different scholarships, and he also expects results from the rest of his applications following graduation. After finishing his college study, Pekar plans to work his way up at a newspaper company. He has not decided which paper he will apply to or whether he will pursue a master’s degree. “I probably should, so we’ll see,” he said. Also a successful athlete, Pekar advanced in varsity tennis to win second in the 2008 State Tournament. He also plays guitar and enjoys hanging out with his friends. Both students were active in their class. Janke was the president of the GHS Student Council and vice president of the Class of 2008. Pekar was voted president of the Class of 2008. As president and vice president, both students fondly remember the special nomination of Nathan Huff for “Mr. GHS.” Huff, 18, has the genetic disorder trisomy 13, which children usually do not survive past an early age. Huff was the center of a special homecoming presentation. Another responsibility of class leaders is making sure senior trips run smoothly. This year, the trip to Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington fell through due to rain. The class boarded the buses early in the morning to make the trip, but by noon, the theme park was shut down due to inclement weather. “I think we spent more time on the road than in the park,” Janke said. The class planned a second trip to Granger Lake Thursday. Pekar said the students’ success in their academic endeavors is due to the support of their parents. “My parents, and I’m sure Thomas’ parents, are the biggest foundation for us to do the best in our own work and in everything you can,” Pekar said.
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