Lingleville High School graduated 22 seniors Friday, May 24 who earned a combined total of 452 college credit hours and $325,000 in scholarships.
Brena Gage graduated as valedictorian and claimed more than $74,000 in scholarships for her hard work including four from Howard Payne University: a $66,000 presidential scholarship, a $1,000 Alumni Ministry Scholarship, a $1,000 Central Texas Scholarship and a $1,000 Scholarship Fund Award. She also received a $3,000 RangerCollegePromiseScholarship, a $1,408 Lingleville Senior Scholarship, a $500 AB Ranch Scholarship and a $500 LISD PTO LEAD Scholarship.
Gage said in her address in spite of her accomplishments: “I wish I had listened to everyone who told me to slow down and soak in every little detail I could… You should not sacrifice your relationships for just another activity to fill up your time.”
“Do not waste your time, you will never get it back,” she added. “Know your boundaries and make time for those in your life who care because the connections we make will last a lifetime.”
Salutatorian Rosemary Gallegos received $106,816 in scholarships including: a *4,500 Texas Leadership Scholars Award, a $1,000 Texas Bank Scholarship, a $7,395 Pell Grant, a $200 Educational Opportunity Grant, a $5,000 Texas Grant, a $3,000 Tarleton President’s GAP Scholarship, a $4,875 Tarleton Promise Scholarship and a $846 Lingleville Senior Scholarship.
Gallegos spoke fondly of her time and accomplishments at Lingleville while encouraging her classmates to stay true to themselves. “Keep connected with the things and people that surround you who push you to become better.” Gallegos thanked her parents and teachers for pushing her to excel.
“…There is a whole world out there waiting for you to explore,” she said. “Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to accomplish big things. Find strength in yourself and who you are, and most importantly, don’t forget to have fun.”
Andie Stephens received a $12,000 Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, a $3,500 Christian Leadership Scholarship, a $2,500 Masonic Children & Family Services of Texas Scholarship, a $500 United Way Erath County Scholarship, a $100 VFW Post 4136 Voices of Democracy Scholarship, a $500 American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship and an $846 Lingleville Senior Scholarship.
Kaitlyn Gordon was presented: a $1,000 Mickey Belew Memorial Scholarship, a $500 Lingleville Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship, a $2,000 Ranger College Promise Scholarship, a $1,408 Lingleville Senior Scholarship and a $500 Lingleville ISD PTO LEAD Scholarship.
Mia Martinez received a $3,000 Ranger College Promise Scholarship, a $1,408 Lingleville Senior Scholarship and a $500 Lingleville ISD PTO LEAD Scholarship.
Aiden Ragland earned a $3,000 Ranger College Promise Scholarship, a $1,408 Lingleville Senior Scholarship and a $500 Ford FFA Senior Scholarship.
Laura Miller earned a $2,000 Ranger College Promise Scholarship and a $1,408 Lingleville Senior Scholarship.
Fernando Moreno received a $1,000 Ford FFA Senior Scholarship, a $500 AB Ranch Scholarship and a $1,408 Lingleville Senior Scholarship.
Haley Carney received $2,000 Ranger College Promise Scholarship and a $500 Lingleville ISD PTO LEAD Scholarship.
Kyndall Hurt received a $1,408 Lingleville Senior Scholarship and a $500 AB Ranch Scholarship.
Linglechille Scholarship in the amount of $1,408 also went to: Jaxson Bays, Kaden Carpenter, Rosio Hernandez, Mitchell Kellar, Payton Mulder, Juana Ortiz, Leilani Rodriguez and Izaya Woodall.
Also receiving Lingleville Senior Scholarships were: Daniel Aguero ($766), Mason Bradley ($846), June Mendenhall ($846) and Bryton Vann ($744).
It was announced that 15 of the graduated have earned a combined total of 452 college credit hours, six earned Associates Degrees through Ranger College: Kaden Carpnter, Brena Gage, Rosemary Gallegos, Rosio Hernandez, Kyndall Hurt and June Mendenhall while Aiden Ragland earned a Level I Weleding Certification from Ranger.
The ceremony also included an invocation by Broday Hurt and the presentation of roses by seniors to parents and teachers while the song “Five More Minutes” by Scotty McCreery was played.