St. Paul High holds commencement exercises

Commencement exercises for St. Paul High School were held at 6 p.m., Friday, May 15 at Cardinal Field. Eighteen seniors received their diplomas during the ceremony which followed the orders by Governor Abbott for social distancing. Following a warm welcome by Assistant Principal Alisa Hybner, Macy Grabarkievtz gave her salutatory address. Mrs. Donna Hagel, high school math teacher and guest speaker for the event, imparted words of wisdom to the graduates as they embark on their new educational journeys. The valedictory address was given by Megan Easterling. 

Graduation diplomas were presented by Father Bryan Heyer to:

Railey Aragon, Isabell Clay, Luke Darilek, Megan Easterling, Olivia Franklin, Weston Geiger, Macy Grabarkievtz, Sydney Hermann, Andrew Jaeger, Emilie Keseling, Lauryn Kubenka, Matthew Malinovsky, Atley Pilat, Mallory Pokluda, Carson Reese, Madison Stamport, Sadie Thibodeaux, and Reid Yackel. 

The Texas Education Agency Highest Ranking Student one year tuition-paid scholarship was awarded to Megan Easterling. The award for Mr. and Miss St. Paul was award to Matthew Malinovsky and Mallory Pokluda. Following the class history by Andrew Jaeger, graduates presented flowers to their parents in appreciation for the many sacrifices they made to give them a Catholic education.

The South Texas Blood Bank sponsors a unique program and students who donate six or more times during their high school years are rewarded upon graduation with the distinct honor of wearing red honor cords. This year’s recipients of Red Honor Cords for donations are Luke Darilek, Matthew Malinovsky, Atley Pilat, Carson Reese, Madison Stamport, Sadie Thibodeaux, and Reid Yackel. 

Due to the closure of schools, the annual awards ceremony was tied in with graduation. Each student was honored with the scholarships received as well as any academic course awards. 

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Railey Aragon

$600 Moulton Junior Livestock Association; $500 Shiner Masonic Lodge Scholarship; $500 Spoetzl Brewery Scholarship; accepted a Texas Christian University scholarship for $29,290 per year for a four year total of $117,160.

She received subject awards in Earth and Space Science and Biology II.

Railey will attend Texas Christian University and major in biochemistry and pursue a career as an epidemiologist and work for the CDC. Additional scholarships she qualified for: Offered an $8000/yr Provost’s Scholarship from Colorado State University for a $32,000 4 year total. Offered an $18,000/year Pioneer Scholarship and an $18,700 Residence and Educational grant from the University of Denver for a $36,700/year offer, and a 4-year value of $146,800 in total scholarships. Offered a $16,000/year Academic Scholarship from Baylor University for a 4 year total of $64,000 in scholarships. Offered $20,000/year President’s Achievement Scholarship and an $11,949/year St. Edward’s Grant from St. Edwards University for a yearly total of $31,949 and a 4-year value of $127,797

Isabell Clay

$4000 Gescheidle Memorial Scholarship; $1200 Emmett Ray Schramm Scholarship from the First Baptist Church Gonzales; $500 Gaslight Theatre Thespian Scholarship. Isabell will attend Texas Tech University in the fall, majoring in a theatre and film-related major and pursuing her dream of becoming an editor for feature films and television series. Additional scholarships she was offered: Offered a Husson University 4 year Scholarship Package worth $13,500

Offered a $50,000 Abilene Christian University 4 year Scholarship

Offered a Hawaii Pacific University 4 year $24,000 Scholarship

Offered a University of Mary Hardin Baylor 4 year $28,000 Scholarship

Offered a Loyola University 4 year $48,000 Scholarship

Offered a Howard Payne University $6000 4 year Theatre Major Scholarship

Offered a Seton Hall University 4 year $152,000 Scholarship

And Offered a Hofstra University 4 year $68,000 Scholarship

Luke Darilek

$1000 Dr. Ed Beal Memorial Scholarship; $500 Downs Syndrome of South Texas Pay It Forward Scholarship; $2500 GVEC Scholarship; $1000 PTC Christian Leadership Scholarship; $500 Spoetzl Brewery Scholarship;

$1250 Yoakum A&M Club Scholarship. For athletics, Luke received TAPPS Academic All-State Baseball and the Cardinal Impact Award. Luke will attend Texas A&M University, pursuing a career in sales, and eventually own his own business.

Megan Easterling

$125 Club Med Scholarship; $1000 PTC Christian Leadership Scholarship;

$1250 Yoakum A&M Club Scholarship. For athletics, Megan received TAPPS Academic All-State Softball honors. Megan will receive the $12000 Texas Education Agency’s Highest Ranking Graduate Tuition Scholarship. Megan will attend Texas A&M University and pursue a degree in nursing, to work as a pediatric nurse practitioner. The additional scholarship she was offered: the $80,000 University of Texas Shiner Brewery Scholarship

Libby Franklin

$20,000 academic achievement award and a $1,000 scholarship to compete on the varsity equestrian team for a total of $21,000 a year for a four year total of $84,000. Libby will attend Schreiner University and plans to pursue a career as a veterinarian. 

Weston Geiger

$500 Michael Muelker Scholarship. For athletics, Weston was award with TAPPS Academic All-State Basketball and TAPPS Academic All-State Track and Field honors. He received the subject award in English IV and Government. He has accepted a $10,000/year academic scholarship for a four year total of $40,000 to Texas Lutheran University were Weston will attend this fall and will be a member of the TLU track team, throwing shot put and discus. Weston will pursue a degree that allows him to become a teacher and a coach.

Macy Grabarkievtz

$1000 Catholic Union of Texas, the KJT; $500 CDA Court St. Paul #1604 Scholarship; $1500 Pilot Club Scholarship; $1250 TAMU Dewitt-Lavaca Mothers Club Scholarship; $500 Cornelius Smith Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas; $500 Spoetzl Brewery Scholarship; $200 Waelder Chapter #1023, Order of the Eastern Star Scholarship. Macy will attend Texas A&M University where she will major in and pursue a career as a mental health counselor.

Sydney Hermann

$100 Cardinal Band Scholarship; $250 Shiner Chamber of Commerce Youth Action Team Scholarship; $500 Gaslight Theatre Thespian Scholarship. In athletics, Sydney received TAPPS Academic All-State Golf honors. She was also given the John Philip Sousa Award for Band. Sydney is the recipient of a 4 year renewable $40,000 Gus and Ethel Wolters Scholarship. She will attend Texas A&M University and major in Architecture. Additional scholarship offered: Offered an 8000/yr scholarship to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor for a $32,000 4 year total.

Andrew Jaeger

$100 Cardinal Band Scholarship; $500 Spoetzl Brewery Scholarship. Andrew was given the subject award in Calculus. Andrew has accepted a four year $12,000 University of Houston-Victoria: UHV Presidential Scholarship. Andrew will attend the University of Houston-Victoria and major in technology, pursuing a career as either a Geographic Information Systems Analyst or an Information Technology Analyst. Additional scholarship offers University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 4/year UMHB President's Scholarship for $72,000; Offered: Texas Lutheran University 4 year TLU Presidential Scholarship valued at $88,000; Offered: Texas State University 4 year Texas State Achievement Scholarship valued at $20,000. 

Emilie Keseling

Emilie will attend Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, and pursue a career in public relations and marketing. Scholarship offer: Hardin Simmons University 4 year $48,000 Scholarship.

Lauryn Kubenka

$500 James Muelker Award; $125 Club Med Scholarship; $1500 Pilot Club Scholarship; $500 Shiner Rotary Scholarship; $1000 Shiner Junior Livestock Association Scholarship; $500 Spoetzl Brewery Scholarship. For athletics, Lauryn was given TAPPS Academic All-State in Basketball, TAPPS Academic All-State Softball, and TAPPS Academic All-State in Track and Field. She was also selected as Texas Girls Coaches Association Track Academic All-State. She received the subject award in Art. Lauryn will attend Blinn College in the fall, transferring to TAMU after completing her basics and pursue a career goal of becoming a successful businesswoman.

Matthew Malinovsky

$1000 Dr. Ed Beal Memorial Scholarship; $1000 Catholic Union of Texas, the KJT; $500 Oscar B and Regina Fisseler Memorial Scholarships; $500 Gaslight Theatre Thespian Scholarship; $500 CDA Court St. Paul #1604 Scholarship;

$1750 CDA State Scholarship; $250 Shiner Chamber of Commerce Youth Action Team Scholarship Award; $500 Shiner Lions Club Scholarship; $500 Shiner Masonic Lodge Scholarship; $1250 TAMU Dewitt-Lavaca Mothers Club’s Wilma Stindt Memorial Scholarship; $1000 Vietnam Veterans #853 Scholarship.

In athletics, Matthew received TAPPS Academic All-State Baseball honors. He earned the subject award in Technology. He is the recipient of a 4 year renewable $40,000 Gus and Ethel Wolters Scholarship. He will be accepting a 4 year $120,000 Terry Scholarship to Texas A&M University-Galveston. Matthew will attend Texas A&M University-Galveston and pursue a career as a marine biologist. Additional scholarship offer: $80,000 University of Texas Shiner Brewery Scholarship

Atley Pilat

$125 Club Med Scholarship; $1000 Brenda Romano Memorial Scholarship; $1500 Victoria College Johnson High School Scholarship; $1000 PTC Christian Leadership Scholarship; $500 Trista Sevcik Memorial Scholarship; $500 Wrangler Trucking Vocational Scholarship; $1000 Victoria College “Write Your Own Story” Scholarship. Atley is also the recipient of the Local Rotary Vocational Scholarship and a finalist the District Rotary Scholarship. 

In athletics, Atley received TAPPS Academic All-State Basketball and TAPPS Academic All-State Track and Field honors. Atley will attend Victoria College’s EMT Program this fall, then attend TEEX (the Texas A&M Engineering Extension) Service Fire Recruit Academy in January. His goals are to become a firefighter and an EMT.

Mallory Pokluda

$500 “The Bunch” Agricultural & Technical Scholarship; $500 Oscar B and Regina Fisseler Memorial Scholarship; $500 JCDA Scholarship sponsored by CDA Court St. Paul #1604; $500 First National Bank Scholarship; $500 Spoetzl Brewery Scholarship; $125 Club Med Scholarship; $500 Lavaca County Farm Bureau Scholarship; $1000 PTC Christian Leadership Scholarship; $500 Myra Lampley Memorial Scholarship sponsored by the Shiner Business Men’s Club;

4-year renewable Margaret Alexander Steiner Scholarship. She was given the honor of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Citizenship Award, which is honorary and rewards the recipient for displaying and promoting leadership and character in all aspects of life in school and the community. In athletics, Mallory received TAPPS Academic All-State Softball and TAPPS Academic All-State Track and Field honors as well as the Texas Girls Coaches Association Track Academic All-State. She earned the subject awards for Economics and Yearbook. Mallory will start her education at Blinn College to complete her basics then plans transfer to Sam Houston State University where she will major in Animal Science, and pursue a career as a Veterinary Technician. 

Carson Reese

$1000 PTC Christian Leadership Scholarship; 4-year $16,000 Scholarship from The Episcopal Church of the Messiah. In athletics, Carson received TAPPS Academic All-State Golf and TAPPS Academic All-State Track and Field honors. Carson will attend school at Texas Tech University, majoring in political science, and eventually attend law school.

Madison Stamport

$250 American Legion Scholarship; $500 Gonzales Co. Youth Livestock Show Association Scholarship; $2000 Luling Foundation Farm; $1000 PTC Christian Leadership Scholarship; $1125 Gonzales Co. 4-H Scholarship; $1500 Pilot Club Scholarship; $1000 Thompsonville Ladies Club Scholarship. Madison will start her college career at Blinn College and plans to pursue a career as a Physician’s Assistant.

Sadie Thibodeaux

$250 Jeff Petru Memorial Scholarship; $500 Gonzales Youth Livestock Show Association Scholarship; $250 Gonzales Elks Lodge Scholarship; $500 Oscar B and Regina Fisseler Memorial Scholarship; $500 Shiner Masonic Lodge Scholarship; $1500 Gonzales Co. 4-H Scholarship; $1500 Pilot Club Scholarship

$1000 Sage Bank Scholarship; $1250 Yoakum A&M Club Scholarship; $1000 Turtle Wings Foundation Grow Wings Scholarship; $3500 Victoria College Foundation Transfer Scholarship; $10,000 San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship 2019; $10,000 San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship 2020; $1000 Texas Circuit Finals All-Around Cowgirl Scholarship. In athletics, Sadie was named as TAPPS Academic All-State Golf and was chosen by her coaches to get the Cardinal Impact Award. She received subject awards in Religion IV and Theatre Arts. She is the recipient of a 4 year renewable $40,000 Gus and Ethel Wolters Scholarship. She is the recipient of an $80,000 University of Texas Shiner Brewery Scholarship. Sadie will attend the University of Texas, competing for the UT Rodeo Team. Sadie intends to pursue a career as a rural family physician. Additional offers: $1000 Texas A&M University Academic Opportunity Scholarship; $8000 4 years Texas A&M University Rodeo Team Scholarship; Recipient of a 4 year renewable $40,000 Gus and Ethel Wolters Scholarship 

Reid Yackel

$1000 Dr. Ed Beal Memorial Scholarship; $500 Myra Lampley Memorial Scholarship by the Shiner Business Men’s Club; $1500 Shiner Knights of Columbus Charlie Janota Memorial Scholarship; $500 Shiner Lions Club Scholarship; $1000 PTC Christian Leadership Scholarship; $1500 Pilot Club Scholarship; $500 Spoetzl Brewery Scholarship; $2500 W. Wayne “Javelina” Memorial Scholarship; $1000 Turtle Wings Foundation Jack Hooper Memorial Scholarship; $20,000 Rocco Caffarelli 4 year renewable scholarship.

In athletics, Reid was chosen for TAPPS Academic All-State Baseball and TAPPS Academic All-State Track and Field honors. He received the Advanced Algebra subject award. Reid will attend Texas State University and major in Business Administration/Marketing and working in pharmaceutical sales.