Salutatorian : Sebastian Gonzalez
Sebastian Gonzalez has been named Salutatorian of the Greenville High School graduating class of 2024 . Sebastian is the son of Rebeca Martinez and Candido Gonzalez of Greenville , TX , and older brother to Nicolas Gonzalez ( GHS Class of 2027 ). Sebastian , a Greenville native , has been a proud GISD student his entire academic career . His education began at Crockett Elementary School and continued through the Greenville Sixth Grade Center and Greenville Middle School . Countless admirable educators at these schools awakened a lifelong passion for learning and a thirst for knowledge in him . At GHS , Sebastian has been involved in numerous extracurriculars , constantly searching for new challenges . He has been Drum Major of the Lion Pride Band for three years , breaking the mold as the first and only sophomore to hold the rank in the program ’ s 95-year history . He has earned ten separate first-division ratings on French Horn solos , Viola solos , and String Quartets , at both the regional and state levels . For multiple years , he was a top player in the Class 5A TMEA All-Region bands , making Wind Symphony and advancing to Area senior year . He was first chair twice in the bands at the prestigious Texas A & M Commerce Junior / Senior Honor Band program and has also played trumpet for the GHS Jazz Band . As part of Suzuki Strings for almost a decade , he was the lead viola player , performing in solo recitals and competitions with chamber ensembles and large string orchestras . Apart from his musical side , Sebastian is the head captain of the Iron Lions Solar Car Team , competing annually in the Solar Car Challenge . In his time , the team has won two of their seven national championships and awards for excellence in STEM . He has worked on electrical , battery , telemetry , strategy , and public relations . He is also an award-winning driver for the team . An advocate for compassion and servant leadership , Sebastian has also been part of numerous community service activities . He has been the Key Club president for two years . During his term , he grew the organization from a humble 35-member club to an impressive 160-member powerhouse , and the club attended the district conference , LEDCON , for the first time in the club ’ s 20-year history . He earned the President ’ s Volunteer Service Award for his high number of service hours . Sebastian was also part of the Peer Assistance and Leadership ( PALs ) program , where he mentored younger students at his home campus , Crockett Elementary . He also formed part of the Student Council and the Interact Club , where he focused on service to the school and local community and attended prestigious leadership conferences . As a student with a vision for every organization and a passion for leadership , Sebastian also formed part of the Superintendent Student Advisory Council for GISD . He was the lead student advisor and worked closely with multiple superintendents to outline goals , policies , and proposed changes for the entire school district . He has overseen the completion and planning of several projects that directly impacted the student body . Sebastian has also received meaningful appreciation from his peers . He has had the honor of being voted on and making the homecoming court every year of high school . His senior year , he was also voted as the homecoming king . Also , Sebastian has won the votes for class favorite every year of high school and won Mr . GHS his senior year . Sebastian has a stellar academic record , being named a Superintendent Scholar every year in high school . He has kept straight A ’ s since Kindergarten , maintained his class rank at GHS , and taken multiple dual-credit , honors , and AP classes . He was inducted into the National Honor Society , serving as treasurer his junior year . He received two national recognitions from the College Board for excellence in academic achievement . His successful trajectory started early on . In third grade , the Hunt / Hopkins County African American Leadership Conference named him Student of the Year and recognized him at Texas A & M University-Commerce . In fifth grade , he was awarded the U . S . President ’ s Award for Educational Excellence . In seventh grade , he was recognized by Duke University ’ s Talent Identification Program for his exceptional score on the SAT and inducted into the National Junior Honor Society . Sebastian is thrilled to attend Texas A & M University-Commerce in the fall where he was accepted into the School of Music . He was also admitted into the renowned Honors College , where he was awarded the HC100 , the highest and most prestigious merit scholarship the university awards , which covers the full cost of attendance over four years . Sebastian will be pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education . He eventually plans to obtain a Master of Educational Administration ( ME . d ) degree and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership ( Ed . D .). He is passionate about pedagogy and leadership , so he intends to make his career in public education , starting as a band director and eventually moving up to a school administration role . His long-term goal is to become a superintendent of schools for a public school district .
14 HERALD-BANNER | GRADUATION 2024