One of Georgia Military College Prep School’s goals is to prepare students for a successful college career through a character-based education. GMC Prep has had countless students over the years that have gone above and beyond in the classroom, including one senior who stands out in this year’s graduating class, Tyler Gray. Gray has been chosen as a National Merit finalist, and was chosen as the Star Student by the Milledgeville-Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and the STAR Program.

“It’s just an amazing opportunity to be able to have something come to fruition from all my hard work,” Gray said.

Three senior students were chosen whose SAT scores, taken on a specific testing day, exceeding the national average. Grade point average also played a factor in selection. The students selected were Robert Pettigrew from Baldwin High School, Cody Cox from John Milledge Academy, and Tyler Gray from Georgia Military College Prep School. Gray won the local competition, and will go on to compete regionally next month.

Being selected as a STAR Student, Gray was able to recognize a STAR Teacher who has inspired him in his academic development. He chose his Advanced Placement Biology teacher, Major Emily Boylan.

“I am extremely humbled and grateful to be recognized by Tyler Gray,” Boylan said. “Teaching is a vocation and we as teachers care for our students as we care for our own children. We want so much for them to excel and accomplish their goals. To be thanked by one of your students is just heartwarming. But this is also a wonderful occasion to say thank you to Tyler. Students teach their teachers life lessons on a daily basis. Just as we hope to inspire, challenge, and motivate them, our students do the same for us. Tyler is a positive force; a kind spirit. His intellectual abilities are matched with strong moral character. Through day to day interactions, Tyler reminds me to be curious, to smile, and not get self-absorbed. He reminds me that the greatest happiness comes from bringing happiness to others. And Tyler has truly brought great happiness into my life.”

Gray was also chosen as a National Merit finalist based on his PSAT scores from his junior year at GMC Prep. He is one of 15,000 students chosen across the country, and if his scores are high enough, he could be 1 of the 2,500 winners. Gray is the first GMC Prep student to earn this national distinction being chosen as a finalist. Gray says in addition to his teachers at GMC Prep, he has his family to thank for his academic drive and success.

“My parents always wanted me to take more time to do my homework and study for my classes, they pushed for me to take the advanced classes so they’ve always pushed for me to succeed as much as I can,” Gray said.

Now looking ahead toward his college career, Gray has already been accepted to the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Baylor University. He is awaiting decisions from University of North Carolina – Chappell Hill, Vanderbilt University, Stanford, and Harvard. Gray says he’s planning to major in either business or engineering in college.

“I’m really into numbers. A lot of my family are bankers so they’ve shown me the importance of how a business should be run. My stepdad also owns his own business, so that’s always been an interest of mine,” Gray said. “And after Major Boylan’s AP Bio class, I really got into bio-medical engineering – baby boomers are getting older, so there’s a huge, rising industry for it, plus there are so many new innovations that it can just make a big difference in peoples’ lives. I’m going to have to choose which one I want to major in pretty soon.”

In addition to the academic success Gray has earned throughout his Prep School years, the day after Gray receives his high school diploma, the following day he’ll walk across the stage to accept his Associate’s Degree from Georgia Military College. He is a dual enrollment student that will now have enough college credits to bypass most of his core work at the school of his choice.

“Just looking back after receiving academic awards at GMC, and now getting more than just school recognition for the work I’ve put in, it’s just so exciting and it really makes me feel great about how much I’ve worked,” Gray said.