(Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Early College High School graduated its largest class Thursday evening at Tyler High School’s gymnasium with 99 graduates.

“We have worked very hard to get here because it was not easy to keep such a large number from freshman year all the way through senior year,” said principal Amanda Hortman. “We’ve grown very close to this class.”

Early College High School was recently ranked as one of the best high schools in the nation and No. 1 in East Texas, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Hortman contributes ECHS staying on top of their students to such a successful graduating class.

“We do weekly grade checks that are sent to me personally,” she said. “If they are not getting their stuff done, we’re just behind them, pushing them and telling their parents and doing everything we can to make sure that they get across both lines.”

On top of regular high school courses, Early College students can earn either an associate degree or at least 60 credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree. Early College students also had a graduation ceremony last week for their college degrees from Tyler Junior College.

“It was such a pleasure for me to see them grow,” Hortman said. “Even though they got a huge benefit of getting their associates degree before graduating high school, I feel like I benefited from this as well. I’m excited to see what is next for them.”

Hortman’s own son is among the Early College graduates as well.

According to Tyler ISD, Early College is set to have the next largest class next year with more than 145 possible students.

At the ceremony, Early College graduate Andrea Martinez welcomed her fellow graduates as well as supporters. Then Jaylon Wilson provided the invocation.

Board President Wade Washmon welcomed the students to the next chapter of their lives and announced to the crowd that the graduates were eligible to receive their diplomas.

Salutatorian Candice Chua told her class to show the world what they have to offer and do their very best to succeed.

“It’s only failure if you don’t try,” she said.

Valedictorian Liliana Flores congratulated her fellow graduates for making it through the four years.

“We will miss these moments,” she said. “Take a deep breath in and a deep breath out and go succeed … you are the author of your own story.”