The blood drive is open to the public and will take place Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside Bishop Gorman, located at 1405 E SE Loop 323 in Tyler, where the Carter BloodCare bus will be. All eligible donors are encouraged to participate. A photo ID is required, and 16-year-olds must provide signed parental consent.(Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School ushered in the new academic year with a vibrant blend of enthusiasm and anticipation. As students filled the hallways with first-day jitters and eager chatter, the air was charged with the promise of fresh beginnings and exciting challenges.

“Whether people will admit it or not, everyone comes into the first day with a certain amount of fear … they’re a little bit nervous,” Principal John Kimec said. “I’m even nervous about today … but on some level, those fears kind of ebb and flow.”

The Crusaders began their new school year with half-days Monday and Tuesday, as a way to ease students back into the school year. Wednesday will be the first full day of school.

“I’ve got some butterflies for the first school day, which is odd, but I’m feeling great and I’m loving it so far,” senior Elizabeth Brevard said.

As one of just over 30 seniors, Elizabeth is looking forward to making the most of her final year by savoring the moments with friends and preparing for the next chapter in her life.

“I think the majority of us are kind of sad and some of us are glad,” Elizabeth said. “I know some people really just want to get high school over with, but this is definitely the year to enjoy.”

Founded as Tyler Catholic High School, the school opened on Sept. 2, 1958 with dedication ceremonies on Oct. 5, 1958 with Bishop Thomas Keiley Gorman presiding. In 1970, the school was renamed in his honor, according to the school’s website. The school year is already off to a great start, according to Kimec.

“We had a … training camp of sorts with the teachers, events for families (new and returning) and all of them had great energy,” Kimec said. “We have a very strong core of returning administrators, faculty … including eight new people joining the staff — each of them just as strong as the one before. We’re really fortunate this year.”

Serving grades six through 12 with approximately 215 students enrolled, Bishop Gorman continues to attract new students.

As far as enrollment, Kimec says they’re still “onboarding people, as we speak. People are still showing interest.”

With 28 teachers and roughly 60 employees, the school is looking to fill a part-time position in its special needs program, which started last year to support students with special needs.

“It’s something that was very important to us in terms of complementing our college preparatory program,” Kimec said.

The school has continued to be a leader in Catholic education since its beginnings. In 1998, Bishop Gorman became the first school in East Texas to be named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Exemplary School, according to the school’s website. Bishop Gorman became one of only eight Catholic high schools in the United States to be selected five times in a row to the Catholic High School Honor Roll, and it has remained on the Honor Roll every year since 2004, the school’s website states. Selection criteria include demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, Catholic identity, and civic preparation.

According to Kimec, last year’s seniors earned over $12.7 million in scholarship money and were accepted into over 140 colleges and universities.

“We always have been — and always will be — a college preparatory school that seeks to serve all students,” Kimec said. “We are surrounded by great teachers who prepare the students very well.”

The vision of Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School is to “prepare and form future saints and missionaries, and its mission is to graduate young men and women of well-formed Catholic Christian character, virtue, holiness, and living faith who serve every segment of civil and ecclesial society with excellence.” 

“I don’t really want anything to be different about Gorman from last year,” said Kimec. “I want us to keep moving forward.”

In his third year as principal, Kimec is eager to build on the school’s successes, fostering a supportive environment where students and staff alike can thrive and make the most of the new academic year.

“Our hope for the new school year is just to enter into a year with great hope,” he said. “That the student body and staff continues to get stronger … we want to live with that hope and make every program stronger than it was before.”