Saturday, June 22, 2024
Recent Granbury Independent School District graduate Ella Garner received the perfect parting gift to her high school career when she was named WFAA’s Scholar-Athlete of the Week by Dallas sportscaster Joe Trahan.
Garner, who graduated from GHS last month, received the honor for her achievements in both academics and athletics. Sponsored by Buick/GMC, WFAA’s Scholar-Athlete of the Week program recognizes North Texas high school seniors who have excelled in academics and athletics, as well as those who have contributed to making their community a better place to live. Nominees must also be a senior in the top 15% of their class, according to the GISD news release.
“I was very honored to receive this award, but I know that I didn't do this alone,” Garner told the Hood County News. “Coaches (Alan) Thorpe and (Kensey) Gamboa have pushed me to get to where I am today, and I was surrounded by great teammates that contributed to my success. Without them I wouldn't have received the honors that led up to this recognition.”
Garner played varsity basketball all four years for the Lady Pirates and coach Alan Thorpe. She was a team captain, voted Team MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in District 5-5A. The Lady Pirates were UIL Bidistrict Champions her senior year as she led the team in scoring, assists, steals and rebounds. As a junior, she was named GM Sports Media Player of the Week as well as 1st Team All-District.
She was also a Track and Field athlete and placed second in District in the shot put. She qualified for regionals in the shotput, ran the 4x100 at area and ran the 300-meter hurdles.
Her community involvement includes Granbury Baptist Church, YMCA special needs soccer camp, Habitat for Humanity, Lady Pirate Basketball Camp, and Superintendent’s Leadership Council volunteering.
Academically, Garner finished at a ranking of sixth overall in the GHS Class of 2024, was named Academic All-State, Superintendent’s Leadership Council, and vice president of National Honor Society.
Garner told the HCN her experience during her WFAA interview was “unique.” She described sitting at the studio with six of her peers — including Mann Vaghashia, another 2024 graduate.
"We did not know we would be there together, but it was nice to see a familiar face,” she said. “We were all nervous, but Joe Trahan and his assistant, Amy Longoria, helped calm our nerves. Mr. Trahan picked the topic on the fly right before each personal interview about what we would discuss. We really weren't put on the spot to talk on camera too much, which made me — and the others — feel much better. In an hour, six episodes were shot. Not only did I get to film my segment, we toured the set and met weatherman Jesse Hawila.”
Garner said Trahan was “great to talk to” during her interview and made her feel “very comfortable.”
"You can tell that highlighting students is one of his passions,” she said. “He made that very clear by telling us several times how much he enjoyed showcasing students. Even before we met him on set, Mrs. Longoria insisted that this is his favorite thing he does.”
A segment featuring Garner will broadcast this Sunday, June 16 at 10:30 p.m. during “Sports Special with Joe Trahan,” which airs on WFAA Channel 8 Sunday nights following the 10 p.m. newscast.
“God has blessed me with such incredible people in my life who have helped me earn this reward,” Garner added. “I couldn't have done it without all my teammates and coaches from little league basketball to select basketball to high school basketball, and all my teachers, and my family. I am so thankful to have participated in this sport. Participating in basketball kept me busy, and created in me a work ethic that I also took into the classroom. It taught me life lessons in teamwork, organization, competition and leadership. Looking back, I wouldn't want to change a thing.”
Garner will attend Texas A&M University in the fall to study accounting at May’s Business School in College Station. She was also the 2024 recipient of the GEF James Hodges Legend Scholarship.
