SALUTE TO GRADUATE TRIBUTES 2022: Longview (Texas) High graduate Thomas “TJ” Gray pulls off dramatic comeback for the ages to earn his diploma
Andre Johnson I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
T–JUBILANT MILESTONE
DALLAS — No one knows Thomas Gray — suitably known as “TJ” — like his mother, Cece Gray.
In fact, Cece Gray was amongst the first individuals to notice a rather unsatisfactory change in her son’s ability to stay afloat academically months, perhaps, weeks into the unprecedented global pandemic.
As far as Cece Gray was concerned, it all started when her son — like many of her peers — was reduced to a dreaded shelter-in-place, or homeschooling.
“During COVID-19, TJ wanted to give up on school,” Cece Gray recalls. “He’s ADHD and computers were all new to him. We would assist him with his lessons. He had one teacher at his school that gave him a laptop because she believed that he needed something to call his own. And she would be emailing him to encourage him and to assist on Zoom step-by-step. When TJ got his first A, he was motivated from that point on.”
And, to his credit, he would ultimately assume a positive disposition towards his ability to excel academically.
A multi-sport prep athlete for Longview (Texas) Christian School, “TJ” is the latest student to be honored during Making Headline News’ Annual Salute To Graduate Tributes for 2022.
For “TJ,” his prelude to having acquired his high school diploma May 27 undoubtedly was a defining moment for a student athlete who lettered in basketball and track and field, this after he was placed in foster care years ago and was officially adopted by Gray and her husband, Pastor Duret Gray, on December 18, 2020.
“TJ,’ in fact, had proven to be a force, especially in the classroom, where he manufactured an impressive 3.5 cumulative grade point average.
So much for the rash of obstacles he encountered while attending classes virtually.
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“When TJ’s name was called at his graduation, I cried because society gave up on him and they wanted to emancipate him,” Gray said of her son’s fervent progress during his high school tenure. “When I tell you that God turned this young man’s life around from a (cumulative) GPA of 1.25 to a GPA 3.25. But God.”
She got that right. But God…the Miracle Worker Whom, much to the delight of Gray’s son, had steered him on what could be appropriately described as a dramatic comeback for the ages.
In Jesus Name.
MORE ON MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE: https://www.mc.edu/
Next up for TJ: he’ll spend the next four years at Mississippi College in Clinton, which is roughly an eight-and-a-half hour commute from Longview.
Given the masterful progress TJ has exemplified in recent months, no one seems to care about the distance between Texas and Mississippi.
Not after all he’s managed to overcome — with God, his Helper, leading the way.
“We have known TJ since he was placed in the foster care system,” Cece Gray said. We had already adopted his two sisters. He would come and visit while we lived in California and when we moved (to Texas). One day, he said, ‘Why can’t I live like my sisters?’ We were not license here (and) the state of Texas said ‘No.’
TEAM TJ
“The social worker in California suggested that we get a temporary license to become foster parents,” Cece Gray continued. “We did and TJ was here for 16 months when we submitted papers to adopt him, but the social worker died from COVID, which cause a delay in his adoption. Papers were misplaced, and we would have to start all over. But when God is in it, the attorney remembered the case and approved the adoption over the phone.”
And the rest, as they say, was history.
Next up for this miracle kid: College life, this after God has miraculously restored order to his.
As only He could.
“The sky’s is limit for him,” said Cece Gray, “because he did it. Graduating from high school was a possibility (and then it became) a reality. Receiving a $13,000 academic scholarship is a blessing. TJ’s presence will be missed because he is the last son leaving home. His little sister will miss him the most.”
AND IT CAME TO PASS
Regardless, that eight-and-a-half-hour drive from Texas to Mississippi will be well worth it.
Much like her big brother’s hassle for that tassel.
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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