Florida Catholic | Graduating With A Purpose: Dan McGrail

OTHER GRADUATE PROFILES: Kelsey McGregor | Kevin Sarlo

Dan McGrail

Twins head to Indiana

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 05.23.08

BOB REDDY | FC

SARASOTA | Dan McGrail, of Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, learned he was going to Notre Dame two weeks before his graduation, the culmination of a dream for this class valedictorian, who has spent his entire live in Catholic education.

“I was on the wait-list and then got a call on the machine. My dad told me that I got a call from Notre Dame. I am glad to make them proud,” he said of his parents. “When I visited there it was where I belonged.”

Dan was involved in soccer, track and swimming, as well as Key Club, Respect Life, Positive Planet and National Honors Society vice president.

He also credits his family with a strong base of support in his life and the fact that he was never pressured to participate in sports or to excel in school.

He moved from Massachusetts just before starting at Cardinal Mooney but managed to settle very quickly. He credits his twin sister Julie with helping to make the transition easier. Both went to Catholic schools their entire life.

She was the only person I knew. We stuck together,” he said.

The two remain close as they have gotten older and were worried that when heading off to college they would be split up. If Notre Dame had not called he would have gone to Boston College while his sister, who graduates seventh in her class, is going to St. Mary’s College, which is across the street from Notre Dame.

“Now we will still be close together. It couldn’t have worked out any better,” Dan said.

Dan said he is pleased to be continuing his Catholic education.

“I have really enjoyed it. It reinforces connections to God and gives me a strong set of values I can be proud of,” he said.

Kelsey, Kevin and Dan are just three of the special seniors who are products of 12 years of Catholic education and who will be making their marks on the world in the coming years.

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Dan McGrail

Twins head to Indiana

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