It is with great sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Andy Watkins, GMC Prep School Class of 2017. Andy attended the Prep School for his last 3 years of high school, and he left an indelible mark on his classmates, his teachers, and everyone who had the pleasure to know him
Andy was an extremely well-rounded young man during his time at the Prep School and he excelled in academics, fine arts, and sports. Andy had a true love for the Fine Arts and was extremely active in the Prep School’s Fine Arts Program. Andy participated in One Act Play where he won Best Actor in 2015 and All-Star Awards two years in a row at region competitions; he was also in the Spring Musicals, and was a Literary State Champion in 2017. GMC Fine Arts Director Mark Weaver shared a very special friendship with Andy that began the day they met, “Andy found his home in the Fine Arts Department soon after arriving at GMC. His infectious energy brought life and excitement to everyone in the program and even though he had never acted, danced or sung before, he proved to have amazing natural talent. Personally, Andy was more than a student. He and his family became lifelong friends and supporters. A rare once-in-a-lifetime student, he simply became family from the very first moment we met. A bright light on stage has been dimmed but will be remembered forever.”
Notre Dame was Andy’s dream post-secondary school and he matriculated there in the Fall of 2017. He graduated from Notre Dame in the Fall of 2021 and was accepted into the Alliance for Catholic Education, a two-year master’s of education program through Notre Dame. Andy was teaching 5th grade in Sacramento, California when he became critically ill. Three short weeks ago Andy was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and the disease progressed extremely quickly.
Andy was a beloved member of our Bulldog Family and we are grateful to call him one of our own. His family asks that anyone who wishes to make a gift in his memory, please donate to the GMC Prep School Andy Watkins Endowed Scholarship.
