Memorial Day Tribute - Matthew Ryan Vandegrift
05/29/23
Vandergrift High School
- Located half an hour north of Austin
- Opened in 2009
- Named after Matthew Ryan Vandergrift, a fallen soldier
- Unique public school
- Drew Sanders is the only coach the Vipers have ever had
Matthew Ryan Vandergrift
- Graduated with honors from Leander High School in 1999
- Participated in extracurricular sports activities
- Number seven was retired in his honor
- Chose to serve in the United States Marine Corps
- Killed in action in Basra, Iraq in 2008
Impact and Legacy
- Vandergrift High School is the only school named after a contemporary hero
- Honoring Matthew Vandergrift is meaningful and significant
- His sacrifice and honorable life make him a hero
- Remembered as the best person that many people ever met
- Drives everyone at the school to be better
Memorial Display
- Awe-inspiring display of Vandergrift's belongings
- Stops visitors in their tracks
- No other school in Texas or elsewhere is named after a contemporary hero
- Honors and preserves Vandergrift's legacy
- Reminds everyone of his sacrifice and influence
Memorial Day Tribute
- Matthew Vandergrift's memory lives on forever
- Administration dedicated to preserving his legacy
- Vandergrift will always be remembered on Memorial Day
- His community continues to honor and remember him
- School staff and students strive to be better in his honor