Raven Gray ’11

Hometown

Pine Ridge, South Dakota

About

Raven Gray, a senior at Red Cloud High School, currently holds an overall grade point average of 4.0. Throughout her four years in high school, she has stayed on the gold honor roll and is a member of the National Honor Society. On top of her academics accomplishments, Raven manages to stay very active in many extra-curricular activities offered at Red Cloud: She is president of the senior class, a leader in the spiritual formation program, and a member of the College Prep Club. She has also been a cheerleader and was one of two co-captains to lead the cheerleading squad to back-to-back Lakota Nation Invitational Championships.

She has also job shadowed at Pine Ridge Indian Health Services. Raven graduates this spring from Red Cloud with plans in place to study biology, chemistry and pre-medical studies at The University of Oklahoma.

Asked and Answered

What are your favorite classes at Red Cloud?

AP English, AP Calculus and Anatomy and Physiology. They challenge me and prepare me for college. My favorite class would have to be Anatomy and Physiology because it has allowed me to learn more about the medical field. I want to be an oncologist for children someday, and these are the type of classes that I believe will help me get there.

Anatomy and Physiology also allowed you to job shadow this year. What has that been like for you?

It’s great because I get to learn about all the possibilities that are out there in the medical field.

Why do you want to be an oncologist?

When I went to Georgetown University for the summer, we were able to visit the children’s center there and I got to see firsthand the impact the doctors had on children with cancer. After seeing what the doctors did for them, I thought to myself that that is exactly what I want to do someday—especially since we don’t have very many, if any, children’s oncologists around the reservation. I’m positive that it would be great to work with children everyday.

What do you like most about Red Cloud?

I like the relationships that are created here with the staff and the faculty. The teachers help us as much as they can. I believe it’s their lessons that have helped me to get where I am today. They have taught us everything they expect we should know and encourage us to go beyond high school.

What are some of your most memorable times at Red Cloud?

Spending time with my friends. I’ll never forget those times. Also, winning the cheer competition at LNI for the second year in a row, getting acceptance letters from colleges and making it to the second round of the Gates Scholarship application process.

So you made it to the second round of the Gates application process. What was that whole process like?

It was very stressful, primarily because there was so many essays and questions that we had to fill out. It was a lot of work but I am happy I got it done and made it to the second round.

You’ve already made your decision to go to the University of Oklahoma. How did you come to that decision?

I did some research before my senior year and I found that the University of Oklahoma had a great pre-medical program. I liked how comfortable it looked and it was far enough away so that I could experience a whole different culture while also being able to visit home from time to time. My parents are also big fans of their athletic teams, so that’s a plus! I applied early and got in so I knew it was a perfect choice for me.

Now that you are getting ready for college, what are you looking forward to most?

I’ve been at Red Cloud since fifth grade, so I guess I’m primarily looking forward to meeting new people and seeing the new opportunities that are out there.

 

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