Salutatorian #6 - Noelani Gray
Post Secondary School: Bowdoin College
Field of Study: Neuroscience (Minor in Psychology)
Began at CPS: 9th Grade
What advice would you give your freshman self?
"Tune out the noise of the rest of the world and focus on yourself. The only thing stopping you from soaring is your fear of falling."
What has the journey to this honor taught you about yourself?
"This journey has taught me that I can break patterns. As the first person in my family to make it past the tenth grade and a first-generation college student, I had to do many difficult things by myself. This journey has taught me that I can do it, no matter what."
What does this accomplishment mean to you?
"This accomplishment validates all of the belief I had in myself when others said I couldn't do it. I am good enough, even when I was the only one who saw it."
What was the hardest part (challenges) you had to overcome to achieve this honor? "The hardest part of my high school career has been my social life. I've faced homophobia, transphobia, and bullying, and that kind of social ostracization is hard to deal with when you don't feel like anyone else is going to advocate with you and back you up. I had to learn to speak up for myself and not be afraid."
What are you most proud of in your high school career?
"I am most proud of becoming a published genetic researcher. That's an accomplishment very few people my age have, and I made it happen with dedication and determination over the course of years."
Looking back, what does being a Zebra mean to you?
"To me, being a zebra means tradition, with all of the good and the bad that comes with it."
What ELEMENTARY staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how? "Ms. Fujimoto, my kindergarten teacher at Makawao Elementary in Maui, Hawai'i, saw my potential early and encouraged me to use it to make the world a better place."
What JUNIOR HIGH staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how? "Mrs. Yoder encouraged my creativity, pushed me to improve my writing, and was one of my biggest supporters during middle school."
What HIGH SCHOOL staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how? "Mr. Cummings has always believed in my success and pushed me to be the best that I can be. His time as my Academic Team coach has been invaluable to me."
Activities you have been involved in:
"Academic Team, Athletics, Chemistry Club, Drama, SAGA, World Language Club"
Honors / Awards:
"Superintendent's Honor Roll, Elks Lodge Awards, Zebra Awards"
Scholarships Awarded:
"Full financial aid to Bowdoin College"
What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college?
"A desire to take on the most advanced and in-depth classes that I can and to always broaden my knowledge as much as possible."