A rising sophomore at Chesnee High School, Cohen Gray is dreaming big — and making an impact on his local community in the meantime.
Gray is a dedicated member of his school’s marching band, and recently moved from playing marching xylophone to Marimba 3, where he plays the marching snare drum. It’s an accomplishment he credits to his Uncle Tyman, who inspired his marching band journey.
“He played the snare drum, and he was one of the people I most looked up to growing up,” shares Gray. “I really aspire to be like him.”
He says that being a part of the band’s leadership team has made a big impact on his life. “It’s giving me a whole new perspective on how I can help others,” says Gray. “It’s really made a difference in my life.”
Helping others is a throughline in Gray’s story, with music being just one part of his overall vision. After graduating with the class of 2029, Gray plans to pursue a career in the medical field — something he’s already making strides toward.
This week, Gray heads to Boston to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, held at the University of Massachusetts. This exclusive honors-only program is designed for high school students hoping to pursue a career in medicine, and is open to students nominated by medical professionals and Nobel Prize winners.
Gray’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, a winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine. Nominations were determined by academic achievement, and Gray is one of a select few South Carolina teens attending. Gray’s good friend, Piper Lemons, will also be attending from Chesnee High.
From June 24th to June 26th, Gray and other students from across the country will have the opportunity to hear from leading medical researchers, learn about cutting-edge medical technology, and get advice from Ivy League medical schools on what to expect as they move forward in their careers.
For Gray, his connection to the medical field is a personal one. “I hope to work in cardiology or family medicine, because when I was four years old, my dad passed away from a heart attack,” he shares. “I think that was one of the things that pushed me to listen to other people’s stories and possibly help them in ways that I could have helped people like my dad, and I can help bring other families to peace knowing they wouldn’t have heart problems.”
While college is still several years away, Gray continues to work hard to make his dreams a reality. In addition to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, Gray was invited to the National Society of High School Scholars, and is in the Citizen Scholar Institute of Spartanburg.
In the meantime, he also owns a landscaping business called Gray’s Grass Cutting, where he serves clients across his local neighborhood.
The Spartanburg community is excited to cheer Gray on as he continues pursuing what is sure to be a bright future, and looks forward to seeing the many lives he will impact, wherever life takes him.
