Arlee’s River Gray makes quiet contributions

River Gray exudes a quiet, steady, humility. His contributions to the Arlee community, however, are rather loud.

During his time at Arlee High School Gray has been involved in athletics like basketball and track and was an officer in National Honor Society as well as the president of HOSA, an organization for Future Health Professionals.

As a part of HOSA, River taught health education classes to younger students and also contributed to the greater Arlee community through organizing a blanket drive for first responders and law enforcement along with coordinating a blood drive.

Arlee counselor Damon Cordier described him as a “quiet, capable leader, with a real heart for service.”

River, an only child, has lived his whole life in Arlee and knows the impact someone like himself can have on the community, especially the young people all around him.

“I grew up watching these kids and it’s just a good feeling to know that I’m kind of having an impact on the next generation,” he said. “I’m the kind of person that those kids can look up to like when I was in their shoes.”

As far as some of his favorite memories from his time at Arlee High School, River responds with a soft smile. He recalls going to the state basketball tournament, and the first time he ever got to start on the basketball team his sophomore year, hearing his name over the loudspeaker and the cheering of the crowd.

In many ways, this all ties back to River’s heart for service. Growing up, he saw how basketball and the players in Arlee were revered and wanted to be sure to set the right example for those who came next.

River’s next stop is Montana Tech in Butte where he is still a bit undecided about what he will study.

“I didn’t have any desire to leave western Montana,” he said. “I didn’t really feel any desire to go to a big school and Tech just felt right.”

Although you likely won’t hear River bragging about it, his impact on his community has been immense and he will unquestionably be missed as he takes his next step.

River will be graduating at noon May 30 at the Arlee High School gymnasium.