Dare to Excel: Khloe Gray

Posted 3/16/21

For Wright City High School senior Khloe Gray, excelling is an everyday activity.

Gray is enrolled in AP calculus, AP government, college-level online biology and English courses, zoology and …

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Dare to Excel: Khloe Gray

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For Wright City High School senior Khloe Gray, excelling is an everyday activity.

Gray is enrolled in AP calculus, AP government, college-level online biology and English courses, zoology and anatomy. The high-level courses can be tough, but Gray said as long as she keeps up with the work it never gets too bad.

Science classes are where Gray has found her primary interest throughout her school career. She’s been working on a plan to enter the field of biology after a sophomore-year visit to a bio-systems lab.

“I was always interested in the sciences. I just hadn’t narrowed it down (before then),” Gray commented.

Beyond academics, Gray is also a Wright City cheerleader and a senior member of a dance team in Wentville. She’s been dancing since she was 5 and cheering since she was 11.

Q: What is it you like about biology?

“Biology is just really interesting to figure out the intricacies of the human body. I think molecular biology would be the most interesting to me. That’s what they were doing at the bio-systems lab (I visited), which is kind of why I chose it.”

Q: What in school has been challenging for you?

“Managing time. My college English course is a lot of work. Writing essays takes a lot of time. And AP calculus, just making sure I stay on top of it.”

Q: Has any tool or system helped keep you organized?

“The Apple Notes app. Very useful. It’s not a fancy scheduling system. I have my ‘List of Things to Worry About.’”

Q: What do you enjoy about dance and cheer?

“I like the people. (Dance and cheer) are similar, but different, and I find them both fun."

Q: Do you find motivation in seeking to get better?

“In dance, I always said that when I got to a certain point, I would do a solo, but then I got really scared. This year I finally did one. My last year of it, and finally I said I would. So I guess I’ve improved. ... It was actually really exciting.”

Q: What are your plans after high school?

“I committed to the Maryville University biology program. I’ll get a bachelor’s in biology at least, and if needed I’ll get a master’s. ... I’ll probably be working in microbiology.”

Q: What teachers have been a big influence on you?

“Before last year I didn’t like math a lot, but Ms. (Hanna) Andress made me like math a bit more and feel more confident in it. ... Sometimes I felt really overwhelmed with math, but she helped a lot.”

“Ms. (Whitney) Schuenemeyer is my anatomy teacher this year. ... She’s made it even more interesting, so now I’m even more excited about it.”

Q: Any advice for younger students?

“Stay on top of the work and don’t let it pile up. If there’s a lot of higher level work to do at one time, then it’s very overwhelming. And I highly recommend keeping a list of things to worry about.

Favorite food: Bananas

Favorite movie: “I watch a lot of old movies.”

Favorite music: Queen

Favorite destination: Disney World

Dare to Excel, Wright City High School

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