Junior wrestler Ray Mwangi has lived in Leominster for eight years after his family moved from Nairobi, Kenya. Ray went to Johnny Appleseed and Sky View before coming up to the high school, where he has thrived in the classroom and as part of the wrestling team.
“He has become a vital part of our team and leader for the younger kids,” LHS wrestling coach Matt Schiller said.
Ray initially found out about the wrestling team at LHS while still at Sky View in a class taught by his current wrestling coach at LHS.
“I was in eighth grade in my coach’s health class in Sky View,” Ray explained. “He had a poster on his whiteboard about wrestling. I talked to him about it and he told me to try out next year.”
Ray has not regretted that decision.
“What I like most is that this team is (we are) there for each other,” Ray said. “They support each other and cheer everyone on. These are people that are close friends with me.”
Ray also likes the feeling of closing out a match.
“I like pinning my opponent and then having my arms raised high by the referee for everyone to see.” Ray said.
Ray said he has gained valuable insight from Coach Schiller.
“He has taught me how to be a successful adult,” Ray said. “He always drills into our heads about being on time to anything you do. When you need to be somewhere at a certain time, he taught me that you need to be there ten mins early. He has also taught me to always do things with a purpose to get better and improve.”
Ray would like to one day go to college and wrestle competitively.
“I plan to go to college and major in International Business,” Ray said. “Hopefully one day become the owner of a successful business.”
At LHS, Ray is a member of the Black Heritage Club, Best Buddies and is working towards joining the National Honor Society.
“My favorite class is Algebra,” Ray said. “I love math and numbers so any class that deals with that will always be number one. My favorite teacher would be Dr. Cortezia. He was a college professor who came and taught at the high school. He was chill and laid back, but also challenged (me) with difficult questions and work that made me put all my effort in.”
Outside of school, Ray dabbles in graphic design and works the sound system at his church.
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