With a blossoming career and many exciting new prospects on the horizon, Sam Gray of Boulder, Colorado has been reflecting recently on how the events of his past have helped shaped his future. Many of the lessons he learned growing up and while in school played crucial roles in the successes he has enjoyed thus far, in addition to all that he is looking forward to in the years to come.

“I have been so fortunate to have had the experiences and opportunities in my life,” Sam Gray of Boulder, Colorado says. “Even when I was back in high school, I was learning skills and values that have been with me ever since. Without those, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Sam Gray of Boulder, Colorado is referring to the many opportunities for leadership and community service he enjoyed as a high schooler. His experience as the captain of his high school basketball team helped to instill the strong leadership skills, commitment to teamwork, and dedicated work ethic that landed him not only multiple internship opportunities during his time in college, but also acceptance into the Peace Corps.

Additionally, Sam Gray of Boulder, Colorado’s high school mission trip to New Orleans to help rebuild after Katrina opened his eyes to the richly rewarding world of community service. He cites this trip as being one of the fundamental motivators for his application to the Peace Corps, where he will also be focusing on community economic development. It’s also worth noting that he completed another mission trip to inner city Chicago.

Sam Gray of Boulder, Colorado’s successes did not end with high school. Throughout his college career, his strong academic achievement and commitment to gaining practical field experience in addition to his academic studies more than prepared him for life beyond school.

“So many people just go to class, do their homework, take their tests,” Sam Gray of Boulder, Colorado is quoted as saying. “And then, once they’ve graduated, they have no idea what to do with themselves.”

Thankfully, Sam Gray of Boulder, Colorado has not fallen into that trap. As he looks forward to his upcoming Peace Corps deployment and career in the financial field, he is thankful for all that he has learned to date, and the opportunities his hard work have granted him.