32 | Class of 2025 | PALESTINE HERALD-PRESS
TWENTY-TWENTY-FIVE
GRAPELAND Sandies
Valedictorian
Hayden Ray
Salutatorian
Emma Howard
Hayden Ray is the Valedictorian at Grapeland High School with a 3.95 GPA. He participates in numerous sports such as football, cross country, basketball, tennis, track and golf. He has also been in the National Honor Society since his sophomore year. He loves to help out in his community by volunteering to help kids with basketball and tennis at camps. In his free time, Hayden loves to go fishing, hunting and golfing with his friends. After high school, Hayden plans to attend college to acquire his Bachelor of Business Administration. Once he completes his bachelor’ s degree, he plans to attend law school and become a lawyer.
Emma Howard has lived in Grapeland her whole life. She has been a competitive cheerleader for 14 years and she was a high school cheerleader for one. While in school, Emma has participated in Academic UIL since she was of age to start competing. After high school, Emma will attend East Texas Baptist University where she will be majoring in education with a specialization in life skills and minoring in children’ s ministry. After Emma completes her degree, she plans to teach in her hometown of Grapeland. She will eventually go back and get her master’ s and doctorate degrees. While working in education, Emma plans to advocate for education and hopes to make a better tomorrow for children. Her main goal is to follow the path God provides her. Emma’ s faith is the biggest part of her journey. She has attended Grace Bible Church her whole life and her father is currently the preacher there.
32 | Class of 2025 | PALESTINE HERALD-PRESS