AHS names distinguised alumna
Remica Gray recently was named 2017-18 Arkansas High School Distinguished Alumna.
Gray is a life-long resident of Texarkana, Ark., and graduated AHS in 1969. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Southern Methodist University and two permanent professional certificates, in piano and music education from the Music Teachers National Association.
Gray taught piano for more than 30 years, worked in music education with the Texarkana Special Education Center (now Opportunities Inc.) and directed the Texarkana Women’s Chorus for 14 years.
Since she was a small child, Gray has been involved in the arts—as a student, performer, teacher, supporter or advocate for the importance of the arts to every aspect of life.
She enjoys giving back to the community, having served as presiding officer for a number of organizations including the Texarkana, Ark., School District Board of Education, the Junior League of Texarkana, Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, Women for the Arts, Wadley Regional Medical Center Board of Directors, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Texarkana Symphony Orchestra.
Gray has received honors for her volunteer efforts, including the C.E. Palmer Award for Civic Achievement from the Chamber of Commerce and the Jack Hardy Award from TASD. She was also recognized by the Junior League of Texarkana, Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, the Arkansas Education Association, the YWCA, Leadership Texarkana, Women for Texas A&M-Texarkana and others.
In 2015, Gray received the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Arts Community Development and received was appointed by the governor to the Arkansas Arts Council Advisory Board.
Gray now serves as full-time volunteer operations director and education chairwoman for TSO; governance chairwoman on the Board of Directors for Women for Texas A&M University-Texarkana; Worship Committee chairwoman for the Session of First Presbyterian Church, where she is filling in as choir director; and treasurer of the Arkansas Municipal Auditorium Commission.
Gray and her husband, Danny, and have two grown, married children, Lauren and David Black and Ginger and Alan Gray, and four grandchildren, Emily, 13; Ryan, 8; Cale, 8; and Carson, 6.
The district will honor Gray on March 8 at Arkansas High School.