LOCAL

Robert Ray Jr. from high school through med school

Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr. pets his cat Naruto, a pet he's had for four years, on Friday, April 19, 2019, at his apartment in Okemos.
Robert Ray Jr. pets his cat Naruto, a pet he's had for four years, on Friday, April 19, 2019, at his apartment in Okemos.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Members of the Sexton Boys basketball team, including Robert Ray Jr. at far left, celebrate their Class B Boys State Championship win over Muskegon Heights on Saturday March 26, 2011, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Members of the Sexton Boys basketball team, including Robert Ray Jr. at far left, celebrate their Class B Boys State Championship win over Muskegon Heights on Saturday March 26, 2011, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Lansing State Journanl File Photo/Kevin W. Fowler, Kevin W. Fowler
Robert Ray Jr., left, hugs lunch supervisor Ms. Willie "Granny" Dawson during a visit on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing.
Robert Ray Jr., left, hugs lunch supervisor Ms. Willie "Granny" Dawson during a visit on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr. talks with Jackie Wilkerson during a visit on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing. Wilkerson works for Dean Transportation and drives kids to the facility.
Robert Ray Jr. talks with Jackie Wilkerson during a visit on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing. Wilkerson works for Dean Transportation and drives kids to the facility.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr.
Robert Ray Jr.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr., photographed on Friday, April 19, 2019, will be an emergency medicine resident in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after graduating from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in May.
Robert Ray Jr., photographed on Friday, April 19, 2019, will be an emergency medicine resident in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after graduating from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in May.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr., photographed on Friday, April 19, 2019, will be an emergency medicine resident in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after graduating from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in May.
Robert Ray Jr., photographed on Friday, April 19, 2019, will be an emergency medicine resident in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after graduating from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in May.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr., photographed on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine offices in Fee Hall, will be an emergency medicine resident in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after graduating from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in May.
Robert Ray Jr., photographed on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine offices in Fee Hall, will be an emergency medicine resident in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after graduating from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in May.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr., photographed on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine offices in Fee Hall, will be an emergency medicine resident in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after graduating from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in May.
Robert Ray Jr., photographed on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine offices in Fee Hall, will be an emergency medicine resident in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after graduating from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in May.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr. looks to pass the ball during a club basketball team practice on Friday, March 30, 2019, at IM Sports East on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing.
Robert Ray Jr. looks to pass the ball during a club basketball team practice on Friday, March 30, 2019, at IM Sports East on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr., center, listens to the club basketball team coach during a practice on Friday, March 30, 2019, at IM Sports East on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing.
Robert Ray Jr., center, listens to the club basketball team coach during a practice on Friday, March 30, 2019, at IM Sports East on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr., left, talks with head coach Sean Hankins during a club basketball team practice on Friday, March 30, 2019, at IM Sports East on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing.
Robert Ray Jr., left, talks with head coach Sean Hankins during a club basketball team practice on Friday, March 30, 2019, at IM Sports East on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr., center, shoots a layup during a club basketball team practice on Friday, March 30, 2019, at IM Sports East on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing.
Robert Ray Jr., center, shoots a layup during a club basketball team practice on Friday, March 30, 2019, at IM Sports East on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Robert Ray Jr. speaks to a group of youth basketball camp participants. Ray fell in love with basketball at the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing. A scholarship in his honor sends kids from the club to youth basketball camps hosted by the Sparrow Foundation.
Robert Ray Jr. speaks to a group of youth basketball camp participants. Ray fell in love with basketball at the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing. A scholarship in his honor sends kids from the club to youth basketball camps hosted by the Sparrow Foundation.
Courtesy / Mark Sanford
Robert Ray Jr. and Josh Barber-Braun pose for a high school graduation picture in the fall of 2010.
Robert Ray Jr. and Josh Barber-Braun pose for a high school graduation picture in the fall of 2010.
Courtesy / Lori Barber-Braun
Robert Ray Jr. poses for a photo with his high school coach Carlton Valentine
Robert Ray Jr. poses for a photo with his high school coach Carlton Valentine
Courtesy / Mark Sanford
Denzel Valentine and Robert Ray Jr. were members of the state champion Sexton High School basketball team in 2011.
Denzel Valentine and Robert Ray Jr. were members of the state champion Sexton High School basketball team in 2011.
Courtesy / Mark Sanford
Robert Ray Jr., right, poses for a photo with basketball camp attendee Cameron Lower and his former high school basketball coach, Carlton Valentine.
Robert Ray Jr., right, poses for a photo with basketball camp attendee Cameron Lower and his former high school basketball coach, Carlton Valentine.
Courtesy / Mark Sanford
Robert Ray Jr., left, is pictured with Lori Barber's children, Josh Barber-Braun and Michael Barber-Braun
Robert Ray Jr., left, is pictured with Lori Barber's children, Josh Barber-Braun and Michael Barber-Braun
Courtesy / Lori Barber
A senior portrait featuring Josh Barber-Braun, Robert Ray Jr., Antonio Barrera and Michael Barber-Braun.
A senior portrait featuring Josh Barber-Braun, Robert Ray Jr., Antonio Barrera and Michael Barber-Braun.
Courtesy / Lori Barber
Robert Ray Jr., back row, second from the right, poses for a family portrait during his senior year at Sexton High School.
Robert Ray Jr., back row, second from the right, poses for a family portrait during his senior year at Sexton High School.
Courtesy / Lori Barber
Josh Barber-Braun, Robert Ray Jr., Lori Barber and Michael Barber-Braun pose for a photo for Ray's white coat ceremony in June of 2015.
Josh Barber-Braun, Robert Ray Jr., Lori Barber and Michael Barber-Braun pose for a photo for Ray's white coat ceremony in June of 2015.
Courtesy / Lori Barber
Robert Ray Jr. speaks about how the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing helped him discover his passion during a ceremony where Jackson Nation Life Insurance announced a $600,000 commitment to help construct a 2,700 square-foot teen center for the club in Lansing. Ray, an MSU medical student, went to the Boys and Girls Club to escape troubles at home and was named "Youth of the Year" in 2010 and 2011. He was awarded a Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship in 2011.
Robert Ray Jr. speaks about how the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing helped him discover his passion during a ceremony where Jackson Nation Life Insurance announced a $600,000 commitment to help construct a 2,700 square-foot teen center for the club in Lansing. Ray, an MSU medical student, went to the Boys and Girls Club to escape troubles at home and was named "Youth of the Year" in 2010 and 2011. He was awarded a Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship in 2011.
Dave Wasinger/Lansing State Journal