Central Hinds Academy

Eli Gray of Brandon, MS started his time at Central Hinds Academy in four-year old kindergarten and stuck around until he graduated in 2019 making him an Alpha Omega student. Eli also has strong family ties to Central Hinds as his mother, Cheryl Gray is our school counselor and his brother Tucker is a 2024 Cougar graduate. During his time at CHA he was involved in student government as his class' treasurer. He also played baseball for the cougars during his time on campus. As a senior he received awards for Top Ten Cougar, Community Service, Cougar Spirit, and was chosen as a member of the Hall of Fame. While at Central Hinds he also took many hours of dual enrollment credit through Hinds Community College.
After graduation, Eli attended Hinds where he received full tuition due to all the scholarships he was awarded for his academic achievements. While at HCC he was a member of the Honors Institute and served as an officer in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He continued his education after Hinds at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg where he received his Bachelors of Science in Nursing. While at Southern he was chosen to serve as a Nursing School Representative helping new students during orientation and transfer visits.
When asked about how his time at Central Hinds helped to prepare him for success, Eli mentions two faculty members as having a big impact on his life. First he mentions Mrs. Tyanne McCoy who taught him high school English. He says that he never had to worry about being able to write any sort of assignment because she had taught him so much about the mechanics and foundations of writing and how to be an effective writer. He also mentions Mrs. Swayze Clark, one of his math teachers. He says he never considered math an interesting subject until Mrs. Clark's class. She was able to help him be successful and enjoy math for the first time.
Eli is currently employed at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson as a CVICU (Cardio Vascular Intensive Care Unit) nurse. Along with his full time job, Eli is currently studying for his CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nursing) certification. This is the next step he needs to achieve to be able to return to school for his CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) license. When Eli isn't working he spends a lot of his downtime in Hattiesburg where he attends church at 4 Points. Though most of his time is spent working and studying, he mentions he tries to spend as much time thrifting and traveling as possible.
Central Hinds is so proud of Eli and can't wait to do another alumni spotlight on him once he becomes a CRNA! We hope all CHA alumni will click the button and fill out the form so we can find more alumni to celebrate with our spotlight!