When Aureliano “Ray” graduates from Takoda Prep, he will leave with more than a diploma. He will leave with a clearer sense of direction, a stronger connection to his identity, and a high school experience that helped him understand where he thrives.
Ray is a 17-year-old senior from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was born and raised. He lives with his mother and grew up in a close-knit family after his parents separated when he was seven years old. As one of four siblings, family has remained a steady part of his life and support system.
“My mom always kept us going,” Ray said. “We’re doing pretty good right now.”
Ray describes himself as someone who enjoys sketching, playing traditional lacrosse, and learning more about his Native culture. Like many students, he spent time trying to figure out where he fit best academically and socially.
His first experience at Takoda Prep began during his freshman year, when his mother enrolled him in the school. Almost immediately, Ray noticed a difference in the learning environment compared to larger schools.
“My mom noticed that I work better in smaller spaces,” he said.
At Takoda Prep, Ray found a smaller, more personal school setting where teachers and students built close relationships. He adjusted quickly and felt comfortable in an environment where he was known, supported, and able to focus on his learning. Over the next several years, the school became a stable and familiar place for him.
During his senior year, Ray decided to try attending a larger traditional public high school. At first, he saw it as a new experience, but the transition proved more difficult than expected. The size of the school, constant movement between classes, and less personal structure made it harder for him to stay focused and connected.
“I wasn’t really used to it,” Ray said. “It was a lot different, and it was harder for me to focus.”
As the school year continued, Ray realized he missed the environment he had come from. The structure, familiarity, and relationships he had built at Takoda Prep were something he valued more than he initially understood. After discussing it with his mother, he made the decision to return to Takoda Prep for his final quarter of high school.
Coming back confirmed what he already knew: he learns best in a smaller, relationship-based environment where teachers know their students and students support one another. Returning allowed him to finish his high school journey in a place where he felt grounded and supported.
“It’s a smaller space,” Ray said. “The teachers are really friendly, and it’s easier to focus. You feel more comfortable.”
Ray also reflected on the importance of relationships and trust during his high school years. He shared that building friendships takes time for him and that he learned to be intentional about who he lets into his life. That perspective helped him stay focused on his goals and on the people who genuinely supported him.
After graduation, Ray plans to take a year to work, save money, and prepare for college. He will serve as an intern with Dream of Wild Health, an organization he has been connected to for many years, where he will gain hands-on experience in both farm and youth program work.
In the long term, Ray hopes to attend college and study the Ojibwe language. His goal is to become a fluent speaker and help preserve the language for future generations.
“There are going to be fewer and fewer speakers if nobody steps up,” he said. “I want to be part of keeping the language alive.”
Looking back, Ray describes Takoda Prep as a place that helped him understand himself as a learner and as a person. The smaller school environment gave him the space to grow academically while staying connected to his community and identity.
For Ray, graduation is not just an ending—it is the beginning of a new chapter built on confidence, purpose, and a strong sense of belonging.
