Campus Spotlight – Eli Embray by Eryn Conyers ’16
YC junior, Eli Embray, like many other York College students, says that attending York College is a “family thing”. Although Eli grew up hearing about YC from his mom, aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents what really sealed the deal for him were the people he met while visiting campus. As a freshman, the move from his hometown St. Joseph, Missouri, had its challenges but with the desire to meet lifelong friends he set out to pave his own way as a YC student. “My biggest hope for my YC experience was to make good friends,” he said. “The friends I have made have exceeded my expectations. My vision of what my friends would be like was fairly two dimensional, and I hadn't thought about anything other than having fun and hanging out. What I have actually experienced includes that, but they are also very supportive, whether the times are good or bad. We have deep conversations and lift each other up.” Embray found those friends through his involvement on campus and various activities. He is in the Concert Choir, and will be the Vice President of Kingsmen social club in the upcoming year. Not to mention he’s made five appearances on the YC stage. These experiences have also brought him a lot of personal growth. “Theatre and choir have made me much more confident,” said Embray. “The performing arts are very vulnerable because you can’t hold back, you just have to do your best with no shame. Getting my homework and reading assignments done, as well as maintaining a high GPA, forced me to be a more disciplined individual.” The hard work has paid off as he’s been named to the Dean’s List every semester with a 4.0 cumulative GPA. Embray is also an English major and had the opportunity to coedit a unique edition of the York College publication, Unvarnished Words. This year the members of the College’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta English honor society decided to focus on the stories and experiences of this past year under the title of “Unmasking Stories Behind the Pandemic”. They not only invited on-campus students to submit works of creative writing, poetry, nonfiction, short story, personal testimony, or photography, but alumni, faculty
(above) Eli played the producer in the 2020 Homecoming production The Complete History of Theatre (abridged). (right) Leah Lane, Eli Embray, Kyla Gilstrap, and Samara Hannel take advantage of a beautiful spring day for a photo op.
and staff as well. Embray and ninety-three others contributed to the 2020-2021 issue. “My experience editing Unvarnished Words was great,” shared Embray as one of the four student editors. “And it was really special to be one of the first to read heartfelt submissions that act as windows into the writers.” Inside the front cover, readers will find these words in his editors’ note: “The world realized that sound, love and care can travel further than six feet. These writings and pictures are a collection of survivors, of people who were deprived, but survived and thrived, of people who finally got to voice their frustrations, and others who were able to express their appreciation. Through these stories, they were unmasked, and it is so beautiful.” Embray’s creativity doesn’t stop there. Last year, his artwork was selected for the cover of the Songfest 2020 program. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled but Embray said it was a great accomplishment. “While it wasn’t used as I had hoped, I am very proud of designing the Songfest program cover.” What does the future hold for this bright and gifted young man? “I’m not entirely sure,” he shared. “But I would like to pursue my masters in English. I will, however, be happily married.” Embray popped the question this spring and is now engaged to Leah Lane, a sophomore, psychology major, also from St. Joseph, Mo. The two met before college at their hometown library. They plan to be married in the summer of 2022. n
