FOURTEEN years ago, LayRay Paw fled violence in Burma with her family. She was the youngest. Her dad was chopped to pieces, her mom fell ill and died, the six children, the oldest of whom was 14, survived on rice and river water.
All six were adopted by a couple in Holland, Michigan. LayRay was the first to learn English, became the interpreter between the others and her adoptive parents, and attended Holland High. There she received the Basketball Courage Award for “demonstrated courage in their approach to their team, school, game and community.”
LayRay passed her final exams, wanted to go to college, but was just a few bucks short of being able to afford it. With that, a group of local business people passed the hat around, and sure enough, she was accepted at Lake Michigan College, “the first in my family’s entire history,” LayRay says, “I am deeply grateful.”
She no longer plays basketball. She plays soccer for her new school. No longer No. 4, No. 7.
