March 22, 2011
Wyandotte Distinguished Graduate
Inductees

De Marco, Dr. Juan Carlos - 1971
Gray, Michael - 1968
 

Dr. Juan Carlos De Marco - Class of 1971

 

International relations between the United States, South America, and the world have been enhanced because of the accomplishments of Dr. Juan Carlos De Marco, a 1971 Roosevelt High School Graduate.

Juan Carlos came to Wyandotte as a member of the Youth for Understanding International Exchange Students Program from his home country of Argentina. He participated in the Tune Toppers Vocal Music Ensemble, and the A Cappella Choir.

After returning to Argentina, he entered the National University of La Plata, Argentina, and earned separate degrees as a Lawyer, Attorney, Notary and Social Communicator, specializing in Journalism. He became a Social Communications Professor. He lived in Madrid, Spain while finishing a Doctorate in Law, and in Washington, D.C. at Georgetown University while achieving Post Graduate Certification in Political Science. He currently is completing his Master's Thesis on International Relations, and is finishing his Master's in Latin American Integration.

His career as an educator began after receiving a degree in Journalism, which he later taught at the National University of La Plata (UNLP). He held a professorship of Political Law at the Universidad del Museo Social Argentino in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and continues to teach law in communications courses at UNLP in La Plata.

Juan has extensive journalistic experience in print, television, photography, and film media. As a war correspondent for Spain in 1985, he covered the Contras uprising in Nicaragua. While in Washington, D.C. in 2000, he reported on the United States Presidential Election.

Dr. De Marco is an accomplished musician and athlete, and has traveled the world in pursuit of these interests. He is an activist in the Argentinean Conservative Democratic Party. He was Legal Advisor and Director of Foreign Relations for the City of La Plata, and Advisor to a Provincial Senator. Juan was a founding member of Jaycees International in La Plata. Other professional affiliations include being legal representative and advisor for the Japanese and Chinese communities of La Plata. He currently is the CEO of International ORPHEO Artistic Services.

Dr. Juan Carlos De Marco holds a deep affection for Wyandotte and for Roosevelt High School. His achievements are a tribute to our school, and an inspiration for all of our students.

Michael Gray - Class of 1968

 

Michael Gray has distinguished himself as both a collegiate coach and as a mentor to the many students whom he has coached.

Since 1996, Gray has coached both men's and women's cross country and track at Central Arizona College. In that time, his teams have won 12 National Junior College Athletic Association National Titles and have placed 2nd fifteen times. The NJCAA named Gray, National Coach of the Year six times - in 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2009.

Gray began developing his philosophy about school sports as a Roosevelt athlete, graduating in 1968. H earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education at Eastern Michigan University in 1973 and his Master of Arts from Arizona State University in 1980. In 2009, he was inducted into the Wyandotte Sports Hall of Fame.

Supported by Gray's guidance and encouragement, his runners not only excel in their sports, but also academically. Ninety percent of his former athletes at Central Arizona have graduated in four semesters and have moved on to four-year colleges on scholarships. One hundred percent of Gray's international student-athletes have graduated on time, and have earned scholarships to continue their college educations.

Michael Gray has helped his team members create opportunities for themselves. This was further evidenced at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, where there were eight runners competing from various countries whom Gray had coached at some time during his coaching career. Additionally, during his tenure at Central Arizona, Gray has coached 29 individual national champions in four sports.

Prior to joining the Athletic Department at Central Arizona, Gray coached at the high school level. During those years, his combined win/loss record in boys and girls cross country and track was 167-31, including two State Titles. He has also served as an assistant coach at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University.

Gray and his wife Carole live in Tucson with their two daughters.