Semaj Wray

Semaj Wray is a Norristown native and spends his free time in the NAHS Jazz Band and Gospel Choir. When asked what motivated him to join Mr. Norristown, Semaj explained that he is a a third-generation Mr. Norristown participant.  “My older cousin did it, my brother did it, and my uncle did it. And they didn’t win, so I want to show my talents other than what they know me for.”

So what will separate him from the other contestants? “I am a musician, but that’s about it. Everybody’s really sports people, but I didn’t really want to do that. Music is different. My energy is different.”

In his first years of high school, Semaj felt as though he didn’t do as well and acted out in different ways negatively. He lost friends, but through his trial, he learned who really mattered. Throughout the years, he’s changed a lot, and he can now confidently say that he represents Norristown as a whole.

Semaj is quick to say that his biggest influences are his mother, Tonya; his uncle, Ian; his older brother, Martin, his older cousin, Thaddeus, his uncle Thaddeus Peay senior, and his older sister, Azah.

His personal advice to underclassmen would be this: “Find yourself and not everyone is your friend. You don’t have to try to impress everybody. If they don’t like you for you, just forget ‘em.”