Ray Huffman

When senior Ray Huffman was looking at high schools as an eighth grader at St. Michael, Roger Bacon was music to his ears, literally. “Roger Bacon has RB3, and that pretty much settled it for me,” shares Ray. “By the time I was in 8th grade, I was a huge music fan. For example, I not only knew the track order for every Queen record, I could play all of them on the drums. No other school had a band like RB3. The chance to come be part of that, as all of the other opportunities that Roger Bacon has, it was just too much to pass up.”

Four years later, Ray has become a star on the RB campus as a member of both RB3, as well as the Drama Guild. This past weekend, he wrapped up his final show on the RB stage as one of the leads in Xanadu, a musical that saw him not only act, sing, and dance, but also slide over to join RB3 and play the drums for several songs. “Xanadu really felt like the perfect way for me to end my ‘drama guild career’ if you want to call it that. Xanadu let me take everything I’ve learned about acting, playing my instrument, and about crew work backstage and put it all together in one show. I got to come help my Dad and the set crew with our set builds, I got to play drums on a few of the songs during the show, and I got to act and sing!,” explains Ray. “Most important of all, it was super fun! It was the best, and most fun ‘cherry on top’ experience I could have asked for, and the positive vibes and relationships between everyone on the cast and crew are what made it even better.”

While Xanadu proved to be one of the highlights of Ray’s four years at Roger Bacon, the most full-circle moment came his sophomore year when he scored the lead in We Will Rock You, a musical based on the Queen songbook. “That was really a dream come true. To take the stage and sing the songs of my all-time favorite band, it really was a full-circle moment for me. Then to get nominated for so many CAPPIE awards, and get to perform again at the Aronoff Center, that was just the best,” exclaims Ray.

As his senior year winds down, he reflects back on all he has accomplished, and looks forward to what still lies ahead. Shares Ray, “I have had the best four years here, and have loved everything I have had the chance to do. I am looking forward to Prom, and all of the other senior festivities. Plus I am going to Memphis with RB3 this summer, where we get to perform in workshops with many music industry folks, and then traveling to Scotland with the Drama Guild in August to attend Fringe Festival.”

Despite all he has accomplished on the RB stage, it is not his personal achievements he is most proud of. “I think my biggest accomplishment at Roger Bacon has been just being part of this great group of talented students in the Drama Guild and RB3, and watching how the program has grown over my four years here. Both of these have become calling cards for Roger Bacon, and its awesome to see students who maybe saw an RB3 concert at their school, or came and saw Newsies or We Will Rock You, and now they are here, and sharing the stage with us for Xanadu. That is just something I am really proud of,” explains Ray.

Along with RB3 and the Drama Guild, Ray is a Senior Leader at Roger Bacon, and a member of Community Outreach, a Kairos leader, and Joy retreat leader. Outside of Roger Bacon, Ray sings in the St. Michael choir, works summers at Kings Island, and can be seen around town performing in the rock band ORAD (Or Rythym and Dreams) with fellow Spartan and Xanadu co-star Jackkie Merz. ’26, as well as recent RB grads Xavier Hecker and Casey Lanser, Class of 2024.

Here is a link to one of Ray’s favorite ORAD covers.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1xd_H1JM38

Ray’s favorite teacher is Mr. Montgomery, Roger Bacon’s Fine Arts and Band Director. Says Ray, “Monty is my favorite teacher because he supports me in what I do in his own special Monty way. He has such a unique and sort of futuristic view on music in high schools. Between having a rock band, the classes he offers at RB, and the activities we do in class, he is very much a believer and a driving force in bringing more modern and popular outlooks to the Fine Arts programs here,” explains Ray. “If it weren’t for Monty, I would not be anywhere near the well-rounded musician I am now, and I definitely wouldn’t have found myself getting the support I am getting in everything I do, including what I am deciding to do in college/my future.”

Something a lot of people may not know about Ray is that he not only has younger sibling Ruby, RB Class of 2027, but also three younger siblings ages 4, 3, and 6 months. Xanadu was the first time his 4 year-old sibling got to see him perform. “She really liked it, and there were several times she would keep clapping long after the audience stopped,” shares Ray.

Ray has been accepted to the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, where he would study Music, as Norther Kentucky University for Music Production, and is still trying to decide which path.

As for reflecting on his time at Roger Bacon, and Ray offers sound advice for fellow students and those considering Roger Bacon. “Take advantage of all of the opportunities,” says Ray. “There are so many fun classes, and things to learn. You can learn an instrument, build your confidence and skills, and Roger Bacon will get you to where you want to go. It will also push you outside your comfort zone, and you will feel supported, encouraged, and celebrated every step of the way. It is just one of the things that makes Roger Bacon so special!”