Home
News & Announcements
News
Eagle Mountain Youth Council Challenges Mayor Jared Gray to Spicy Wing Q&A
Community
July 14, 2026
Save
Members of the Eagle Mountain Youth Council sat down with Mayor Jared Gray for a unique Q&A session featuring 12 increasingly spicy boneless wings donated by Wingstop. As the interview progressed from mild flavors to Wingstop’s Atomic wing, youth council members asked questions ranging from leadership and community service to childhood memories, favorite foods, and unexpected life experiences.
Throughout the challenge, Mayor Gray shared personal stories about growing up, his career path, and the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership. He reflected on starting his first job around age 11 or 12, building an entrepreneurial mindset early in life, and eventually launching his first company at age 21.
Although Mayor Gray never expected to become a mayor, he shared his appreciation for local government and the opportunity to serve Eagle Mountain residents directly.
The conversation also highlighted Mayor Gray’s thoughts on leadership, integrity, and respectful disagreement. When asked about handling peer pressure, he encouraged youth to remain true to their values and recognize that people can disagree on issues while still respecting one another.
“Your reputation is what other people think about you, but your integrity is what you actually have,” Mayor Gray said. “When you're in those situations with peer pressure, stick to your values, be true to who you are, and give grace to others who might think differently.”
Mayor Gray also discussed the importance of community involvement and creating opportunities for residents to participate. He shared that as a growing City, Eagle Mountain provides opportunities for people from all backgrounds to get involved and make a difference.
The Youth Council members also asked Mayor Gray about his favorite music, sports debates, childhood vacations, and even modern slang. The mayor shared his appreciation for country music, naming Chris LeDoux and George Strait among his favorites, and selected Michael Jordan in the debate over the greatest basketball player of all time.
The interview was not without some unexpected challenges. Mayor Gray attempted the Pythagorean theorem, answered a series of lightning-round questions, and shared memorable stories, including a childhood horseback riding accident and a hunting expedition in Kamchatka, Russia.
The interview concluded with one final story from Mayor Gray’s childhood involving a church theater performance where an unexpected howl during a serious musical number became a memorable moment for the entire cast.
Watch the full interview:
