Gracie Russell has had an impressive high school career filled with numerous accomplishments and memorable experiences. She works for the park service as a ranger in the summers, enjoys skiing and track, and participates in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB). Gracie mentions she is exceptionally proud of maintaining good grades, spending a semester in Denmark, and even writing a grant that secured $1,000 for a greenhouse project.
Gracie wants to be remembered as “the girl who disappeared to Denmark for a semester,” highlighting her adventurous personality and willingness to step out of her comfort zone. She advises underclassmen to “try to have a plan but be aware that things can change.” Flexibility and adaptability are key to navigating high school successfully.
One of her favorite high school moments was traveling to Seattle for NOSB. She enjoyed the fun times with her team and the chance to apply their learning in a practical and competitive environment. Continuing in her scientific interest, after high school, Gracie plans to attend Oregon State University to study environmental science. Her love for the outdoors and passion for the earth make this a perfect fit for her future aspirations.
Throughout high school, Gracie has been involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including NOSB, National Honor Society, skiing, track, teen readers, founding the greenhouse club, book club, and student council. Sports, in particular, taught her valuable time management skills while balancing school and travel, helped her make positive memories with her team and friends, and pushed her to achieve her best.
Gracie will miss the community at Seward High School. Having been born in Colorado, she appreciates the unique opportunities and experiences she had here, including taking KPC college classes to prepare for her future. Seward High has offered her the chance to take classes with a higher education preparing her for her later profession. Her biggest mentors were the senior class when she was a freshman. They were good role models, emphasized school spirit, and formed strong friendships with the underclassmen. She notes, “Even though they were older, they made us feel seen.”
High school taught Gracie about the career she wants to pursue while exposing her to various areas of learning and the importance of time management. She learned that not everything is about academics. It’s essential to take time to appreciate the moment and find balance in life.
Gracie’s journey through high school is proof of her hard work, adaptability, and passion for making a difference. Her future in environmental science looks bright, and she will surely leave a lasting legacy at Seward High School.
