Focused on Success – JWCC’s Grace Meyer is a woman who is used to defying expectations
Born with spina bifida & hydrocephalus, Grace began her life with more challenges than most. But that has not slowed her down, nor gotten in the way of her dreams.
Beginning young, Grace has set a pattern of accomplishing what she set out to do. When she learned that selling 2500 boxes of Girl Scout cookies earned that scout a trip to Disney World, Grace sold 2500 boxes of cookies. Each year. Five years in a row.
And when Grace saw a need for more inclusivity at Camp Sacajawea, a camp on the outskirts of Quincy, Operation Trail of Freedom was born. Under Grace’s leadership and planning, sidewalks, a sensory trail, ramps, benches and concrete pads were built at the camp, allowing for more accessibility and an overall better experience for everyone. Her hard work also earned her a Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of America. This is the highest honor awarded by the Girl Scouts and signifies that the work done by Grace will continue on after her involvement. She was also recently recognized by the YWCA with the Young Woman of Achievement Award, which was accompanied with a $1000 scholarship.
This brief summary does not come close to covering the accolades awarded to Grace, and Grace is not even 20 years old.
After achieving so much, what is the next step for Grace? College.
Grace is attending classes both at Quincy Senior High and John Wood Community College as a dual-enrolled high school student still receiving special education services under her IEP Transition Plan. At JWCC, Grace is enrolled in both veterinary tech classes and the College for Life program.
“College for Life is a program where students with disabilities can prepare for work and adult independence by learning skills like cooking, healthy relationships and medical advocacy,” said Grace. “I learned about it through some old friends and have already met new friends in the program.”
In addition to her academic endeavors, Grace is also a member of the Blazer’s Cheerleading squad.
“My schedule is a little hectic, but overall, I like cheerleading a lot. It’s really fun, especially getting to do the stunting,” said Grace
Cheerleading is a natural fit for Grace, who is bubbly and outgoing. Though she had experience on the Sparkle Squad in high school, Grace’s first JWCC game was this winter for Blazer basketball season.
To learn more about the College for Life Program visit www.jwcc.edu/collegeforlife.
Visit JWCC’s Blazer Stories for more remarkable stories at www.jwcc.edu/stories.
Pictured: Grace Meyer, Grace Meyer and the JWCC Blazer Cheer Team
