Grace is a Marian alumna and a junior at MICDS, whose journey reflects the strength and resilience Marian Girls carry forward. From her earliest days at Marian, she cultivated her passion for service and science—and with her family and the Marian community behind her—the confidence to lead.
Grace’s passion for community began with the values instilled in her at home. When moved to East Saint Louis, she experienced the reality of food deserts firsthand. This experience sparked Grace’s determination to make healthy food accessible to all, a passion Marian helped her cultivate in the Academic Program and Enrichment Program through inspiring teachers, innovative STEM classes, and exciting field trips that expanded her vision for what’s possible.
Today, that vision continues to grow. Grace is thriving at internships with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center’s Jackie Joyner Kersee food and agriculture initiative, and the Shaw Internship for Field Training at the Missouri Botanical Garden. She is turning her commitment to food equity into action by creating and leading programs that educate her peers.
At MICDS, she co-leads the Community Service Committee, where she works on initiatives to strengthen her school community while uplifting those in need. She is also launching two new clubs this year. Her first is a gardening club teaching students about food insecurity and equity. Her second club is Clay for a Cause, which turns pottery-making into an opportunity to support local charities. Grace also mentors new MICDS students, including Phoenix, an incoming Marian Girl. Marian’s Graduate Support Program will continue to support both students by providing scholarships and mentoring.
Grace’s story is just one example of Marian’s 25-year legacy of empowering young women to become changemakers. As other schools close across the region, Marian remains a beacon of light. Although 90 percent of Marian students face poverty, they are achieving triple the academic proficiency rates of local public schools, and graduating high school and entering college at rates far exceeding the national average.
Each Marian Girl is proof of what your support makes possible. With every gift, we nurture leaders who will create a brighter future—just like Grace.
We hope you will make a special gift to support Marian Girls today!
Thank you for your belief in Marian Girls,
and for providing the spark that lights their way!