By Dr. Ferrell Miller
JC Breakfast Optimist Club
Junction City High School senior Gracie Erichsen has been named Student of the month at JCHS by the Junction City Breakfast Optimist Club. Erichsen is the daughter of Luke and Joanna Erichsen. She is in the Science Engineering and Health (SEH) Academy. During her studies Gracie has been involved in the Family, Career, Community Leaders of America organization (FCCLA), Blue Jay Nation, Class Committees, National Honor Society, Student to Student (S2S), basketball, softball, track, volleyball, and tennis. She is also an Academic Letter recipient and is a founding member of the JCHS Junior Optimist International (JOI) Club, which is being organized at the school this year.
Gracie’s nomination read: “She exemplifies every characteristic that we as teachers hope for our students to possess when they graduate. She is very successful in whatever she does. Academics and athletics are balanced well in her life, and she strives to do her best regardless of obstacles and never makes excuses.
She has brought so much pride and publicity to our community through both her athletic abilities and academics. Gracie has appeared in the Junior Home Run Derby twice and competed nationally as a club team member in indoor volleyball and sand volleyball nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She placed in shotput and discus at state her sophomore and junior years.
Academically she is a member of the FCCLA Lifeskills team who placed nationally this past spring. Gracie is a member of the National Honor Society and serves as a member of the JCHS Student Council. She will graduate this school year from Junction City High School with numerous certifications, her associates degree and CNA.”
Gracie received a certificate from the JC Breakfast Optimist Club and a $25.00 gift certificate from JC’s BBQ and Grill for being the Student of the Month for September.
(Pictured left to right are Joanna Erichsen, Gracie Erichsen, Luke Erichsen and Nita Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club President).