Grace Cousins could have followed in her three sisters’ footsteps and attended her local public school. But she had the opportunity to forge her own path at a new high school in Boalsburg, and she hit the ground running — so to speak.
A talented artist and graphic designer, Cousins — who is on course to graduate from St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy in the spring — will continue her studies next year at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. But she’s not putting her running shoes away yet: Cousins, a member of the Wolves’ back-to-back cross-country state championship teams in 2015 and 2016, will also run at SCAD.
“From the moment my husband and I walked in the building four years ago, we knew it (St. Joseph’s) was the right place for her,” said Grace’s mom, Lisa Cousins. “(Principal) Chris Chirieleison and (guidance counselor) Jean Kozak have been so supportive of my desire to add what was missing and work to bring a pretty awesome art program to St. Joe’s.”
“It has been a great experience, and I am glad I decided to come here,” Grace Cousins said. “I met a lot of inspiring people who all have taught me amazing things. My teachers encourage me to give my best.”
Giving her best in cross-country was never an issue for Cousins. Competing at the PIAA Class A championships in Hershey last month, she finished the 5K course in 21:49, and helped the Wolves win their second straight state crown.
Not only did she get another gold medal that day, but Cousins and her teammates were wearing the team shirts that she designed. They feature a group of runners’ legs inside the outline of a wolf.
“Coach (Jayson) Jackson gave me the opportunity,” Cousins said of designing the T-shirts. “That was pretty neat to see my designs come to life.”
Soon, Cousins will take her talents to Savannah. She was able to get a feel for SCAD when she visited her sister there.
“I fell in love with the historic city of Savannah and its many inspiring places to create,” she says. “I’m also excited to participate on their cross-country and track and field teams.”
Lisa Cousins is confident that her daughter will succeed wherever her path takes her in life.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with our decision to send Grace to St. Joe’s,” she said. “Teachers, coaches and staff noticed Grace’s potential. They worked with her specific learning style and saw the value in her artistic talent and how she could use it beyond high school.”
Editor’s note: This article was submitted by St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy. Grace Cousins is the granddaughter of Centre County Gazette columnist Connie Cousins.
