My name is Grace Welhouse and I will be graduating from Highland Park High School in Highland Park, Illinois as a member of the class of 2025. I am a motivated student who has an ACT score of 33 and will, by graduation, have completed 7 AP classes. I am also driven to excel on the track, having made consistent improvements in my hurdle times since beginning track freshman year. A former year-round volleyball player, I have brought the same strong and focused work ethic to my track and hurdle training. I train during the off-season at TNT Track & Field Academy in Mount Prospect, Illinois which has helped me to continue lowering my PRs during the school season. From sophomore to junior year, I went from a 17.18s PR in the 100m hurdles to 15.56s. Similarly, I lowered my 300m hurdles PR from 51.53s to 48.57s during the same time span. My times of 15.56s in the 100m hurdles and 48.57s in the 300m hurdles are all-time school records at Highland Park High School. In addition to breaking school records this past season, I also competed at Illinois Top Times in the 60m hurdles (setting a PR of 9.58), was indoor conference champion in the 55m hurdles, outdoor conference champion in the 100m hurdles, sectional champion in the 100m hurdles, and competed at the IHSA Class 3A state meet.  

I have been recognized as a leader on my school’s track team, both during practices and competitions, motivating my teammates to become the best athletes they can be. I work with my team to push through hard workouts with a sense of appreciation and accomplishment rather than dread. I make an effort to get to know and work with all of my teammates despite our differences in grade, event, level, or interests. My leadership skills are also present off the track in my extracurriculars, where I am a member of my high school’s Rotary Interact club, in which we carry out service projects and gain a deeper understanding of the communities we make a difference in. In addition to Rotary Interact, I helped found a free ophthalmology clinic with Chicago Medical School students that aims to serve patients in need from underserved communities. I gained the training and experience for this project through my employment as an ophthalmic technician at Medical Eye Services, where I perform vision and diagnostic tests as well as assisting with patient procedures. My extensive work in community service has instilled a strong sense of gratitude for my opportunities and accomplishments that is with me on and off the track.  

I want to attend a university where I can push myself academically, athletically, and in terms of extracurricular activities. I want an environment in which my peers and teammates are simultaneously supportive and competitive. Off the track in college, I intend to be involved in research and community service. For more information, please email me at gracewelhouse2025@gmail.com.