Catching Up With IGP’s 2022 Scholarship Recipient
In 2022, Iron Girl Project honored Lex's legacy by presenting Grace with the 1st Alexea G. Karpinski Scholarship. Read on to learn more about Grace and how she's continuing her mission to lead on and off the field.
I am currently an undergraduate student at Clemson University, studying Health Science on the pre-occupational therapy track. Fulfilling my dream career in this field would involve, at minimum, a graduate program after my four years at Clemson. Although it seems like a long way off, I begin each day with the end in mind staying motivated and disciplined in my studies. I keep that same ‘determined mentality’ equally strong outside the realm of academics.
One way I accomplish this is playing for the University’s Club Lacrosse Team. Not only is it highly competitive and a great way to push myself physically, but I have found it to be a great way to get involved at school, bond with new teammates and even enjoy some travel.
In addition to being fortunate enough to continue playing the sport I love, the team has allowed me to do many great things. I was able to volunteer at youth clinics, and spread the passion I have for the sport across the country. Additionally, I recently volunteered for a community clean up service; although it doesn’t have much to do with athletics, it was a great way for me to truly feel like I was making my campus a brighter place.
Running has also become a strong passion (and stress reliever) of mine: it is a mental game that can truly test how hard you are willing to push yourself. On February 25, I ran my first half marathon. My friend Alexea was there with me in spirit, as she was a huge motivational factor for me. The thoughts of her own resilience and determination played in my mind and kept pushing me all the way to the finish line.
Despite being in a completely different environment, my mission of honoring Alexea’s name has not changed one bit. No matter where I am or what I am doing, it is a personal goal of mine to do all the good things she stood for: pushing yourself to the max, being a strong independent person, and most importantly motivating others to test their limits in a positive way.
I am a firm believer in the fact that there is always something out there that has the power to motivate another to be their best self. If that ‘push’ is not coming from you directly, there is someone else out there that believes in you and wants to see you succeed. One of those people for me is, and will always be, Alexea. Whether it be during a rigorous exam, a competitive lacrosse game or hard run, looking down at my #ForAlexea bracelet instills a wave of encouragement within me, and I know that I am going to put my best foot forward.
