Grace Shaw

Gig Harbor High School senior a passionate artist, caring individual with infectious determination

Grace Shaw is a talented artist who started drawing when she was in fourth grade — and she hasn’t stopped since.

Shaw enrolled in every art class available while she was in middle school, and she continued on the same path in high school. She also is a writer with a few published poems.

“Writing and drawing both calm me down,” she said. “My art classes work as my sanity. They keep me calm and focused.”

Shaw paints and draws, and some of her art has been displayed at various places.

Her passion for art extends to music and theater. She plays the alto and the tenor saxophones, and she has been a member of both the school’s band and the jazz band. Last year, she was part of the chorus for the school’s musical production of “Damn Yankees,” and said she “had an absolute blast.”

While Shaw hasn’t decided on a major in college, art is one of the two paths she’s strongly considering. She also likes math and physics.

Teachers describe Shaw as an insightful, curious and caring individual with a gentle disposition.

“Grace certainly values her education and absorbs everything she can in the classroom, but she does not chase grades,” said David Hyde, a retired Gig Harbor High School counselor. “Grace’s determination and drive ... are infectious with her peers.”

Shaw has a 3.74 grade-point average and has taken several honors and advanced-placement courses. She said school has been important, and while she takes it very seriously, she tries to do other things.

“Grace is much more than a quality student,” Hyde said. “She is also a genuine, caring young woman. Wherever she is, Grace demonstrates a sense of community and caring for those around her.”

Shaw said her involvement with the Gig Harbor Environmental Community Organization has been one of the highlights of her high school years. Currently the club’s president, she was responsible for writing and obtaining a $350 grant to expand Gig Harbor High’s successful recycling program to other schools; she also wrote an essay to obtain a $400 grant from the YMCA’s Earth Corps.

The club’s membership has grown this year from 15 students to 60.

For her senior project, Shaw spearheaded a campaign to raise funds for a new ballroom in Tacoma. She said it will give youth a place to hang out and be engaged in a fun activity.

Shaw likes to be involved and plans to continue being active in her community.

“Eclectic describes her engagement in life,” Hyde said.

Grace Shaw

Education: Senior, Gig Harbor High School

GPA: 3.74

Parents: Susan and Michael Bland, Jamie Shaw

Activities/achievements: We the People state champion; Gig Harbor Environmental Community Organization president; French club; ballroom dancing; National Honor Society.

Favorite teacher: Mr. Lovelace. “He was able to connect on a personal level with every one of his students — something I greatly admired,” Shaw said.

Best thing about high school: The sense of community. “The friendly faces I see on students and staff alike make me feel that they really care about the school and the people in it.”