Mesquite ISD

Horn High School | CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

Class of 2025

In third grade, Grace Raymond imagined herself becoming a doctor. “Doctors must be millionaires,” she once thought with a laugh. That dream evolved over time, shaped by personal experience and growing curiosity. After spending time in the foster care system, Grace never forgot how a kind nurse could bring comfort in moments of uncertainty. “They were the ones who helped me feel safe. I want to do that for someone else.”

Her journey began in Mesquite ISD in fourth grade at Gentry Elementary, where teachers like Dr. Hammet believed in her. As Grace explored health science courses in high school, she found her path through the CNA program. “At first, I was timid. But those classes helped me open my mind and see how I could serve others,” she says.

She found her strength in real-world moments, like helping a hesitant patient at Christian Care or representing her CNA class at a professional convention. “My classmates said, ‘Grace should do it.’ That meant a lot. They saw something in me.”

Now, with a full scholarship to Texas Woman’s University, Grace is pursuing a future in nursing with plans to become a nurse anesthetist. “When I think about my future, I feel exhilarated,” she says. “I want to make a difference.”

Her story is one of resilience, empathy, and growth. “No matter what hardships you face, don’t let them break your connection to yourself or others,” she says. “Perseverance matters.”

Grace Raymond is stepping into the future with clarity and compassion. As she reminds herself, “No rain, no flowers.” And she is ready to bloom.