Getting To Know Your April
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
By Debora Timms
JADE GRACIA
Sport: Track
School: Petersburg High School
Class Of: 2023
GPA: 3.2
Family: Mother – Sabrina Bland; Brother – Jashawn Gracia, 19
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Current City: Petersburg
Favorites
Color Blue
Movie Love & Basketball
Sports Team Washington Redskins
Food Chicken Alfredo
School Subject Math
Quote/Motto Love God, Love Yourself, Love Others
How long have you been running track?
Since the eighth grade.
Why did you decide to start?
My gym teacher – she encouraged me to run track because she saw how good I was.
What is your favorite distance or event?
My favorite distance? I like the 55 meter.
What do you like most about track?
My favorite thing about track is basically my teammates.
What’s your least favorite thing or your biggest challenge?
The most challenging – well, I went up against a couple of girls that had more experience than I did, so that was the biggest challenge for me.
What has been your proudest achievement so far?
I went to Regionals and was there for my team.
What are you most grateful for?
I’m grateful for my family, my teammates and all of the support they gave me.
How are you coping with recent events and the school shutdown?
(Big sigh) It’s very, very, very – very complicated. I really miss going back to school.
What is your schedule like now? Do you have school work to do online?
No, they haven’t said anything.
Are you keeping in touch with friends all the time?
No, not all the time. I’m mostly at the track at my school.
Are you going to practice and keep fit for track?
Yes, me and my mother go to the track every day right after she finishes work.
What are your future career goals?
To become an RN – a Registered Nurse.
Well, then you’re obviously planning on college. Do you have a particular one you want to attend?
Yes, Ohio State University.
Why Ohio State?
I just wanted something different than my family. They all went to Norfolk State and I wanted to do something different.
Do you think you’d like to continue to run track in college?
Yes.
Have you been involved in any community service work?
I have done some through my church.
What projects have you worked on? And what church do you belong to?
I go to Greater Works Christian Fellowship. With my church, I helped to put together hygiene kits for the homeless.
Who or what inspires you?
My mother inspires me because she obtained two degrees and she’s shown me the value of hard work.
What advice would you give others?
The advice that I would give to other people would be the same as the motto that I gave you.
Is there anything else that we didn’t talk about that you’d like to tell me?
I am an honor roll student. I was the ninth grade student of the month for February and I am currently a freshman.
