Grace Gilmore '22 Recruiting Profile

Soccer is my passion, my driving force, my accomplishments, my failures, my quiet place, my arena, where I feel most at home, where I live!

My name is Grace Gilmore. I currently play for The University of Southern Mississippi and am looking to find a new home.  I attended Wake Forest High School and played 03/04 NCFC ECNL under Cindy Parlow Cone and Bobby Johnston. I am primarily a forward and center mid but can play anywhere on the field as I’ve spent time in defense as well. I believe playing several positions has made me a more well-rounded and impactful soccer player.

Throughout my childhood, I have always been a multi-sport athlete. I love to compete, and often found myself trying new things, but the two sports I always stuck with were soccer and track. I am currently a member of my high school’s Varsity Track Team. Between indoor and outdoor, I compete in the 55m, 100m, 200m, 300m, 500m, 4x200m anchor,  4x100m anchor, and 4x400 anchor. I was county-ranked in the 55m and held the top times on our team for the 100m and 200m. I believe track has fostered a natural talent of mine, allowing me to be more competitive on the soccer field. My speed is often the first thing people notice about me. 

I am very lucky to come from a very close family. We haven’t always had it the easiest, but I never doubt that they will be by my side. My dad unexpectedly passed away in May of 2021. Although our family dynamic isn’t the same, the love and support we have for one another has been unwavering. I know my dad wants us to be happy, to be successful, and to never give up. If this loss has shown me anything, it’s that I should go after my dreams wholeheartedly and that’s what I’m doing. 

I started playing soccer when I was just 5 years old and I quickly learned it was something I wanted to do for as long as I could. I workout every day and train on my own time weekly in addition to club training. To me, soccer is my favorite thing to do. I take any chance I can to get on the field. I know the only way to set myself apart is to do what others aren’t, on my own.

 How would my coaches describe me?  I've taken a few quotes from past correspondences with my coaches: "You have the mentality and confidence to take players on with the ball." "You have a unique mentality and personality." "I believe I know the true measure of your intent, passion, skill, and desire to get better every day. I love that about you, Grace."  These are all things I've been told by coaches that give me another reason to work my hardest. I have the utmost respect for my coaches and value their opinions greatly.  As much as I want it, they want it for me too. My teammates would say I'm a tough competitor, willing to play any position on the field, that I never give up, that I have a positive attitude, and that I am always pushing myself and my team to our full extent.  My competitors might recognize me for my toughness, my speed, and my competitive nature.

I work hard in every aspect of my life. I have a fire inside me that is lit by my competitiveness. I have been class president since freshman year and am currently running for Student Body President. I strive to take very AP course offered and I am highly involved in extracurriculars. I am currently a member of National Honor Society, Student Government, Unified Champions, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Youth Group, National Society of High School Scholars, and remain within the top 5% of my class academically.  I am also enrolled in the College and Career Promise program in my area which allows me to take classes at the local community college. Outside of school, I am a  member of the Youth Advisory Board for my local town's government, as I am an appointed member of the Human Relations Council. 

Within student government, I have been given several opportunities to get involved and make change within my community. Over the past three years I have organized a Make A Wish fundraiser raising up to $50,000 dollars. I have also helped lead several food and book drives and volunteer regularly within my community at the recreational sports club, and my church, and strive to get my school involved in community betterment programs. 

 My younger sister has battled severe idiopathic epilepsy for the past 13 years. This has created a passion for volunteering within several local special needs programs; Dream League, Unified Champions, and Genome Giants. I see them trying to reach their goals and it pushes me to reach mine. Some of these kids have to push themselves just to be able to complete daily activities, and that’s okay.  Everyone has a different skill set and ceiling, but what makes us alike is we all want to feel successful. I want them to be successful! I also want my baby sister to be successful! She fights every day against the setbacks of uncontrolled seizures. “She makes broken look beautiful, and strong look invincible,” I think this quote fits her perfectly and I too want to be successful.

 I never wanted to make life harder on my parents, so I choose to be self-motivated. I was born a fast runner, so I train to be faster. I was born with an inquiring mind, so I strive for straight A's and excel in the National Honor Society. God gave me abilities, so I want to use them. I want to be successful, and I want to “make strong look invincible.”