From Softball Bat to Pool Noodle
Gracyn Erickson demonstrates a stretch used in class
Senior Gracyn Erickson from Carmel High School, has been working towards “making herself proud” through softball for as long as she can remember. She has been using the skills that she has learned through the sport to not only better herself as a player but also as a person.
“When I get up to bat I get really nervous and shaky, so at my very first time up to bat playing varsity I was very anxious. My very first hit in my varsity career was off the fence. It was just so exciting and it made me very proud of myself and everything that I have been working towards.”
Erickson has played a big part not only on a team, but also in a smaller community setting. During her spare time when she is not traveling for softball she volunteers at an assisted living residence called Barrington. Her role here is being a fitness class instructor. Once a week she uses pool noodles as their “weights” to ensure the residents get some type of physical movement.
“Most of them are just bored and want entertainment. Even if they do not want to work out we still provide them with some type of enjoyment for that day.”
It is clear that Erickson has impacted many lives in what she puts her time into whether it is her friends on the softball team or the residents in assisted living.
“Something that was said to me as I was leaving class one day, was from Sue, a woman who lives in Barrington she said, “This is great joy.” This has really stuck with me because I am giving them something to look forward to”
Erickson uses the main skill of building interpersonal skills to ensure that she can create this community and make sure that it thrives. These opportunities that she has immersed herself in over the years have really shaped her into an asset in other people’s lives.