Grace Fletschock, a senior at Central Cass High School in Casselton, has been awarded the $1000 CBA Scholarship for 2024. This scholarship is given in recognition of the outstanding contributions made by young people to their home, school, community, and country.
The daughter of Justin and Jamie Fletschock, Grace is a shining example of dedication and excellence. Her high school career has been packed with achievements in both academics and extracurricular activities. In sports, Grace has excelled in softball, volleyball, and basketball. She was part of the state championship softball teams in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and earned awards such as 2021 Most Improved Athlete, 2022 and 2023 All-Region Player, and 2023 All-State Shortstop. In volleyball, Grace led as the 2023 Team Floor Captain, earned the Most Improved Athlete award in 2021-2022, and made the 2023 All Region 1 Team. She also played in Junior Olympic Volt and ND Elite Volleyball.
"It has truly been a pleasure to coach Grace over the past 6 years," says Scott Kost, Central Cass Head Softball Coach. "She has been an outstanding player for us. Grace has played four years of varsity softball for Central Cass - three years as a starter at shortstop. Grace is very coachable, a great leader, and an outstanding teammate. She leaves a great legacy at Central Cass and has an incredibly bright future in front of her."
Beyond sports, Grace has been involved in numerous clubs and activities. She was a member of the Homecoming Court, served as a 2022-2023 Class Officer and Social Media Representative for the Student Council, the Treasurer for FCCLA, and participated in PaY (Philanthropy and Youth), FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), Prom Committee, and yearbook.
Academically, Grace is a member of the National Honors Society and has been on the A honor roll every quarter of high school, making her one of the valedictorians of the Class of 2024 with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Grace balances her schoolwork with jobs at Hornbacher’s and Casselton Parks and Recreation. At Hornbacher’s, she works as a cashier, handling customer service and various store upkeep tasks, averaging 15 hours per week during the school year and more in the summer. In the summer, she also coaches softball for Casselton Parks and Rec, working 30 hours per week teaching young girls the sport, planning practices, and performing administrative duties.
“When I was in eighth grade, I had a medical episode that significantly impacted my life and career choices,” says Grace, who plans to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, majoring in Biology Pre-med. “One day after school, I was sitting on the couch when my legs went numb. The numbness spread to my fingers, hands, arms, and chest, eventually reaching my mouth and tongue, leaving me unable to speak. Neither of my parents was home.
A friend called 911, and Grace was taken to the hospital, where doctors ruled out a stroke and decided to airlift HER to the Children’s Hospital during a storm. The next morning, she woke up completely normal.
The turning point was a follow-up appointment with a neurologist in Grand Forks.
“He explained that what happened to me was an unexplainable neurological event and shared that he had experienced something similar,” adds Grace. “His ability to relate to me was incredibly comforting, and he is the reason I want to be a neurologist—to help people like us and others in need.”
At the University of Minnesota, Grace plans to stay engaged by joining a Living Learning Community group, such as Women in Business or a sorority. Organizations like A Helping Hand for the Homeless, Athletes to Physicians, and Biology Without Borders particularly interest her. Her long-term goal is to become a doctor, specializing in neurology. Beyond her academic and extracurricular goals, she envisions becoming a mother and having a Christ-centered family.
Grace’s community involvement includes volunteering at Martins Lutheran Church, participating in blood drives, and mentoring at BIO Girls. She’s also active in charity events like Feed My Starving Children, Santa's Workshop, and sandbagging for flood prevention.
