Meet Grace M.: Advocating for Better Living Conditions and Stronger Communities 

Hometown: Hoboken, New Jersey

Competition Host(s): Renaissance Newark Foundation and Rutgers Democracy Lab

Essay Topic: Housing Conditions 

Grace M. is passionate about creating communities where everyone has access to safe, healthy, and welcoming places to live. For her National Civics Bee® essay, she focused on housing conditions, exploring ways communities can improve housing quality and ensure residents have the resources they need to thrive. 

A student who enjoys English, Grace loves exploring ideas through reading and writing. Her favorite historical figure is Rachel Carson, whose groundbreaking environmental work helped inspire positive change and increase awareness about conservation. Grace’s personal hero is Ms. Eberhard, her sixth-grade civics teacher, whose encouragement and passion for civic engagement helped spark Grace’s interest in making a difference in her community. 

When she’s not studying or exploring civic issues, Grace enjoys playing softball and spending time with family and friends. She also shares a fun fact about herself: she used to pour water in her breakfast cereal, a childhood habit that always gets a laugh. 

Looking ahead, Grace hopes to become a sustainability manager, combining her interests in environmental stewardship, problem-solving, and community improvement to help organizations create a more sustainable future. 

When it’s time to enjoy a favorite meal, Grace chooses chicken cordon bleu, a classic dish she loves. 

The National Civics Bee celebrates students like Grace who are using their voices, ideas, and leadership to address important challenges in their communities. We are proud to recognize her as a New Jersey State Finalist.