ALUMNASPOTLIGHT MEET GRACE GAUSMANN

Since 1995, the Mission of American Heritage Girls has been to build women of integrity While the AHG Program targets those in girlhood, the sincerity and faith-filled spirit that is nurtured and grown through AHG continues as girls develop and mature into women.

AHG Alumnae hold a special gift of perspective as each looks back on her time in the program and can providentially see the Lord’s faithful preparation for her adult life. Grace Gausmann began AHG in OH3124 and watched in awe as the Lord orchestrated wonderful experiences and relationships throughout the next 10 years until she graduated. Initially, her mother sought a scout-type experience for Grace but deeply valued a Christcentered focus in the programming, so AHG fit the bill perfectly!

Badgework serves as a central hallmark for many AHG Alumnae, and Grace fondly remembers the Cooking Badge process. She still savors the memory of eating all the yummy food the girls in her Troop made. She also loved learning the Cake Decorating Badge skills saying that she loved the final phase of “decorating the cakes—it was a blast!” AHG’s emphasis on equipping Girl Members with practical life skills stands out on the forefront of Grace’s time in OH3124. One Troop outing challenged the girls to purchase groceries from a list only utilizing the given budget. She uses that same principle today in meal planning as a college student.

In addition to skills-based learning and fun, Grace deeply values the relationships through AHG that tracked even through to today! During Grace’s first year in AHG, she met Lucy. “We have been friends since my kindergarten year because I met her in AHG and next year we are going to live in a YoungLife house of 12 girls! I am so excited!” AHG often highlights its ability to foster lifelong friendships, and Grace and Lucy’s bond is just one shining example of these connections! AHG is a safe, Spirit-filled place that allows girls to grow, be mentored, and find Christian community.

Upon graduating high school, Grace was admitted to the University of Cincinnati as a Biology: Pre-Med student. Her goal is to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. In addition to handling a fulltime college student’s calendar, Grace works at Hosanna Revival, a Cincinnati- based ministry company that designs and distributes Bibles and Biblical study resources. Grace thoroughly enjoys her position in the shipping department where she daily packs and ships God’s Word to send across the world. Grace clearly sees God’s guidance in her journey, and she loves serving through YoungLife to mentor Christian young women. Grace’s role at Indian Hill Middle School’s chapter of YoungLife daily offers her a chance to see the Lord’s hand at work. “[I want] to run after the Lord and help other girls and love them like Jesus loves them. Because at the end of the day I want as many people as I can to be in Heaven with me.” From completing the Public Speaking Badge to the Biblical Leadership Badge, God used AHG to ready her for His work! Including Jesus in every aspect of Grace’s life guides her daily life now. This integrated Biblical Worldview is the goal of AHG’s heart—that Alumnae would, like Grace, invest their decisions, resources, and efforts into multiplying God’s Kingdom through the gospel message of Christ. Grace sums this notion up beautifully in saying, “I think AHG set a very sound foundation […] to push me to Christ and make Him the center of my life in all I do! Whether that is camping or singing, all my life should reflect Him, and I should do things to the best of my ability to glorify Him! I love AHG and the heart they have for the Lord.”

God also recently sent Grace abroad through familial ties to her mother’s heritage in Brazil. She recently returned from her mother’s home country in a solotravel experience that she sees AHG’s preparation in many facets. From money and time management, to taking initiative, even learning other world languages. “My family speaks Portuguese. My AHG Troop Coordinator, Cynthia Tann, taught me Spanish, and that has been a big help to learn other languages!” Her journey to Brazil gave Grace the gift of connecting with her family heritage in a tangible way.

The more the girls are involved in their local Troops, the higher the chances they will be best prepared to walk a road of integrity and success as a woman. When asked about passing her learned wisdom on to current AHG Girl Members, Grace said, “I would want them to know that this is an encouraging ministry and girls who graduate from AHG have more life skills and a leg-up going into the real world.” Looking back on the decade as a Girl Member, Grace says, “AHG was a really awesome experience and just gave me an outlet to have fun!”

The Lord deeply desires girls to grow into strong, capable, image-bearers who will spread the good news of the gospel through their whole lives. There is no better time than now to invest in the life of a young girl who will then fuel the next generation of Christian women. Grace Gausmann shines brightly in continuing both the Mission of AHG and the Great Commission of Christ to the world around her.

Fastfacts

Hometown: Mason, Ohio

High School Alma Mater: William Mason High School

Siblings: 1 older brother, Isaac

Pets: 1 Shih Tzu named Jupiter!

Favorite Book: When God Writes

Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy

Favorite Movie: Mamma Mia or Star Wars

Favorite Travel Destination: Brazil

Favorite Bible Verse: Job 5:18, NIV: “For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal.”

Favorite Social Media Platform: BeReal

Favorite Food: Pasta!

Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream: Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip from Graeter’s in Cincinnati, Ohio!

Favorite Sport: Swimming or football

Favorite Color: Hot pink

Favorite AHG Badge: Cake Decorating Badge or Cooking Badge

AHG Alumnae often report back on how much the AHG Program has benefitted their lives. These young women are making a remarkable difference in the world around them. AHG is looking to connect with its alumnae and create some exciting opportunities for them to reconnect with old friends and learn how they can share their leadership abilities! Are you an AHG Alumna?

Visit americanheritagegirls.org/alumnae to update your contact information and share what you’ve been up to!

ARE YOU AN AHG ALUMNA?

Visit americanheritagegirls.org/alumnae to update your contact information and share what you’ve been up to!