FORT WORTH, Texas – Grit & Grace, a charitable foundation aligned with PBR (Professional Bull Riders) that focuses on building young ladies into strong leaders, has announced that Crosslyn Gracia of Oklahoma City, has been awarded the inaugural Grit & Grace Leadership Scholarship, created to spotlight young ladies as the next generation of leaders who exhibit courage, grit, and grace while honoring faith, family and freedom.
The 13-year-old recipient was chosen among more than 100 girls considered for the scholarship, distinguished by her passion in living out her testimony with grit and grace, and demonstrating extraordinary courage and determination in overcoming the challenge of being born with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects both the lungs and the pancreas.
“I learned early on, my life is not my own, as God created me with Cystic Fibrosis for a bigger purpose than myself,” Gracia said. “Grit is gratitude, resilience, integrity and tenacity.”
Gracia demonstrates these values through her servant leadership, positive attitude throughout hours of daily medical treatments and fundraising efforts for Cystic Fibrosis.
Gracia has won numerous championships in horse ranch and cattle shows, including the 2019 Western Oklahoma Ranch Horse Association - Novice Youth Versatility Champion, Cattle Events Champion, Performance Events Champion, Overall Champion and Best Youth Sportsman Award, and she is now developing her skills in roping and goat tying, while beginning her lifelong dream of barrel racing.
As the Grit & Grace Girl of the Year, Gracia will be named the organization’s 2022-2023 Student Ambassador, helping to represent Grit & Grace and become a role model for Grit & Grace Nation.
“We are thrilled to present the first annual Grit & Grace Leadership Scholarship to Crosslyn Gracia,” said Fanchon Stinger, CEO & Co-Founder of Grit & Grace. “Crosslyn truly embodies the Grit & Grace values and how we are equipping young ladies to lead with integrity and purpose in all they do -- girl grit, courage, self-respect, selfless compassion, graceful confidence and the patriotic spirit. Seeing how Crosslyn lives out the Grit & Grace values in her daily life while always honoring faith, family and freedom is truly inspiring. We know Crosslyn will inspire countless other young ladies nationwide while serving as the Grit & Grace Nation Student Ambassador for the next year. We can't wait to see how God uses Crosslyn's life and story to touch young ladies and women everywhere.”
“On behalf of the 46,000 Tractor Supply Company Team Members nationwide, I want to congratulate Crosslyn on her accomplishments,” said Christi Korzekwa, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Tractor Supply. “She is a fine example of the qualities of the women that make up the Grit and Grace Nation. We also salute the finalists and all those who shared their inspiring stories. We are proud of all these leaders of tomorrow, and we can’t wait to see what they will accomplish.”
“We are grateful to our partners Ariat, Tractor Supply Foundation, Express Ranches, Elanco, Western Sports Foundation, Cowboy Channel, the PBR and Outlaw Spirit who designed the winner's buckle, for helping us tailor this scholarship and winner experience specifically for Crosslyn, her leadership development, and her career aspirations,” Stinger added. “That is what makes the Grit & Grace Scholarship and our historic alliance with the PBR so special.”
The lucky young lady who wins the Grit & Grace Leadership Scholarship is awarded $10,000 towards her leadership and career development, and an opportunity to job-shadow someone in her field of passion. Gracia will spend a day on-the-job with the CEO of Elanco, alongside top female leadership at the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is also awarded special attendance at the Western Sports Foundation Wellness Clinic, which includes an in-person multi-day clinic with experts in sports psychology, brain health, nutrition, strength and conditioning, finance, social media, personal branding and more.
Additionally, Gracia received an all-expense-paid trip to the PBR World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, where she was honored with a video presentation and awarded with a Grit & Grace Nation winner’s buckle provided by Outlaw Spirit during the event’s opening weekend of on Saturday, May 14 at Dickies Arena. She will also be featured in Peyton’s Project Runway fashion show, benefiting the Western Sports Foundation, on Saturday, May 21 at Cowtown Coliseum.
