Gracie Hurlbut ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.
Gracie Hurlbut is a 2025 graduate who was here for three years and had a big impact on all who knew her. She was always a person to talk to, who would help with homework, and was just a great person overall. Gracie is now at Castleton University, where she will continue her academic and hockey careers, but she still carries the lessons she learned at Northwood into everything she does.
“The transition to college has been easy for me since this will be my fourth year away from home. The only thing that was difficult was making new friends and having a different routine. The academics have also been different with more work and having to study a lot more, but overall, the transition has been good, and I am settling in and have lots of new friends now.”
Gracie said that Northwood helped her grow for college and be prepared, especially socially. Since coming to Northwood as a sophomore, she had to make hard changes and step out of her comfort zone to meet new friends. Now, as a freshman in college, she is doing the same.
Although Gracie said everyone in the Northwood community helped her become the person she is today, she made sure to highlight some people. “Getzy (Ms. Leigh Riffle) had a big impact on me, especially having her as a teacher during my senior year. She was always there for me when I needed it and always pushed me to be better every day. My friends also had a huge impact on me. I could not imagine going to school without them, the memories we made as well as being my support system the whole way will always be something I am forever grateful for and hope to find in college.”
Gracie says she often misses Northwood and how, over the past three years, it became her home. “My biggest advice for students at Northwood is to take it all in, do not be afraid to go and say ‘Hi’ to someone new, talk to as many people as possible, and make memories every day because it goes by fast. Also, get Emma’s as much as you can.”
Even though Gracie is no longer at Northwood, she will always be a part of the Northwood community, and we look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in the future!
