McKenna Graf, a recent graduate of Mother of Divine Grace, recently was awarded the highest honor for American Heritage Girls!
"She received the Stars & Stripes Award after completing over 145 hours helping Victory Riding Academy in Omaha, Nebraska. She is the 2nd girl from her town, Papillion, and only the 6th girl in all of Nebraska to receive this award. She helped design, build furniture, and create a family friendly waiting room at the horse facility. Victory Riding Academy helps Veterans, adults, and children with disabilities and special needs. They were in need of a waiting area that would be relaxing, family friendly, and have a horse fact wall and play area so all could learn and enjoy while their family member would ride.
McKenna, along with her mentor, Andrea Powers-also a MODG parent, her family, and a number of AHG girls made this request possible. They built a barn themed bookcase, a large spool play table, a small horse for children to ride on, and created a wall with a large horse that could be groomed, surrounded by horse facts mounted in frames. They also made a bar top table and added 3 bar stools under a viewing window, had a section dedicated to veterans and their service, plus items for the bathroom. This project took about a year from start to finish. It included presenting her project and asking for donations at local stores, the American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus at her parish, St. Columbkille. It also required a book and toy drive in her troop, NE 1877 in Papillion, NE.
McKenna learned much through this process. She learned to lead a large project, ask for help, and see someone’s dream become a reality. She was delighted to be able to help in her community, and she learned people and organizations are generous and willing to help. McKenna has been with American Heritage Girls for over 8 years! It is faith based and service oriented scouting organization that is fun for girls, kindergarten through high school. Because McKenna has completed over 800 hours of service in the years with AHG, she has also received 3 Gold Presidential, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze Awards. McKenna plans to go to culinary school following her graduation. She loves baking and sharing her creations with family and friends. She enjoys crafting, cooking, reading, and is also a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Serving others is important to McKenna, and she plans to always serve in her church and community."
Everyone at Mother of Divine Grace School is very proud of Mckenna for her dedication and hard work!
