St. Mary’s Ryken senior says challenge helped shape confidence and faith
For graduating senior Gracen Armsworthy, growth came from leaning into discomfort.
The senior at St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown, Maryland spent four years immersed in theater, choir, athletics and student life, experiences that pushed her outside her comfort zone and shaped her confidence, faith and future plans.
“At first, it’s very overwhelming as a freshman,” Armsworthy said of arriving at St. Mary’s Ryken. “But once you put yourself out there, it’s just such a good family to be surrounded with.”
That sense of community became especially important for Armsworthy, who said she struggled with self-confidence before finding encouragement through extracurricular activities and friendships.
“Everybody in those extracurricular activities builds you up and really supports you,” she said. “I loved being surrounded by such amazing people who not only loved what they did, but also pushed me to become better at what I did and a better version of myself.”