This week, we are excited to highlight Stanley-Boyd senior Grace Schmidt as the Stanley-Boyd Athlete of the Week for her achievements in archery. A standout athlete in both archery and track, Schmidt embodies the spirit of dedication and leadership.
Schmidt first picked up a bow during her sophomore year in high school, diving into archery after enjoying the sport in gym class. “I joined simply to try a new activity, and I had a lot of fun with it in my gym class,” she recalls. Since then, her passion for archery has flourished, but it hasn't come without its challenges. Staying focused during tournaments was a learning curve for her. Schmidt overcame these obstacles by shifting her perspective. “I needed to block out all distractions in my mind in order to focus on what was in front of me,” she realized.
One of the things Schmidt enjoys most about archery is the strong sense of camaraderie within her team. “My favorite part of archery was being able to improve as both a person and archer alongside my friends. The team spirit in archery is truly like no other; when someone wins, we all win. Every small success is celebrated, and all archers are proud to represent this awesome team,” she explained.
Reflecting on this season, one moment stands out during an early practice. “Coach Ducommun could tell I was struggling, and his advice was simply to “just breathe.” These two simple words completely changed my perspective, and it helped me see that my only opponent was myself,” she said. This small piece of advice transformed her approach to the sport and boosted her confidence.
In addition to her athletic pursuits, Schmidt is deeply dedicated to community service. This year, she has significantly enhanced her involvement in the FFA, describing it as "a second home" that resonates with her strong values of service. She aims to run as a Wisconsin FFA State Officer Candidate, embracing the motto “Living to Serve” and looking to expand her service efforts.
When asked who has inspired her along the way, Schmidt credits her friends and teammates. “Many of them are involved in so many other activities in and out of school, yet they still continue to show up to archery practice at 6:00 am in the morning to become better archers. Their dedication inspires me to work hard and become the best version of myself,” she said. After graduation, she intends to study agricultural education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, with the goal of becoming an agricultural teacher.
Outside of archery and track, Schmidt is actively involved in a myriad of clubs and activities at school. Her schedule is packed as she participates in the Art Club, Band, Be A Buddy, Choir, and Drama Club. Her leadership extends to the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), and the National FFA Organization (FFA). Schmidt is also involved in Forensics, Golf, JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates), the Math Team, and the National Honor Society (NHS). Her contributions don’t stop there; she’s a member of the Orioles Achieve, Pep Club, Skills USA, SBAA, Student Council, and participates in Track and Field, as well as her church’s Community and Global Outreach team.
Schmidt's dedication to these various organizations has not gone unnoticed. She currently serves as the Art Club President, Class Treasurer, a member of the Choir Leadership Officer Team, FBLA Treasurer, and FCCLA Vice President of Community Service. Additionally, she holds the title of FCCLA Wisconsin Ambassador, FFA President, and National FFA Reporter. She is also the JAG Social Media Advisor, the NHS Vice President, and a Student Council Social Media Advisor.
Schmidt has consistently set high standards for herself and her involvement, which is reflected in her recent achievements. She has qualified for the National competition level in various events, including Archery, FBLA for the Community Service Project event (2025), and FCCLA for the Chapter Service Project event and Career Investigation event. Her accomplishments extend to FFA, where she has qualified in Agricultural Communications, and at the State level in Solo and Ensemble, Printmaking, Honors Chorus, Parliamentary Procedure, Prepared Public Speaking, Ag Education Career Development Event (CDE), High School Quiz Bowl, and Farm Business Management CDE. Furthermore, Schmidt was recently named an FFA Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist and an Agricultural Communications Proficiency Finalist.
Schmidt’s impressive array of activities and accolades exemplifies her multifaceted nature as a student. Her commitment and leadership in various clubs highlight her ability to balance academics, athletics, and community service, setting a remarkable example for her peers.
Join us in congratulating Grace Schmidt for her incredible achievements and dedication as our Stanley-Boyd Athlete of the Week! We can’t wait to see where her talents take her next!
