Taking Flight: Grace Horn's remarkable journey from standing still to college excellence

By Katryn Conlin, for the Republican-Eagle
May 20, 2025

"When I was younger, I didn't dream of a future, nor did I care to create one. Life was much easier standing still than it was to even take one step forward," said Grace Horn.

Little did she know that she would take off running within a few years of graduating high school.

Grace surprised herself by finishing high school at all. After dropping out twice - first in Lake City during ninth grade and again as a junior at Red Wing High School - she finally enrolled at Tower View Alternative High School and graduated at 17, becoming the first in her family to earn a diploma.

On May 16, Grace achieved another milestone: graduating from Minnesota State College Southeast with high honors and speaking at Commencement as the Red Wing campus student representative.

"Even just graduating high school was a huge accomplishment," she said. "Going to college was one of the biggest steps I took, and I've done more than I thought I ever could."

After high school, Grace cycled through multiple part-time jobs in restaurants, factories, and retail. "I just didn't really feel like I wanted to be at work. I didn't like my environment or the work I was doing, so I would leave for a different job."

While managing an antique store at 21, she felt ready for something more and applied to Southeast's business management program. Her first semester proved challenging as she worked 12-hour factory shifts and completed coursework on weekends. "I was stressed and wanted to give up."

Instead, she took on more. After her mother spotted a job opening at Wells Fargo in Red Wing, Grace secured a position as a part-time teller that she has maintained for several years.

She also stepped into leadership as president of the Red Wing campus Student Senate after being recruited by Chris Stout, her personal finance instructor. "I thought it was crazy because I never did anything like that in high school."

Her first project successfully increased student fees to hire a full-time student life coordinator. With Student Senate Vice President Allie Haas, Grace ensured the campus Pantry remained stocked with essentials.

"I know what it's like to not have food on the table and not know where you're going to sleep," she said.

Grace's campus leadership led to a role as treasurer of LeadMN, the statewide organization representing two-year college students. She has advocated for student access and affordability at both state and national levels, traveling twice to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators.

Throughout her extracurricular activities, Grace maintained academic excellence, earning induction into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and a place on the All-State Academic Team.

She also flourished creatively, performing in the college's Strings, Winds & Brass concerts at the Sheldon Theatre in 2024 and 2025. She stood out as a vocalist and guitarist, lead singer in a rock band, and harmony singer in an acoustic trio.

There's no question that Grace Horn has had an amazing experience at Minnesota State College Southeast and, in turn, has made a lasting impact on the college.

"Educators have absolutely changed my life," Grace reflected. "Southeast has brought a lot out of me, whether it be my creativity, my knowledge of business, or my management style."

But she values her advocacy work most of all. "Being involved with Student Senate helped me realize how important advocacy work is. If I am able to use my voice to help others with what they are going through, I won't hesitate to do so."

Photo Captions: 
Top: Grace Horn prepares to walk on stage to deliver her Commencement address.
Middle: Grace Horn at Southeast's Commencement Ceremony, May 16, 2025.
Lower: Grace performing an original song at Southeast's Strings, Winds & Brass concert at the Sheldon Theater in Red Wing, March 21, 2025.