TOWAMENCIN -Much of the North Penn High School community knows Rachel Grace. Within the last few weeks, however, about 12 million more people have come to know her as well.

Graduating senior Rachel Grace applied for admission to and has been accepted into East Stroudsburg University beginning this fall semester. Receiving news of her acceptance was a wonderful moment that was captured on video that night in her living room as she opened her acceptance letter. She has received an abundance of love and support from people all over the country as the video of the happy moment went viral. Her acceptance letter video has been viewed on Facebook over 12.6 million times.

“I am very excited to get into East Stroudsburg,” shared an excited Grace.

East Stroudsburg is known for its highly regarded Career, Independent Living and Learning Studies Program (CILLS). The program is designed to provide students with intellectual disabilities with a learning experience in a campus environment which allows students to accelerate their life and work skills. Additionally, East Stroudsburg’s plentiful academic opportunities and departments will allow Grace to be able to study what she has always had an interest in.

“I chose East Stroudsburg because I wanted to study sound engineering for music. I’ve kind of been interested in it for a while,” shared Grace.

Her accomplishments at North Penn have been highly visible. She is now enrolled in the Post 12 program, which gives her the opportunity to learn important independent living skills that transition them to face the realities of the world.

“The purpose of our Post 12 program is to help students become as independent as possible,” shared Grace’s teachers, Ms. Megan Jermain, Mrs. Kate Stadulis, and Mrs. Helen Wright. “In Rachel’s classes and Job Training program, she learns about finding and keeping a job, living in an apartment, getting along with roommates, cooking, grocery shopping, paying bills, taking public transportation, staying healthy, staying active, and self-advocating for herself- all skills that every young adult needs to know,”

Throughout her years at North Penn she has shown tremendous growth, something that her teachers love to recognize in their students.

“Like every student at North Penn, Rachel has matured over the years as she participated in our classes and program. She’s open to advice, constructive criticism, and has learned about her strengths and areas of need,” her teachers said. “Rachel has always been a great self-advocate, and we are so happy for her that she has achieved her dream of attending college. Many schools all over the country are creating programs that provide support for people with disabilities, and we are so very proud that Rachel is helping others become aware of what possibilities lay ahead.”

In addition to thriving academically, Grace has been the manager of the girls’ varsity basketball team for the last three years. She has supported the team during what was a great season, during which Coach Maggie deMarteleire scored her 500th win this season and the team made a deep run in the PIAA playoffs.

“RG (which is what Rachel prefers everyone to call her) has been a key member of the team since my sophomore year when she started,” said senior basketball player Mikaela Giuliani. “Even though she doesn’t actually play on the team, she is just as much a part of it as any of us. I think the most important thing RG has contributed to the team is her positive attitude. Regardless of the situation, she is always there to make each and every one of us smile. I truly think she has taught the entire team and myself to be better people. The joy she has is contagious and it makes for a great atmosphere at all of our games.”

Throughout her time at North Penn, Rachel has brought great school spirit to the halls of the school. In many situations Grace can be found smiling and enjoying learning and meeting new people. She is the epitome of North Penn’s can do spirit.

“I think the thing that makes me so proud of Rachel is how she smiles through adversity. She sees people stare and it doesn’t bring her down at all. She is always smiling and having fun no matter what,” said her brother, Colin Grace.

She is a role model for her younger brother and for all 3,000 of North Penn’s students.

“Rachel’s journey can teach a lot of students who feel like they are in a bad spot that if she can do it through all she has to overcome, they can too,” shared Colin Grace.

Though excited about going to college next year, she admits that she will miss her North Penn family.

“I’m going to miss a lot of my friends and the basketball team,” admitted Grace. No doubt will she be missed equally as much.

Grace’s evident will to learn and try new things will be her drive to reach success the next three years. No doubt, will she make her North Penn family proud.