Launch at LPS: Grant pins positive memories at East with unifying actions

May 5, 2025

East High School senior Grant has pinned the values of compassion, encouragement and leadership on his personal resume throughout his four years as a Spartan.
 
Grant has become a unifying force in East’s hallways with his work both inside and outside the classroom. The future dentist has collected multiple honors for his academic talents, and he captured a state medal this past winter for East’s boys wrestling team. He has also become an inspiration for many students in his unified physical education, bowling and track and field activities.

 
Grant said being a peer mentor for students with disabilities has been a meaningful part of his high school experience. He joined East’s unified physical education class three years ago and added unified sports to his portfolio last fall. His work in all three activities has earned him respect and admiration from many Lincoln residents.
 
“I enjoy just getting to be around the kids,” Grant said. “They learn a lot from having peers, and I just enjoy getting to spend more time with them. It’s very fun and just a rewarding experience to be around them.”

 
East Principal Casey Fries said people across campus have noticed Grant’s willingness to become friends with everyone.
 
“His strong leadership skills and positive interactions with students of all backgrounds exemplify the values of respect, teamwork and acceptance,” Fries said. “Grant consistently demonstrates kindness and a commitment to helping others, setting a remarkable example for his fellow Spartans to follow.”
 
Tyler Henry leads life skills classes at school and oversees students in multiple unified activities. He worked with Grant’s brother as a peer mentor for several years, and he was excited when Grant decided to enroll in unified P.E. Henry became even more impressed with him after watching him make connections with classmates in unified bowling and track and field.
 
“I try to take a step back and see how our peers work with the kids, and he’s outgoing and willing to help in times of need,” Henry said. “He’s willing to go above and beyond, even if it’s hanging out with them after school. Our students may not get that friendship and that peer-to-peer interaction outside of school, so it’s awesome to see that from him.”

  
Grant’s ability to empathize with others has helped many people. At one recent unified track meet, Grant saw a teammate who was sitting alone in East’s tent. He immediately walked over and began talking with him, which caused the student to break out into a smile.

“We love that kind of interaction with our kids. He’s truly a good friend to our students,” Henry said.
 
About 45 minutes later, he joined a group of Spartans in one of the exchange areas of the 400-meter relay. He encouraged them as they prepared for their race by offering reassuring words of support.
 
“Whether it’s wrestling or in the classroom, he’s been a role model to all of our kids, especially my students,” Henry said. “He’s always a top-notch kid. If you ever want to talk to him in the hallway, he’s willing to come up and create a conversation with anybody. We love his energy, and he’s always positive. We love to have Grant around our kids.”

 
Grant’s selfless attitude also made a difference on this year’s boys wrestling team. He began the season competing in the 190-pound division, but another Spartan showed promise in the same weight class. Grant offered to move up to 215 pounds because he felt it could make the squad stronger.
 
The switch to 215 paid dividends on both individual and team levels. Grant captured a fifth-place medal at the Class A State Meet and ended his season with a 30-9 record. His efforts helped East finish second in Class A team standings with 170 points. The Spartans had nine state medalists, including at 190 pounds.

 
Grant said that type of schoolwide success stems in large part from a positive culture that has been established at East. A majority of students are members of at least one extracurricular activity, which has helped them build bridges with each other.
 
“Everyone gets along very well at East, and I feel that’s due to how involved kids are here,” Grant said. “The family aspect of it is my favorite part.”
 
Grant is planning to continue his wrestling career at Southeast Community College next year. He will then take pre-dentistry classes at a four-year university. He job shadowed a local dentist earlier this year and enjoyed the experience.
 
Grant said his time at Lincoln Public Schools has helped him form a solid foundation for his future. He attended K-8 classes at LPS buildings before enrolling at East for his final four years.
 
“I feel like LPS has very much prepared me to go on to the next portion of my life,” Grant said. “They’ve given me a lot of opportunities to grow as a student and as an athlete. I feel like they do a very good job of preparing students for the next parts of their lives.”
 
Henry said Grant has pinned positive memories for everyone at East with his unifying approach to life.
 
“It means so much more to our students having him around,” Henry said. “It’s about his personality and him reaching out to our students when they’re upset or are having a rough day. He’s always a shoulder for them to lean on.”

Congratulations, Grant!

We wish you the best in your future endeavors.
We are thankful our educators could help you Launch at LPS!

Looking for LPS graduation information?

Check out our graduation page at https://home.lps.org/graduation/ to get the details on celebrating your favorite high school grad.
 
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