Junior Matthew Tacchino is back with the Fresno Christian Eaglecast and continues to bring the community meaningful conversations with students and staff members in this recurring podcast series. Join us as we dive into the lives and complexities of the familiar personalities on this campus. For his next student interview, Tacchino has chosen fellow student Grace Mynderup.

Grace Mynderup began attending Fresno Christian at the very first opportunity she could: Kindergarten. Grace has been attending Fresno Christian since she was 5 years old and is now graduating this spring. But, she did not always have her roots in Fresno.  

”I grew up way out in the middle of nowhere in Fowler,” Mynderup said. ”Past the street where everybody else lives.”

Since she grew up so far away from Fresno and any Christian schooling, her parents had to pick a school that would align with their values. So, after many nights of prayer and thought, Grace’s parents decided on Fresno Christian Schools. Since then, Grace has been a part of many events on campus but when asked about her time during Elementary and Middle school, she couldn’t remember much. Only the elementary cheer clinics where she first fell in love with cheering. 

“Those elementary cheer clinics were some of my favorite memories,” Mynderup said.” They taught me how to work with others as a team and to appreciate the opportunities given to me.”

Mynderup met some of her childhood friends at the elementary clinics and has maintained those friendships. Students like Lyla Hinton, Milly Morgan, and Zoe Blanchfield were all part of those clinics. 

After completing elementary and Middle School, Grace began life as a high school student, but she also began life as a local churchgoer. She speaks about

growing up attending church in Fowler, 

“We attended a local Presbyterian church in Fowler for a while,” Mynderup said.”We were even dedicated there, but it never felt like home.”

But, during Grace’s freshman year, she was invited to a local church by some students. This local church was Crosscity. And she has been attending ever since.

“I just really loved the youth pastors,” Mynderup said.”They always made worship and small groups super engaging and enjoyable for me.”

Grace loves her church. But she also loves her family and friends. At around a similar time to her movement to Crosscity, she lost one of her biggest influences: Her Grandfather.

“My grandpa was a wise man. He always told me to dress my best cause I never knew who I was going to meet, Mynderup said.

” He was also just a strong pillar of faith in the family. But I knew God had a plan for taking him when he did.”

Since losing her Grandfather, she and her family have grown ever closer. She has also become more involved with her friends and activities at school. She participates in cheer, choir, and many other fun activities on campus. Grace has always been the social type.

“Cheer and choir were always my favorite,” Mynderup said.” Those were some of the most enjoyable times of bonding with a lot of different people from my school.” 

Grace has many things to look forward to this spring before graduation, such as the senior trip, her senior formal, and a myriad of church events. She hopes to end her senior year triumphantly.

In regards to post-FCS life, Grace is still a little unsure. She plans to attend a community college but would also love to attend a UC or a CSU. 

For more from The Feather, check out last month’s episode, [Podcast] FC Eaglecast No. 8 – Kristina Breshears 

Mobile app, listen here.