Tarleton State University's Lady Tarleton leaves many inspired

BY MICAELA SULLIVAN

Multimedia Journalist

From as far back as Grace Heavyside can remember, she knew that Tarleton State University was where she was meant to be.

Grace’s journey started as a wildlife, sustainability and ecosystem sciences major in the fall of 2023, when she lit her flame, unaware that one day, she would be lighting other students' flames just the same. 

But just like any other student who is adjusting to beginning college, Grace had a hard time transitioning. 

“The first semester here… I didn’t know a whole lot of people, and I’m actually really shy,” Heavyside said. 

However, joining the TTM (Tarleton Transition Mentor) program brought light to Grace’s life and played a big part in her finding her place at Tarleton. 

“When I really started connecting with the people within the TTM... all those people are such happy people and such joyful people to be around, and that's when I really started to feel at home and knew that I was going to be OK here,” Heavyside said.

Since joining the TTM program, she has also joined and been a part of many significant groups and clubs at Tarleton. 

These include being a part of her sorority, Delta Zeta, for three years, which her mom was a part of when she attended Tarleton. In the sorority, she also got the opportunity to be a part of the Order of Omega, a special leadership honor society consisting of only the top 3% of all fraternities and sororities. 

She is a part of the RoundUp Leadership Team, whose mission is community service work around Stephenville. 

Focusing on her major has also been a priority. She has been a part of the COANR (College of Agriculture & Natural Resources) media team and AgriLife Research Center. 

Grace’s brother, Hatcher Heavyside, is three years older than Grace and began his journey at Tarleton before her, but their college timelines did overlap partially.

Throughout her time at Tarleton, Hatcher has been a witness to the growth his sister has experienced.

“Growing up, Grace was fairly shy, quiet and reserved. If she didn’t want to do something, there was no way you were convincing her otherwise,” Hatcher said. “The biggest way that she has grown up was putting herself out there.”

 While he was president of his fraternity, Delta Chi, she was “stuck to his hip” and got to know and make friends with a lot of Hatcher’s fraternity brothers. 

In the spring of 2024, Grace was named the sweetheart of their fraternity. 

“That moment in particular is one that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Delta Chi has brought me some of my best friends, but having Grace join that part of my life is something that I never imagined beforehand,” Hatcher said. “It was and still is extremely special that I got to experience Grace taking another step towards breaking out of her shell and making new friends that just so happened to be my best friends.”

Grace has been a big inspiration to Hatcher and taught him a lot over the years. 

“What’s really stuck out to me is her commitment to excellence in everything that she does and never straying away from that standard that she sets for herself. Grace never ceases to amaze me,” Hatcher said. “She has taught me to be steadfast in my commitments and to always believe in myself. As I have gotten older, the lessons she inadvertently taught me still ring true to this day.”

Grace’s passion for helping others is the characteristic that Hatcher admires the most.

“Her accomplishments are snapshots in time that will never fade, but her consistent commitment to her family and friends are what really makes her special,” Hatcher said. “She is the epitome of a good friend and a better sister.” 

To Hatcher, every moment with Grace has been a favorite, no matter what the activity. 

“She constantly keeps me laughing and always on my toes, but she has also been my rock and someone to turn to when I need her most,” Hatcher said. 

Through all of her accomplishments, Hatcher said that she is a prime example of what it means to be a Tarleton Texan.

“She strives to inspire people to try new things and treats everyone like family,” Hatcher said. “She makes me extremely proud to be her brother every day.”

Alongside Hatcher, her roommates and friends are just as proud of her. 

Emma Burns and Sydney Cannon are Grace’s current roommates and have seen her grow through all of her accomplishments and activities. 

“She is the most selfless person, and she always puts others first before herself,” Burns said. 

Burns met Heavyside the summer before Grace came to Tarleton through their parents, who were both in Delta Zeta. 

“When I first met Grace, she was super shy and very down to earth but nervous,” Burns said. “Throughout these years of college and being with her and living with her, she has really come out of her shell. She has no problem talking to people, and I think she's really learned how to put herself out there.” 

Cannon met her when Grace moved into her apartment with Burns, and has been inspired by her greatly. 

“She makes me want to be a better version of myself. She has inspired me to be a better person and strive to achieve higher achievements,” Cannon said. 

All the people who have been around Grace and have watched her journey say they have been greatly inspired and will always be proud of the person she has become and will continue to be.

“I’m proud of her, and everyone is proud of her. Everything she’s achieved at Tarleton, she’s done it on her own. We all see the effort that she's put in,” Burns said. 

Hatcher would like to leave a message for his sister. 

“Sis, you have been one of the most influential people in my life. You’ve always been my role model and best friend. As our lives go on, I will always turn to you for an honest opinion or a laugh,” Hatcher said. “You’ve helped me more than you can imagine. Thank you for being the best little sister. Love you sis.”

Hatcher is not the only family member proud of Grace’s accomplishments over the years. Michelle Heavyside, Grace’s mother, also shares this pride.

Michelle said that growing up, Grace was shy and very much a reserved kid, but after attending Tarleton, she has opened up and become more social. 

“It makes my heart warm up because she’s so outgoing,” Michelle said. 

Michelle said that it's hard to pick a moment or an accomplishment of Grace's that stands out the most, because she's done so much. However, one example of growth came to mind when thinking about Grace’s crowning as Lady Tarleton this year.

“I loved watching her answer questions at May Fete and the lord and lady because I know how hard that is for a shy person to be put on the spot in front of her peers,” Michelle said. 

Michelle attended Tarleton, where she met her now husband, John Paul Heavyside. 

Since the beginning of her childhood, Grace had grown up around Tarleton traditions and had known that Tarleton was where she was meant to be. Just being at Tarleton has amplified her character. 

“She is a wise soul, and she's well beyond her years. She’s not a forceful person, she's such a warm and inviting person that she makes other people welcome and to inspire them,” Michelle said. “She just has a presence around her that's an encouraging presence that makes people feel like they're in a safe place to express themselves. She’s got a listening ear, and she's always willing to listen.”

Michelle said that her daughter’s warm, sweet and encouraging personality draws people to want to know her.

Grace will continue to inspire her community even after she graduates from Tarleton. She has left her mark on not just Tarleton, but the people who have been graced with her humble and selfless personality. 

She may be leaving, but the impact she has made during her time at Tarleton will leave a lasting impact.