Hannah Gross had an outstanding and noteworthy year

KateLynn Slaamot 
NLJ Correspondent
 
Home-schooled junior and avid swimmer Hannah Gross is the youngest nominee for this year’s Person of the Year because of her outstanding character and community service. Gross has also represented the community through her many achievements in swimming. 
Gross has had an outstanding and noteworthy year in swimming, including breaking the Absaraka Conference record in the 100 backstroke. She was also voted Conference Athlete of the Year, took first place in the 200 free at the 3A state meet, took second place in the 100 backstroke and was voted 3A State Athlete of the Year. However, while these achievements are notable, Gross also shows admirable character, drive and humility throughout her interactions in swimming, according to Doug Scribner, her coach. 
“The one thing I have noticed about Hannah is her willingness to push herself,” Scribner said. He also noted that Gross is always eager to meet challenges head-on and be the best she can. Gross is also committed to swimming and has “accepted the sacrifice required to accomplish her goals,” Scribner said. 
Beyond Gross’ stellar drive and commitment, Scribner said, he has also seen her interactions with other swimmers from all over Wyoming. 
“I have watched Hannah develop friendships with swimmers from all across the state,” Scribner said. “Other swimmers see her attitude and her approach to competition and are inspired to work hard and compete without reservation.” 
Gross has an influence on local swimmers too – both the high school swimmers and the Newcastle Stingray Club swimmers. Breeklee Loebs, a young swimmer with the club, has known Gross for over two years, she said. Loebs said that she looks up to Gross because she’s a good swimmer and because she is kind to Loebs. This stands out, she said, because high schoolers aren’t always very inclusive of the younger kids. She said that Gross writes on her back sometimes, and it makes her feel special. She also got to walk Gross to her 100 backstroke event at the state meet, and Loebs said that that was fun for her. 
“It made me want to go to state,” Loebs said. “She (Gross) is my hero.” 
Gross said that she enjoys being around the young kids in swimming, and she is always entertained with the many questions they ask. The little girls ask her to write on their backs, braid their hair or sit on Gross’ lap. 
“I love my little girls at swim practice,” Gross said. 
Gross also teaches swimming lessons in the summer and school swimming lessons in the winter. She said that it teaches her patience and how to better understand young kids. 
Swimming lessons and swim practices aren’t all she does with children, according to Gross. She started helping with AWANA in seventh grade. AWANA is an international evangelical Christian nonprofit organization for youth.
Suzanne Burrough, former game director at AWANA, said that she’s known Gross since she was a child and an AWANA member. Gross then became a junior leader and, as of this year, took over as the new game director. Gross is a hard worker, is reliable and has high integrity, Burrough said, and she is doing great as the game director. 
Burrough said that Gross has high expectations of the children, who are encouraged to treat each other with respect. Gross shows that same respect to the kids, she said. 
“She brings out the best in the kids,” Burrough said. 
Gross said that AWANA also helps her learn patience. When she gets a hug or an “I love you,” Gross said, it warms her heart and makes it all worth it. 
“It just reminds you of why you’re there,” Gross said. 
Gross appreciates the opportunity to point the children to Christ, she said, especially when there’s many kids at the meetings who don’t have a biblical background. Gross also enjoys making the kids smile, and she said that even a little love and kindness can do a lot in a child’s life. 
Gross is also a positive influence on her family and close friends. Teresa, Gross’ mom, said that Gross is motivated and responsible. Teresa said that she has a very close relationship with Gross, and they can talk to each other about anything. 
Teresa said that she has seen Gross develop leadership skills since her freshman year, and she has grown in her ability to take initiative. Gross is genuine and kind to others, Teresa said, and younger children really look up to her. 
“She’s really good at leading people by example,” Teresa said. 
Heidi Slaamot, close Gross family friend and mother of one of Gross’ close friends, said that she’s known Hannah for several years. 
Gross is always kind and caring to other kids in the homeschool group and children at church, Slaamot said, and she is considerate and inclusive toward children of all ages. 
“I feel like she is a positive influence on her brothers and kids that she is teaching in AWANA,” Slaamot said. “Hannah is a very good example to her peers and those around her.” 
In her eight years of living in Newcastle, Gross said, she has enjoyed seeing how people in the community support each other and help those in need. Gross’ favorite memories of living here are activities with the homeschool group and youth group, among other things. 
One thing she really enjoyed, she said, was when the youth group got together and raked leaves for an elderly couple from her church. 
“It was fun how all of us got together, and we were able to bless them (couple),” Gross said. 
Many people have influenced Gross and helped shape her into the person she is today, she said, and that includes her parents. She said that they have always guided her and encouraged her in her relationship with Christ. Gross said that God has also placed many friends in her life that have encouraged her. 
Overall, Gross said that Christ is the center of her life, and she wouldn’t be where she is without Him, ultimately. 
Gross said that she knows many people in the community who are generous and an example of what it means to truly be a community member, and she is honored to be considered for the Person of the Year recognition. 
“She (Gross) represents all that’s good in a person to bring out the best in her community,” Burrough said.