Grace Kelly, a 17-year-old Grade 12 student from St. John’s, N.L., is no ordinary teenager. A proud Salvationist dedicated to her faith, family and community, Kelly was crowned Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador in 2024.

For Kelly, The Salvation Army has been formative to her faith and identity, building her confidence, giving her an outlet to serve her community, and deepening her commitment to God. Now as Miss Achievement, she is empowered to be a role model for others.

Tell me about your life growing up in The Salvation Army.

I have been a part of the St. John’s West Corps my whole life. My parents were married in that church, and it became our family’s place of worship. I was dedicated there, and I continue to faithfully attend services each Sunday with my family.

Growing up as a Salvationist, I progressed through the children’s programs and became a junior soldier in 2014. Then in March 2024, 10 years later, I was enrolled as a senior soldier.

I’ve been able to use my leadership skills at church by helping with children’s programs, such as our annual rally day and Christmas pageant. I also learned how to play the drums and have accompanied the band in many services in the past couple of years. As I grew older, I gained the confidence to serve in other ways, such as reading Scripture from the pulpit and performing in skits and plays.

What does soldiership mean to you?

I am proud to be a Salvation Army soldier. Becoming a soldier was always bound tobe a milestone of mine. Being raised in the church, and with it being such a vital part of my life, I knew when the time was right to become a soldier. It was a decision and commitment I wanted to make for myself, and also for my family—it means a lot to them as well.

Soldiership is important to me because it gives me something to live by and it guides me when faced with difficulties. I can turn not only to God but also to my incredible church family at St. John’s West Corps to be there by my side in times of need.

Can you tell me about your spiritual journey so far?

It has always been quite simple for me. I knew what I stood for, and I didn’t hide it or feel ashamed of it. I used any opportunity I could growing up to spread the Word of God, and despite conflicts I may have had, I am proud to have always stayed strong and true to my beliefs.

Being a young Christian at school can be hard. One day, I had someone tell me that I didn’t go to a “real church” and that The Salvation Army was just a thrift store. I assured them otherwise, but it left me feeling unsure of myself. When you’re young, conversations like that can be difficult. Kids can be mean. Despite this, I kept my chin up and spread the Word of God as best I could to other young people in my life.

Do you have any spiritual mentors who have guided you in your faith and understanding of God?

My spiritual mentor is my mother. When faced with difficult times or decisions, or if I struggled with my faith or had questions about the Bible, I would always turn to her. She would explain things to me that I didn’t understand, and it sparked many meaningful conversations about the world and how to look to the Bible for guidance. I truly appreciated this as a young girl just trying to find my way. 

Have you faced any challenges that have made you rely on your faith or have strengthened your faith?

From a young age, I have struggled with anxiety. At times, it felt completely debilitating. The overwhelming fears would often hold me back, making even simple tasks feel impossible. Thankfully, my mom was a constant source of support, teaching me valuable skills to cope with my anxiety. She helped me learn how to confront my fears, not let them control me, and use them as motivation to push myself further. Through her guidance, I developed greater self-confidence, became more self-aware, and learned how to channel my struggles into empathy for others who experience similar torment.

Over time, these experiences have given me a voice to reach out to those who are hurting, allowing me to share my journey and offer hope to those facing their own battles with anxiety.

I don’t regret having anxiety; in fact, it has shaped me into who I am today, and becoming Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador is a testament to how I overcame my struggles—if I can do it, anyone can.

What is Miss Achievement? How did you get involved?

The Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador Leadership Program was established in 2006. It is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering and nurturing the potential of young women ages 13-18 in Grades 7-12 throughout our province.

Their mission is to inspire and support young women in their journey toward leadership, personal growth and academic excellence. Through the awarding of scholarships and a commitment to mentorship, community engagement and the celebration of individuality, they strive to foster a generation of confident, educated and community-minded leaders.

I saw an advertisement on Facebook and signed up. For me, it was life changing! It has opened so many doors and given me many opportunities to give back to my community and to be a role model for young girls. It was so great to meet with other like-minded individuals and put ourselves outside of our comfort zones while learning valuable life skills.

My experience as Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador has been amazing so far. I have had the opportunity to participate in community outreach, and to volunteer and engage with events around the province. I have also spoken at Salvation Army corps in the city about my role as Miss Achievement and shared my experience with congregations. 

What are some of your passions in life?

I am passionate about many things—one being God’s creatures. I love animals! I would own a zoo if I could.

I have also developed a deep passion for leadership roles, public speaking and inspiring others, and I now embrace these opportunities, whenever and wherever I can, to motivate and empower those around me. Over the past few years, I have kept myself busy volunteering with several organizations that are important to me, while also taking on numerous leadership roles within my school and community.