Occupation: Student

Country of Birth: Mongolia

Current: Lincolnshire, IL

“When I was young, my mom enrolled me in various clubs, such as Mongolian dance and singing. I also played the piano and the violin.”

Gereltuya (Grace) Bayarmagnai was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where she spent the first fourteen years of her life before moving to the United States. As the youngest in her family, she grew up in a supportive home that encouraged her love for music and academics. She started playing the piano at five, later learning the violin, and frequently participated in competitions, often placing in the top three. She even appeared on Mongolian television several times as a young performer.

Growing up, Grace attended a Mongolian public school with large class sizes, staying with the same classmates from first grade through high school. Although she was shy, she navigated friendships and school life well until middle school, when bullying became more common. With the support of a close friend, she avoided much of the conflict but struggled with social anxiety, making it difficult to talk to teachers or new people.

Her life changed when her family decided to move to the United States for better educational opportunities. Saying goodbye to her grandparents, her friends, and even her cat was heartbreaking. Adjusting to a new culture, language, and school system in Chicago was difficult. At first, she only knew basic English, making communication frustrating. However, with the support of her teachers and classmates, she slowly gained confidence.

Grace continued pursuing her passion for music, joined the school orchestra, and challenged herself academically. Now in high school, she participates in clubs like the guitar club, the tennis club, and the crochet club. She aspires to enter the medical field, either as a nurse or doctor, and is determined to make her parents proud as the first in her family to attend high school in the US.