Grace Forberg

Grace Gillian Forberg is my Cinnamon Apple. We first met in the little theater of Richards High School during her freshman and my sophomore year. However, Grace saw me previous to our meeting, when she attended her older brother's improv show which I also happened to be in.

"When I first saw you at your first improv show, you were super funny and seemed really bubbly and kind," Grace said. "But meeting you was slightly intimidating because you were so confident and cool, yet nice."

I don't think I can pinpoint an exact day or moment when I became best friends with Grace. It's like the quote from Fault in Our Stars.

"I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once."

But, instead of love, it was best friendship! Grace and I were both involved in speech, drama, improv, and group interpretation throughout our high school career. In fact, during Grace's freshman year, not only did we bond during the countless improv practices and shows, but we were also cast in our school's Performance In the Round (PIR): Alice Through the Looking Glass.

I was the Red Queen and Grace was the Red Rabbit. Her best friend Noor was the White Rabbit. That PIR brought Grace and I together, partially because I bonded with her and Noor. We got first place at regionals, second at sectionals and advanced to State. That was such a huge moment for all of us involved. I remember being so happy because our entire cast had worked so hard!

At PIR practice, during one of our breaks, Grace and I ended up getting some air in the courtyard. That courtyard became our escape for the rest of my high school years. Through countless PIR and group interp practices we consistently spent are breaks enjoying each other's company and goofing around outside. We even wrote our initial under the bench in the courtyard. (They got rid of that picnic table Grace's senior year of highschool. RIP)

That same year, Grace and I were both were involved in the Group Interpretation: Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl. When we went to State, Grace had to room with me and my two best friends Shannon and Armanda.

"At first I was scared because you all were so loud. But it was a lot of fun!"

We all got along really well and had a great time! That was the first, and definitely not the last time Grace and I roomed together! Throughout many trips to State and rooming together we had a lot of fun! We made 'Girl's House' t-shirts and decorated the room as a pirate theme for a reason I can't even remember. At the time I didn't realize we were making all these memories... I just thought we were having fun.

Grace, Noor, and I were three best friends for the better part of our high school years. If it wasn't for them, my senior year would not have been as amazing as it was! It didn't matter if it was playing cards in between rounds at speech tournaments or if it was baking cookies at Grace's house, we never stopped laughing and having a good time. We got matching infinity rings, jokingly called ourselves a throuple, and made wedding invitations for the three of us.

I'm grateful for Grace Forberg because since the day I met her, she hasn't stopped making my life better. Thank you Richards High School and specifically Laughing Aardvarks Improv, and the Speech team for giving us the opportunity to be friends!

Grace goes out of her way to be as supportive as possible. Her humor is my favorite thing about her. Everyone will tell you Grace is so nice, but they simply haven't heard her roast my life, as she does every chance she gets! But, I wouldn't change that for the world.

People always come and go. Not all friendships last forever. But like I said, Grace is my Cinnamon Apple. Our friendship is so strong and getting stronger all the time. I don't get to hangout with Grace as much as I did in high school because we don't go to the same college. But that doesn't change a thing.

It doesn't matter if we're going to Kesha and AJR concerts together or if we're playing Monopoly with her little brother. Time spent with Grace Forberg is time well spent. I cherish the many memories I have made with Grace throughout high school and the beginning of our college years. I look forward to the many more we will make.

I can type for days about how much I love Grace Forberg and how she has blessed my life in countless ways. I can type about our time spent at El Gallo with all our friends after speech tournaments or our experiences at Winter Fest and Prom. I can tell you all that she is an amazingly talented and creative artist and a crazy, funny girl who is wicked good at improv. But instead, I'm going to let you read what our friends think about Grace, because if it isn't obvious, I think the world of Grace.

"Grace is...

...the legendary Friendberg. She's an artist with beautiful skills, inspiring levels of creativity, and a healthy amount of ambition. These traits embody someone who is funny, witty, and great to be around. There's only one drawback: You miss her when she leaves.” -Alaric Ortiz

...a wonderful person to be around. She’s creative, artsy and the sweetest person you’ll ever meet. She’s very understanding and is a great person to have conversations with. She’s the best best friend anyone could ask for!” -Noor Awaidah

...talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, and totally unique.” -Keoni Palomino

...literally the cutest and sweetest person I’ve ever met. I’m so happy to have had her in my life and even though we don’t talk that often anymore I know that she’s always there for me and I will always be there for her!” -Shannon O’Brien

...he best dancer when sitting down and listening to music (that no one else can hear) that I have ever witnessed. Also, she is pretty cool." -Michael Badger

...a rare friend to come by. Someone so compassionate and so caring is something that I wasn’t use to. The joy that Grace brings to a person is amazing and all I want is for her to be happy for the rest of her life.” -David Threat

...the one with the brightest smile.” -Evelyn Perea

...my best friend. She's always around to talk to or hang out with and she is great to spend a day with; maybe even a whole quarantine." -Owen Forberg

...very dependable if i need something she is always there and she always puts other before herself and genuinely cares about people.” -Jaime Grahm

...a good friend because has the ability she has to bring positivity into the room and put a smile on everyone’s face.” -Briar Fox

...quirky and also very funny. Whenever I talk to her I feel like her comedic timing is spot on and I always laugh.” -Alex Criv

...such a wonderful person. There isn’t enough words or even one word to describe how amazing she is.” Rhiana Winston

...super talented, and in more ways than one. She's artistic, funny, a goofball, and above all, a wonderful friend.” -Brian Carpenter

...one of the most creative and free spirited people I’ve ever met. Every time I see her she just lifts my emotions up high and makes me so happy. I love to call her a friend and she’s nothing but amazing in every kind of way.” -Kevin Pankam

...always positive and bubbly! Grace is truly a bundle of joy.” -Rose Green