KENOSHA, Wis. --- Each year since 1997, the NCAA hosts the NCAA Leadership Forum where over 5,000 student-athletes can learn how to improve their leadership skills as well as grow themselves professionally. This year, Parkside women's basketball freshman Grace Lomen was selected to represent Parkside at the forum in Baltimore, MD.

At the forum, student-athletes are split into groups named after colors, in which they will work together with one another to solve challenges. These team building activities put each member in vulnerable situations and challenge the student-athletes to work together in group activities.

Describing her time spent traveling to the forum, Lomen said, "I was not sure how I felt about attending the NCAA Leadership Forum. I had never flown alone before" She also described her fear of being alone and not being able to make friends in a new environment. But Grace was quickly settled in on her trip when she made new friends from other GLIAC schools. She met four people on her first flight. She met student-athletes from Grand Valley, Northern Michigan, Illinois State, and Loyola Chicago University.

"Those four people I met were just a few people I grew close to."

Lomen described one of her favorite parts about the forum was the sense of community. "Everyone was so kind and excited to be there together. I was grateful to hear from the Chicago Men's Soccer Head Coach who was the first female head coach to win a national championship." One quote that Grace took from the head soccer coach was to "play for the little kid who looked up to college athletes." This inspired her to make the most of her college experience and always have fun while on the court.

With the main goal of the forum to become a better leader, Grace took many notes on how she can be a better leader for her teammates at Parkside. She got to learn more about people from differing backgrounds and how to better understand where others come from. "This trip is something I will always be grateful for, and I plan on using the knowledge I learned to be a leader on my team and for the rest of my life."