MUNCIE, Ind. — On July 25, Ball State graduate Grace Bentkowski was killed by a train at the Hegewisch Station in Chicago on her way back to her Indiana home.
Her friends and family are calling for improved safety and remembering a woman they called "the light of our lives."
A glimpse into Grace's life
Grace Bentkowski grew up in her home in Dyer, Indiana, with her younger brother, Adian, and parents, Erin and Phil.
From an early age, she was very passionate about the things she loved, like dance, friendships and especially her family.
"Growing up with Grace made me feel so safe and loved," Adian recalled. "Knowing that she would step up for me when I wouldn't be able to myself. Whenever I needed help or just someone to talk to, she was always there for me."
Grace was also there for others outside of her family growing up. In first grade, she met one of her lifelong friends, Nikki Rytczak, who said Grace had always been sweet and genuine.
"She's always been just as wonderful as everyone knows her now, and she's always been so caring," Rytczak said. "She's one of those people where you could talk to her once every three months or see her every six months and you would pick up right where you left off."
Rytczak shared stories of her and Grace's childhood and even the moment they met and became best friends instantly — when they sang "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry together on the playground. According to Rytczak, that stuck with them forever.
"Even now, when we'd sign cards for each other, I'd be like, 'I'm the hot to your cold' and stuff like that," Rytczak said.
Once she turned 12 years old, Grace already knew what her dream was: to be a journalist living in downtown Chicago. So as a teenager, she participated in everything she could to help her grow to make her dream a reality.
That led her to "LCTV," Lake Central High School's broadcast journalism program. In her four years with the organization, Grace learned the founding principles and ethics of broadcast media while learning to report, produce, anchor and much more.
Going into her senior year, Grace was selected as LCTV's editor-in-chief, thanks to her profound media skills and persevering attitude.
What she didn't know at the time was that it would lead her right to Ball State University, where her impact was monumental.
After graduating high school during the beginning of a global pandemic, Grace traveled three hours away to continue the pursuit of her dream in Muncie.
It took just moments for Grace to cement her name in Ball State's Unified Media Lab. As an undergraduate, she deepened her knowledge of journalism through classes and news organizations like NewsLink Indiana and The Ball State Daily News.
She took over multiple different leadership positions in NewsLink, such as digital content manager, managing editor, assistant news director and eventually news director. In her time with the organization, Grace helped those around her earn a multitude of different awards, like Indiana Association of School Broadcasters' News School of the Year award.
During her time and across her many roles in several organizations, one thing was clear — Grace prioritized friendship and love. As a leader, everyone was put ahead of her, and she made time for anyone who needed a friend, a shoulder to cry on or even just someone to laugh with.
One of her best friends, 23-year-old Samantha Martin, knew this firsthand.
"She was the light of our lives and always had a fun joke to share," Martin said. "She was my go-to person if I needed a good laugh, was the best friend any girl could ask for, and would always help with anything professional-related. She was so goofy and had the best attitude."
Samantha and Grace shared very similar goals and dreams in life, and met up in Chicago — their dream destination — right before her death.
"Her boyfriend, Ian, and her were about to move to the city, so we were getting excited about that together," Martin said. "We were going to take on Chicago together."
The weekend of the incident, Ian and Grace were planning to tour apartments in downtown Chicago in hopes of finding one to start their journey together through life past school.
"She was pure. That's the best way to explain it. She cared about all the people around her, even more than herself. She did not care where she was, as long as she was with people," Hansen said. "And what better place to be around people than Chicago."
Not only did the city offer the couple a place full of people, culture and their favorite pastime — concerts — it also was close to home for both of their families.
Her brother, Adian, has been following in his big sister's footsteps and enjoyed the last year of school at Ball State together with her. He was excited to have her near home again after college so he could spend more time with her, but also because it was always her dream.
"It's safe to say that Grace was my best friend. I was so excited for her to move downtown because I knew it was her dream. To live in Chicago, live with Ian and call Chicago her home," Adian said. "Now, it's all imagination of what my sister's future could've been."
One thing was certain of Grace's future: It was going to be spent full of time surrounded by friends and family.
