From GCU to Hallmark: Alumna’s Merry Path to Hollywood

Some careers are carefully mapped out. Others just sort of unfold, like a well-timed holiday movie twist.

This story? It’s definitely the second kind. From a handmade Christmas paper chain to the bright lights of Washington, D.C., and then onto the cozy glow of a Hallmark Channel set, this journey blends faith, ambition, service, and a dash of Christmas magic.

It’s a real-life success story with a bit of entertainment sparkle—proof that sometimes the background extra actually has the best story in the room.

From Christmas Traditions to a Real-Life Hallmark Moment

Way before she ever landed on a film set, Aubrey Grasz’s life already had the rhythm of a Hallmark holiday. Growing up, her family made a paper chain every December—25 links, one for each day till Christmas, each with a small but meaningful activity.

Nothing flashy, just time together, some creativity, and intention. That sense of tradition would come full circle years later.

Grasz found herself as an extra in A Grand Ole Opry Christmas, a Hallmark Channel feature that premiered during the network’s Countdown to Christmas. Suddenly, a childhood ritual mirrored the warm, nostalgic vibe Hallmark fans crave every year.

Why Hallmark Movies Still Matter

Hallmark Christmas films are more than just background noise—they’re a cultural comfort, especially for folks who want hope and familiarity. They’re all about emotional resonance, not spectacle.

Grasz stepping into that world, even just as an extra, put her inside a genre that celebrates the same things she grew up loving.

A Foundation Built at Grand Canyon University

Before politics or TV were even on the radar, Grasz was building her foundation at Grand Canyon University. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication, with an education emphasis, and dove right into campus life.

The Honors College became a close-knit home base. It encouraged leadership and service, and Grasz didn’t just show up—she led.

She was president of the Student Advisory Board and worked in the Office of Communications and Public Relations. That hands-on experience would pay off later, though who really knows it at the time?

Leadership Beyond the Classroom

Those roles weren’t just for the resume. They were real training grounds—managing responsibilities, advocating for peers, and learning to communicate with both clarity and compassion.

Faculty noticed her relational leadership style and commitment to service. Those qualities have followed her into every chapter since.

Washington, D.C.: From Internship to the White House

After graduating in spring 2020, Grasz made a bold move to Washington, D.C. What started as a White House internship quickly turned into a full-time job in the Office of Presidential Correspondence.

She helped process and analyze thousands of letters sent to President Donald Trump and the First Family. These weren’t just form letters; they were deeply personal messages from Americans all over the country.

A Front-Row Seat to the Heartbeat of America

Reading those letters gave her a rare, unfiltered peek at the nation’s hopes, fears, gratitude, and grief. It sharpened her understanding of storytelling, empathy, and the power of words—skills that matter in both politics and entertainment.

Pageants, Platforms, and Purpose

Grasz’s journey didn’t end in politics. She stepped onto a different kind of stage, competing in pageants and eventually becoming Miss Nebraska Volunteer.

As the first titleholder in the Miss Volunteer America system, she spent a year traveling across Nebraska. Her platform, Saluting Those Who Serve, focused on honoring veterans and military families.

This was hands-on advocacy: speaking in classrooms, visiting veterans homes, and amplifying voices that often get overlooked.

Blending Advocacy with Visibility

Pageantry gave Grasz a megaphone. It let her combine communication skills, convictions, and public presence in a way that aligned with her faith and values.

It also kept her connected to creative expression—something she never really let go of.

Stepping Onto the Screen

Between work, travel, and public service, Grasz kept exploring creative outlets. That openness led to unexpected casting opportunities in film and TV.

Background roles started to add up, but one stood out. Appearing as an extra in A Grand Ole Opry Christmas put her on a Hallmark set with familiar faces and music legends.

Long filming days were balanced by unforgettable moments, like meeting Brad Paisley and Megan Moroney. Not your average workday, right?

Why This Role Hit Different

Hallmark movies aren’t just another acting credit for Grasz. This was personal.

She grew up watching these films—associating them with family, faith, and the holidays. Seeing herself on screen became a shared moment with loved ones, a full-circle experience that felt genuinely earned.

Returning to D.C. with a New Mission

Now, Grasz is back in Washington, D.C., as director of communications for Family Policy Alliance, a national Christian ministry. The role lets her blend professional expertise with a desire to serve mission-driven organizations.

She shapes narratives, amplifies causes she believes in, and connects with leaders across the faith-based landscape. It feels like a natural next step, honestly.

A Career Defined by Alignment

Grasz’s path isn’t about chasing fame or prestige. There’s a pretty clear throughline: alignment between values and vocation.

Whether in politics, pageantry, or entertainment, she finds spaces where communication serves a higher purpose.

The Heart of the Story: Family, Faith, and Gratitude

Despite a resume that touches the White House, pageant stages, and holiday movie sets, Grasz stays grounded. Every December, no matter where she is, the memory of that paper chain comes back.

Simple traditions—looking at Christmas lights, Christmas Eve services, just slowing down with family—keep her anchored. These aren’t just side notes; they’re the emotional core of her story.

Why Audiences Can’t Get Enough of Stories Like This

In a world obsessed with spectacle, there’s something magnetic about authenticity. Grasz’s journey really hits home because, honestly, it just feels genuine.

It’s a reminder that success doesn’t always have to be flashy. Sometimes, the most meaningful careers sneak up on you in ways that feel almost cinematic.

From handmade holiday traditions to a Hallmark Christmas cameo, Aubrey Grasz’s story shows that when faith, service, and creativity come together, life can be every bit as heartwarming as the movies we can’t help but love.