Standout Student: Gabrielle Holton
At Osseo High School, it’s no surprise we find 17-year-old Gabrielle Holton in a college level, advanced placement government class. Holton, a high school senior, is a high flyer and the number one student in her class. And that’s just the start. “I try to do my best in whatever I do,” said Holton. “I’m pretty adventurous too, I like trying new things and meeting new people, and I’m also pretty curious, too.”
Admittedly shy, Holton looks for ways to push herself, such as trying out and earning a role in the fall musical,”Hairspray.” Holton also leads her teammates as captain of the lacrosse team, and she plays defense for the girls’ hockey team. “Gabby just really focuses on getting things done,” said Osseo High School social studies teacher Megan Thompson. “She enjoys so much of what she’s doing, she never makes it seems like it’s a burden, even though I know she must be incredibly pressed for time. It really shows the maturity that she has, the time management skills that she’s developed in order to be successful in all of these diverse areas of her life, it’s pretty remarkable.”
Given Holton’s work ethic, it should come as no surprise that Gabrielle already knows what she wants to do with her future. “What I want to be is a marine biologist, so I want to study animals and what they do, especially in coral reefs, or maybe tide pools,” said Holton. Exposed early to science by her parents, Holton and her family took a six month educational trip along the East Coast when Gabrielle was 11 years old. Holton discovered her love of marine life from Maine to Florida. “On the Florida Keys, there’s a reef there, and so we went snorkling in the reef, and we saw sea urchins and a barracuda and all these really cool, colorful fish, and I just loved the experience so much,” said Holton. Thompson has no doubts Holton will do whatever she sets her mind to in the future. “She is definitely thinking about her future and taking all of those steps she needs to, in order to be successful,” said Thompson. Holton’s top choice for college is the University of New Haven in Connecticut.
Osseo Senior High School
