Gabriela, please tell us about your current plans after high school. What inspired you to choose this path?

After high school I will be attending Carroll University while majoring in nursing and minoring in Spanish in hopes to one day become a pediatric oncology nurse. Learning about the medical field in high school has really inspired me to take risks and face challenges and I think being a pediatric oncology nurse is the perfect mix of risks and challenges while also being able to help children fight an uphill battle.

 

Please tell us a little bit about your family.

I come from a Mexican and Puerto Rican background and currently live with my mom.

 

What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Greendale?

I really like Ferch’s. You can never go wrong ordering anything from there. I also really like El Beso. Mexican food is my favorite and there is such a variety.

 

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Greendale?

The most interesting person that I’ve met in Greendale is the Joe Bustos. Seeing him around school and listening to all of his jokes and stories truly makes my day so much better!

 

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

I would really like to travel to Greece. I really enjoy admiring the culture and the food is amazing and I think that traveling to Greece would be an amazing experience.

 

What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?

Some of my favorite movies are Aladdin, Footloose, or Grease. Some of my favorite TV shows are The Fosters, This Is Us, and The Voice.

 

What’s the best advice you ever received from a teacher? Who was the teacher?

The best advice that I have received from a teacher is that “It is okay to struggle. You need to struggle in order to succeed.” This was from one of my Spanish teachers Marisa Bernal. She taught me to keep fighting for what I wanted because soon enough it will all make sense.

 

What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?

I do not really listen to bands but you can never go wrong with country music and that really is my go to whenever I need something to listen to.

 

If you could choose anyone that is alive today, and not a relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where in Greendale would you meet for lunch?

If I could pick anyone, I would pick my guidance counselor John Bly. I would pick him because no matter what emotions I am feeling or no matter what I am going through, he knows just what to say to make me feel better. We would probably meet at Ferch’s and talk while enjoying some ice cream.

 

What is your favorite thing or something unique about our Greendale?

My favorite thing is the community. You can walk down the street and people will say hi to you or recognize you from somewhere. You always feel like it’s one big family.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

I see myself graduating from college, starting my nursing career, owning a home, and living my best life that I have worked so hard for.

 

What show are you binge watching right now?

I am re-watching The Fosters for the 3rd time.

 

Favorite month? Holiday? And best single day on the calendar?

My favorite month is July. It is summer and it is the best time to do all of the things you’ve wanted to do but couldn’t because of school. My favorite holiday is Christmas. I have a huge family and I love being able to gather with them and spend quality time together. The best single day on the calendar is my birthday, February 19th.

 

Who inspires you to be better?

My mom inspires me. She is my best friend and is someone that I look up to and am so thankful to have day in and day out. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.

 

If you could go back over your entire school career what is the one thing you would do different?

I would get more involved by joining more clubs and volunteering more.

 

Who or what do you miss the most right now?

I truly miss my friends and the school environment. I never thought that I would be saying that, but it is true. I never realized how much I would miss all my teachers and friends until I was unable to see them every day.

 

What’s the first thing you want to do when this quarantine is over?

I want to go on adventures… Go on a road trip, go to different places, and overall, just be able to see and laugh and create new memories with all of my friends.