St. Ed’s senior soccer star Gabriela (Gabby) Ordonez didn’t think it was worth her while to even bother visiting the campus of Duke University when she went on a college tour with her parents last summer.
“I told my mom there was no way I could get into Duke,” Gabby recalled. “I just couldn’t picture myself there.”
Her mom talked her into at least a drive-by.
“When we got there I realized mom knows best. It’s a cliché, but everything just clicked. I told my parents this is exactly where I want to go. I didn’t even want to leave.”
Gabby realized that wanting to become a Blue Devil was a far cry from actually being one. When she decided to apply, nagging doubt reared up once again.
“Then I kept hearing that it was really hard to get in, and that I shouldn’t expect to get in. It’s a very selective process and I was really scared. The doubt can eat you up. I kept telling myself there was no way.
“At some point you realize there’s nothing to lose. The worst they can say is no. There are other schools out there and everything happens for a reason. You wind up being where you are meant to be. So I said I’ll do my thing and whatever happens, happens.”
That’s the thought process high school juniors and seniors must endure when “elite” colleges sort out applicants. In this case the frayed nerves were ameliorated by the news every aspiring student wants to hear.
“Everything worked out. I got in. My reaction was – Yeah!”
That should have come as no surprise to the Salutatorian of St. Ed’s Class of 2014. Her extensive list of academic awards and honors is highlighted by an off-the-chart GPA of 4.58 bolstered by eleven AP courses.
Her 400-plus hours of community service while in high school includes volunteering at the Indian River Medical Center; working at the office of a leading Vero cardiologist; and, among other things, playing the piano at a convalescent center. She has also served food to the homeless in Atlanta and painted houses for the disadvantaged in Alabama.
It’s a resume worthy of admission to just about anywhere for a truly gifted and dedicated student. Gabby, perhaps along with the inspirational sacrifices of her parents, deserves every ounce of the credit.
“My mom is from Venezuela and my dad is from Peru,” Gabby said. “They met and were married in Venezuela before coming to the United States with their newborn son 20 years ago. It was really difficult for them because of the language barrier. They didn’t know anybody. I don’t know everything they’ve gone through, but at some point they’ll tell me. They’ve worked so hard to put me and my brother through school (at St. Ed’s) and give us a chance to go to college. I’m so proud of them.”
Her brother Daniel graduated from St. Ed’s in 2010 and is about to finish his premed undergraduate work at the University of Central Florida.
Gabby was born in the U.S. and has been at St. Ed’s since first grade. The clashing cultures at home and school sometimes led to confusion.
“I didn’t know when to turn the switch on and off. You speak English at school and Spanish at home. My parents didn’t want me to lose the Spanish culture. I now see the wisdom in that because I never want to lose that part of me, either.”
School and the sport of soccer eased the gradual assimilation into a bilingual, bicultural world.
“I started playing soccer in seventh grade. It was a family tradition. My dad played and he passed it on to my brother. I picked it up because I wanted to be like them.
“Soccer grew on me and it taught me a lot. You learn how to be a team player and that works both inside and outside the classroom. You need to know how to deal with people and how to listen and work with them. You can’t be selfish. You need to be open to other ideas. Sports taught me a lot about that. And physical activity is always good.”
She was a four year starter on the varsity and team captain for Coach Jeff Lamscha’s 300th career victory this year, telling us “it’s nice to say that I was on the team that got that win for him.”
“St. Edward’s gives you a chance to try anything. I’ve had tremendous support. The teachers and coaches are always open and they always find time for you. You can really explore yourself.”
Gabby will major in biomedical engineering at Duke. She was intrigued by the academic mixture of medicine and engineering offered by the Pratt School of Engineering.
It remains to be seen if she will become a true blue Cameron Crazy. Her plan is to get into the arena by playing the flute in the marching band.
“I’m not really a basketball fan, but I’m sure it will be instilled in me. Maybe I’ll become one of those crazies with the face painting. Maybe, we’ll see.
