Abigail Smith has been attending Gilpin County since Kindergarten. The elementary ice cream socials and fun activities like roller skating during the sixth grade outdoor education trip to the YMCA camp are two of Abby’s fondest memories.

It’s no surprise roller skating would be one of Abby’s favorite memories. She has been highly active in volleyball and basketball during the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades and has been a member of the Student Council and the National Honor Society.

Abby has also participated in track during the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades. Abby works at the Gilpin County Community Center with the Youth Camp and as a lifeguard.

Abby isn’t only athletic but also intelligent as proven by her favorite classes: algebra II and AP English.

She wishes to acknowledge Coach Shoe and Ms. Donaldson. Abby shares, “They made the biggest impact on my high school career. They both coached for all or a majority of my sports career. Shoe was my English teacher, and they were both people I could talk to about anything at any time of the day.”

The teachers were a big part of what Abby loved. They were also part of what kept her going and wanting to learn things.

Another student at Gilpin School that has made life better for Abby while in school is Skyley Ramsey. Skyley has been Abby’s classmate for a long time, “and we began getting close as fifth graders. We did everything together, from classes to sports to life outside of school.”

Abby states that Skyley taught her so many things. “She brought me into her family, and I could never thank her enough for everything she did for me, whether she knew it or not.”

Abby has loved playing sports and being able to see her friends. She will miss them and the tight knit community. Her advice for those attending Gilpin High is, “Try to live every moment to the fullest. You don’t get the years you are young back, so jump at every opportunity you can, and make life worth living.”

Being passionate about sports, after graduation, Abby plans to play basketball at Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she will be majoring in sports management.

“This was a great place to grow up. Everyone knowing each other has its faults, but in the long run, I loved it.”

Congratulations, Abby, on a great accomplishment!