A well-rounded girl, student

June 10, 2010

Kathryn Gasparro served as president of her junior and senior classes at Fountain Valley High School — and in between, she came close to rubbing elbows with President Obama.

Last summer, Gasparro ventured to Washington, D.C., to receive the Congressional Award Gold Medal, which Congress gives every year to 14- to 23-year-olds who have excelled in volunteerism, personal development, physical fitness and exploration.

The 18-year-old Gasparro had taken 200 hours of dance for physical fitness, played the oboe for personal development and fulfilled exploration by going to Australia as a student ambassador.

It was for her volunteer work, though, that her school may remember her best. As a sophomore, Gasparro founded Fountain Valley High's Pink Ribbon Club, which raises money to fight breast cancer. She also served as a summer intern for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Gasparro said she was accepted to numerous colleges, but opted for Clemson University in South Carolina, where she plans to major in civil engineering and minor in international relations.

"Fountain Valley High School was the perfect place for me to flourish, and I am so thankful for how many opportunities I was afforded and everyone who played a part in my success," Gasparro said.

— Michael Miller

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