There is a select number of women that excel in the field of martial arts, but senior Gabrielle Perez feels she can change those statistics. At the young age of six years old she started kung fu, and as she grew up she began karate, taekwondo, and jiu jitsu. Doing martial arts for twelve years has allowed her to travel across the country to participate in competitions against the best youth fighters in the sport. She has been to Virginia, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, Washington, and Wisconsin, to name a few. Being a black belt in kung fu helped Gabby take third at nationals for point sparring, and fifth at nationals for olympic sparring. When she was a freshman, she beat two boys in Kentucky for the State Qualifying match.

As the oldest of six kids, it seems nearly impossible for Gabby to keep up with school, clubs, karate, and babysitting her younger siblings regularly, but she makes it happen. She is a proud member of NEHS (National English Honor Society), Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society, President), Environmental Advocates, Health Careers Club, and Just US. While participating in all of these she amazingly is able to keep an A Honor Roll status with all Honors classes.

Gabrielle Perez is not only a phenomenal student but also a hard worker and cares so much for her family and the people around her. Whether it is volunteering at an animal shelter, beating boys in karate, or making clubs enjoyable in school, Gabby is going to work as hard as she can to make everything and everyone around her happy.