Gaston County Schools

 

She knows what she wants to do, and she’ll work hard to get there. Laura Luna, a North Gaston High School senior, wants to help others as a speech pathologist.

She was accepted to UNC-Chapel Hill, but opted to attend Appalachian State University instead for its speech pathology program. She’ll be able to move directly from her undergraduate studies to a master’s program. "She is hard-working and has always had a desire to help others,” said school counselor Stephanie Smith.

Luna is among the top 10 in her graduating class, an achievement she earned while also working 20 to 30 hours a week at Tony’s Ice Cream in Gastonia. Along with her job and homework, she managed to balance practices and games with the soccer and tennis teams while serving as the tennis team captain.

A multi-talented student, Luna plays the piano and speaks Spanish and American Sign Language. Luna’s responsibilities at North Gaston include a role on the student council and as a Junior Marshal as well as leadership positions with the Beta Club and Project Unify Club.

Luna’s desire to help others is evident in her extracurricular activities. She has helped organize and volunteer for the Red Cross blood drive all four years of high school, and with the Beta Club, she helped to organize a successful walk-a-thon for a local elementary school student suffering from a rare disease.