Birthday Profile (a few days late): Gabriella Rodriguez ‘14

Gabby on her birthday. Photos by Colton Sierra '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Birthday Profile (a few days late): Gabriella Rodriguez ‘14

By Colton Sierra ‘14

Many teens anticipate turning the age 18, and for Gabriella Rodriguez (Gabby), the anticipation is done. In honor of her birthday (and because we forgot her in last week's Birthdays of the Week), I decided to pay her a visit and share a little chat.

Gabby is one of the few artistic beasts that roam around the hallways of Red Cloud. She won awards for her artwork in the LNI Art Competition.

Not only is she good with the pen or brush, but she is also the good in her heart. She wants to attend Creighton University or University of North Dakota and major in Physical Therapy. She has aspirations to put a Physical Therapy Center somewhere on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Speaking of the reservation, Rodriguez is active in many aspects of her culture. She plays handgames when she has time, and she dances in the Women’s Traditional category at Powwows in the summer. She took 3rd place in the Oglala Nation Powwow back in the summer of 2012, and I personally witnessed her passion mixed with composure as she moved impressively in sync with the drum beat.

Rodriguez is also one tough cookie. She was seen playing football with the big boys such as Shawn Patton ‘11 and Chandler Ross  ‘11. Although she suffered many injuries in every sport she played, she always seemed to get back up and continue rolling with the punches.

“I love knitting, creating art, thiwahe (my family), archery, my culture, anatomy, and physiology class,” said Rodriguez. “I’m really glad you guys remembered my birthday.”

Yes, we did Gabby. Go out and live with your eyes open and may your days be plentiful (shout out to Thornton Wilder's Our Town). Happy belated birthday, Gabby.