Get to Know Gabrielle Walter - Distinguished Young Woman of New York for 2011

Name:  Gabrielle Walter
Age: 18
Hometown:  East Amherst, New York
College:  Canisius College
Major:  Biology/Pre-medicine

My favorite food is by far peanut butter. I love to dip pretzels in peanut butter, cookies, and make sandwiches with peanut butter and bananas. I even put it on pitas sometimes too. But most of all I will just eat it out of the jar with a spoon.

My favorite time of year is spring when there starts to be color outside again. We are on the upswing to longer days with light and on our way to warmth. Being from the Buffalo area, after a long winter with snow you cannot wait to see green on the ground. The flowers bloom, the trees grow leaves, and people come outside due to the nice weather.

My favorite quote is “never give up on something you cannot go a day without thinking about.”

My favorite Polish Christmas tradition is on every Christmas Eve, the whole family hands out slices of oplatek, and we wish each other good health and happiness for the year to come.

The number one, most played song on my iPod right now is “Turning Tables” by Adele. I go through phases of artists and she just happens to be the one at the moment I am writing this.

Plan ahead OR procrastinate - As much as I do try to plan ahead, I am a bit of a procrastinator. I work better under pressure and because my schedule is busy, it often times comes down to a day or two before.

Paper OR plastic - Paper, I am all for helping the environment and it is something that can be recycled and reused.

Glass half-full OR glass half-empty - Glass half-full. It is always important to look at things in life in a positive way rather than see the negative side of things. I think in today’s world it is harder to look at the glass half-full, but if people look for the positives each day at a time, it will become easier to see over time.

Introvert OR extrovert - Ever since I was little my parents say I could not stop singing and talking all day long. I have a personality that definitely gets people out of their shells and  loosen up.

Cats OR Dogs- I am a dog person. I have never owned cats, but the puppy I do own is named Siena and she is just the most energetic thing ever. I especially love when she sleeps and gives you that cute innocent face after she has done something wrong.

Morning OR night person - I can be both depending on the day’s events and whether or not I got a good night’s rest the night before.

If I was stranded on a deserted island, provided there was cell service, I would need my iPhone to call for someone to come rescue me. Second, I would need a survival kit which would include everything from directions and supplements for food, first-aid things, and even clothes. Third, I would want someone close to me to be stranded with me so I was not alone. Anyone from family to friends I would enjoy being stranded with as long as they keep me company.

If I could trade places with someone for a week, I would choose Kate Middleton. I would like to get her perspective on what it is like to have a real Cinderella story. I would want to experience the reality of someone who goes from a life just like anyone else to someone who obtains a title that makes them an icon in the world with the power to change things for the better.

My biggest fear is failure. I am and have always been a perfectionist. Failure is something that does not live up to the standards that I hold myself to.

It is hard for me to sum myself up in three words, so I asked some of my close friends. They agreed and I approved that I am poised, confident, and goal oriented.

When I grow up I plan on becoming a pediatrician. Ever since about seventh grade I had been set on being some kind of doctor. I am really good with children, and once I did an internship in my junior year of high school, it seemed like a great fit. My family and friends have always seen me as a performer, so we always joke that when I come to visit the children for their appointments I will start singing and tap dancing, it will be the “Dr. Gabi” show.

It is very difficult to pick my most favorite moment from my Distinguished Young Women experience because I honestly loved every part. The girls were great at every level from local to state to nationals. The volunteers are so kind, and helpful and the program directors at each level have their heart and soul in this program. I would have to say my favorite part was performing on stage with all of the other Distinguished Young Women each night at Nationals. It did not feel like a competition; we were celebrating all of our great accomplishments together in front of the city who supports all of us, Mobile, Alabama.