Name: Gabriella (Gabby) Plascencia

High School: Dripping Springs High School, Austin, Texas

Mascot: Tigers

Grade: 12

Birthday: Dec. 1, 2004

Age: 17

Favorite subject: English, journalism

Extracurricular activities: Debate team, newspaper (editor in chief), art, speech, National Art Honor Society, Young Women’s Club.

Favorite cartoon character/superhero: Natasha Romanoff

Favorite song: “Francis Forever”- Mitski

Favorite slang word/ phrase: Yeet

Parents: Jimmy Plasencia and Rosemary Jimenez

Siblings: Sophia Plascencia, Jackie Allred and Tessa Allred

Dream College: University of Texas at Austin

If you could have a movie made about your life, what would the story line be? Who would play you? Movie title? “Just ironically, I’d have Vanessa Hudgens play me. She’s played Gabriella before, technically, so why not play another? And then the storyline would be called like early spring because right now, I feel like that’s the point in my life. Right now, is like a soon to be adult in figuring out what I want to do with my life.”

What are your three must haves? “Iced chai latte, noise canceling headphones and my computer.”

What’s the best part about social media? Worst? “The worst part is the misinformation because anyone’s allowed to post, which is a good thing. But also, sometimes it’s overbearing for one singular person to take in. So sometimes it’s too much information. The best is that it’s possible for everyone to have a voice on social media and express themselves. Or that you can always find a place on the internet for whatever you’re interested in and whatever opinion you have.”

What do you admire about Gen Z? What do you dislike about Gen Z? “I think we’re fashionable, actually, compared to other generations, but I say that because I’m biased, but I love how outrageous it is and how unhinged it looks sometimes. And as long as they’re not hurting anyone who cares. Dislike wise, with the help of social media, I think it’s really easy for us to fake our lives and basically create a false version of ourselves. There are a lot of inaccuracies in social media. That is also due to Gen Z and how young we are, too.”

How has the pandemic affected you? “I had to reprogram my mind in coping mechanisms. And also academically, it totally changed the way I handled my future and saw my coursework. I had to deal with not relying on motivation because I had no motivation to get through school. But I went through with it just because I tried to find purpose in the work that I do. And that’s what kind of kept me going and finding a routine and finding ways to cope.”

How do you handle your mental health during these difficult times? “Primarily, I like to journal and have open conversations with my friends. Or you know, anyone really, if a question arises, I just go.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? ”I see myself traveling to different countries. Hopefully being a traveling journalist. Having a cat, too, because I’ve never had a pet before, so hope it happens one day. Hopefully I have my own media outlet. That’s something I want to try out.”

What is your ideal life/dream job? “A traveling journalist. Hopefully I get the opportunity to get paid to go to other places and figure out what the heck is going on. A dream job for me would be helping people get the information that they need, and then information that they want to know so they can make better decisions for their lives.”

If you could live anywhere in the world for one year, where would it be? “Japan. I want to see their vending machines.”

Who or what inspires you and why? “Not necessarily the person, but I get a lot of inspiration to move forward with the help of the music written by Mitski. Her lyrics keep me going sometimes. And also I get inspiration from everyone around me.”

If you could trade places with the president of the United States for a day, what would you do as president? “I would try to make initiatives to make unions more prevalent and supported because the unions have not aged well. And also acknowledge climate change and give people health care.”

What would you consider your greatest accomplishment? “I would say the speech competition I was in because I had to write and present an optimistic speech when I wasn’t feeling very optimistic that week. So it just really got me thinking and cranking and figuring out how I was going to speak in a way that just didn’t feel natural. And it got me out of my comfort zone.”

What do you see as your biggest regret? “My regret is sophomore year of high school. I would totally redo it again if I could. Because it was really hard staying motivated for school.”