Gabrielle Knighten Named Student of the Month for February
Senior Gabrielle Knighten is an Irish Ambassador, a member of the National Honor Society, the African-American Club, and the Spanish Club. She is also a cheerleader and a retreat leader for senior Kairos, as well as for the freshman and sophomore retreats.
“I chose to attend Central Catholic because I love the culture,” Gabrielle said. “Even before I came to the school, I would attend events like football games and IDT Night because I loved the school so much! My family is the entire reason for my academic success. I am so grateful for how my parents pushed me in school because now I am truly reaping the rewards.”
Outside of Central Catholic, Gabrielle is a Junior Church Teacher at Northwestern Missionary Baptist, where she is a member. Her job is to teach the children during service in an engaging and age-appropriate manner. She is also a member of Toledo Excel, a debutante for the 2025 cotillion, and a host at Texas Roadhouse. During the summer, she volunteers at Mercy Health St. Vincent. She was an intern in the emergency unit there during her junior year. Once a month, she would shadow a doctor and get advice about her future in the medical field. She also experienced medical emergencies from a doctor's point of view.
After high school, Gabrielle plans to attend either Eastern Michigan University or UMass Boston to major in psychology. “My goal is to become a clinical psychologist,” she said. “I love psychology, and I have wanted to be some form of psychologist since I was in the eighth grade. At the time, I wasn't sure what I wanted to specialize in, but I knew that psychoanalysis was a gift instilled in me by God. So after much self-discovery, I decided clinical psychology was the best fit for me.”
Several of Gabrielle’s teachers speak very highly of her:
"Gabrielle is an honors student. She is poised and professional with staffulty and peers. She strives to give nothing short of her best when it comes to assignments, behavior and punctuality."
- Whitney McHaffie, theology teacher
"Gabby is always asking the toughest questions and rarely settles for surface-level answers. Her curiosity and drive to understand things on a deeper level make her stand out in any discussion. She often borrows my nonfiction books or asks for recommendations on topics that are discussed in class, just so she can 'know more' than what can be covered in the curriculum. She has come to me several times after school just to pick my brain on something she's learned."
- Lyanna Buser, biology teacher
"Gabby is an absolute delight of a human being. She is a conscientious, hard-working student; a compassionate, kind-hearted human; and a leader who works tirelessly to bring good into the lives of people around her. I firmly believe that Gabby Knighten is going to change the world for the better."
- Katie Shanahan, English teacher
2024-25 Student of the Month Honorees
September – Jordan Traver
October – Cooper Sadowski
November – Alivia Fineske
December – Danyaile Shelmon-Banks
January – Beckham Vargas
