Kaplan High’s Gabor named Abbeville Kiwanis Club Student of the Month

While many seniors may still be in the process of deciding exactly what they want to do after graduation, Olivia Gabor knows precisely where she will be.
After leaving Kaplan High School this coming May, Gabor will head to LSU Eunice to join the school’s softball team. From there, the sky is the limit for the successful student.
Gabor shared her path Tuesday afternoon with members of the Abbeville Kiwanis Club. The Kiwanians invited her to their weekly meeting to name her the Student of the Month.
“I want to thank you all for this opportunity,” Gabor told the club members. “I really appreciate it.”
It would be a difficult argument to say Gabor does not deserve the honor. She is a 4.0 student, a member of the Kaplan High cheerleading squad and is an officer in the Beta Club. Gabor also served on the Kaplan Homecoming court.
“That was one of the best experiences,” Gabor said.
Gabor is also a key player for the Kaplan Lady Pirates softball team. She plays shortstop and second base.
“Softball has probably done the most for me,” Gabor said. “I am going to play softball for the next two years at LSUE.”
She said the move is a dream scenario.
“I am really excited to play softball there,” Gabor said. “I didn’t really think I would get an offer and now I have this whole new thing.”
After completing the two years in Eunice, Gabor said the likely plan is to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she will major in either engineering or geology.
“Engineering offers the math side and geology offers the science side,” Gabor said of areas she favors. “I don’t feel I will go wrong with either one I pick.”
There is a bit of unfinished high school business before Gabor reaches college.
“I have a 25 on my ACT,” Gabor said. “I want to try to raise that.
“I am working hard on that.”
There is no secret as to what has helped make Gabor a successful student in high school.
“My parents,” Gabor said of Tim and Stacy, both of whom are in education. “They have both been a big influence. They are both teachers, so I kind of grew up with them always pushing me to work hard.”
All of that hard work has led to Gabor being a shining example of what Kaplan High has to offer.
“We have a very strong senior class and Olivia is right there at the top,” Kaplan High Counselor Rona Landry said. “She is among the cream of the crop when it comes not only to academics, but personality.
“She is just really easy to work with and has got it all together.”
Having a college plan firmly in place has helped Gabor relax and have a little more fun during her final year in high school.
“Your senior year can be stressful when you are deciding on colleges,” Gabor said. “It really has been an enjoyable experience. Some scholarships are still due, but I know where I am going to school, so it is not like I am waiting on a letter.
“I really have been able to enjoy it.”
She will enjoy it all the more if Gabor can help the Lady Pirates softball team reach an ultimate goal this coming spring.
“We have a great group this year,” Gabor said. “It really has been a great group to play with. We are going to start working in December to hopefully get back to Sulphur (site of the state tournament) and have a chance to compete for a state title.
“It is really hard work, but it’s really enjoyable.”