Meet the Finalist: Gabriella Blatt

Gabriella Blatt did not intend to become a teen mom, but with her father deceased, mother disabled, and sister incarcerated for drug abuse, she was the only possible caregiver for her niece.

Gabriella writes that "throughout this ordeal, I found that the only constant in my life was education; school was my escape. When I needed a break from this harsh reality, I found that science and math could relieve me of it. Whenever I needed a meal, school was able to provide me with one. When I needed the support to continue living like this, school was able to provide emotional support through teachers and friends."

Gabriella will graduate from Big Sandy High School in Montana this spring, and she hopes to be able to share her story with others who are going through similar situatons.