Exemplary Eagle: Senior Gabriela F.

 

In the middle of the Arctic, a group of children huddled together, shoulders pressed close as they tried to stay warm. “What do we do?” one asked. Ideas came quickly: Build a shelter? Find food? Split up? And then genius struck. All they needed were polar bears that spit hot chocolate. 

Of course, it was only make-believe. Backstage, camp counselors rushed to bring the vision to life using whatever they had on hand. Moments later, the improvised polar bears arrived, ready to warm up the children and, most importantly, turn their imaginations into a learning experience. 

Scenes like this were not unusual. They were part of a larger approach to learning—one that senior Gabriela F. had grown up with and would later help lead.

A longtime member of the Jewish youth organization Nachal Colônia, Gabriela grew up attending its immersive summer camps, later returning as a counselor to guide younger students through the same experiences, before eventually stepping into a leadership role herself.
 

 

“Being a youth leader really empowered me and taught me that I can have a real impact on other people,” she said. “I also learned a lot about listening, and now I interact with others from a place of wanting to understand their perspectives rather than just wanting to share my own.”

Over time, she began to think beyond a single community. While deeply connected to her own movement, she recognized how little interaction existed between youth groups across the city. That realization led her to step into a more significant role as one of four presidents of a Jewish youth council representing eight organizations across São Paulo. Focused on strengthening communication and building a more unified voice, Gabriela and her fellow presidents met with major institutions, advocated for greater youth participation, and organized events that brought the groups together—including one for Yom HaShoah, a day of Holocaust remembrance.

This experience reinforced a lesson she had already begun to understand. “I don't need to wait until I'm an adult to teach about something I enjoy or stand up for something I believe in,” she said.

 

At Graded, that same mindset shapes how Gabriela approaches every role she takes on. She serves as president of SALT (Student Athlete Leadership Team), captain of the varsity volleyball team, editor-in-chief of design for the yearbook, a  PGC (Peer Group Connection) mentor, and founder of the club Construindo Mosaicos. Across each of these commitments, her focus remains the same: connection, community, and collaboration.

"Gabi is one of the most quietly powerful leaders I've encountered in my time at Graded—someone who leads with purpose, earns trust, and brings people together," said Dr. Jeff Neill, Gabriela’s college counselor.

 

As captain of the varsity volleyball team, she fosters an environment where every player feels seen, supported, and motivated to grow. Through SALT, she has led initiatives that reinforce school spirit and unity across teams—from introducing MVP highlights and green cards on the Graded Eagles Instagram account to organizing pep rallies. “Seeing all of the sports teams together strengthened the idea that we’re ‘one Graded,’” she said. 

 

 

Gabriela’s commitment to connection extends beyond athletics. Inspired by her experience as a camp counselor, she founded Construindo Mosaicos, where students design and lead activities for high school assemblies, creating space to reflect on and engage with topics like communication, inclusion, and community. “Studying at an international school means you work together with people from different places with different ideals,” she said.

In the yearbook room, this philosophy takes on a creative form. As editor-in-chief of design, Gabriela guides her team in shaping a publication where, in her words, “students can look at the book and see themselves in it.”

“Gabi leads by example. She not only takes the time to mentor and guide younger students but also fully engages in the work herself, modeling what it means to be a designer and problem solver,” said Helen Trajtenberg, Gabriela’s visual arts teacher. “She embraces feedback and collaboration, remaining open to others’ contributions and encouraging her classmates to develop their ideas.”

 

 

Looking ahead, Gabriela plans to study psychology, possibly combined with education. She hopes to continue exploring how people connect and how those connections can shape communities on a global scale.

“I've always believed in making a small impact on someone's life or day, every day,” she said. “I hope that’s my legacy: someone who is open to being there for people and engaging in everything one hundred percent.”