Tanya Gallagher 

Union Mine High School

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a diligent worker, conscientious, and always exploring ways to make my school a better place. I have strong relationships with both my teachers and the staff at Union Mine. I’m actively involved in student council, as well as the Safe School Ambassador program. In addition, I serve as editor for Union Mine High School’s award-winning yearbook. Loving music, I play both the violin and flute. Additionally, I have dedicated hours of community service by volunteering at a local animal outreach facility. I also work 12 hours a week at a local coffee shop (Fire Dawg), babysit for several families, and have started my own photography business where I do an average of four sessions a month.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

Being selected to represent Union Mine at Girls State at the Claremont Colleges in Southern California. This is a program that selects young leaders to create a mock state government, from the campaign process to the elections of all state officials—from the governor to the dogcatcher.

What’s one thing that not many people know about you?

I was adopted and had open-heart surgery when I was three years old.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be completing a bachelor’s degree in graphic communication; the field of advertising has always appealed to me.

Who is your role model?

I’ve grown up in a very wonderful family that includes my extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Growing up in this environment, I learned how to become my own person, to stand up for myself, face challenges and deal with them, do the right thing, root for the underdog and be compassionate with the less fortunate. The major role model in my life, however, is my dad. He epitomizes everything I have learned and has always encouraged me to be the best I can be.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would love to go to Ireland. Part of my ancestry is Irish, and I would like to learn as much about the Emerald Isle as possible. Their history is fascinating, as they went from a Pagan Druid nation to a Catholic country with Saints Patrick and Bridget as their patron saints.