Abby Smith
Talk to Abby for five minutes and she gives off that native Portland vibe. A vibrant personality paired with an Oregon Ducks lanyard and self-taught ukulele skills, this junior soccer player fits in seamlessly with a number of crowds. However, once you get to know her and her story, you recognize how her life in and her move from Colorado shape the person she is today. The oldest of 4, and the lone girl, Abby recognizes the impact her place in her family has on her brothers and she strives to make life easier on them, “I want to be the positive female role model that they don’t currently have, someone they know they can always come to.” She’s well on her way to doing so. Abby is active, she plays soccer for Jeff, but admits that she misses the snowboarding and bouldering that were readily available back home.
Though she’s apprehensive about life in a new space, she doesn’t envision fleeing from it. Partly because of the familial ties to University of Oregon, “dad grew up in Eugene, my aunt graduated from there,” and partly because her brothers are really enjoying the move. She notes that they “love it here” and that they are happy in their new home.
Abby seems to be happy too, she relishes the chance to make “her own way in life” and part of that is adjusting to a new state, a new city, and a new school halfway through her high school career. Tough as that may seem, it’s the perseverance and dedication that her dad modeled and instilled in her that she sees as her driving force. Her dad’s job in the military sparked the move to Oregon, but it was his consistent presence in her and her siblings life that sparked a lot more within Abby. As a single dad, her father never made excuses or shortcuts when it came to his children. She understands that it was a tough job for him, but is inspired by the way he always made it work. Of her dad, Abby says, “I want to be just like him, because he’s super cool.” In our eyes, she’s already super cool and well on her way to being that positive role model she strives to be.
When asked what she sees as the biggest difference between the Abby of last year and the Abby of this year, she pauses before answering, “I am more cautious with who I associate myself with. I couldn’t see if people were being genuine to me, but now I can see that.” Lucky enough for all of us in the Journalism room, she’s chosen to associate herself with us.