Gifft Hill School valedictorian Coral Breuning, 17, will be off to Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., in the fall.
The college allows students to structure their own majors, and she plans to study nutrition, sports medicine and environmental sustainability. Once her studies get under way, she said she’ll see where it takes her when it comes to deciding on a career.
“I’m trying not to plan too much,” she said.
The future is wide open, but Breuning said she’d like to work in the field of sustainability.
“Maybe open my own company,” she said.
While Massachusetts’ frigid winters won’t be her favorite, she said she really likes the change of seasons, as well as spring and fall.
The faster pace will be an adjustment because she likes St. John slower lifestyle.
“I feel like people are a little more easy going,” she said.
Breuning definitely has adventure on her mind. She wants to spend a semester abroad, preferably somewhere where Spanish is spoken so she can perfect her skills in that language.
“I want to see the world,” she said.
She’s already spent two semesters studying on the mainland while a Gifft Hill student. In fall 2009, she attended the Outdoor Academy in Pisgah Forest, N.C. and in spring 2011 she went off to the Conserve School in Land O’ Lakes, Wis. Both schools are one-semester programs that allow students to study outdoors and environmental subjects and expand their horizons.
Born on a boat while her parents sailed around South Africa, she moved to St. John when she was around age three. She started pre-school school at what was then called Pine Peace School, now Gifft Hill School. Except for those two semesters abroad and a year of home schooling, she spent all her school years at Gifft Hill.
With only a small class, the students know each other well.
“It’s nice having a close bond with kids you’ve grown up with,” she said.
Breuning said competition for the valedictorian’s spot was keen, but hard work, determination and her love of learning gave her the edge to beat out her 10 other classmates.
“I don’t like to give up,” she said.
At Gifft Hill, she participated in track and field, and is ranked second for St. Thomas/St. John district for this year. She volunteered to coach younger students in track and field, served as co-president of the student council, chaired the prom committee, and organized various trips and dances.
“She is a special kid. She’s mature beyond her years, an awesome leader and always involved,” school counselor Meghan Duffy said.
Now that she has a summer break before she heads off to Hampshire, Breuning is busy with her job in sales at Big Planet in Mongoose Junction, boating, surfing, hanging out at the beach with friends, and of course, spending time with her family. Her father is Peter Breuning and her mother is Martha Hollander.
“We’re extremely proud of her. She’s been an inspiration, and she’s fun,” her mother said.
