LEXINGTON, Ky. — Students at Lexington's Frederick Douglass High School may not notice Gwenn Ganadillio, but they should.
Gwenn told Spectrum News 1 that she is a shy person who doesn't talk a lot in class but she does work really hard.
In fact, Gwenn is a quiet storm -- achieving a 4.0 GPA while volunteering at multiple local charities, including the school's psychology club and working at a part-time job.
"Staying positive is a very big factor," Ganadillio told Spectrum News 1. "When you make a mistake, to reflect back on it and fix it. You just keep going. Persistence.
Gwenn is Filipino, but it's another culture that has captivated her. Since kindergarten, she has studied Chinese, a culture she says she loves.
"In my opinion, it's easier to understand the characters than Japanese or Korean. So I really like it." She added, "I think it's very pretty."
She plans to major in Chinese studies at the University of Kentucky and then according to those who know her, the sky's the limit.
"You see a lot of immaturity in teenagers, " said Kara Cowan. Cowan is one of Gwenn's teachers. She added, "You know they're still developing, they're still trying to figure out their way. So when you find a student that's already recognized that she wants to go in the ethical and moral way, it is inspiring. It really is."