EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Owen Gibson navigates life with a purpose.
The Eau Claire Memorial senior earned his CNA license a year ago and now works part time at Dove Healthcare, an assisted living facility. It’s part of a longer-term plan he’s executing, all while balancing everything else that comes with being a student-athlete.
“I like the people, honestly. They’re the best part of this job. I get to interact with individuals who’ve got so much wisdom,” said Gibson. “The years of experience and stories I get to hear from them have taught me a lot of life lessons. It’s made me want to understand who I want to be in the future.”
The key to Gibson’s future lies in his past.
“My grandfather passed away from Alzheimer’s disease when I was about 7 years old and I can see the toll that that took on him. I was in a nursing home a lot during that time period. It ignited this little spark in me to want to pursue a field that I could help people,” said Gibson.
Working part time as a CNA is not the norm for most high school students.
“I think it’s funny. Sometimes I get text messages about shifts I can pick up on in the middle of school. I’m like, I can’t pick up a shift because I’m taking a math test right now,” said Gibson.
Gibson isn’t coasting through his senior year to pad his GPA. He takes difficult high school classes to prepare himself for the future. Gibson ultimately plans on becoming a radiologist or back surgeon.
“It makes me want to wake up every day and pursue that. No matter if it’s when I get home from school, study for an extra hour, watch YouTube videos I’m interested in, or even go to Mayo Clinic and ask people like, how can I shadow your job?”
His junior varsity basketball coach and English teacher Brandon Gullicksrud calls Gibson a “Star of Stars.”
“He’s somebody that followed through on everything, held himself to a high standard with all the work he completed. I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention just the kindness that Owen possesses, just his ability to work with anybody,” said Gullicksrud.
Besides basketball, Gibson also plays soccer and runs track. He recalled going to state as part of an 800-meter relay team.
“It’s just so loud coming back down that final stretch of that 800 meters. It’s something you can’t really explain to anyone unless they’ve experienced it because everyone is just screaming at you to run fast,” said Gibson.
Head basketball coach Chad Brieske said Gibson always puts the team first and called him a great leader.
“He’s the epitome of what we hope to create here at Memorial, not just as an athlete but as a student-athlete. He embodies the vision of the Eau Claire Area School District,” said Brieske.
Brieske heaped high praise on Gibson.
“If my own kids grow up to be like Owen, I’d consider myself a success as a father,” said Brieske.
Gullicksrud said a future Dr. Gibson would be the kind of person he’d trust with his family’s health care decisions.
“Owen Gibson is absolutely one of those people that I’d want to be able to connect with,” said Gullicksrud.
Gibson said he is focused on reaching his goals to better his life, all while helping those around him.
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