Gabe Purin will be attending the University of Vermont in the fall. He's planning to major in kinesiology (the scientific study of human movement) and exercise science. “I'm interested in physical therapy,” he said. “There are a lot of different aspects of kinesiology.”

But that’s not set in stone. He is keeping his options open.

With his stellar academic achievements, his involvement in practically every sport Boothbay Region High School offers, and his admirable work ethic, Gabe is bound to succeed in whatever career he chooses to pursue. And being one of the top ten students in his graduating class has been something he’s hoped for.

“I was interviewed early in the school year about being student body president,” he said. “At the time I said one of my goals was to be one of the top ten. So I didn't really know if I'd make it but I was striving for it.”

Gabe's baseball coach, Josh Garneau, was instrumental in helping him close in on a major at college. “He is a physical therapist at St. Andrews,” Gabe said. “Last season we got to talking and I told him I was interested in anatomy and body movement. He told me about his experience at UMaine at Farmington, and I got interested in a physical therapy track.”

Gabe has played football and baseball all four years, and he hasn't slacked in other areas. “I jumped in to every single winter sport the school has to offer, except for swimming,” he said. “I even did jiu-jitsu one winter a couple years ago.”

He said he’s also involved with local Channel 7. “It's a second semester work study program. I'm helping create film and video for local access programming, and making some videos for myself.”

Gabe has been involved with the television station for a few years. “I got on board with Jonne (Trees) early. I videotaped basketball games during my freshman year, then started commentating on them. Then a buddy got a drone and we started helping out with making videos.”

He admits that he doesn't have a lot of free time. “I look at it this way — if I keep busy then I have to manage my time to get anything done, so if I have a big homework assignment, and give myself a specific amount of time to do it, then I have to get it done. That way I really can't procrastinate.”

Gabe also participates in school musical productions. He has performed in two musicals and a one-act play, and is now rehearsing for another one.

This summer, Gabe will be working three jobs. He'll be helping out at his mother's ice cream shop, Sarah's Scoops, some nights and Sundays.

But mostly he'll be at Glidden Point Oyster Farm, where he has worked for the past three summers.

“I love my job,” he said. “I got a job there the summer after sophomore year and it has definitely changed my life for the better. It has helped me learn responsibility.”