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In our recent Hootworthy interview, we chatted with Kayleigh, a 7th grader at GCA who's making waves in both the horse eventing and entrepreneurial worlds. Kayleigh started riding horses at the age of five, and her love for horses led her to the exciting sport of horse eventing. Her ten-year-old horse, Bold, has been her trusty companion for the past two years and is a big fan of the horse treats she makes.

Kayleigh's horse treats business began four years ago when she wanted to make special goodbye treats for a horse who was leaving. Using simple ingredients like flour, molasses, and royal icing, her treats are even safe for humans to eat. Friends loved her creations, and soon enough, she was selling treats at shows, via her website, and through Instagram. Kayleigh often walks around horse shows with a wagon full of treats, and her business thrives at these events.

For those unfamiliar with horse eventing, there are three phases: dressage, cross country, and show jumping. Kayleigh and Bold compete in dressage and show jumping but aren’t quite ready for cross-country, even though it’s Kayleigh’s favorite phase. She trains five days a week, working with her trainer to perfect their performance. Kayleigh's commitment to training paid off when she won a contest on Instagram, earning a chance to meet Canadian Equestrian Team athlete, Hawley Bennett-Awad, and her celebrity horse, Jolly Bo, at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, where she personally delivered her homemade treats. Check out this article that features her experience.

Balancing her schooling with her busy schedule, Kayleigh appreciates GCA's flexibility, allowing her to attend horse shows and catch up on classes through recordings. She gives a big shoutout to her supportive mom, her fantastic teachers, and of course, Bold, for making her achievements possible. Kayleigh's story is a true testament to what hard work and creativity can accomplish. Stay hootworthy, Kayleigh!

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In our latest Hootworthy interview, we chatted with Abby, a 2023 GCA graduate who found great success through GCA's work-based learning program at Zaxby’s. Abby’s journey began in 10th grade when she started working at Zaxby’s and later joined the Work-Based Learning Program thanks to a teacher’s suggestion. This program allowed her to balance work and school effectively, earning credit hours while gaining valuable on-the-job experience.

Abby set her sights on becoming an assistant manager and achieved that goal shortly after graduation. She chose Zaxby’s because she loved the brand, and the Work-Based Learning Program helped her grow as a worker while still attending school. Now, as an assistant manager, she’s responsible for leading a team of 8-10 people per shift, handling various challenges, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Her days are dynamic, with each day bringing new tasks and situations.

Balancing work and college, Abby works 35-45 hours a week, a feat she manages thanks to the skills she developed during high school. Reflecting on her high school experience, where she worked around 20 hours a week, Abby credits the Work-Based Learning Program with preparing her for her current schedule. She believes communication is key to leadership and stays open to dialogue with her team, leaders, and customers.

One of Abby’s most memorable moments was meeting Zack, the founder of Zaxby’s, who visited her store and had a meal. She advises students in work-based learning to go out and find a job, learn new skills, and enjoy the experience. For those who already have a job, she points out the benefits of earning credits while gaining work experience.

Looking ahead, Abby hopes to graduate from college and continue her career at Zaxby’s, potentially staying in the store. She gave a heartfelt shoutout to her school, the teacher who introduced her to the work-based learning program, and her company and boss for their support and guidance. Abby’s story is a great example of how work-based learning can lead to success and personal growth. Stay hootworthy, Abby

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In our latest Hootworthy interview, GCA students Jack, Michael, Gabe, and Joey shared their exciting journey of becoming published authors. From adventurous frogs and missing brothers to a popcorn-obsessed boy and a fox finding its way home, their creative stories and unique challenges offer a glimpse into their imaginative worlds. Balancing school and writing, these young authors have shown that with drive and support, anything is possible.