High school is an important four years and often times during these years one is shaped into the person they will be for the rest of their live.

One learns their passions and their talents and usually what they want to do for the next four years.

Sometimes it works out and sometimes it does not. But for Woodland graduate, Amanda Gagne it seemed to work out just perfectly.

Gagne graduated with the class of 2011 and is currently a sophomore at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. Here she is an International Relations and Diplomacy major and Women and Gender Studies and Spanish minor.

Just recently Gagne received an award called the On the Shoulders We Stand. This is an award given to one undergraduate and one graduate student who demonstrate commitment to women’s rights and is an outstanding female leader in their community.

Currently Gagne is the President of Seton Hall’s chapter of Women for Women International. She is also the secretary of Seton Hall’s chapter of Amnesty International. She is a Half the Sky Campus Ambassador and a Servant Leader Scholar.

While only a sophomore in college it is clear that Gagne is busy at work.

“As President of Women for Women,” said Gagne, “it is my responsibility to plan and lead all the meetings, plan and host events, and research different events for us to attend.”

Some of these events include things like a screening of the Half the Sky and the Girl Rising.

“As a Half the Sky Campus Ambassador, I am able to spread the message of Half the Sky on my campus and in the community with the help of a campus team and my fellow ambassadors from around the world,” said Gagne

Recently Gagne was able to travel to El Salvador for a week during her spring break where she volunteered with an organization called DOVE.

While Gagne has done a lot in college it did not all start there.

“My experiences with Woodland for Women Worldwide have made me the person I am today,” said Gagne, “I owe it all to Mrs. Flaherty and Ms. Olivere who will always be my biggest inspiration.”

Gagne admits that the book Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn has changed her life.

“Even since my junior year of high school when I became a founding member of Woodland for Women I knew that fighting for women’s rights is what I’m meant to do with my life,” said Gagne.

Gagne remembers the Run for Revolution during her senior year of 2011 and remembers Somaly Mam’s appearance at the event. Gagne admits that Somaly Mam is her biggest hero and was lucky to meet with her a second time when she attended the Brave is Beautiful Fundraiser with some girls from Women for Women International.

“It was not until I returned from El Salvador just a few weeks ago that I understood the true meaning of leadership and that the most important aspect of it is education,” said Gagne. “I realized that all of the work I do is not about me—it’s about helping the people I’m serving, which includes my peers. This is why winning this award has made me feel incredibly grateful and humble that I have been able to influence those around me and give a voice to those who are unable to speak for themselves.”

So while high school can be a tough four years Gagne is proof that your dreams can come true and you can make a difference.

Looking back on her high school years Gagne offers students advice.

“I would encourage Woodland students to not let their dreams be only dreams once they leave high school. Don’t be afraid to take chances or to fail, it is the only way you will be able to learn and to grow into the person you are meant to be,” said Gagne.

Gagne quotes from Oscar Romero, a Salvadorian priest, who once said, “We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something and to do it very well.”

High school is just the beginning and Gagne embraces this idea as she continues to follow her passions and her dreams.

“Whatever passion someone may have, it is important to understand that one person can’t do everything,” said Gagne, “but that they can do everything to the best of their ability.”