Gabby Gerdue

Gabby Gerdue was a member of the Argonia Jr/Sr High School KAY club. She joined KAY at the urging of her 7th grade math teacher Joan Hemberger, who assured her of how great the club was and how fun it could be. According to Gabby, “I honestly was just trying to get her off my back…little did I know it was one of the best things I could have done.” Gabby attended KAY Leadership Camp from 7th grade until her senior year of high school! Gabby recalled meal times at camp as a fond memory. Meals at KLC are served family style and of course, always with the best manners. Gabby notes that these lessons have stuck with her for the rest of her life. Today, she reinforces these lessons with her boys.

Of all her favorite KAY memories to choose from, Gabby notes that getting up on the stage in the auditorium at KLC and dancing while encouraging her fellow campers to do so and have fun before morning sessions was one of her favorite memories.

Gabby credits her sponsor, Joan Hemberger, with fueling her passion for KAY.  “I absolutely could not thank her enough for getting me involved in such a great program,” she says. “I was an officer for the KAY program during my junior and senior year and loved it.” KAY made Gabby strive to do her absolute best in everything she does. It changed her life by helping helping her open her shell.

Today, Gabby works as a Receiver for Legacy Aviation Services. Her job involves ensuring that aircraft parts received are logged into their system in order to be stored in their warehouse.

Gabby is a great example of how the KAY program changes lives, and leaves us with life-long lessons! We appreciate her sharing her memories and connections to the KAY program!