Gina Ballard: Distinguished Student

Only a couple weeks left until graduation and this week’s United Dairymen of Idaho Distinguished Student Award winner is excited. Madison High School senior, Gina Ballard, excels in many areas of school.

Gina is involved in the Madison High School Choir program and loves it.

“I have always liked music,” Gina says. “I’ve always been really passionate about it because it’s a way for me to express myself without using words – it’s another mode of expression.”

Singing, dancing, just about anything musical is a highlight of Gina’s day. Whether it’s music or student government Gina finds it rewarding to be involved in activities with friends.

“They’re very important, especially to me, because it’s one thing to go to school and do homework and everything, but it’s after school with my friends that I really have enjoyment and that helps me enjoy the whole academic part too,” Gina says.

Speaking of academics, Gina excels there too. She’s taken a wide variety of AP classes and done well in all of them. It’s exposed her to a lot of different fields and helped her narrow down what she’s most interested in.

“I actually enjoy history and government,” Gina says. “I’m planning to major in political science.”

After she gets her degree from BYU, Gina wants to be involved in international politics, maybe even be an ambassador. Looking back on her high school years, Gina has this advice.

“Get involved, because that’s the best way I’ve found to meet people and to be able to feel like you’re actually doing something, and I think being involved just enriches all the things you do,” Gina says.