Senior Spotlight: Gabrielle Wright

Comanche Nation Tribal Member and Lady Wolverine Gabrielle Wright plays outside and setter on the volleyball team for Lawton High School.

She also plays basketball and runs track, and her dad, a former McDonald’s All-American, played a big part in getting her into sports.

“When I was moving with my dad in Killeen, Texas, he had my sisters do sports, and so when I had moved, he wanted me to get involved with that,” Wright said. “So, he put us in our local, what is it, kind of like, I guess you could say our YMCA, but it wasn't called that at the time. And so, he just kind of threw me in there, and I realized how much I enjoyed volleyball, and I was good at it, so I kept on with it and the other sports as well.”

She started running before high school and has won several gold medals in track. 

Wright is also involved in the fencing club, anime club and chess club, but is most proud of joining fencing club.
 

“First, it was just, like, something to do so it could look good for college applications, you know? But then, once I had gotten there, and I, you know, took the time to really, like, focus on what I was doing in there, not just to waste time, I realized I actually enjoyed this,” she said. “Like, I love anime. Me and my younger brother, we watch anime all the time. So, I definitely, that was just a reason to just watch whenever I'm not at home. Fencing, I always dreamed of fencing when I was younger, because it always looked cool when it came on the movies, when I was watching on TV. But I never did it because I was like, ‘I'm probably not as strong or as athletic.’”

But after Wright talked to the fencing instructor, Wright found another sport to enjoy.

“She was telling me about the things that they do, and she told me to come and stop by after I was done doing basketball training. And I went in there, and they had snacks, so of course I was like, ‘Okay, this is a plus, this is a green.’ I love to eat,” she said. “And then they put me in the whole gear. I got out there, they showed me a few things, and when I did it, I was like, this is very fun. I get to hurt people for free. Like, not even that, but it's a good cardio exercise. It definitely helps with my arms because I'm constantly holding a sword and having my arms up, and it's very good for my legs.”

Wright has had several personal accomplishments over the years.

“One is definitely becoming an independent woman, learning how to be an adult by working constantly all the time, picking up my brothers from practice or school whenever, helping them out, helping my mom out,” she said. “And then also following my relationship with my Lord above; trying my best to do His will and spread goodness and kindness around, show His reflection of love.”

Wright said leaving her childhood friends is going to be difficult.

“I'm definitely going to miss seeing the kids that I grew up with since elementary because we've all been going to the same schools since forever,” she said. “So, once we graduate and we go, and we all go our separate ways, I think it's definitely going to be hard because I'm used to just laughing and making jokes and getting in trouble with them and a lot, going out to eat with them and all.”

Wright has her eyes set on Stanford University, Southeastern Louisiana University and The University of Oklahoma.

“They are schools who love to win. They love to work. They love the grind. They love the sweat, the tears. They love it all,” she said. “And they definitely make me want to be on top of everything. You know what I'm saying? Like, stand on top of the world and just rule over everybody.”

Wright has two occupations in mind post-college.

“Either become a welder because they make real good money, and it would definitely come in handy if I need to fix something at home by myself when I live by myself and I don't have my brothers around or nothing,” she said. “Also, become a vet, because I am an animal person. I have like six dogs at home, and they're all my children, literally. I love them. I want animals to survive everywhere because they're a big part of our life. They were here first, you know? They're the whole reason why we get to live because if we don't have animals, we can't eat or anything.”

Wright said her mom keeps her in touch with her heritage.

“She has a big Comanche Lord of the Plains flag in her house, and just looking at that definitely reminds me of my roots and my bloodline,” she said. “She talks about my grandmother, who passed before I was born, Margaret Jane Poahway. She talks about the things that she taught my mom. Enjoying our culture food, like Indian tacos and fried bread and all that. Wearing our traditional braids every now and then, especially for basketball, is one way, and taking Native American classes at school.”