Meet Madeline Gruhn! Madeline is a senior at Gainesville High School and plans to attend Western Carolina University in the fall. Her parents are Matthew and Kendall Gruhn.
Please tell us a little bit about your family.
“My family is one of the most important things to me. My sister is one of my best friends and my mother and my father are two of the most important people to me.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“My plans after graduation are to attend Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. where I plan to major in the study of Nutrition and Dietetics. After that, I hope to gain an internship and pursue a future career in the Nutrition and Dietetics field.”
What are two of your favorite restaurants in our community?
“2 Dog, and Inn-Between.”
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
“If I could travel anywhere in the world right now, I would travel to Athens, Greece. Growing up, the Percy Jackson series was my favorite book series and that sparked my interest in wanting to visit and explore ancient worlds.”
What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
“‘Mama Mia.'”
If you were asked to give advice to your senior class and the younger students at your school, what would you say?
“If I were asked to give advice to my senior class and the younger students at my school about anything, I would say to not let anything hold you back from doing what you love. Being a teenager and dealing with all the pressures of being one is no easy thing to overcome. Finding a way to overcome that though, will only end in your complete success and help you on your way to greatness.”
If you were able to be cast as yourself into a television show or series, what show would you want to be in?
“If I were able to cast myself into a TV show, I would cast myself in the upcoming ‘Queen of Shadows’ show that is based off on one of my favorite book series.”
If you could choose anyone to have lunch with, who would you choose? Why? And where, locally, would you meet for this lunch?
“If I could have lunch with anyone, I would have one last lunch with my grandfather. He recently passed away and I would give anything for the chance to have one more conversation with him, and to tell him how much me meant to me. He inspired me to do so many things.”
What is your favorite thing about our community?
“The close-knit, family like setting.”
Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
“I see myself successful in my future career and taking care of my family.”
What is something on your bucket list?
“Something that has been on my bucket list since I can remember is to travel the world!”
What is your go to band / singer when you cant decide what to listen to?
“The Head and the Heart.”
Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
“My favorite month of the year is February (it’s my birthday month). My favorite holiday would have to be Fourth of July. I love firework shows and I always spend that holiday with my entire family up in the mountains. The single best day of the calendar, I think, would be Dec. 31. The beginning of a new year is always so exciting to me.”
What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
“Kraft Macaroni and Cheese!”
What is something you want to do as soon as this pandemic is finished?
“I want to go to the grocery store or some public place and just smile at people. I always try and smile at people whenever I can but masks make it hard to do that.”
Who inspires you to be better?
“My grandfather.”
