If you've ever been to a Lawrence Nelson Raiders game, you've probably met Gabriella Herbek, otherwise known as Gabi. That's where I met her. I was sitting in the bleachers at a basketball game when she sat beside me and began talking my ear off.

Gabi is a resident of Lawrence and graduated from Lawrence Nelson High School in 2016. She knows just about everyone, and if she doesn't know you, she is not afraid to say Hello. Gabi has a smile to share and a positive attitude.

When she was just eight months old, she had her first seizure. This was followed by three or four more, which put her mental development behind other children of the same age. Gabi is smart as a whip, but she is not as quick to catch on as others her age. She is considered autistic by her doctors and teachers.

Gabi attended middle school in Hastings, where they had a class for students with special needs. But when her mom, Sandi, saw she was falling behind in school, she got in touch with Lawrence-Nelson Schools and had Gabi transferred. A special curriculum was created for her in order to get her caught up and keep her on track.

While attending Lawrence-Nelson, Gabi participated in volleyball, basketball and track. She also played baseball in the Special Olympics and wishes she could again. Her favorite subject was social studies, which Mr. Hild taught.

After graduation, Gabi attended an 18+ special education program at CCC in Hastings and the ACE program in Clay Center. Young adults with disabilities are not eligible to enter into agencies such as Mid-Nebraska or Goodwill until they are 21 years old. These types of programs keep young adults with special needs moving along in their education until such a time they qualify for these types of programs.

Gabi now works parttime in Hastings at an ice cream parlor called Special Scoops. She said her favorite part of the job is the customers and her co-workers. "It feels like a family, like a second home, and it's my comfort zone."

Special Scoops was created to give special people an opportunity to work, become more independent and self-reliant. Here she works a few hours a week, serving customers and helping make malts. Currently, she is on a winter break. She enjoys her job quite a bit and is looking forward to spring so she can get back to it.

Gabi Herbek of Lawrence started working at Special Scoops in Hastings about two years ago. Here she is pictured with customers of the ice cream parlor. Gabi's favorite part of her job is her customers and seeing them smile.

Her employer said. "She is a good worker. Very friendly. She's always ready to pitch in whatever needs to be done. She seems to know everyone and they know her.'

Gabi hopes to attend the Nebraska Transition College in Lincoln. She dreams of working either with animals or children and having a family of her own. Gabi is both excited and nervous about setting off into the world on her own. On the one hand, she would like to meet new people and see new places, but she is worried about not having her family close to help when needed.