“A place for me to establish roots, be nourished, and grow, as a student and as a person.”

That is how Jaidyn Forrest, the 2021-2022 recipient of the Duke of the Year Award, feels about her four years at Gloucester High School. In her essay to the selection committee, Forrest used the analogy of a tiny seed growing to describe her experience at GHS.

“I realized quickly that in order to truly make the most of my time in high school, I would have to push through the soil and forge my way past the hundreds of other budding students,” wrote Forrest. “Luckily, my teachers that first year tended to me as a gardener tends to their plants. Their wisdom and guidance cultivated a deeper confidence within me and further encouraged me to develop my roots.”

Forrest has made her time at GHS about serving the community as well as her peers.

When she was only in the eighth grade, Forrest joined the “Ruriteens,” the youth branch of the Abingdon Ruritan Club. She enjoyed completing communit...