Michelle DiFiore
Age: 18 GPA: 4.2 College: University of California, San
Diego
Mornings for Michelle DiFiore begin at 5:30am. After getting
ready for school, she makes the commute from San Jose to Gilroy
High School.
Mornings for Michelle DiFiore begin at 5:30am. After getting ready for school, she makes the commute from San Jose to Gilroy High School.
Since sixth grade, she and her sister have split their time equally between Gilroy and San Jose since their parents divorced.
“But I consider Gilroy home,” she said.
Balancing the commute with her family life and academics has been difficult over the years, and something she’s quite proud of.
“My proudest accomplishments are my grades,” she said. “Ever since I was little, it was important for me to do well. … It’s kind of prepared me for college – the added responsibilities.”
A scholar athlete, DiFiore scored scholarships from the Gilroy Rotary Club, the California Scholarship Federation, Brownell Academy and was recognized as a Distinguished Athlete.
She will head to the University of California, San Diego, in the fall.
While she enters undecided about her major, DiFiore believes pursing medicine is in the cards.
For the past four years DiFiore has played basketball and volleyball for Gilroy High School as a forward and setter, trying to follow in the footsteps of her sister.
“My dad always encouraged his daughters to play. He’s like my own little coach,” DiFiore said. “He’s not loud, but somehow I always hear him.”
Despite the distance to San Diego, DiFiore knows she’ll remain close with her her family.
“Family’s really important to me,” she said. “I know that we’re going to stay close even though we’re far apart.”
