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Business interest, faith guide senior
By LINDSAY ALEXANDER
Aside from creating an online auction website for music and guitars his junior year, purchasing and operating a lawn business for three and a half years before passing it on to his freshman brother William Gauthier two months ago, and buying ATVs and dirt bikes to fix and resell, senior Benjamin Gauthier also applied to Harvard.
While not admitted, Gauthier did receive an interview, and according to a BusinessWeek interview with Harvard Admission’s Director Brit Dewey, only the “strongest candidates” receive interviews.
Adding to the list of accomplishments, senior Benjamin Gauthier is salutatorian. The sole B occupying his high school transcript is from Advanced Placement World History class.
“I never even really thought about being valedictorian or salutatorian. I expected to do well but didn’t make the connection. [Being salutatorian] is a reflection of my personality, [of] always having to be right and perfect; or near perfect, because I’m salutatorian,” Gauthier said.
However, being salutatorian is not Gauthier’s greatest accomplishment.
“The best thing I’ve been able to do in high school is develop multiple skills. My greatest accomplishment is trying everything, [from] traveling overseas to be well rounded to creating businesses,” Gauthier said.
Gauthier attends University of Central Florida as an early admission student this year. Next year, he will continue to study at UCF, double majoring in mechanical engineering and economics. He wants to pursue a career in venture capital. Bill Daniel’s Entrepreneurial Principles class sparked Gauthier’s interest in business his freshman year.
Outside of school, Gauthier’s number one priority is his walk with God.
“[Walking with God] helps me be structured and maintain focus on what’s important. It helps me focus on my family and people who indirectly support me, which helps my grades,” Gauthier said. “I want to be successful in the business world or create a lasting enterprise and use it as a ministry opportunity to help people with their spiritual or physical needs.”
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