Giovanni Klahr, better known as Gio, is a senior at Hamburg who has big post-secondary plans. With a larger than life personality on his side, Gio aims to dive into the music scene or another aspect of performing arts. Before he pursues his entertainment career, Gio plans to join the workforce and get his general education credits online. He says that it makes sense economically and that he does not feel that he would thrive in a college setting.

Gio has been a part of Publications, the Gay Straight Alliance, Fashion Club and Audio Visual Communications for a number of years, even becoming the Vice President of Fashion Club in his senior year. When he is not working, Gio loves to go on runs, make music, and do drag.

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With four years of high school under his belt, Gio has a few words of advice for incoming freshmen. “Get your grad project done!” he instructed. He says that it is an easy project, and it is best to get it out of the way. “Be yourself, as cheesy as it sounds,” he went on to add. Gio said he did not live authentically for quite a while during high school, and things only started to get better once he accepted and expressed his true self. He goes on to add that his favorite high school memory was coming out in tenth grade, which let him live as his authentic self. Gio went on to say that “high school is temporary, and you have to learn how to adapt.” High school can be rough, but it is possible to get through.

Reflecting on his high school experience, Gio wishes he had been nicer to people and been more true to himself as he did not always feel like he did those things, but with a world of opportunity ahead of him, Gio has the rest of his life to explore the fabulous world around him.