Schools

Driven By Renewed Purpose, Falls Grad Has Bright Future

In her four years at Menomonee Falls High School, senior Gianna Tarantino has taken personal responsibility and made difficult decisions to turn her life around. She's found a renewed sense of purpose and motivation as she approaches graduation day.

Menomonee Falls High School senior Gianna (Gigi) Tarantino is poised to graduate on June 15 with renewed poise, dedication, and purpose to chart a course to reach her goals.  

However, it wasn’t always that way for Tarantino.

When she first walked the halls as a freshman at MFHS, she was caught in a general malaise about her education, who her friends were, and who she wanted to be. But with the support of family, MFHS teachers and staff, and old-fashioned determination, she’s taken the personal initiative to undergo a personal metamorphosis. A practice in personal accountability that many teens her age fail to accomplish. 

And many folks at MFHS have noted the change in her outlook.

Tarantino earned a scholarship for the most improved student after she wowed a board of interviewers on the Menomonee Falls Scholarship Foundation.  

“What I will always remember about Gigi is how she has matured over her early adolescent years…in eighth and ninth grade the intensity of her emotions made it difficult for her to focus on her studies and maintain healthy relationships,” said Jeffrey Sherry, MFHS teacher and mentor to Tarantino. “In the past couple of years she has made tremendous progress.”  

A Difficult Transition     

When Tarantino started high school, she was admittedly surrounding herself with friends that were a poor influence. Her grandmother had died. Doing well in school wasn’t a priority. Her grades were suffering.   

“When I started high school, I still was in anxiety mode about school. I was afraid to grow up,” Tarantino said. “I was kind of going through a phase of depression, and I was surrounding myself with the wrong friends.”   

Sherry recalled a time during a talent show where Tarantino, a freshman at the time, stepped to the microphone and screamed out a poem she had written and ran back off stage.   

“It was a raw, and painful moment,” Sherry said.   

But near the beginning of her junior year, Tarantino grew introspective. She knew she couldn’t continue on the path she was headed. She began to do what many teenagers struggle with; she made difficult and mature decisions to change her life for the better.   

“I was noticing some of my other friends excelling at school. My grades were not good, and I was getting in big arguments with my parents,” Tarantino said. 
At that point she began to change her life.   

Coming Out of Her Shell 

Sometimes, the most difficult thing for a young person is to shed friends that have a negative effect on their lives. There’s a fear of isolation, but also a fear of remaining in relationships that are unhealthy. Sometimes, it's a paralyzing pressure for a young person. 

Tarantino boldly changed who she surrounded herself with. She sought support from teacher mentors and her guidance counselors. Change came quickly.   

“I focused on studying, surrounding myself with the right people, paying attention,” Tarantino said. “It was very difficult when my grandmother died, and she would always help me. I know she’s watching down on me, so I want to do the things she would want me to.”  
 
One of Tarantino’s proudest moments was improving her grade in math – a subject she’s not a fan of – progressively up to an ‘B.’   

“It was a great thing for me to see. It really helped me let go of the insecurities that I carried with me,” Tarantino said.   

It wasn’t just her grades that improved; she also came out of her shell and brightened the days of so many at MFHS. She rekindled her passion for music, and truly had renewed purpose. 

On Wednesday alone, Tarantino spoke at a D.A.R.E. graduation, received her scholarship, and performed an award-winning piano recital.   

“I’ve always wanted to sing and play music. It’s been my dream, Tarantino said.

Since her turnaround, she’s sung the National Anthem at countless Falls sporting events and hopes to forge a future in music after graduation. She’s also been a diligent and responsible assistant in the high school front office.   

“She makes a bad day really, really good,” said MFHS teacher Nancy Laserstein.
 
A note from Tarantino on the whiteboard of guidance counselor Stacy Schuester’s office was just one example of how she brings a smile to so many in small ways. 

“We’re doing what we love everyday as guidance counselors and teachers. Our goal is to have every student in Menomonee Falls walk the halls with a purpose. Gigi is what it’s all about being an educator,” Schuester said. “She perseveres, and now when she’s starts something she finishes it.”   

Most importantly, her parents have noted the amazing change in Tarantino’s outlook.   

“Gianna has the most trusting heart I know, and I couldn’t be more proud of how she uses her heart and passion to succeed,” said her mother Jennifer Tarantino.

Toward the Future 

When Tarantino walks across the stage June 15 and grabs her diploma, it’ll be a bittersweet moment. She’ll say goodbye to support group of teachers, staff, and close-knit group of friends from high school. 

However, she’s committed to enrolling in the Jumpstart Program over the summer and will attend University of Wisconsin – Waukesha in fall. She’ll start right away in July getting prepared for the rigors of college courses, but it’s a challenge Tarantino is ready to take head on. She hopes her education will drive her toward a career in music. 

 “As long as I know I can get through college, I can get through anything. It’s nerve-wracking, but I’m ready,” Tarantino said. 


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