Do the Right Thing of Miami, Inc., honored students who go above and beyond at school and in their communities during its monthly ceremony on Jan. 24.
The organization said Abigail Batic, a senior at Hialeah Gardens High School, wants to become a veterinarian. Abigail, 17, fosters animals and is credited with creating her school’s safe club, where students work with animals to reduce anxiety.
“She also created a cat patio at the school,” said Ariadna Espinosa, executive director for Do The Right Thing of Miami, Inc.
Abigail is dual-enrolled at Florida International University and holds a 3.97 grade point average, her mother Paola Batic said.
Those good grades may help Abigail be eligible for a Bright Futures Scholarship, Espinsoa said.
The organization gave Abigail a tablet; a plaque; a free pizza from Papa Johns; an Amazon gift card; two tickets to a Miami Marlins game and tickets to Zoo Miami and Island Queen Cruises.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Naples and Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Miami wrote letters to congratulate Abigail.
In photo, shown from left, Papa Johns mascot Mr. Slice; Miami Police Dept. Asst. Chief Richard Perez; Hialeah Gardens High School Asst. Principal Michelle Dehghani; Miami Police Asst. Chief Chiquita Butler; Abigail’s mother Paola Batic; Abigail Batic; father Jeffrey Batic; Miami Dade Schools Police Commander Lourdes Hodges and Miami Dade Police North Division Chief Shawn Browne. Courtesy photo.