Mikhaela Gene Abarientos – 2026 Outstanding Graduate of Audio & Video Production Technology
Mikhaela Gene Abarientos has been intrigued by movies and how they are made since she was a child. As a native of the Philippines and now a Gaston graduate, she’s on her way to follow her dreams in her home country.
“I am passionate about filmmaking and that is the path that I want to take,” Abarientos said. “I want to be a film director somewhere in the future. I want to work at a studio and create my first feature film that would win many awards and inspire other people to pursue their dreams even though it seems impossible.”
She graduated from Hunter Huss High School in 2024, with plans to pursue her interest in filmmaking, and it all came together when she received a scholarship to Gaston College for an audio and video production technology degree.
“I got some scholarships for different schools, but it was not enough to cover the costs,” she said. “But then I discovered Gaston College and got the GC Promise Scholarship. That’s when I knew that this was the place I would go and the place where I would excel.”
The GC Promise Scholarship helped cover in-state tuition and fees not covered by other aid. With the help of this scholarship, she immersed herself in the school’s audio and video production technology program and quickly connected with the curriculum.
“I saw how hands-on it was and the skills I would learn and use in the future when I get to be a part of the filmmaking industry, hopefully, or anything related to the entertainment industry,” Abarientos said.
She recently showcased her talents representing Gaston at SkillsUSA in Greensboro. Abarientos shared that one of her professors, Ms. Kate Carmody, encouraged her to take on this challenge, and she is grateful for the extra push.
“At first, I was worried about the competition; it seemed terrifying to me. Ms. Carmody encouraged me that I could do it and that our team would do well,” Abarientos said. “With that, our team just did amazingly. We work great as a team, and I am truly grateful for her believing in me.”
Abarientos and her classmate, Erika Danielle Shelton, placed first in the Video Production category and now have the chance to compete at SkillsUSA Nationals in June.
“I am so proud to represent Gaston College in the SkillsUSA Challenge. It is truly an honor, and I will forever be grateful,” she said. “As a Filipina, I am so proud to represent my country, the Philippines, and our excellence.”
After the competition concludes, Abarientos plans to travel back to her homeland to further her studies.
“I am going to the Philippines to study mass communications or filmmaking at a university there,” she said. “I am excited to apply and hopefully get into the universities there.”
Abarientos reflects on how this career path has motivated her to represent herself, her community, and her heritage.
“Everything happens for a reason, and the special thing about my journey here at Gaston is the connection that I have created with people here,” she said. “The people around me were truly amazing and I will cherish it forever.”
