Gabriella Franco was determined to attend Maritime College. Committed to row at the U.S. Naval Academy, she unexpectedly received a denial email one month before her high school graduation.  Although initially devastated, she refused to give up. When she learned about an Open House at Maritime, she drove straight there, walked up to Captains Smith and Hanft and said, "You don't know me, but I'll be starting here in August!" As promised, Franco returned in August to begin studying Marine Transportation with a double minor in Law and Intermodal Maritime Security. "It was a very backwards way of getting into Maritime, but it is the best thing that happened. You have to go through different trials, but eventually it will lead you to where you are meant to be."

Franco immediately set a goal to strengthen her leadership skills. In her sophomore year, she was chosen as the Section 1 Chief Squad Leader of the IDO/SQL program. The following year, she was selected as the Chief Indoctrination Officer, the highest-ranking position in charge of the entire MUG class and a staff of 60-70 individuals. "It was a tremendous experience. I was 20 years old and leading 470 people; I knew my friends at large universities didn't have this opportunity."

Her craving for leadership and management led her to assume the position of Cadet Second Officer during the Summer Sea Term. Aboard the ship, she led over 600 students. "This position helped me with peer-to-peer mentorship and leadership skills, which I was able to transfer to my position as the Regimental Commander."

As Regimental Commander, Franco represents the entire Regiment of Cadets. She makes crucial decisions on behalf of the Regiment in addition to planning, organizing, and executing events. The most challenging lesson she has learned is to balance her duties to uphold rules and regulations and her friendships. "People know I'm going to hold them accountable, but if they ever need something, I am the first person they can turn to, and that is something I am very proud of."

Franco hopes to pursue a master's degree upon graduation and ultimately work for an intelligence agency within the marine sector.