Life Outside the Law: Gabriella Passidomo ’19L
Gabriella Passidomo is a 3L from Naples, Florida and a graduate of the University of Florida. During law school, she has served as a key staff member for the W&L Outing Club, one of the busiest and most popular clubs on campus.
How did you get involved with the Outing Club?
My oldest sister (Catarina ’04) was part of the first class of key staffers back when she attended W&L as an undergraduate, and each year when the OC did their Everglades kayaking trip, the students would stop by our house for their first shower in a week (my mom made them jump in the pool first before coming inside) and to stay the night before heading back up to Lexington. That’s when I first met James Dick, the OC director. So when James approached me during 1L year about adding a law student key staff, I was ecstatic.
When I was little and would visit my sister at W&L we would have so much fun with the Outing Club. I have always preferred the outdoors (I’m solar-powered) and being active, and an opportunity to share my enthusiasm with like-minded folks and to encourage fellow law students to take advantage of the beautiful mountains encompassing our school was a no-brainer.
What has been a highlight of your participation with the OC?
Probably the greatest highlight to my time as key staff is the friendships I formed with the other key staffers. There isn’t much interaction between the law school and undergrad campuses, so the OC introduced me to a whole group of incredible people I would likely never have met.
In addition, we are so fortunate to be located minutes from the iconic Appalachian Trail and some of the best climbing spots in Goshen Pass.
How has staying involved with the OC helped you as a law student?
I’m a firm believer that the key to success in life is balance. For me, that balance comes in the form of long trail runs and climbing the bouldering wall with the Outing Club. Doing these things made me a more efficient and engaged student. Likewise, studying until my brain felt like mush made me even more appreciative of those moments when I could close the book and head to a trail. No matter how you do it, finding activities and surrounding yourself with people that will help you strike that equilibrium will make the rigors of law school much more tolerable…and dare I say, even fun?
