The employees of Allie’s Tack & Feed shop don’t see much of freshman Tiffany Gifford anymore. Since the economy has gotten so bad, the sixteen-year-old has not been able to afford her beloved collectible horses­­—miniature manifestations of her passion for the large animal. Instead, she’s been saving up for a haircut, an investment that most consider a right rather than a hard-earned privilege.

                Despite the hard financial times, Gifford finds ways to exert her passions free of charge. She is a member of True North and a self-taught pianist. “I use my ears to learn songs,” she said, “even though I would like to learn how to read music.”

While she may not be able to read notes, she can certainly sing melodies. Since the age of six, Gifford has participated in the choir at Quidnessett Baptist Church. In the process she had made some of her closest friends and has enjoyed performing at numerous nursing homes. “Everyone in our church cares for each other,” she said. “Like, if you really need some money we can help you out so you can support yourself.”

To add to her list of extra-curricular activities, Gifford hopes to soon become a regular at Homework Club meetings.

“My biggest accomplishment is passing middle school,” said Gifford, noting that her high school classes are much better than in previous years.

Currently, she is most interested in Ms. Wolke’s resource writing class, which “gets you thinking.” Her favorite assignment is to read a book and write about it. If she keeps up the hard work, next year Gifford will be able to take some art classes and maybe even join the chorus.

Spurred by her love of horses, Gifford has decided that she wants to spend her life saving animals. Her long-term goal is to attend a veterinary college, but for now she wants to focus on school, spend time with her friends, and lead a faithful life. “I don’t read the Bible every day and I don’t pray every day, but I have something,” said Gifford. “I would be a worse person without my religion.”

Gifford, four feet nine inches tall, considers herself your average kid. “I’ll go along with anything as long as you don’t say ‘Let’s go rob a bank.’ ”