A former Strathaven Gala Queen is on an out of this world adventure after swapping Avondale for Florida.
Gail Warnock, 36, is loving life in a galaxy far, far away since starting work on the Planet of Batuu, the new Star Wars attraction in Walt Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The former Strathaven Academy pupil came through hand-picked interviews for the chance to rub shoulders with super-fans from across the globe when the park opened last month.
Having started working Stateside back in 2009 for Disney, she is now a permanent resident in America having worked on several theme park rides and gaining a decade of colourful experiences.
She told the News: “I came to the USA and Disney back in July 2009 as an international cultural representative through Yummy jobs in London, who recruit for internationals to work in Epcot theme parks.
“So I’ve been here since then. I am a green card holder and am permanently living here.
“I’ve worked in several locations through Walt Disney World in Florida, but we were all hand-picked through interviews to work here – so it’s been very exciting and training has been crazy but fun!
“I love Florida, and I love the weather! I travelled a lot as soon as I left Strathaven Academy and then went to college and decided I wanted to move overseas.
“I went to Australia, Canada, back to Australia before eventually settling in Florida. It’s a very central location to travel a lot and flights are cheap in the USA too.”
She also praised Disney for offering their staff the chance to continue their studies. Now she is settled in America, Gail is hoping to continue her education away from the likes of on-screen stars like Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, but by becoming a real life hero – a nurse.
She added: “I am not currently studying but Disney are offering to put cast members though college programmes for free which is a huge incentive for us to go back to school which I am contemplating in 2020.
“I have a degree in fitness health and exercise from back in Scotland and I want to go back to school here to study nursing or be an EMT, and I am looking into all of that just now. I just need my transcripts from GCNS in Glasgow.”
