For most of her life, Parkersburg South High School senior Abigail “Abbi” Allman has seen the world through a unique lens—one shaped by perseverance, empathy, and determination.
Born with bilateral hearing loss, Abbi has never let that define her. Instead, she’s chosen to lead with compassion, help others navigate their own challenges, and become a source of inspiration in her community.
Now 18, Allman has become a role model not only for her peers but also for those with disabilities. From music to mentoring, she lives by one key belief: everyone deserves to be included in life.
Abbi’s journey began with a delay in diagnosis. The hearing test equipment at the hospital where she was born was broken, and it wasn’t until she was 2 years old that her hearing loss was identified. Her mother spent two years not knowing that her daughter couldn’t hear.
Initially fitted with hearing aids, Abbi eventually received her first Cochlear Implants at age 5—devices that would help her perceive sound in a new way. Though adjusting was difficult, especially when it came to learning how to speak and understand English, Abbi refused to give up.
“I overcame that with the help of my teachers, my family, and learning it myself,” she said.
One of her biggest early hurdles was communication. But instead of withdrawing, she embraced every opportunity to connect with others. “Being deaf wasn’t a problem for me,” she said confidently.
That spirit of resilience led her to the Parkersburg South Marching Band, where she plays mallet percussion in the “Pit.” She began with the flute in middle school, later shifting to percussion to deepen her musical skills.
“I love how music sounds, and making it happen makes me feel good,” she shared. Her favorite performance piece? A spirited rendition of Chicago’s “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”
Beyond school, Abbi shines through her volunteer work. She’s a dedicated mentor at Camp ECHO, a summer program for adults with developmental disabilities, hosted by the Wood County Society. Introduced to the camp by her aunt, Abbi is now entering her fourth summer there.
At Camp ECHO, she helps participants feel seen, safe, and included—something she knows firsthand is invaluable. “It’s about helping them feel like they’re on vacation and included for once,” she said. “That’s what really matters.”
Abbi recently explored civic engagement by taking part in a Mock City Council event, where she represented Parkersburg’s 3rd District. She found it empowering to see how local government works and how voices can be used for change.
A passionate reader, she enjoys authors like Edogawa Ranpo, Stephen King, and J.R.R. Tolkien. She also writes short stories for fun—a hobby that reflects her creative spirit and love of storytelling.
One of her greatest mentors has been Brianna Cross, Wood County’s Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, who has worked with Abbi since fifth grade. Cross, who also has hearing loss, was the first deaf adult Allman had ever met.
“For me as her teacher, it’s been amazing and inspiring to watch her grow,” Cross said. “She’s headstrong, confident, and a natural leader. Watching her embrace her identity as a deaf person has been tremendous.”
After graduation, Abbi plans to pursue a career in education, either at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf or West Virginia University at Parkersburg. Her dream is to become a teacher and help all students, especially those with challenges, thrive.
“Self-advocacy is very important to me,” she said. “I want to give equal learning opportunities to all different types of kids.”
With her unwavering dedication and heart for service, Abigail Allman is not only breaking barriers—she’s building bridges for others to cross.
