Around The Islands
Mini Profile
Mindy Laronal:
Taking Timeout to Smell the Roses
by Mike Yoshiura
Ahhhh… Pheeeew!! A breath of fresh air! In an era when adolescents are in a rush to grow up and break away from the umbilical cord, Mindy Laronal is enjoying every last moment of her soon-to-commence teenage years.
She's 16-years-old, still a junior at Kaimuki High School, yet she's already accumulated enough credits to graduate early and forego her senior year-But she's elected to comeback for another year to be with her friends and classmates on graduation day. "I just want to be around all my friends for another year before we go off in opposite directions."
We recently caught up with Mindy to find out what makes her tick…
- Q. How did you accumulate enough credits to graduate a WHOLE year early?
- A. "I transferred to Kaimuki High School my second semester of freshman year. At Campbell High School I received extra credits from my extra curricular classes like PE and ROTC, but I don't really know why it turned out that way?"
- Q. Why did you transfer to Kaimuki High School?
- A. "My parents just separated so I didn't have a choice!"
- Q. What kind of role did your family play in molding you into who you are today?
- A. "I come from a family of nine girls and two boys, and it's not very fun because you always get left out!" As she flashed a quick smile showcasing her pearly-white teeth and big-brown eyes.
- Q. These days it's easy for teens to get coaxed into things through peer pressure from friends, but what keeps you focused on your goals and dreams?
- A. "All the support from my friends and family keeps me going. That's why it's so important for us to be together on graduation day."
- Q. Do you still participate in extra curricular activities?
- A. "My sophomore year I started swimming, water polo, air riflery and I joined the travel club. I didn't want to join anything my freshman year because I was way too shy. But these days I'm very outgoing! I joined ROTC when I transferred my freshman year because people who can't make friends join ROTC because everyone's friendly. There are all different types of people there."
- Q. What's your rank, and is ROTC something you'd like to pursue in college?
- A. "2nd lieutenant! It's like my second home there (ROTC) because that's where all of my friends are. This is definitely something I will continue in college!"
- Q. What are your plans for college?
- A. "I want to go to college for fashion, maybe Kapiolani Community College. I'd like to go to a fashion school in New York, but it's out of my price range so hopefully I can get a swimming scholarship."
- Q. What is it in particular that you like about fashion?
- A. "Fashion is a way of expressing yourself. I love going to public school because they let you wear what you want. Someday I'd like to come up with my own fashion line."
- Q. Do you have any sketches that you could share with us?
- A. "I try to sketch designs, but it doesn't come out the way I want it. I have this image in my head, but it doesn't come out that way."
- Q. Do you and your friends have any upcoming plans for your final year in high school?
- A. "I will be going to Spain with the travel club after fundraising since our sophomore year. The trip is entirely sponsored by the travel club. I don't know how many fundraisers we've had in the last year."
- Q. Can you share with us an embarrassing moment?
- A. "My sophomore year I went to a Spring Camp at Schofield Barracks with other ROTC students from different high schools. There were no doors on the toilet stalls and showers so you we got acquainted pretty quickly." As her face turned a bright cherry red.
