School: South Sound High School.
Grade: 12.
Parent: Heather Swedberg.
Best personal achievements: My best personal achievements include getting on the honor roll and having the opportunity to graduate early.
How I spend my time: I spend the majority of my time dancing and singing along to music, or watching movies, while doing my friends’ hair.
Favorite subject: English; I love to write.
Favorite book: “The Last Song,” by Nicholas Sparks.
Favorite movie: “Waist Deep” is currently my favorite movie. I love movies; it’s hard to pick just one.
Dream job: To be a cosmetologist and own my own salon.
Someone I respect: I respect my mother for raising me all on her own, even though she had me at a young age. She’s always pushing me to achieve my dreams, and she has never given up on me.
My ambitions or career aspirations include: At this moment, I would just like to focus on graduating from high school and continuing on to college. I am currently looking into Northwest College in Eugene, Ore. It impresses me more than our local schools.
Someone famous I’d like to meet: Comedian Kevin Hart, just because I think he is hilarious.
Someday, looking back on my life, I’ll be able to say: “In spite of all the obstacles thrown in my path, I still managed to keep my head held high, while helping others and working toward accomplishing my dreams.”
Biggest challenges facing teenagers: Peer pressure. Your friends’ actions truly influence your actions. If they are making poor choices, you are most likely to as well.
One thing in the world I would change if I could: I would make harsher punishments against people who commit physical and sexual abuse crimes.
Nominated by: Family consumer science teacher Mary Nairn, who wrote, “She greets people with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. Her personality follows through with a sparkle of enthusiasm for learning, meeting a new challenge or just sharing a funny experience with you. Peers, toddlers and adults at our school all find her easy to be with and trustworthy. Kayla is a person who helps others see the best in a situation.”
To nominate a ninth- to 12th-grade student for Student Spotlight, email the following information to lpemberton@theolympian.com, fax it to 360-357-0202, or mail it to P.O. Box 407, Olympia, WA 98507, Attention Lisa Pemberton. Selected students must submit a photograph and fill out a questionnaire. Provide the student’s name, age, grade, school name, telephone number and/or email; a quote about the student from a school staff member; and the name and contact information of the nominator.
