Student spotlight: Kyle Murphy

• Published October 03, 2008

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Kyle Murphy: 'Charismatic personality'

•Age: 18

•Grade: 12

•School: North Thurston High School

•Hometown: Seattle

•Parents: Kendra Dahlen and Ralph Murphy

•Best personal achievement: Managing my time well enough to be able to play sports, be on the associated student body, take advanced placement classes and still have time to spend with friends and family

•How I spend my time: Playing football and sports with my family and friends, listening to music, and swimming or waterskiing in Puget Sound

•Favorite subjects: Social studies and science

•Favorite movie: "Gladiator"

•Favorite book: "1984," by George Orwell

•Dream job: Host a wildlife television show like Jeff Corwin

•Someone I respect: My entire family because they have all made the most of their lives and been great role models for me

•College I'd like to attend: The University of Washington

•Someone famous I'd like to meet: Bruce Springsteen

•Someday, looking back on my life I'd like to be able to say...: That I never sacrificed my integrity and conscience to get ahead

•Biggest challenge facing teenagers today: Having an individual identity and having self confidence about themselves. So many people try so hard to fit in that they lose track of who they really are and what's important to them.

•One thing in the world I would change if I could: If people can go to the moon, and make weapons to destroy entire cities, then we should be able to provide food and shelter to everyone.

•Where do you see yourself in 10 years: I don't think I'm ready to know what I want my life to look like. But a lot of things need to change, and I hope to be in the thick of it doing something important.

•Staff comment: "Kyle Murphy is an extremely well-rounded individual. He is smart, well liked by his peers, funny and athletic. Kyle not only gets good grades but keeps us entertained with his charismatic personality. I have enjoyed watching him grow from a young, lost freshman into a strong senior leader. I am proud of the man he has become and will be." — Jacqueline Meyer, advanced placement world history teacher, North Thurston High School