As high school students, we can all understand the intense amounts of pressure weighted on us as the new school year starts and deadlines start piling in. Kalel Betron, a junior here at Paint Branch High School, is persistent in not letting outside opinions sway his idea of how he wants to spend his life past high school.
After spending hours on Zoom in place of his first high-school experience during his freshman year, being thrown back into live classes during sophomore year, and now expected to decide on a future in his junior year, it’s fair to say that stress has started to build up. Walking into his first day of this new school year was “a little overwhelming,” notes Kalel, who says he was then “used to everything” pretty quickly. Even though worries about the future can overtake his feelings, Kalel is “ready to take it on.” While friends and fellow classmates may already have a profession they’re set on, Kalel wants to give it time and only pursue what he’s passionate about.
Kalel has always had a strong tie with his family and his culture. Growing up, Kalel’s mom had an enormous impact on his life. While his dad was in the military for a good chunk of his life, his mom was the one who raised him, which is not lost on Kalel who says, “My mom has always been there and supported me.” Kalel also enjoys adobo, a traditional Filipino dish his grandmother makes often. “I can’t pick a favorite but it’s up there. My grandma makes it a lot,” Kalel reflects.
In need of comfort or understanding, Kalel would refer to one of his friends who would always provide guidance for him. One piece of advice that he recalls is “In the end, nobody really cares about who you are, you gotta do what makes you happy. If people judge and care about you, that only reflects on the insecurities inside of them.” It’s easy to see why a friend who can offer this type of advice has stuck with Kalel throughout his life. In fact, he notes that he would go to his friend “whenever I needed comfort; I would be able to talk to him about anything.”
When asked to describe your dream day, a few responses may include; traveling the world or going to an exotic island; but for Kalel, a dream day would be “just going to the mall with friends and having a good time,” followed by going home to “sit in my room and play video games.” His relaxed response emphasizes how calm Kalel is as a person. He values quality time with the people he cares about and the simplicity of life. As an avid writer, and someone who loves to write, Kalel felt that Journalism would be a perfect fit for him.
By: Abigail Alem
