Interviewed by Carolina Payne 

Article by: Makayla Dilliner 

As a sophomore, 2022 Kalaheo graduate, Emily Naylor was already a state champion. But it didn’t stop there. Emily also holds titles of OIA Varsity champion, two-time Gatorade Player of the Year, and two-time Eastern Division champion. Emily also helped to lead the cross country team to three varsity championships and took 4th place in states. Emily proved early on that she is a more than talented and capable athlete. “I think the mindset that helped me the most was that I am capable of anything I put my mind to. My mom would always tell me you know, just do your best, and that's all you can ask for.” Now a sophomore in college, she hopes to be both a marketer while potentially coaching running. For anyone interested in exercise sciences, Emily shares the difficulty of the area of study. “Chemistry is brutal and you have to spend a lot of extra time outside of class studying if you want to pass. And tutors are a big help."

And as a former high school student who dealt with online learning and AP classes during the pandemic, Emily now uses that struggle to aid her in her studies now. “COVID learning helped me a bit with online classes that I have to take in college. I’m getting used to that format, and then, AP classes helped prepare me for rigorous workloads and helped me get into the habit of studying.”While running was a crucial part of Emily’s time at Kalaheo High School, she gave an even more important piece of advice that she would give her former self and current students as well. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, have fun with it. Never take anything too seriously because it can just take the joy out of it. And definitely have your priorities, but also try to make it a positive environment.”