MEET A TEEN: KAITLIN SALINAS

• Reprints

Kaitlin Salinas

Updated: February 21, 2012 8:23AM

Age: 17

Hometown: Portage

School: Portage High School, Class of 2012

At home: Father, Joseph; cats, Don and Walter; dogs, Gabby and Riley

Besides school and home responsibilities, how do you use your time? “I like to hang out with friends, and I like to run and play with my animals. I was in cross country, track and basketball, then I had surgeries, so I had to stop. I am disappointed. My knee muscles are just growing the wrong way, so I get them shaved and get my tendons tightened. It’s better not to keep running or they could get worse; I don’t want any more surgeries. But I can just run for fun; that’s always good.”

Do you have any advice for young people who have been injured or who face surgery or other limitations? “If you’re in a sport and you get hurt, don’t keep playing. Stop and get checked out before it gets worse, because then you’ll have to completely stop because you could make your legs or whatever even worse. If you do have surgeries or disabilities, you still can be active — at your own pace.”

College and career plans? “I’m going to Indiana University Northwest to study radiology. I thought it would be fun to read X-rays. I like science, so it went together well.”

What is the best part of your life? “I’d say how close my family is, and how close I am with friends. I think they’re the most important thing because you always have someone there; having connections with your family is always important.”

What is the hardest part about being a teenager? “Time management. Well, it’s hard (making) time for friends and family and Student Council and homework — and finding time for yourself sometimes. ”

— Compiled by
Anthony D. Alonzo,
Post-Tribune correspondent