Kean Yep is 17 years old and is a senior in pace high school. He is a part of the Pace soccer team and is a manager for the girls softball team.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
How do you feel about growing up, since you are a senior?
I feel like this is a point where my life has changed for the better because I remember I used to be super immature when I was younger. Now I’ve improved as a person, I’m a better person.
What’s the best part about being a senior and why?
The best part of being a senior is that you basically do whatever you want and get away with it. Because, you know, you’re gonna graduate.
What do you mean, “do whatever you want”?
I’m saying, get the guitar and walk around the hallway.
What’s your favorite memory from this year?
My favorite memory was the ice skating trip with Mr. Carballo.
You’re a manager for the girl’s softball team, right? Could you describe what you do as a manager?
Basically, I help carry their equipment. I participate in their practices, I watch them play, you know, give tips. Sometimes if we’re winning by enough, Mr. Espaillat lets me be third base coach.
How important do you think your role is? And do you feel like you’re acknowledged throughout the day?
Yeah. I think I do. I think my role is pretty important. Because without me, I’d be having to have Mr. Rothschild and Mr. Espaillat do all the heavy lifting. And it’s a lot of stuff that they have to bring around. And it’s pretty far! You have to go up to Randall’s Island. And I do feel acknowledged because I see Espaillat all the time, and he says hello, you know.
What was your most difficult experience as a senior?
The most difficult experience was having to choose the right college. It’s not just a step in the future. I can’t really take… If I take this step, I can’t go back, you know. So I have to make sure that this decision is the right one.
Do you or did you have a dream job? And what is it? And do you still think you can achieve it?
My dream job is to be a business administrator. And basically, that means I manage a team like a company. For example, I manage a team from Best Buy in the administrator department. I think this dream is achievable since I’m still young. I have a lot of leadership and personality traits that most people need to succeed in this job.
