FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Kallie Pastore, South Putnam

Kallie is a senior at South Putnam and participates in one sport, swimming.

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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Kallie Pastore: “Sports are pretty important. The biggest thing I’ve learned is to take all the opportunities you can get with your sport and try new things.”

BG: Talk about your sports.

KP: “Swimming is really physically demanding. I’ve been swimming for 14 years and currently hold seven school records. I also hold the Putnam County record in the 100 breaststroke.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

KP: “Most recently was that I false started a race. Everyone is looking at you when that happens.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

KP: “It’s pretty normal on a school day. On our big meet days, which are usually on Saturday, I get up and have to have a bowl of brown sugar oatmeal. My dad drives me to the school and before my races, I don’t want to talk to anybody. I put my Airpods in and ignore everybody.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?

KP: “Not directly but I do follow several people on social media. I also keep up with Franklin College a bunch as one of our old swim coaches (Zach Rayce) is there.”

BG: You’ve broken several school records going back to your freshman year and have reset records several times. How much of a thrill do you get anytime you set a new record?

KP: “It’s almost the same feeling as when you broke a record the first time. You get the thrill of beating your old self so it’s like breaking the record for the first time all over again.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

KP: “Not much as I do a lot of thinks outside of school.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

KP: “I work a lot as I am a CNA, so I do that a lot with my time. If not a work or swimming, I hang out with family a lot.”

BG: What are your favorites in reading, movies, TV and music?

KP: “When it comes to movies, I like sappy movies, romance movies, etc. With TV shows, I like either medical or murder shows. My music is all over the place.”

BG: Are you a person who wants to watch TV shows and movies or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc.?

KP: “I’d probably text my boyfriend to come over but start with TikTok and Instagram, make some food then watch a movie.”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

KP: “A lot of people say skydiving, which is scary. I kind of want to go sit in one of those shark cages in the middle of the ocean. I’m definitely terrified of sharks but I want to sit in the cage.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

KP: “Snakes are my biggest fear.”

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

KP: “Mac and cheese.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

KP: “I have lots of pets..We have three dogs, five cats, a bunch of chickens, three goats and soon to have pigs. We have a Husky named Alpine, a mixed dog named Plazer and a miniature Yorkie named Cash. I don’t know all of our cats’ names but our two main ones are Socks and Lilly.”

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

KP: “A blanket. I have so many that I would try to carry all of them in a bundle.”

BG: A family member has hit the lottery. After everything is paid off and money is set away for the future, you’ve been asked to buy something you have always wanted to get. What are you asking for?

KP: “I have a lot of dream cars but the first one would be a an all-black Jeep Wrangler; lifted, with all the bits and pieces.”

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

KP: “Chaotic. I’m all over the place all the time.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

KP: “Either the Dominican Republic or Turks and Caicos. Somewhere warm.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

KP: “In fifth grade, we took a class trip to Chicago. We went to the aquarium.”

BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?

KP: “More my family. I’m not that close with my classmates but my family has to be there in person.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.

KP: “Athletically it’s been pretty good. I wouldn’t rate it on a scale though. Academically, I’m not a big fan of school so I wouldn’t say it’s been great. I sort of cruise by.”

BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

KP: “Home ec. Teaching basic skills like that.”

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

KP: “I have this planned out. I’m going to be going into the Air Force this fall. In the spring,I will come back to start at Indiana State to get my RN license and later become a radiology tech.”

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

KP: “Not really. Our school is good about not having homework, especially for athletes, so I never really have homework.”

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

KP: “As much as I don’t really like English classes, those are the teachers I’ve been closest with.”

BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?

KP: “Probably out in the middle of the nowhere, off by myself with no neighbors.”

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

KP: “I would say it’s gone fast but I won’t miss it. I’ll miss parts of it but I won’t mis high school.”