When senior J.J. Kuunifa first came to La Salle as a freshman, he knew that his time here was going to fly by.
This year, however, as his high school career nears its end, it finally felt real.
“It’s kind of sad, I feel like high school went by really quick,” he said. “Everyone says that — to enjoy it because it goes fast — but you always put that off. I’m actually here.”
A football player since his freshman year, Kuunifa has a special place in his heart for the team and players. It’s not just about the game for him — it’s the camaraderie both on and off the field.
“I feel like that was the first thing that got introduced here, with the football team, and then eventually kind of spread out from there,” he said.
Kuunifa’s early involvement in the football team cemented a strong foundation of friends his freshman year, keeping in touch with many of them to this day.
But he’s changed quite a bit since freshman year.
“I feel like when I was a freshman I just wanted to have fun,” he said. “I didn’t really care about anything; I just wanted to play sports and have fun with my friends. But now, when I’m older, I’m really realizing, ‘This is setting me up for everything in my future.’”
Kuunifa is especially appreciative of French teacher Ms. Amanda Barker, taking her class all four years of his high school career. Though the class was tricky for him at first, he persisted, and now reports it as one of his favorites.
“She’s really understanding and she’s patient with the way that I learn,” he said. “I take a lot of time with the things I do, but she’s very patient and willing to understand that.”
For higher education, Kuunifa intends to go to the University of Utah, studying pre-law. His eventual hopes are to become an attorney — particularly specializing in being a divorce lawyer or being involved in a field where he has the opportunity to be an attorney.
Despite his focused mindset, Kuunifa cares about taking things day by day.
“Knowing that you can still have fun when you’re older doesn’t mean you have to be so serious and focused on what you’re doing,” he said. “You still have a lot of time to figure that all out. You just have to balance it well, and then I think it’ll set you up for success.”
Outside of school, Kuunifa finds a passion in music.
As a rap and R&B fan, he finds it difficult to narrow his list of top artists, but for him, Tyler, the Creator, Ian, and Beyoncé shine above the rest.
Looking ahead, Kuunifa is excited for the current basketball season, where he actively participates as the team manager for his fourth consecutive year, something he has prided himself on, putting special effort into ensuring his team is in the right mindset needed for a match.
“I think if anyone has the chance to do it, they should definitely at least do one sport while they are at La Salle,” he said. “The coaches are just like the teachers, they all care about you.”
