Junior Calvin Yalon was born in Boston, Massachusetts before moving to Oregon in first grade. 

After moving to Portland, Yalon went to elementary school at Franciscan Montessori Earth School but left in middle school, going to Winterhaven Elementary School instead.

“The community at my middle school was really awesome,” Yalon said.

When making the decision on what high school to go to, one thing that stood out to him about La Salle was the community.

“It was just an amazing community,” Yalon said. “I felt like I would be making the wrong decision if I wasn’t a part of it.”

When shadowing at La Salle, a memory that stuck out to him was playing hacky sack during break. 

Yalon still enjoys playing hacky sack today, even joining La Salle’s club for it.

“I love hacky sack,” he said.

Yalon’s favorite class at La Salle is Honors Biology.

“It’s just a really fun class,” he said, adding that one reason he enjoys it is because “it really changes how I think about the world.”

As far as favorite teachers go, Yalon has really enjoyed religion teacher Mr. Dan Marcantuono’s class this year. 

“He’s a good role model and influence for me,” he said.

Yalon has played his fair share of sports in high school, having played cross country, track and field, and currently boys volleyball.

“I’m definitely loving boys volleyball right now,” he said.

Yalon also enjoys the outdoors and even founded the Rock Climbing Club this year.

“I’m really excited to help introduce other people to it,” he said.

Outside of school, Yalon can be found up on the mountain going on a hike or skiing down the slopes.

“I’m a big fan of hiking,” he said “I go out in the [Columbia River] Gorge a lot, so my favorite trails are like that.”

Yalon also enjoys spending time with his friends and family. One of his favorite family traditions is getting together with his whole family in Northern California to hang out and camp every summer.

Over the summer, Yalon travel plans are international.

“My buddy has a beach house out in Britain that his family owns, so we’re going to England,” he said.

If Yalon were to give his sophomore self advice, it would be to “sleep more,” noting that “now I feel like I’ve got that down, and my sleep schedule is pretty good.”

The most major change in Yalon’s mindset, he said, came from evaluating what’s most important to him. 

“I’ve learned to balance myself more and understand what things are important to me and what things aren’t,” he said, essentially figuring out “how to get my priorities right.”

Being from there himself, going back to the East Coast for college is appealing to Yalon, and he is currently looking at University of Vermont in Burlington or even visiting Montana for more options.

At the moment, Yalon doesn’t know what he wants to study in college but notes that he has “a lot of family that does nursing.”

“I think it would be cool to try and pursue that,” he said.