Kamiak High senior Aaron Anzalone anchors a weekly student-produced show and is heavily involved in leadership class activities. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Kamiak High senior Aaron Anzalone anchors a weekly student-produced show and is heavily involved in leadership class activities. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Kamiak High senior thrives in front of the camera and crowds

Aaron Anzalone is an anchor for a student show, emcees pep rallies, swims and loves Super Smash Bros.

MUKILTEO — Aaron Anzalone, 18, is a senior at Kamiak High School. He says he’s found a niche for himself this year in public speaking, whether it’s in front of the camera for a weekly student-produced show or in front of crowds. He also can be seen participating in leadership activities, swimming at the school’s pool or hanging out with friends.

Question: What’re you up to these days?

Answer: I’m in an advanced visual communications class and every Friday we put together a show, think a YouTube 10-minute video. We have a newsroom and a studio. We film and have different anchors that rotate. I’m one of the anchors. And we have two features in each show. I’m a part of that. I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback being anchor this year.

Q: How would you describe your anchor style?

A: I definitely go for the relaxed, funny aspect. My friend, the other anchor, he’s a little more serious type. We play off each other.

Also, I’m in leadership class. Basically what that class is is all the behind the scenes of our high school. We put together dances and events, and we’re always volunteering, like when people need help.

More than just doing things, it’s also about being a leader. My teacher, I like her a lot, she sends a lot of good messages about helping people, and making yourself go outside of your comfort zone. I’ve learned a lot from being in the class.

Ever since the end of last year I’ve been busy, busy, busy doing stuff. We just had homecoming. The Friday before homecoming I was here 18 hours out of the day. We were here until 12 a.m., just setting up. It feels really good to put back into the school.

Q: How have you gone outside of your comfort zone?

A: Before near the end of last year, I was just doing enough to get by. I was passing my classes, but I wasn’t really doing my best. I was staying out of trouble.

Then, I decided, I’m only going to be in high school one year and I really should make the most out of my time. I really like the idea, too, of meeting new people, and through all these things I’ve done the past six months or so I’ve met so many new people.

At the end of last year we had our senior farewell assembly. We had a leadership group chat, and someone was like, does anyone want to give a speech about our librarian because she’s retiring? I just wanted the experience, I wanted to put myself out there and do this, so I was like, “Yeah, I’ll do it.” I asked lots of teachers about her, and I wrote up a two-page script, threw in a cheesy quote.

Q: Was that your first public speaking experience?

A: Yeah, I think so. That was my first in front of a lot of people.

Q: Do you get nervous at all doing that?

A: I don’t know, I do get nervous, it’s never something where it stops me. Some people are like, I’m so nervous, I can’t do that. Me, it’s just like something in the back of my head.

The homecoming assembly (that I MC’d) was a lot harder though, it’s a lot different … everyone was loud and rambunctious and there was lots going on. We had problems. There was one game we had, and it ended up being too rambunctious, and we had to shut it down.

Q: Do you have any interests outside of school?

A: I like to swim. I have a heart disease, and I can’t play contact sports. So I’ve never been a big sports person.

Especially in the last year I’ve found myself just enjoying hanging out with my friends. I’ve just really been spending a lot of time with my friends. The other day I was home alone and I was like, this feels weird. It’s because I wasn’t out with my friends doing something. So I guess I’m just trying to make the most of my time before graduating.

Also I like playing video games, stereotypical.

Q: What video game are you playing?

A: Super Smash Bros. a lot, lately.

Q: Is there anything else our readers should know about you?

A: This story comes to my mind. I feel like it embodies my personality a little bit. After I did the homecoming assembly, I was a little bummed afterward, because I feel like it could’ve gone better. There’s always room for improvement. We were just cleaning up bleachers and picking up trash, and I found this fortune cookie fortune, and it said, “life can only be lived forwards, but can only be understood backwards.” And I was like whoa. I always say this thing to my friends, you can’t change the past, only the future.

It embodied my personality. In the past I haven’t been the best student. … Now I feel like I’ve changed, going forward.

Q: Did you keep the fortune?

A: Yes I did, it’s thumb-tacked above my bed. Right next to — when I got into leadership, they gave me a letter saying you got in, so I have that right next to my bed, too.

Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Connect Casino Road Director Alvaro Gullien speaks at an Everett City Council meeting to share community thoughts regarding affordable housing and preventing displacement of those that live along Casino Road on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How will Everett’s comprehensive plan work in Casino Road?

Residents in the diverse, tight-knit neighborhood want “Investment without displacement.” The city’s plan will help achieve that, staff say.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition championship robotics Team 2910 Jack in the Bot on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek robotics team celebrates world championship win

The team — known as “Jack in the Bot” — came in first place above about 600 others at a Texas world championship event last week.

Trees and foliage grow at the Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Washington Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45

The price for a Washington state Discover Pass would rise by $15… Continue reading

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

Snohomish firefighters appeal vaccine suspensions to Ninth Circuit

Despite lower court’s decision, eight men maintain their department did not properly accommodate their religious beliefs during COVID.

A rental sign seen in Everett. Saturday, May 23, 2020 (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases

Under a version released Thursday, rent hikes would be limited to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.