The Icon had a chat with Ada HS senior, Klava Katayama. Here’s a portion of our conversation.

You are a true example of the American melting pot.
Klava: Yes. I’m 50 percent Russian, 25 percent Japanese and 25 percent Italian.

How many languages can you speak?
Klava: My mom taught me some Russian, but I’m best at English.

Run through your school schedule for us.
Klava: First period is psychology, then next semester it’s sociology. Second period is communication or speech, then next semester it’s economics. In third period I’m a Dog Volunteer. That means I’m a student helper here in the school media center.

Fourth period is Intro to British literature, then next semester it’s introduction to film. Fifth period is precalculus and trigonometry. Then, lunch followed by a study hall, art 4 and Spanish 4.

What’s your favorite subject on the list?
Klava: Art. Right now, we are creating mini-canvas paintings.

Tell us about your swimming.
Klava: I started swimming when I was 7. Now I swim with the Findlay Area Swim Team. It’s two hours Monday through Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 each evening. There’s about 40 members on the team, mostly from Findlay.

That’s a serious commitment!
Klava: Yes. I enjoy it. I work really hard at it.

What do you swim and what are some of your personal best times?
Klava: in the 50 sprint free-style I’m at 23.77 seconds.  In the 100 butterfly I’m at a 56.35 seconds.

And, you are a state swim meet qualifier?
Klava: Yes, if I qualify this year it will be my fourth state meet.

What colleges are you considering and what major would you like to enter?
Klava: I’m hoping to major in exercise science and kinesiology. I’m looking at Druy University, Marshall, Denison, Queens and University of Akron.

Okay, here’s some fun questions. Can you remember who you sat beside in Kindergarten?
Klava: One of my friends, Ruth Pfeiffer. She moved to Delaware when she was a sophomore.

How about lunch. Do you buy or pack?
Klava: Depends on what’s for lunch. I really like popcorn chicken and tacos. When I pack it’s usually a ham and cheese sandwich and some fruit.

What’s your all-time favorite movie?
Klava: Coraline. It’s a kid’s move. I’ve probably watched it more than 10 times. The first time was when I was 10.

And, your worst-ever grade on a test?
Klava: (thinking) In third grade I received an F on a spelling test. I wasn’t prepared.

What about music. What are you listening to?
Klava: Rihanna and Arianna. I listen on Spotify.

Ready for homecoming?
Klava: Yes.

Thanks for sharing with us. Hope you have a great school year.