With a 4.0 GPA, Mamo Waianuhea, senior, strives  to do her best in school and shows her interests through her art and photography.  Waianuhea became involved with art during classes at school.

“I enjoy outdoor photography and drawing,” Waianuhea said. “I don’t have a special method, but most things I draw are from pictures I take.”

Waianuhea isn’t always looking for a specific thing when taking photos but she enjoys taking macro shots and photographs of birds.

Last year Waianuhea went to the Artist Statement show in Portland and recently she attended the WLWV Art show. The photo she entered in the WLWV Art show was selected as a finalist for the 34^th Annual spring Nikon College and High School Photography contest.

“I was really excited when I got the letter saying that I was a finalist. I wasn’t expecting my photo to get that far and had actually forgotten that I had even entered the contest, which made it even more surprising,” Waianuhea said. “It was cool to think that a lot of people my age from all around the country had entered photos, and that someone liked my work enough to select it.”

Ann Breyne, photography teacher, was a big influence to Waianuhea. She strongly encouraged her to enter her photo in the contest because she was taking digital photography at the time.

Besides photography and drawing, Waianuhea likes ceramics and painting. She also enjoys hiking, birdwatching, camping and playing soccer. “Making art and being outside helps me to relax,” Waianuhea said.

Waianuhea’s family and friends have helped her the most in high school. “They have always been there to support me and cheer me up when I’m having a bad day,” she said.

After high school Waianuhea will be attending Oregon State University Honors College. She is not planning on having a career in art, but she would like to keep doing it in her free time.

“I think I want to be a conservation biologist in the future,” Waianuhea said, “so I probably won’t be doing art everyday but might have to sketch animals or habitat.”