THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 14, 1994 TAG: 9410130052
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY AMY SVATEK, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
PAMELA KANAL STILL can't get her driver's license. She's one month away from her Sweet 16. But she's already a freshman at the College of William and Mary.
The 15-year-old is one of the youngest students in the college's history.
But Pamela describes her achievements modestly, as if she doesn't understand why everyone makes a fuss over her. She carries herself with confidence and speaks with maturity, whether the topic is social life or missing home.
``I'm not as homesick as some people on my hall,'' she said. ``I'll get to see my parents often enough, and there's always stationery and the telephone.''
One of her professors, Frank Robeson, vice provost for information technology, said: ``She seems like the typical William and Mary student. She's no different than other freshmen.''
Pamela, who's from Front Royal in Northern Virginia, described her early start in college as ``kind of an accident.'' She skipped sixth grade. And the summer before her junior year in high school at Randolph Macon Academy, she realized that she needed to take only three more classes to graduate. So she sliced one more year off high school.
``If I stayed another year,'' she said, ``I could only take study halls, art classes or college courses. And I thought, if I am taking college classes, why not take them in college?''
She said her friends at first ``were surprised and a little bit uncomfortable. Now, they're excited to have a friend in college; they have already come to visit me here.''
Her parents have been supportive, too, but ``they worry about me overworking myself. They tell me not to study all the time.''
In high school, Pamela earned a 4.29 grade-point average out of a possible 4.5 and applied to universities including Georgetown, Johns Hopkins and the University of Virginia. Some, she thinks, rejected her because of her age.
``The interviewer for Georgetown told me she received a note from Georgetown saying, `We love this girl's credentials, but there are older students applying,' '' Pamela said. But she's not complaining.
``I know the schools are not supposed to discriminate, but I decided not to give them trouble about it,'' she said. ``Besides, I'm very happy at William and Mary.''
According to Pamela, the college has not paid her any special attention since she arrived: ``I'm treated like any other freshman. My professors might not know (my age). If I act as mature as anyone else, it doesn't matter.''
Ray Betzner, a college spokesman, said it's impossible to say whether Pamela is the youngest student ever in the college's 300-year history, but she's surely one of the youngest.
The resident assistant in her dorm, Elizabeth Keys, did not learn how young Pamela was until the girls in the her hall played a game during orientation.
``I never guessed her age,'' Keys said.
Pamela takes five classes: chemistry, pre-calculus, a freshman seminar on information technology, introduction to American government and volleyball.
``I'm keeping up pretty well,'' Pamela said. ``I'm used to working hard, so it doesn't bother me.'' Robeson said her performance has been quite satisfactory so far.
Pamela lives in Barrett Hall, an all-female dorm, with two roommates. ``My roommates are so great,'' she said. ``Oh my gosh, they really like me.''
Kim Buturla, one of her roommates, said: ``When I first found out Pam was 15, my initial reaction was horror. But she's very cool and we get along. She's actually one of the best roommates I've ever had.''
Pamela's social life may be quieter than that of other college students, but she keeps busy and enjoys herself in her own way. She doesn't like the party or fraternity scene. Instead, she and her friends enjoy renting movies, playing volleyball and hanging out at the new University Center. She has also joined the Health Careers Club and the Indian Cultural Association.
``I don't really care for drinking,'' she said. ``But it's a fact of life that a lot of people drink, and I just don't succumb to peer pressure. My roommates don't drink also, which is good.''
After graduating from college, Pamela plans to go on to medical school to become a doctor. When asked if she plans to graduate early from William and Mary, she just said: ``We'll see how it goes.'' MEMO: Amy Svatek is a senior at the College of William and Mary, majoring in
history. She is from Setauket, N.Y. ILLUSTRATION: Robie Ray color photos
Pamela Kanal, center, walks around campus with her pals Shelby
Hagenauer, left, and Julie Lawrence.
Pamela Kanal earned a 4.29 grade-point average out of a possible 4.5
at her high school, Randolph Macon Academy.
by CNB