THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 15, 1995 TAG: 9509150042
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Teenology
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
Each year Teenology searches for two sage high school seniors to write our Listen Up! column. Those who apply must prepare a lengthy application and submit answers to sample questions. Finalists undergo rigorous questioning from the the Teenology editor and the outgoing advice columnists - Smitha Gottimukkala and Jonathan Kolm.
We'd like to introduce Karen Baranski of Green Run High and Vorando Mack of Norview High, who competed for the job with over 40 students and are this year's Teenology advice columnists.
Their column will run biweekly in Teenology starting next Friday. If you'd like to ask them a question, call INFOLINE at 640-5555 and enter category 8335, or write to them at Listen Up!, 4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462.
TEEN PREGNANCY, drugs, interracial dating, dysfunctional families - 17-year-old Karen Baranski, one of Teenology's two new advice columnists, has heard it all, and she loves it.
In the past few years, the Green Run High School senior has helped friends deal with everything from saying ``no'' to drugs to kicking an already formed drug addiction.
``I'm always giving advice to everybody,'' she said.
Since her freshman year in high school, Karen has wanted to be a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
``I originally wanted to be an archaeologist - I love history,'' Karen said. ``But then I got into psychology, because I love the brain. It just fascinates me.'' Karen considered a career as a neurosurgeon but then decided she was ``better with the emotional side of it.''
Karen considers her new position as teen advice columnist to be ``one more step toward what I want to achieve in life.''
Her dream includes opening a practice in Virginia Beach, and she jokes about living in a mansion on the beach at Croatan. If she does't settle in Virginia Beach, she plans to at least stay in a big city somewhere on the East Coast.
``My life is hectic, and I'd like to keep it that way,'' she said.
Karen balances a full class load of honors and AP courses, a part-time job at Montgomery Wards in Lynnhaven Mall and a handful of extracurricular activities, including being secretary of the Future Business Leaders of America, vice president of the senior class and co-captain of the varsity cheering squad.
``I try to think sometimes where I get all this energy; why am I doing all this?'' she asks. ``I think it's for my main goal: my career and my future. . faster.''
However, Karen didn't always have the motivation and energy that she does now. She attributes much of her ambition and outlook to her stepfather, Tom Schanbacher, who passed away last year.
``When I was younger, I had low self-esteem because my mom and dad split up,'' Karen said. ``I thought, `What am I going to do?' and he just boosted me right up. He taught me to be myself, always go for what you want and don't let anything stop you. I believe he made me what I am today.''
Karen describes herself as ``outgoing, friendly, really easy to talk to and `goofy' at times.'' Add to that school-spirited and competitive, especially when it comes to sports and cheering.
``I want our squad to be the best squad, and that's what I try to teach the other cheerleaders,'' Karen said. She has also found inspiration in the words and philosophies of her cheering coach, Green Run math teacher Carolyn Keen, and Pam Antista, a cheerleading camp director.
``Pam's whole attitude toward life is like the Reebok commercial: `Life is short, play hard.' When we do our stunts and we fall and are like, `Oh, it hurts!' she's like, `Get up and do it.' . . . And I guess that's one of my big things with sports and with life. . . . Just do it.''
And she does.
``(Karen) is very positive, and she has a wonderful work ethic,'' Keen said. ``When she can't fulfill her responsibilities, she gets frustrated, because she's so focused on her responsibilities. I don't know anyone she doesn't get along with. . . . A lot of kids talk to her'' to seek advice.
When Karen finds a free moment, she likes to just think and hang out with friends. She's also in love with the beach.
``It's always been one of my passions. . . . I love watching the ocean - it relaxes me,'' she said. Pausing, she added with a laugh, ``I've always wanted to learn how to surf, but I'm scared of the waves.''
Although Karen may be a little hesitant about learning to slash the breakers, she has no fears about the future. She'll get that mansion in Croatan, that doctorate and all the while will be fulfilled by the knowledge that she's helping people with problems.
Just the thought of it makes Karen slip into one of her goofy moments. She grins and cheers, ``Psychology all the way!'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
CHARLIE MEADS/Staff
Karen Baranski
Jennifer Anderson is a Princess Anne senior.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB