“High on the hill in Warriorland,” as Fig Mitchell Sr. would say, there lies Catherine “The Great” Paleka. After heading off to college at BYUH and UH-Manoa, “The Great” made her way back to her alma mater to be a
“High on the hill in Warriorland,” as Fig Mitchell Sr. would say, there lies Catherine “The Great” Paleka.
After heading off to college at BYUH and UH-Manoa, “The Great” made her way back to her alma mater to be a part of the school’s music department, which eventually led her to becoming the department’s head. The 1989 Kapa‘a High School graduate competed and flourished in six KIF sports: volleyball, cross-country, track and field, basketball, soccer, and softball.
In addition to being a terrific athlete, Paleka also excelled at band, as she played the clarinet, the saxophone, and the trumpet. A member of the Kapa‘a High School Honor Society, Paleka ended her high school campaign with a 3.3 GPA.
On the athletic field, Paleka was able to earn a state title in the discus, during her senior season, which remains as one of only a few of Kapa‘a High School state championships. Along with the many KIF all-star distinctions from the six sports she participated in, Paleka was also named the KIF soccer player of the year during her senior season. Despite all of her accolades, Paleka refuses to take the credit and instead gives her family the nod in the credit department.
“My parents (Herman and Joan) and my siblings (Calvin, Carlene, Cheri, and Curtis) have been very supportive and they have been there for me through every step of the way,” Paleka said.
Herman and Joan might’ve been guilty of putting too many apples near the crib, as the two are retired teachers, and in fact, two of her siblings are also teachers at Kapa‘a High School (Calvin: Japanese Language and History, Carlene: Math). “Growing up, we had the whole school thing down, so I think that helped us a lot in the classroom,” Paleka said. Paleka graduated with a music education degree and is doing exactly what she loves.
“I think I’m most proud of the fact that I was able to be multi-dimensional in high school and that’s what my parents tried to teach all of us,” Paleka said.
It’s not a mystery where Paleka got her musical touch, as Kaua‘i High School principal Linda Smith, who taught music at Kapa‘a High School, gave Paleka the motivation to strive in the musical scene.
“Mrs. Smith is definitely a big reason why I continued on in music and she’s a great inspiration to me,” Paleka said. A lot can be said about “The Great,” but just being able to be competitive in six sports, participate in band, and carry an above-average GPA means that it is certainly possible to be multi-talented, just ask Paleka!
