The style and mindset of Makai Whalen
Photo of Makai Whalen on a bike (Blake Soiland / The Puma Prensa)
By Blake Soiland, Staff Writer
Makai Whalen is a freshman here at Maria Carrillo High School and is just starting to get into wrestling. Whalen wanted to join wrestling because a lot of his friends joined and it seemed like fun. After trying out for the wrestling club, he says “it has been fun ever since.” Whalen has also played hockey for the Santa Rosa Flyers for about two years now— even being busy with school, Whalen still finds time to do what he enjoys.
Whalen is a very active person, always doing something. He spends a lot of his time doing things he enjoys, like riding his BMX bike, practicing hockey, and hanging out with the people closest to him, including his friends and family. No matter what he's doing, he brings a lot of energy and positivity with him. He’s known for being very social and easy to talk to, and he has a way of making people feel comfortable and included. Whether he’s out doing something active or just spending time with others, Whalen’s kind and welcoming personality stands out.
In his free time, Whalen likes to keep things balanced between relaxing and staying active. When he’s at home, he’ll often watch TV to unwind and take a break from everything going on. At the same time, he still makes sure to stay active by working out at home and keeping himself in shape. He also enjoys riding his bike around town, getting outside and enjoying the fresh air while exploring. Whether he’s relaxing or staying busy, Whalen knows how to make the most out of his free time and keep a good balance in his daily life.
Looking ahead to life after high school, Whalen hopes to become a fashion designer. He has a real passion for creativity, especially when it comes to clothing and personal style. He enjoys seeing how different outfits come together and likes experimenting with new looks, colors, and ideas. For him, fashion is more than just what people wear— it’s a way to express personality and stand out. He’s interested in designing his own pieces and putting together styles that reflect who he is and what inspires him. With his creativity and eye for detail, Whalen is excited about the possibility of turning something he loves into a future career.
Whalen strongly believes in self expression and staying true to who you are, no matter what others might think. He feels that people shouldn't let opinions or social norms hold them back from being themselves. To him, everyone should have the freedom to express who they are in whatever way feels right, whether that’s through fashion, hobbies, or the way they carry themselves. He values individuality and respects people who are confident enough to stand out instead of trying to fit in. Whalen believes that being real and authentic is more important than following trends, and he encourages others to express themselves without fear or hesitation.
Whalen also has strong interests in traveling and experiencing new places. He enjoys the idea of seeing different cultures, meeting new people, and stepping outside of his everyday environment. His dream destination is New York City, a place he’s drawn to because of its energy, diversity, and unique sense of style. To him, the city represents a mix of cultures, creativity, and nonstop activity that he finds really inspiring. He’s especially interested in the fashion and street culture there. Whalen said “I love traveling. My dream place to travel is New York City because the culture is very interesting to me.” He hopes to visit one day to experience it all firsthand and take in everything the city has to offer.
Since Whalen’s dream career is becoming a fashion designer, he's already putting in the work and gaining experience by creating his own pieces. Whalen says, “Nobody should truly listen to judgement because others don’t know how you think.” He enjoys taking ideas from his imagination and turning them into something real that he can actually wear or show to others. Recently, he sewed his own bag, which was a big accomplishment for him and showed how serious he is about improving his skills. Along with that, he's been working on different shirt designs, experimenting with styles, colors, and concepts that reflect his personality and creativity. He pays attention to small details and likes making each piece unique in its own way. Instead of waiting until the future, Whalen is starting now, building his confidence and learning as he goes, which will help him a lot as he continues to grow in fashion. Overall, he’s not just talking about his future career, he’s already taking steps towards it and showing real passion for what he wants to do.