Karen Berndt

Spencer Roach
Staff Writer

Whenever Karen Berndt (12) and her friends congregate approximately once per week for what she calls a “movie night,” she often does more than just watching movies.  They eat pancakes together, but after they eat, she and her friends often go out to Ox Bow Park to walk around.

“We often confuse the park rangers when they get there at 5 am,” Berndt said.  “Sometimes we get chased by park rangers if we get there at 11 pm.  We got away because we stayed on the back trails.”

When Berndt does not go to Ox Bow Park, she hangs out with her friends at her house, making pancakes and staying up until 3 am.

In addition to traveling to Ox Bow Park with her friends, she goes there by herself.

“I like being outdoors,” Berndt said. “I like climbing trees because it’s fun.  I like going on bike rides at Ox Bow.”

Berndt says that she enjoys a wide variety of music, every single genre except for country music. However, she says that her favorite artist is Jack Johnson.

“He has a good voice and awesome guitar skills,” Berndt said.

Berndt notes an event that occurred in her freshman year of high school that influenced her. She said that she was friends with two people who went out with each other.  After they broke up, the guy asked Karen out.  After she broke up with him, they remained friends but did not talk with her female friend.  Now, though, her two friends are dating again, and neither of the people talk with her.

After all these events occurred, she realizes that she needs to worry less about various events in her life.

“I’m not so obsessive about my troubles,” Berndt said.  “I don’t overreact.  If someone doesn’t like something that I do, [I don't care].”