Interview by Gainesville High School Junior and Abernathy Cochran Intern Kate Willis
Meet Leilani Castillo! Leilani is a senior at Johnson High School. She is currently the official resident photographer there, vice president of her class, and is involved in many other clubs and organizations. She also has a twin sister, Lucelie.
Question: What inspired you to pursue photography?
Answer: “It started off with my sister being part of yearbook and my dad, who was a photographer when he was younger. He always had a camera at home, so one day I just decided to pick it up and join my sister in yearbook. Then the Johnson soccer team asked me to take pictures for their 2021 championship season, and everything just sort of took off from there.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “The Stag. I love the sweet Thai wings and the green tomato sliders.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I’ve lived here my whole life, so 17 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County and why?
A: “My best friend, Abraham Martinez. He’s the class president at Johnson high school, and we grew up together through WLA.”
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: “I used to be a part of the Gainesville Ballet Company, and I used to perform in ‘The Nutcracker’. Those are some of my best memories as a kid.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “Right now, it would be Japan. It is so advanced in terms of its photography and art, and everything about the culture is just really cool.”
Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “‘The Avengers.’”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Be yourself, and remember that not every obstacle you go through will break you down.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To study in Atlanta and immerse myself in the art community there.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “My favorite music is probably either salsa or reggaeton. I would also probably want to go to the last Daddy Yankee concert before he retires.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County and why?
A: “The Gainesville Ballet Company.”
Q: Choosing anyone (past or present and a non-relative), with whom would you love to have lunch?
A: “My late Grandfather. He brought my twin and I to the Rabbittown Cafe a couple times, so I’d probably take him to eat there.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “My favorite thing is probably the community. I love to see the Latino festivals, especially the strong presence of the Hispanic Alliance. Being Puerto Rican and getting to see all of the Latin communities here is really cool.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: “Probably graduated or maybe getting a masters degree.”
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “Dance. Everyone at the highschool either sees me painting or taking pictures, and not a lot of people know about that part of me.”
Q: What three words mean “Home” to you?
A: “Family. God. Love.”
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A: “Jennifer Lawrence.”
Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?
A: “In regards to my photography work, I’d probably want an editor.”
