St. Francis School senior Hulita Drake is a gifted artist, an accomplished stage actress and a skilled air rifle competitor. She has a close and loving family. She was accepted to every university to which she applied.

What more could Drake ask of life?

Well, for starters, how about more?

"I have interest in a lot of different things," Drake says. "I’m always open to seeing new things and pursuing new opportunities. My attitude is ‘try it and see what happens.’"

Drake is one of two girls born to a University of Hawaii botany professor from Ohio and a home care provider from Tonga.

Drake’s parents met in Tonga, where her father was stationed as a Peace Corps volunteer. Drake was born in New Zealand and moved with her family to Hawaii when she was 5.

Some of the earliest photos of Drake are of her experimenting with finger paints or dressing up for improvised living-room performances, early evidence of her future passions.

"When I was very young, I.just really liked colors," Drake says. "And because my dad is a scientist, I.was also really into nature."

As an artist, Drake was influenced early on by Japa.nese anime and manga. In more recent years she has introduced darker realist approaches that have imbued her work with a surreal quality.

"I like to draw pretty things with a dark undertone," she says. "I like to have elements that are a little out of place, a little darker in tone, something to give the audience more to think about."

At St. Francis, Drake has also had an opportunity to explore her theatrical interests. She’s played Miss Hannigan in "Annie Jr." and Joe in "Schoolhouse Rock." She’s also taken top honors in the school’s annual Shakespeare competition, performing as Falstaff from "Henry IV."

Drake would like to continue acting, perhaps on screen, but her immediate focus is on pursing an education in art in hopes of becoming an animator like Hayao Miya.zaki.

"Everything about movies intrigues me," Drake says. "The thought of creating something for the screen with my own hands is super exciting.

"It’s so simple, and so many people say it that it’s a cliche, but it’s true:.My goal in life is to just be happy," she says. "Whatever happens and wherever I fall, I just want to be happy with myself and what I’m doing."

In memoriam:.Our condolences to the family and friends of Toshi.yuki Wata.ba.ya.shi, who died March 26. The retired senior medical technician for the Hawaii Air National Guard spent his last years teaching mahjong to seniors at the Kapa.hulu Center (808ne.ws/1DCEN3M).

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.