By Stacey Romero
The following is the second installment in a series of stories written by the eight talented participants in the 2025 Hofstra University Summer High School Journalism Institute, from July 15-25. In this piece, Stacey Romero, a Hempstead High senior, profiles Yasmin Bardales, a Hempstead junior. All participants were asked to write short biographies on one another as an opening exercise.
Yasmin Bardales, 16, went through a moment during middle school when she wondered how she could improve not just her academics but also her lifestyle. She knew she had to get her life on track before embarking on a journalism career.
“I wanted to change my mindset because you need to be open-minded in the journalism industry to get far,” she said.
Bardales, a rising Hempstead High School junior, found her passion early on in psychology and communications. She said she likes her school, noting, “It’s really good for impoverished students.”
She went into detail about how the school offers free lunch and does not require students to buy expensive uniforms. She also said she believes her school is a supportive community that “not many people take advantage of that, but I definitely will.”
Bardales immerses herself in learning and creative pursuits, implementing self-discipline measures to improve her productivity. Her hobbies include reading classic literature, watching true crime documentaries and challenging herself in as many possible ways.
“I like increasing my vocabulary when I can,” Bardales said.
Clearly, she is intellectually curious. She is continuously searching for the meaning of certain ideas and is deeply interested in human psychology, specifically how people react in certain situations.
She connects with popular TV shows like “Criminal Minds” and “Law and Order,” which have sparked her interest in psychology. “My childhood shaped who I am, and I want to see if it’s the same with others,” she said.
Bardales considers herself an “ambivert.” “It gets lonely when nobody is listening to me talk,” she said. She is willing to embrace new opportunities and adapts her behavior based on the situation.
Bardales said her siblings range in age widely, which has influenced her personality. “I just learned to keep to myself,” she said. Bardales can be introverted at times, which, she said, can be a challenge.
Bardales is interested in double-majoring in communications and psychology in college to help her with her journalism career.
“Learning how to communicate with others is a valuable asset to journalism,” she said. “I don’t want to stick with one [major] because I know I’ll regret it.”
Bardales said if journalism were not to work out, her two majors would give her the opportunity to pursue other careers.
“Understanding how people think can also help me understand people better … which will help me tell their stories better,” she said.
