From delivering tackles on the football field to performing the “Star Wars” theme on his sousaphone, Kimball “Juni” Napaa remains a constant presence at Parkrose High School, embodying both humility and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
PORTLAND, Oregon — As the sun sets on a recent Friday evening, the stadium lights illuminate the Parkrose High School football field, welcoming a crowd eager for the game. The marching band kicks off the atmosphere with the school fight song, and a wave of Broncos players charges onto the turf. Among them is senior Kimball “Juni” Napaa, an essential member of the team holding the position of left tackle on the offensive line.
“My main job is to protect the quarterback,” Napaa shares. “I aim to give it my all every time I step on the field.”
For Napaa, the role is one of dedication rather than seeking accolades.
With a knowing smile, Napaa comments, “You know, the offensive line doesn’t get much recognition.”
Napaa’s contributions don’t stop there; he also excels as a defensive lineman. His impressive performance last season earned him first-team all-conference honors for both offensive and defensive plays, alongside the title of Defensive Player of the Year. Parkrose’s head coach, Paris Penn, admires the way Napaa achieved these accolades.
“He’s going to try and put you in the dirt, and he’s going to help you up after,” Penn says. “He’s just a nice guy.”
And there’s more. After the Broncos’ starting long snapper was injured earlier in the season, Napaa stepped in on special teams.
Penn laughs. “Juni never gets a break. He’s on the field all the time. Literally.”
Anyone who thinks Napaa gets a break at halftime is mistaken. As his teammates run into the locker room, Napaa jogs in the opposite direction to a spot near the track where his sousaphone — the biggest brass instrument in the tuba family — is waiting for him on the ground.
“Yeahhh, Juni!” comes a call from the stands.
The chorus of encouragement echoes onto the infield as Napaa picks up the giant brass instrument and heaves it around his 6-foot-2 frame. Napaa catches his breath with every step, searching for enough oxygen to play the thing. A few seconds later, the lineman — still in his football uniform — is ready to tackle the bass line as the halftime show begins. The band plays familiar themes from “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones,” while marching into intricate formations. It’s the first year Napaa has joined his bandmates during halftime shows.
“My previous years, I was kind of scared to do both,” Napaa explains. “I would always use football as an excuse. I wanted to try it, and thankfully my coach was supportive.”
“He’s committed to us, he’s committed to marching band,” Penn says. “But at the end of the day he’s giving 100% to both of us and that’s all I could ask.”
By the time football practice ends on Wednesday nights, and marching band practice begins, Napaa has already been on the field for three hours. Band teacher Keija Lee is grateful that Napaa sticks around for all of it.
“It’s a tough balancing act for him to be the star on the football team and also the star of the band, but he does it like a champ,” Lee says. “The other kids just love having him here.”
Napaa knows people are watching him and appreciates the opportunity to be a role model.
“I try to lead by example. I try to encourage rather than put down. I’m trying to build a culture here,” he says.
For Napaa, that responsibility feels like his most important job on the field. He manages to juggle all of it while maintaining a 4.0 GPA, staying humble, and always striving for more.
“There’s definitely a hunger that you need to make it to the next level. I don’t want to be satisfied with where I am right now,” he says.
Napaa credits his parents, pillars of quiet strength and his own “defensive line,” for inspiring that work ethic in him.
“My family means everything to me, I love them so much,” he says. “This is all really kind of for them.”
