Punahou’s Shelby Baron shares her inspiring story with her alma mater

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Punahou graduate and two-time Paralympian is sharing her inspiring story to students and staff at her alma mater.

A 2012 graduate, Shelby Baron always had a knack for sports, playing wheelchair tennis at the junior level, then to Alabama where she excelled on the court for the Crimson tide.

Finally becoming a two-time Paralympian competing in Rio and Tokyo and despite her rise to the pinnacle, Baron never forgot those who helped jumpstart her journey here in the islands, so when asked to be Punahou’s 2022 Spirit and health speaker, it was a no brainer.

“I had so many people that supported me, that didn’t need to support me and they supported me throughout my journey.” Baron told Hawaii News Now. “I never forgot that, so when they asked me to speak to their students, I wanted to be able to inspire everybody.”

In the next chapter of her journey, Baron is still inspiring the next generation of athletes back in Tuscaloosa as a coach.

“I got hired on this year and it’s really turned my passion and to be able to work with this team coach them towards national championships and really work through like being a student athlete.” Baron said.

Baron was born with spina bifida that weakened her legs and she hopes that her success story shows others that no matter what, the skies the limit when you put your mind to it.

“I just want them to be able to see that even though I had this physical challenge against me, I was able to make do with that and then I turned that into all these different types of opportunities in life.” Baron said. “Everything is possible once you really put your mind to it and then if you have the vision of it it can happen.”

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