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Hello!
Hello!
Hi everyone! My name is Joel Gaco, a senior at UH West Oʻahu majoring in Creative Media with a concentration in Communications and New Media Technologies. I was born in Honolulu and raised in Waiʻanae, where I still live today. I’m a proud Waianae High Class of 2020 grad and got a head start through Early College at UHWO and Leeward CC. Over my college journey, I studied photography at Leeward and even joined a study abroad program in Japan at Kyushu Sangyo University in 2024. I’m a creative at heart—whether it’s photography, short films, or documentaries. One of my earliest passions was voting, something my mom introduced me to as a kid, and that spark has grown into the focus of my final college project. If I am an artist’s tool, I would consider myself a whiteboard and markers. Constantly changing and evolving over time. Although it can become cluttered and messy quickly full of ideas, I am wide open to all perspectives and allow the space for those ideas to grow up to endless possibilities. With a whiteboard, some of me are like this, with an erasable marker while some of me are with a permanent marker where my morals and values remain steady from where I was born. Treating others how I want to be treated while keeping an open mind, no matter what.
Research Topic: Social Media and Voting
Research Topic: Social Media and Voting
Research Question: How much does Social Media impact Voting and Voting Turnout?
Research Question: How much does Social Media impact Voting and Voting Turnout?
Abstract:
Abstract:
As social media use continues to rise globally, platforms like Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook have become primary sources of information—especially during U.S. presidential elections. This study examines how social media influences voter turnout by analyzing the digital campaigns of candidates like Obama and Trump, revealing how these platforms can both mobilize voters and spread misinformation. Through data and case studies, the research highlights the impact of online narratives on civic participation and concludes with a nonpartisan strategy for local and state governments to use social media to empower voters and boost turnout.
Capstone Project: Social Media Campaign
Capstone Project: Social Media Campaign
Project Title: Every Vote for the Future
Project Title: Every Vote for the Future
Capstone Proposal:
Capstone Proposal:
CREATIVE PROCESS:
CREATIVE PROCESS:
The concept of creativity has come a long way. The Old Greeks would call those creative forces muses, other religions referred to them as God. Today people still mostly treat creativity as an aha moment outside the area of influence. However, just by looking at the creative process one can tell, that creativity and creative work is more than just that one "Aha-Moment" (insight). It is clear that generating ideas demands planning and preparation, identifying something of interest like a problem, an opportunity or a challenge, doing research. This then leads to thinking of a solution, allowing time to incubate and iterations before arriving at something “complete.” Students learn that hard work is what makes their ideas come to life and sticktuiveness is what helps them get better.
DELIVERABLE:
DELIVERABLE:
Joel puts civic engagement front and center with two original social media campaigns on BlueSky and Instagram, designed to promote voter turnout. 🗳️📲 Based on his research into how platforms like Twitter/X and Facebook influence public perception and participation, Joel explored both the persuasive power and potential pitfalls of political messaging online. From Obama’s hope-driven digital strategy to Trump’s divisive rhetoric, his study underscores how social media can shape reality—for better or worse. His campaigns offer a nonpartisan call to action, using clear, engaging content to remind people of their power at the polls.
Scroll. Share. Show up. Joel Gets Out the Vote. Go and check them out!
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