I devote a good deal of my extracurricular time to tennis, and I have been on the Varsity 1 team since my sophomore year. During the varsity season in the spring, we have a match or practice almost every day of the school week. This May, my partner and I won the doubles title at the state championship in Maui and we were both recognized as Punahou athletes of the year. Recently, I was named a team captain for the team trip this fall, which means a lot to me as I remember and respect the captains who led our team in the past. 

Over the years, tennis has taught me so many invaluable lessons. Most importantly, I have learned the power of sportsmanship, fairness, and integrity. At the Junior level, players often make their own line calls, which can lead to unsportsmanlike conduct. After playing in many matches and observing other matches, I've realized that no one remembers how you played or what the score was. But they always remember how you made them or others feel and whether you are a fair player. The principle of treating your opponents with respect and kindness, no matter how heated the moment, is absolutely relevant in the world of politics today. 

Tennis, like my other endeavors, has revealed the value of collaboration. The sport is an independent one, and I play against many of my teammates in outside tournaments. Yet, we must all come together to work as a team during the season. Only through uplifting one another can we perform at our best. 

I’ve been a member of Speech and Debate since my freshman year, competing in Public Forum debate, which involves working with a partner to research, prepare, and debate resolutions. Over the years, the club focused not only on preparing for tournaments but also on building a supportive community where experienced debaters mentor novices, lead practice sessions, and refine strategies through round analysis.

Being part of this club has had a huge impact on me both as a competitor and as a leader. I’ve been fortunate to place 2nd in the state championship tournaments in Public Forum during both my freshman and sophomore years, and I also qualified for Nationals, which pushed me to keep improving. More importantly, helping younger members has strengthened my leadership skills and taught me the value of teamwork. Speech and Debate has challenged me to think critically, speak confidently, and collaborate effectively, all of which have shaped me into a stronger student and communicator.

Ka Punahou is the student-run newspaper, posting articles online and in a yearly print edition. I started as a writer my sophomore year, choosing to dive into topics that I found to be interesting. For my very first article, I wrote a piece titled the Ghosts of Punahou, using records in the archives as portals into the legends that have persisted for generations. The article garnered over 2,000 views, giving me confidence to continue writing for the newspaper. In junior year, I was selected to be a News section editor, where I provided feedback and suggestions on peers' feedback. This year, I am the Arts and Entertainment section editor. Ka Punahou has introduced me to a community of writers who love storytelling and story-hunting. What are others missing? What topics have people not explored? What questions do my peers wonder about? These are the questions I seek to answer.