Embedded Files
Davis Democracy Fellows
Davis Democracy Fellows
I joined the Davis Democracy Fellows in my sophomore year to learn more about local issues, and I hoped to converse with other students who were passionate in addressing them. In the past two years, DDF has helped me to accomplish those goals. Beyond that, however, DDF showed me how civic engagement can bolster a community of diverse perspectives and voices. By attending meetings, I challenged my pre-established views; through speaker events, I learned about specific issues and the obstacles in mitigating them; with encouragement from other Fellows and DDF mentors, I became a more active participant in my community.
With copious help from other students, I helped to arrange the 2024 Presidential Election Watch Party. Numerous middle and elementary students attended, and we prepared discussion flows and topics that fostered civic thinking. In addition to these young students, hundreds of other Academy students visited the watch party. During the legislative season, I also helped other fellows in submitting testimony and tracking bills. As a member and avid participant of the club, I was grateful for the opportunity to welcome speakers such as Senator Mazie Hirono and Governor Josh Green to our campus.
Student Journalism
Ka Punahou (the school newspaper)
As a freshman, Ka Punahou was the first club I joined, and I was thus tremendously scared to publish my first article, "The Lily Pond's Declining State." Fortunately, I grew confidence as a writer and journalist; I will have published more than 10 articles by my senior year. In my sophomore year, I was chosen to be the News Section editor. I edited all news articles and contributed to the annual print edition. Then, as a junior, I became one of two Co-Editor-in-Chiefs of Ka Punahou. Along with the other EiC, I edited and approved every article before it was published, and we managed a cohort of over 90+ staff. Additionally, after years of producing only one print edition per year, we brought back Ka Punahou's tradition of publishing a second print edition for the spring (the April Fools' edition). While the April Fools' print was light-hearted and fun, it enabled new editors to practice interviewing students, get substantive quotes, and be involved in the overall journalism process.
I thoroughly enjoyed writing articles on a variety of topics ranging from presidential campaigns and student government, to affirmative action and the Academy's seating culture. As an increasing amount of youth turn towards short-form media to learn about current events, journalism has become ever more crucial. My goal as a student journalist is to encourage writing and journalistic reporting in any way possible. Covering even seemingly unimportant topics benefits journalism. Through involvement in our campus newspaper, I learned that the vitality of student journalism; it keeps our community civically alive, updated, and engaged.
The Oahuan (the Academy yearbook)
I began writing for the Oahuan in my junior year as the Student Life Editor. To gain accurate insights into student life at Punahou, I interviewed Academy students and also polled them. While this activity may seem unrelated to civic engagement, I believe to be civically engaged, one must communicate with their community in numerous ways. As the current Editor-in-Chief of the Oahuan, I hope to bolster more connections in the Punahou community.
Music Bridge Hawai'i
Music Bridge Hawai'i
I starting mentoring elementary students at Noelani School in my freshman year. With help from other Punahou musicians, the MusicBridge program developed musical skills in over 50 students in the past three years. In the MusicBridge program, I occupied the role of the head keyboard instructor. As a head instructor, I taught keyboard and provided weekly lesson plans. Additionally, I assisted in making the main lessons, which taught basic music skills, such as reading notes and learning rhythm.
Model UN
Model UN
Since joining Model United Nations in my sophomore year, I have attended numerous conferences, including the international PacMUN conference in 2024 and 2025. However, ModelUN has taught me numerous skills beyond attending conferences and writing position papers. I learned how to research niche topics in regards to diplomacy, such as the global supply chain during COVID-19, and I learned how to collaborate with others who have differing positions.
This fall, I will be co-chairing an beginners committee at the 2025 PunaMUN conference. In preparation for this conference, I collaborated with my other co-chair, Sofia Chi, to write a detailed background guide about the SOCHUM (Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural) Committee within the United Nations. We prepared the delegates to combat the complex issue of international business and forced labor.
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