Students can recognize the broad applicability of their knowledge and skill sets, and independently apply their learning in new contexts.
I connect knowledge and skills within and across disciplines.
I evaluate experiences or solve problems using knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines.
I articulate the relevance of my learning.
Being involved in music and the arts at a young age taught me about treasuring my community. The prevalent local art/music community in O'ahu is interconnected and intertwined, and it takes dedication and boldness to to make your voice heard. Whether performing piano on the stage, or teaching youth interactive crafts, I have learned to speak up and share my passion with everyone around me.
Using knowledge from my APUSH experiences, I learned to evaluate situations beyond mere "facts." While facts are important, it is equally necessary to analyze how the facts were told, where they came from, and their implications on a broader scale. History follows a pattern of mistakes, mistrials, and teachable moments; learning history is to learn from its pattern of inequity and change it.
Having strong foundations in education and hands-on experiences enables me to be an outspoken advocate. I can apply my learning through creative solutions to legislative issues or projects. As a young person, it is intimidating to dialogue with authority. However, my experiences have showed me that I am not alone, rather, I am surrounded by a community of outspoken individuals who have the same goals as me.
Students can enact open-minded listening and thinking skills to engage empathetically with people and with different points of view.
I demonstrate a willingness to have my mind changed during group work.
I ask questions to understand the points of view of my group members.
I encourage the group to incorporate a diversity of thought in our work.
In Model UN, I have often represented a country whose political position I disagree with. Likewise, at other conferences, I have argued with other delegates that have had positions I personally disdain. In both situations, I have learned how to adapt. After all, in Model UN, since the goal is to pass resolutions, keeping an open mind is crucial for success. Like the numerous countries represented in the United Nations, each person comes from a different situation, background, and culture. I have learned how these influence our perspectives and stances.
Interning at the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, I was biased against the numerous ICE agents I encountered. Although they were only doing their jobs, I felt that their actions were personal. When they spoke with immigration lawyers I shadowed, I learned that both had to work within the same framework whether they agreed or not.
The Hawai'i State Youth Commission has a responsibility to remain non-partisan. When setting up the Local Official Webinar, we had to account for this. Thus, we had to reach out to a variety of legislators — not just those with whom I agreed. During the webinar, I was grateful we did, because there were more learning moments, and it was much more intriguing to witness the diverse opinions within our local government.
Students can respond to a true need in a community and take impactful action.
I investigate the needs and concerns of a community.
I engage with the perspectives of community members to understand context and complexity.
I co-design an action plan with the community.
Students can reflect upon how privilege and power have the potential to guide decision making.
I recognize power and privilege are not equal for all in a society.
I investigate how differing power or privilege impacts members of a society.
I explore ways that power or privilege could be used to create opportunities for others.
Volunteering at Family Promise of Hawai'i through the KEY Foundation taught me how access to education is not equitable. In Hawai'i, the difference between opportunities can be strikingly significant. It reminded me of my privileges in experiencing all different types of education: arts, civic, and more.
While interning in Councilmember Tyler Dos-Santos Tam's office, I interviewed neighborhood board leaders and school principals about specific legislative changes pertaining to their communities. One bill included the speed limit change. Although this issue seems minute, those who lived by schools were incredibly passionate about it. Young students were constantly at risk, and even just the smallest changes could make it a safer community for them.
When the KEY Foundation collaborated with HEARTS to put on a fundraising concert, our aim was to support local music programs. However, we wanted to do it in a way that promoted the community's love for music. Thus, I worked together with the director of HEARTS to host a fundraising concert, where student musicians within KEY performed alongside youth, singers, and hula dancers from HEARTS.
As a Punahou student, I am inherently privileged: its education, clubs, and resources are not accessible to all. While expanding my education through programs like Yale Young Global Scholars, and meeting community stakeholders through the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, I understood how I was handed opportunities. Even my mere status as an American citizen gave me rights my counterparts did not have, despite the fact that we lived on the same soil and are equally "American" in nature. Although I may not be able to immediately rectify these injustices, I recognize that it is my responsibility to remedy them.
Using journalism, I aim to advocate for, but not speak on behalf of, those who lack a platform for their voice. My explorations in journalism highlighted the inequity in advocacy: those who have a platform are most likely those who are privileged enough to not "need" it. Those who are in precarious situations may not have any avenue to share their journey. As an aspiring journalist, I will center my pieces not on myself, but the people and issues around me.
During the 2024-25 legislative year, the HiYC Housing Legislative Committee testified for many bills. Although a majority of the bills died on the floor, which stirred feelings of civic "inefficacy," I realized that the ability to testify in the first place itself was a victory for youth. Not all youth have had the opportunity to learn how testimony and legislative processes operate, and some might not even have the internet or technological materials necessary to participate in it. The immense privileges I have as a Punahou student, HiYC commissioner, and American have opened my eyes to potential changes in our systems, making our community a more equitable space.