Persephone Scholarship in Memory of Kirstie Campbell

As the student body president at my high school, I’ve had the privilege of leading several impactful projects, but one that truly stands out for me is my work on the Ka Mole o Lehua broadcast. This weekly news show, which airs at my school, is designed to promote student engagement, showcase achievements, and build a stronger sense of community and pride. My passion for this project stems from my desire to not only share important school events but also highlight Hawaiian culture in a modern and accessible way. Through this project, I’ve been able to embody the values of kindness, generosity, and perseverance in different ways. First and foremost, creating Ka Mole o Lehua allows me to be kind by giving students a platform to be seen and celebrated. Whether it’s highlighting a sports team’s victory or recognizing a student’s achievements in academics or the arts, I make sure everyone has the opportunity to shine. In a school setting, where many students may feel unnoticed, I believe it’s important to uplift others and show kindness by celebrating their accomplishments. Generosity is another key aspect of the work I do with Ka Mole o Lehua. Producing a weekly broadcast requires a lot of time and energy, especially alongside other responsibilities like schoolwork and extracurricular activities. However, I’m dedicated to giving back to my school community. I coordinate with students and teachers, write scripts, edit footage, and ensure each episode is ready to air on time. My goal is to generously give my time and talents to create something that brings joy and unity to others. I also make sure to include Hawaiian language and culture in each episode, generously sharing a part of my heritage with my peers, and helping keep those traditions alive in a modern way. Perseverance has been essential throughout this project. In the early stages, there were many challenges. Learning how to use editing software, organizing filming schedules, and balancing this project with my academic load wasn’t easy. There were times when I doubted whether I could keep up with it all. However, I was determined to push through these obstacles because I knew how important this project was, not just for me, but for my fellow students. Perseverance allowed me to learn new skills and grow as a leader. When I see students watching the broadcast and feeling more connected to their school, I know the hard work was worth it. My work with Ka Mole o Lehua not only reflects my passion for storytelling and community building but also embodies the values of kindness, generosity, and perseverance. I want to continue using these qualities in whatever I pursue in the future, knowing that they can make a difference in both my life and the lives of those around me. Just like Kirstie, who overcame her own challenges with perseverance and kindness, I aim to follow my dreams while uplifting others along the way. This scholarship will help me take the next steps toward achieving my goals and making a lasting impact, no matter where they lead.

My passion is to build a community of acceptance; to break the walls of misconception through education while providing support and resources for youth with speech challenges. I have had a stutter for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, my communication difference was met with bullying and teasing. At age 14, I began looking for a support group for teens like me in my community. To my surprise, there were no such organizations in Hawaii. That propelled me to create a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called CHATS (Caring for Hawaii Teens with Speech Challenges); providing a safe place where youth with speech differences are met with acceptance, respect, and normalcy. CHATS is the first organization in Hawaii providing support and resources for middle and high schoolers with communication differences. Living in the most isolated populated landmass in the world, kids like me need a place where we can feel different together. CHATS is that place. As founder, president, and lead advocate, I partner with Mental Health America of Hawaii and the Hawaii Speech-Language-Hearing Association, to present a message of acceptance, empathy, and anti-bullying. According to Mental Health America, youth with speech differences are five times more likely to be bullied. Youth with a stutter, are 61% more likely to be targeted by a bully. As a result, these targeted youth have an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideations. This was the case for a young stutterer whom I recently met. His non-fluid form of communication was met with criticism and ridicule from peers at school. After hearing his story, I welcomed him to our CHATS family where he is accepted and heard with compassion.   I have presented to over 5,500 students, parents, teachers, and medical professionals in my community. I organize monthly events, support group sessions, board meetings, and CHATS fundraisers. I also lead CHATS team members; teens who serve as our event volunteers. Thanks to a soon-to-be published article in the Stuttering Foundation Magazine, my message will spread to over 100,000 households nationwide. Now, through my “Bridge of Aloha” project, I am connecting Hawaii-based speech, language, and hearing resources to underserved youth 10,000 miles away in Kenya.   My journey began with a passion to help others like me, followed by exploring support systems, educational resources, and collaborations, leading me to achieve things I never thought possible. I will continue to utilize my speech challenge as a beacon of strength for others. I may stutter through words and phrases, but my message is clear: we have voices to be heard, and we must teach the world to listen.

In the whirlwind of high school life, I have discovered three passions that have not only enriched my journey but have also become avenues through which I strive to embody kindness, generosity, and perseverance toward others. These passions are my involvement in the Game Club and Art Club and my dedication to tennis. These activities may seem disparate, but they share a common thread—the capacity to foster empathy, extend a hand of support, and inspire others to persevere in their pursuits. As the President of the Game Club, it has taught me the profound impact of kindness in fostering a sense of belonging. In the club, we create a welcoming environment where members can share their love for board games, card games, and video games. It's a space where diverse interests converge, and this diversity is celebrated with open arms. Kindness within the Game Club is manifest in the way we approach newcomers. I have seen firsthand how a warm greeting and a willingness to teach someone a new game can transform their experience. Through kindness, we embrace inclusivity, ensuring every member feels valued and accepted, regardless of their experience level. Art has always been a personal passion. As the President of the Art Club, it has allowed me to channel that passion into a vehicle for self-expression and connection with others. Through art, I have discovered the power of generosity in sharing one's creativity with the world. Within the Art Club, we encourage each other to experiment and push our creative boundaries. We embrace diversity in artistic styles and celebrate individuality. This atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement embodies kindness by nurturing the self-esteem and confidence of every member. Generosity within the Art Club is expressed through the willingness to share techniques and materials. When someone encounters an obstacle in their artistic journey, fellow members offer advice and practical solutions. Giving and receiving constructive feedback illustrates the club's commitment to fostering growth and improvement. Moreover, the Art Club frequently engages in community projects where our collective creativity is used for the betterment of others. Whether creating artwork for local charities or organizing art exhibitions to raise funds for community causes, these endeavors exemplify the club's commitment to using art as a force for good. Tennis, for me, represents perseverance in its purest form. My dedication to the sport has taught me that success is often the result of hard work, resilience, and the refusal to give up in the face of adversity. In tennis, kindness takes the form of sportsmanship—respecting opponents, acknowledging their efforts, and embracing the spirit of fair play. Generosity in tennis is evident in the camaraderie shared with competitors. After intense matches, it's customary to shake hands and exchange words of encouragement, regardless of the outcome. This generosity of spirit transforms rivals into friends and exemplifies the belief that sports can build bridges and foster connections. Tennis has also instilled a sense of perseverance. I have faced challenging opponents, struggled through grueling training sessions, and encountered setbacks. Through these experiences, I have learned the importance of resilience and determination. This perseverance extends to my interactions with teammates as I strive to motivate and uplift them in their tennis journeys. I am committed to continuing this journey of personal growth and using these qualities to inspire and uplift those around me. These activities have taught me that true fulfillment comes not only from pursuing one's passions but also from using those passions as tools for positive change in the world.

I am passionate about changing the culture of poverty here in Wai‘anae. Having been born and raised in this community, I’ve observed that students don’t really consider postsecondary education simply because it isn’t an option for them. Not only because they will be first generation college students, but the people in this community only have enough to live day to day, making future planning futile. This is also why parents aren’t really involved in their child’s learning. They not only constantly try to make ends meet, but they give the responsibility of educating their child to the school because they don’t feel qualified to nurture that at home. Although this is the case, students are still not being set up well enough to succeed in the future because of our school’s low academic standards and lack of resources for higher level classes. This past summer, I was sworn into Peer Forward, an organization that connects low income communities to college resources. I am a firm believer that everyone has the right to higher education and Wai‘anae students are no exception. Through this organization, I not only helped many seniors set up their FSA ID in preparation for the FAFSA, but I have educated the senior class about the multitude of options for financial aid they have once they do their FAFSA. I hope to create a lasting impression on the later generations of students through Peer Forward and inspire them to join and do the same. I want them to see that they have what it takes to go to college and give themselves a bright future and that they aren't alone. I don't plan to stop once I graduate either. If there is anything that I have learned to value, it's the big family of a community we have here. No matter who you are or what you are going through, there will always be people to support you. Once I complete my future goals, I am more than willing to come back to Wai‘anae so that I can inspire more students to reach for academic excellence. I don't just want to be an alumni that gives a speech to the annual class assemblies at the beginning of every school year. I want to be an individual that also increases opportunities for students, someone who can fund their learning through scholarships. I never had someone like that in all my years of high school so I want to be that person for my community.