Senior year was supposed to feel like the end of pressure, stress, and self-doubt. Instead, as time speeds up, so does the stress and pressure. My all-time goal for high school was to graduate with summa cum laude. Dedicating my time to early college courses and AP classes to boost my GPA. When I started struggling to maintain an A in my honors chemistry class, I watched my confidence and GPA go down. Seeing this was hard, and I felt dumb and behind. It took me back to being a little kid, having a harder time grasping the material while the other kids understood it perfectly. My self-doubt grew a ton, questioning my intelligence, future, and preparation. I began to measure my worth by a single grade, letting one class define how I saw myself as a student and person. As all this was going on, I knew I needed to lean on someone I could confide in. That's when I knew I could talk to my early college coordinator, Ms. Cabralda. She has always been there for me for the three years I have had her. I received so much support and guidance from her throughout these years. She helped me with college classes, future decisions, and fears. I knew I could always go to her for advice and that she would listen without judgment. So when I mentioned to her that I was having a hard time and doubting my future because of my chemistry class, she reassured me that I could overcome it by putting in my best effort and asking for help. But I told her my classmates all understand what is going on, and I sit there clueless in class. Then she hit me with a question that changed everything. She asked me, "Do you really think that their knowledge comes naturally or that they study, ask for help, and struggle at some point?" And that's when my eyes opened. It showed me that everyone has their struggles, some hide them more than others, and that understanding comes from effort. In that moment, I realized I had been comparing my behind-the-scenes struggles to everyone else’s outer confidence and achievements. Her encouragement changed my mindset not only in chemistry but in everything. I stopped letting my self-doubt take over. I started asking more questions and staying after class for extra help. During this time, my confidence was returning. So I retook a quiz that I recently did poorly on and received a 100% and when I saw that the score was more than just numbers, but proof that anything is possible as long as you are willing to put the work into it and push yourself beyond. Being able to tell Ms. Cabralda about my score felt like weights lifting off my shoulders. It helped me adopt a new mindset for college, learning to believe in myself and knowing there would be so many opportunities for me out there. She reminded me that asking for help is not a weakness but a strength for success. After high school, I plan to further my education in Radiological Technology or Nursing. I have applied to many colleges and universities, including Kapiolani Community College, the University of Hawai'i at West Oahu, the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, and Grand Canyon University. As I take significant steps toward my future, I am excited to grow both academically and personally. I want to study in these specific majors because ever since I was a little girl, I watched my family members in hospitals while also being exposed to my parents fighting their addiction. These experiences shaped me into the person I am today, and they make me determined to help others and remind me that I want a better future than this. Although it may be difficult, I know not to adopt a negative mindset or let my self-doubt take over, thanks to Ms. Cabralda and her guidance. Whether it's a family member, friend, or even a stranger, I always have the urge to help because I know what it feels like to receive support from someone when I am having a difficult time and how much it can completely change one's life. Being in the health field gives me the most incredible opportunity to show empathy and share my passion for helping others, whether it’s through work or simply being there for them as a person to listen. Just as Ms. Cabralda once reminded me of my potential, I hope to one day be that source of reassurance and strength for someone else who feels like how I felt.

My life changed when I attended Ka’ala Elementary. Since a young age I was adopted by my grandma due to my parents’ addiction. And learning to be away from her was hard because she was truly the only thing I had in my life. Growing up with my grandma she had dyslexia so it was difficult for me to ask for help or understand my homework. It took me longer to grasp the material in writing and reading like the other kids. Throughout my years at this school I got so many opportunities to learn so many things like growing confidence, getting out of my comfort zone, and asking for help. During 2014-2019 at Ka’ala I received so much guidance and support from so many of my teachers. My Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Snow made us use daily trackers of our behaviors and we would have to get it signed all the time from our parents. I learned to behave in her class and take responsibility for my actions. My second grade teacher, Ms. Nakamura understood my situation at home with my grandma so she always provided one-on-one practice in reading and writing in small groups with me. This is the year I received Rising Star. In second grade I was blessed to have Mrs. Reed. Her class helped me a lot with stepping out of my comfort zone. In third grade, I had Ms. Ynigues. She helped me a lot with math since I started having a hard time. Then in fourth grade, I got placed in Mrs. Abiva's, where she always had the most uplifting spirit and always reassured me that it’s okay to ask for help. Lastly, fifth grade, Mrs. Soriano helped me a lot with always checking up on me and understanding me. My fondest memory from my time at Ka’ala was having the opportunity to be placed in the A+ afterschool program; which was a program for kids whose parents’ needed to pick them up at a later time than when we ended school. However, since I needed help with homework and to be around kids more. Mr. Bob Davis, the principal at the time, found a way to get me in the program. This is where I met so many new friends and learned to ask for help when I needed it. One important lesson I learned from my years in Ka’ala is that growth takes time, but with the proper support and effort, it is never impossible. In addition, I learned that asking for help doesn’t make me weak but only stronger. This stuck with me throughout all of my years of middle school and high school. It helps reassure me every day that no matter how hard something may seem, I can handle it as long as I keep the right mindset and ask for help when I need it. My dreams for my future are made from my passion to help others. I didn’t come from a family with many role models but my grandma's determination to give me a better life and education than she received is something I hold close to my heart. Having the opportunity to attend a school like Ka’ala truly was a blessing. The guidance and support I received helped me build courage. I plan on continuing my education to college in Radiological Technology or Nursing where I want to share the support and encouragement that I got from teachers and staff at Ka’ala Elementary. As I get closer to graduating, I can’t believe how far I have come and it’s all thanks to Ka’ala.