In early 2020, just as COVID-19 was shutting down society around the world, I began looking for a job. Unfortunately, I quickly realized that there weren’t any available. I then had the idea to create my own job, where I would experience the freedoms of self-employment, earn money, and hopefully contribute to society. For a few years before this point, my father had been keeping two beehives on our property, harvesting honey for our family and friends. Because of the pandemic, I now saw this as an opportunity for me to explore my interest in bees, while also learning about business in a hands-on way. I started by using my artistic background (having gone to an artsy school for 14 years) to create a logo and brand for my new business, Ha’iku Hives. I then built a website with the support of my father, and began managing all correspondence, delivery and shipping of our honey. During my time growing the business, I have learned valuable lessons in leadership as well as how to advocate for myself. I’ve expanded the operation from two to five hives, split in two locations, and currently produce over 500 lbs of honey a year. In addition to selling to many local customers, and a food truck, I regularly ship our raw Maui honey as far as New York, Massachusetts, and Texas. More importantly, I was able to make connections with a variety of people even during the pandemic when everyone was socially distancing. Being able to bring some extra joy to their lives from a jar of honey was extremely gratifying, and that inspired me to help different communities in other ways. Currently, 10% of profits are donated to different charities, including the Auwahi Forest Restoration Project – an important habitat for native Hawaiian bees – and to the Maui Food Bank. When asking my friends and family for words that describe me, “creative” is always listed in the top three. Both of my parents are artists, as are several other family members and friends. At my small school that encourages creative thinking, art is incorporated into almost every one of our assignments alongside the standard academic material. Being surrounded by this environment for my entire life, I’ve had many opportunities to come up with new ideas, thoughts, and artistic creations. Having to go the extra mile to find my unique, creative voice has challenged me to look at things from multiple perspectives.

From an early age, I’ve had a deep fascination with theater and film. During elementary and middle school, I always sought out the largest roles in our annual class play. While many of my classmates didn’t take play production seriously, I was engaged throughout the process, taking a passionate interest in the art of becoming someone else. I can’t remember a time when I haven’t wanted to know what it's like to live as another, even just for a day. For me, acting is more than just an activity. It's a way to step into someone else's shoes and explore different perspectives. Empathizing with others has its limitations, but being able to step into a character's shoes through acting gives me a much deeper understanding of the relationship they have with the world and the diversity of perspectives that come with it. Every opportunity that I have had to act has been rewarding. Recently, my class performed our senior play, and it was an amazing bonding experience that meant a lot to all of us, as it was our last play production together. We performed an interpretation of the play "Clue," and in each of our characters, we could see similarities to our real selves. It was a powerful experience that left us feeling connected, fulfilled, and sentimental. I’m determined to make a career out of acting because I want there to be more bi-racial representation in Hollywood for a bigger variety of roles. I don’t see many people in movies who look like me, so I want to be the one people can look at and relate to. Now, as I prepare to pursue my education, I know that I want to continue exploring the art of theater and film. I have applied to fifteen colleges, all of which have excellent programs in the subjects that I am interested in. However, I know that some of these programs are financially beyond my reach. This is why the Theresa Lord Future Leader Scholarship would be a tremendous help to me and my family. Receiving this scholarship would make money less of a limitation. Every dollar of support that I receive makes my financial reach schools more affordable. This scholarship would open up new opportunities for me, giving me more academic options and allowing me to truly decide out where I will be happiest learning. Acting has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It's an art form that allows me to explore the world and myself through reflection and experimentation. The Theresa Lord Future Leader Scholarship would help me achieve my goals by removing financial barriers and giving me the opportunity to pursue my education in a way that is both fulfilling and meaningful. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I am committed to using it to its fullest potential!

If I could have everyone in the world read just one book, it would be "The Samurai's Garden" by Gail Tsukiyama. This novel tells the story of a young Chinese man named Stephen who travels to a small Japanese coastal village to recover from tuberculosis. There, he meets a cast of characters, including a wise Japanese man, a local girl, and a mysterious woman who lives in a secluded house by the sea. What makes this book so powerful is its ability to transcend cultural boundaries and convey universal themes of love, loss, and the healing power of human connection. The story takes place during a time of political and social turmoil in both China and Japan, but the focus is on the personal struggles of the characters, rather than the larger historical context. The novel's exploration of the relationships between the characters is especially poignant. Stephen's growing friendship with the wise Japanese man, Matsu, provides a window into Japanese culture and values. Their conversations and interactions are filled with wisdom and compassion, and their bond becomes a source of strength for both of them. Similarly, Stephen's relationship with a local girl, Sachi, who is ostracized from the village due to her leprosy, is a testament to the power of empathy and human connection. In addition to its themes of love and friendship, "The Samurai's Garden" also explores the healing power of nature. The descriptions of the coastal landscape are vivid and immersive, and the characters' interactions with the natural world serve as a source of solace and inspiration. Finally, the novel's message of hope and resilience is especially relevant in today's world. The characters in "The Samurai's Garden" face adversity and hardship, but they never give up hope. Instead, they find strength in each other and in the beauty of the world around them. Overall, "The Samurai's Garden" is a beautiful and moving novel that has the power to inspire and uplift readers from all walks of life. Its themes of love, friendship, nature, and resilience are universal, and its message of hope is especially timely in today's world. I believe that if everyone in the world were to read this book, we would all be a little more compassionate, understanding, and hopeful.

From an early age, I’ve had a deep fascination with theater and film. During elementary and middle school, I always sought out the largest roles in our annual class play. While many of my classmates didn’t take play production seriously, I was engaged throughout the process, taking a passionate interest in the art of becoming someone else. I can’t remember a time when I haven’t wanted to know what it's like to live as another, even just for a day. For me, acting is more than just an activity. It's a way to step into someone else's shoes and explore different perspectives. Empathizing with others has its limitations, but being able to step into a character's shoes through acting gives me a much deeper understanding of the relationship they have with the world and the diversity of perspectives that come with it. Every opportunity that I have had to act has been rewarding. Recently, my class performed our senior play, and it was an amazing bonding experience that meant a lot to all of us, as it was our last play production together. We performed an interpretation of the play "Clue," and in each of our characters, we could see similarities to our real selves. It was a powerful experience that left us feeling connected, fulfilled, and sentimental. I’m determined to make a career out of acting because I want there to be more bi-racial representation in Hollywood for a bigger variety of roles. I don’t see many people in movies who look like me, so I want to be the one people can look at and relate to. Now, as I prepare to pursue my education, I know that I want to continue exploring the art of theater and film. I have applied to fifteen colleges, all of which have excellent programs in the subjects that I am interested in. However, I know that some of these programs are financially beyond my reach. This is why the Mad Grad Scholarship would be a tremendous help to me and my family. Receiving this scholarship would make money less of a limitation. Every dollar of support that I receive makes my financial reach schools more affordable. This scholarship would open up new opportunities for me, giving me more academic options and allowing me to truly decide out where I will be happiest learning. Acting has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It's an art form that allows me to explore the world and myself through reflection and experimentation. The Mad Grad Scholarship would help me achieve my goals by removing financial barriers and giving me the opportunity to pursue my education in a way that is both fulfilling and meaningful. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I am committed to using it to its fullest potential!

From an early age, I’ve had a deep fascination with theater and film. During elementary and middle school, I always sought out the largest roles in our annual class play. While many of my classmates didn’t take play production seriously, I was engaged throughout the process, taking a passionate interest in the art of becoming someone else. I can’t remember a time when I haven’t wanted to know what it's like to live as another, even just for a day. For me, acting is more than just an activity. It's a way to step into someone else's shoes and explore different perspectives. Empathizing with others has its limitations, but being able to step into a character's shoes through acting gives me a much deeper understanding of the relationship they have with the world and the diversity of perspectives that come with it. Every opportunity that I have had to act has been rewarding. Recently, my class performed our senior play, and it was an amazing bonding experience that meant a lot to all of us, as it was our last play production together. We performed an interpretation of the play "Clue," and in each of our characters, we could see similarities to our real selves. It was a powerful experience that left us feeling connected, fulfilled, and sentimental. Now, as I prepare to pursue my education, I know that I want to continue exploring the art of theater and film. I have applied to fifteen colleges, all of which have excellent programs in the subjects that I am interested in. However, I know that some of these programs are financially beyond my reach. This is why the John Traxler Theatre Scholarship would be a tremendous help to me and my family. Receiving this scholarship would make money less of a limitation. Every dollar of support that I receive makes my financial reach schools more affordable. This scholarship would open up new opportunities for me, giving me more academic options and allowing me to truly decide out where I will be happiest learning. Acting has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It's an art form that allows me to explore the world and myself through reflection and experimentation. The John Traxler Theatre Scholarship would help me achieve my goals by removing financial barriers and giving me the opportunity to pursue my education in a way that is both fulfilling and meaningful. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I am committed to using it to its fullest potential!