I love math for its versatility, application, and integration into everyday life, especially as a kid in the toy aisle with my limited allowance. My love for numbers sparked my interest in business and finance. I enjoy the research aspect, analysis of data, and potential to impact businesses, individuals, and the world positively. My enthusiasm was solidified this past year after attending Wake Forest’s Finance and Investing Summer Institute. We were given a stock simulation investment project. I quickly took the lead in my group in developing a stock portfolio by researching companies and analyzing outside factors affecting stock prices and financial valuation. Managing the portfolio throughout the program, we won first place, and my interest was piqued through the lessons, analytics, trends, and project application which fueled my desire to pursue a career in business and finance. This experience inspired me to establish an investing club at my school, where I currently lead a stock simulation exercise for fellow students. I attended a data analytics program at TCU, where I learned to conduct dynamic data sorting, visualization, and modeling, developing a data-driven predictive model that forecasted who would win the COPA Cup based on location, weather, fan base, and soccer skills. I integrated visualization into charts and graphs, creating a Tableau presentation. Our project proved accurate the following week, and it blew me away how I could utilize my mathematics ability in a way that could predict the future using data. The real-world impact further drove me to want to study how finance can positively impact business and society. Having grown in my knowledge, teamwork, and leadership skills through my summer program experiences, the final step during my high school journey has been sharing with others the numbers I love. It is in the form of financial literacy that I have been able to do more than just trade stocks or predict soccer winners. I am currently writing my senior thesis on the value of financial literacy education for high schoolers and hope to help teens understand the basics of personal finance to make a difference in their future.

I love math for its versatility, application, and integration into everyday life, especially as a kid in the toy aisle with my limited allowance. My love for numbers sparked my interest in business and finance. I enjoy the research aspect, analysis of data, and potential to impact businesses, individuals, and the world positively. My passion for financial literacy especially finance stems from a deep concern about the financial struggles I have witnessed within my Ohana. Many of my relatives have never left the islands or pursued any type of higher education. They have faced serious challenges with managing debt and credit; some have declared bankruptcy. I have seen firsthand how a lack of financial education can have far-reaching consequences. That is why I have chosen financial literacy as the subject of my Senior Thesis—a 40+ page research project that argues for mandatory financial education in high schools. In my thesis, I examine how a lack of financial literacy affects individuals, families, and entire communities, particularly those in underserved areas like where my Ohana lives on the islands. The process of researching, writing, and defending this thesis has deepened my resilience and critical thinking skills, and I am determined to advocate for this cause as I continue my academic journey. The impact of financial education on my community is personal. It is rooted in my family’s story—of hardworking individuals who give generously but struggle financially because they lack the tools to manage their resources effectively. I hope to see every high school graduate equipped with the financial knowledge to make informed decisions about credit, debt, savings, and investments. If financial literacy education was a mandatory graduation requirement for all students on the islands, it could break the cycle of financial instability and create new opportunities for economic empowerment. These experiences have shaped my personal and academic growth, teaching me the importance of leadership, service, and community engagement. I am eager to explore ways to combine my passions for financial literacy, community service, and cultural empowerment. I am committed to creating opportunities for Native Hawaiian youth to thrive, and I hope to advocate for policies that will benefit my community and similar communities nationwide. My journey is not just about achieving academic success but about using the knowledge and skills I gain to create a lasting impact on the lives of others. Through my participation in academic programs, community initiatives, and cultural organizations, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the Native Hawaiian community and the wider world.

My passion for financial literacy especially finance stems from a deep concern about the financial struggles I have witnessed within my Ohana. Many of my relatives have never left the islands or pursued any type of higher education. They have faced serious challenges with managing debt and credit; some have declared bankruptcy. I have seen firsthand how a lack of financial education can have far-reaching consequences. That is why I have chosen financial literacy as the subject of my Senior Thesis—a 40+ page research project that argues for mandatory financial education in high schools. In my thesis, I examine how a lack of financial literacy affects individuals, families, and entire communities, particularly those in underserved areas like where my Ohana lives on the islands. The process of researching, writing, and defending this thesis has deepened my resilience and critical thinking skills, and I am determined to advocate for this cause as I continue my academic journey. The impact of financial education on my community is personal. It is rooted in my family’s story—of hardworking individuals who give generously but struggle financially because they lack the tools to manage their resources effectively. I hope to see every high school graduate equipped with the financial knowledge to make informed decisions about credit, debt, savings, and investments. If financial literacy education was a mandatory graduation requirement for all students on the islands, it could break the cycle of financial instability and create new opportunities for economic empowerment. These experiences have shaped my personal and academic growth, teaching me the importance of leadership, service, and community engagement. I am eager to explore ways to combine my passions for financial literacy, community service, and cultural empowerment. I am committed to creating opportunities for Native Hawaiian youth to thrive, and I hope to advocate for policies that will benefit my community and similar communities nationwide. My journey is not just about achieving academic success but about using the knowledge and skills I gain to create a lasting impact on the lives of others. Through my participation in academic programs, community initiatives, and cultural organizations, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the Native Hawaiian community and the wider world.

In August 2023, I heard the words that would forever change my perspective on community and resilience: “Lahaina’s on fire.” The devastation of the wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, hit close to home—literally. My paternal Ohana Kaumeheiwa has deep roots in Lahaina. My grandmother grew up there, living on a small plot of land my great-grandparents had purchased a century ago. The small, intimate parts of my childhood—walking under the Banyan Tree on Front Street holding Ululani’s shave ice, strolling on the dock where my Grandpa had painted boats, visiting my cousin’s art gallery, attending church service at Waiola Church, and spending time at my great-grandparents’ home—were all lost in an instant. As I watched my beloved Ohana lose their homes and history, I knew I could not just stand by. I immediately mobilized my National Honor Society (NHS) group and launched Operation Aloha, a backpack drive aimed at supporting the children of the Lahainaluna Hawaiian Immersion Program schools. Within a month of the fires, we assembled and shipped 40 backpacks filled with school supplies, comfort items, and notes of encouragement to Maui. This project was recognized nationally by NHS, earning us the Service Pillar of the Year award in September 2024. My engagement with my Native Hawaiian community doesn’t stop there. After the Maui wildfires, my heart sank, and I felt sick when I heard of the devastating fires in Los Angeles happening currently in January 2025, where my immediate family now lives. My sister and brother had to evacuate.As power flickered on and off for days, I did the only thing I could think of: look for a way to help and act. I began organizing a clothing and personal items collection drive to support those whose homes had been destroyed and displaced by the fires. I gathered water and food for the firefighters, which my sister helped to drop off. The empathy I felt for everyone affected by the tragedy runs deep and stemmed from my own experiences last year with Lahaina and the realization that rebuilding takes more than just physical resources—it takes emotional support, solidarity, and shared strength. In line with my community engagement, I support the Maui Strong Foundation, donating 20% of my profits from my stock trading venture to assist with rebuilding efforts in Lahaina. My passion for financial literacy stems from a deep concern about the financial struggles I have witnessed within my Ohana. Many of my relatives have never left the islands or pursued any type of higher education. They have faced serious challenges with managing debt and credit; some have declared bankruptcy. I have seen firsthand how a lack of financial education can have far-reaching consequences. The impact of financial education on my community is personal. It is rooted in my family’s story—of hardworking individuals who give generously but struggle financially because they lack the tools to manage their resources effectively. These experiences have shaped my personal and academic growth, teaching me the importance of leadership, service, and community engagement. I am eager to explore ways to combine my passions for financial literacy, community service, and cultural empowerment. I am committed to creating opportunities for Native Hawaiian youth to thrive, and I hope to advocate for policies that will benefit my community and similar communities nationwide. My journey is not just about achieving academic success but about using the knowledge and skills I gain to create a lasting impact on the lives of others. Through my participation in academic programs, community initiatives, and cultural organizations, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the Native Hawaiian community and the wider world.

Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare: When William Shakespeare writes Sonnet 116, published in 1609, he dives into the timeless theme of love and its enduring nature. Through the adept use of poetic devices such as metaphor, rhetorical figures, imagery, and a structured rhyme scheme, Shakespeare puts forth a compelling argument about the steadfastness of genuine love. This explication will closely analyze the poem's language, and thematic elements to illuminate Shakespeare's portrayal of love as an unwavering force transcending time and adversity. The opening quatrain establishes the central premise of the poem – the immutability of true love. The speaker emphatically declares, "Let me not to the marriage of true minds / Admit impediments" (1-2). The metaphor "marriage of true minds" highlights the spiritual and intellectual union between lovers, suggesting a profound connection beyond mere physical attraction. By rejecting the admission of "impediments," the speaker asserts that genuine love remains unyielding in the face of external obstacles, setting the stage for an exploration of love's constancy. In the subsequent quatrain, Shakespeare reinforces the idea of love's steadfastness. The speaker proclaims, "Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds" (3-4). Through the use of parallel structure and repetition, Shakespeare emphasizes the essence of true love as unchanging and unswayed by the passage of time or unforeseen circumstances. The repeated invocation of "love" underscores its significance and permanence in the speaker's conception of genuine affection. The third quatrain employs vivid imagery to depict the unwavering nature of love. The speaker describes love as "O no! it is an ever-fixed mark / That looks on tempests and is never shaken" (5-6). Through the metaphor of a navigational "mark" and personification of love, Shakespeare portrays love as a constant beacon guiding individuals through life's storms. The imagery of "tempests" symbolizes adversities and challenges, while the phrase "ever-fixed" conveys the enduring stability of true love amidst turmoil. When Shakespeare writes ,” Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks/Within his bending sickle's compass come;”(9-10), he asserts that love is not subject to the passage of time or the effects of aging. He declares that despite the inevitable changes that occur over time, true love remains steadfast and unyielding. The metaphor of Time as a "fool" implies that love transcends temporal limitations and endures beyond physical beauty. Even as "rosy lips and cheeks" fade within the grasp of Time's "bending sickle's compass," symbolizing mortality, love remains constant. Shakespeare contrasts the fleeting nature of physical beauty with the enduring essence of love, emphasizing its timeless and unwavering nature. The concluding couplet reaffirms the speaker's unwavering belief in the eternal nature of love. The speaker avows, "If this be error and upon me prov’d, / I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d" (13-14). Here, Shakespeare employs conditional language to underscore the speaker's absolute certainty in the validity of their assertion. By linking the potential error to the act of writing and the universal experience of love, the couplet encapsulates the enduring truth of love's constancy, transcending individual doubt or skepticism. In conclusion, in Sonnet 116, William Shakespeare crafts a masterful exploration of love's enduring power. Through the adept use of metaphor, imagery, and structured rhyme scheme, Shakespeare presents a compelling argument for the unwavering nature of genuine affection. The poem's assertion that true love remains steadfast in the face of obstacles and adversity serves as a timeless testament to the enduring power of human connection. Through close analysis, Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 emerges as a poignant ode to the enduring essence of love, resonating across centuries and reaffirming its timeless significance in the human experience.

As the youngest in my family, I often blended into the background until golf gave me a way to truly stand out and come into my own. I began playing golf at six, introduced by my grandpa, and continued playing throughout my youth. During the pandemic, golf provided an outlet in which I channeled my energy and focus during uncertain times. I would have the chance to go out to my local muni and play to get let go of the stress that was avid throughout the world. I was always the youngest, the weakest, the last. I had to prove to others that I was good enough to play in the foursome, but I realized I wasn’t as strong or talented. So I decided to do something about it. What started as a pastime quickly transformed into a passion I pursued with unwavering determination. I participated in every golf opportunity possible, joining city programs and the Jr. PGA. I practiced every day hitting balls into my backyard net and chipping from one side of my yard to the other. I taught younger kids golf in exchange for my own golf lessons. I was not the kid with an unlimited country club membership but rather the one who worked in the background to earn his way. After school working from 3:30-6, my hard work paid off, and I’ve felt empowered through golf. Before, it was just a sport I liked, but then it became a game I loved. I consider golf to be one of my greatest skills. Determination, practice, and heart are what drive me. My short game in golf, particularly chipping, has been a focal point of my training. Early on, I struggled with consistency, often falling short of my targets. But I persisted, spending hours on the green, experimenting with different clubs, refining my swinging, and learning to read the terrain. All the little things matter. Through daily practice I’ve developed my skills and my chipping is now my greatest strength. During the championship match of my CIF varsity golf season, I chipped in on hole 18 for the win and MVP of the league, a milestone moment for me. I’ve finally grown into my own and achieved the goal I was dreaming of all these years. Golf has given me fundamental life skills, including discipline, strategic thinking, resilience, and hard work, to finally grow into my own person. Samuel D. Hartley's story inspires me.

In August 2023, I heard the words that would forever change my perspective on community and resilience: “Lahaina’s on fire.” The devastation of the wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, hit close to home—literally. My paternal Ohana Kaumeheiwa has deep roots in Lahaina. My grandmother grew up there, living on a small plot of land my great-grandparents had purchased a century ago. The small, intimate parts of my childhood—walking under the Banyan Tree on Front Street holding Ululani’s shave ice, strolling on the dock where my Grandpa had painted boats, visiting my cousin’s art gallery, attending church service at Waiola Church, and spending time at my great-grandparents’ home—were all lost in an instant. As I watched my beloved Ohana lose their homes and history, I knew I could not just stand by. I immediately mobilized my National Honor Society (NHS) group and launched Operation Aloha, a backpack drive aimed at supporting the children of the Lahainaluna Hawaiian Immersion Program schools. Within a month of the fires, we assembled and shipped 40 backpacks filled with school supplies, comfort items, and notes of encouragement to Maui. This project was recognized nationally by NHS, earning us the Service Pillar of the Year award in September 2024. This recognition was not just for the effort of the backpack drive but for the spirit of aloha and community that it represented. It showed me that when you see a need, you act, and that collective action can make a tangible difference. My engagement with my Native Hawaiian community doesn’t stop there. After the Maui wildfires, my heart sank, and I felt sick when I heard of the devastating fires in Los Angeles happening currently in January 2025, where my immediate family now lives. My sister and brother had to evacuate. It was like deja vu. As power flickered on and off for days, I did the only thing I could think of: look for a way to help and act. I began organizing a clothing and personal items collection drive to support those whose homes had been destroyed and displaced by the fires. I gathered water and food for the firefighters, which my sister helped to drop off. The empathy I felt for everyone affected by the tragedy runs deep. In line with my community engagement, I support the Maui Strong Foundation, donating 20% of my profits from my stock trading venture to assist with rebuilding efforts in Lahaina. This small-scale stock trading enterprise, which I started over a year ago, taught me valuable financial principles and allowed me to direct funds toward a cause close to my heart. It’s a reminder that financial knowledge is not just about personal gain but can be a powerful tool for community recovery and resilience. The impact of financial education on my community is personal. It is rooted in my family’s story—of hardworking individuals who give generously but struggle financially because they lack the tools to manage their resources effectively. These experiences have shaped my personal and academic growth, teaching me the importance of leadership, service, and community engagement. I am committed to creating opportunities for Native Hawaiian youth to thrive, and I hope to advocate for policies that will benefit my community and similar communities nationwide. My journey is not just about achieving academic success but about using the knowledge and skills I gain to create a lasting impact on the lives of others. Through my participation in academic programs, community initiatives, and cultural organizations, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the Native Hawaiian community and the wider world.