Confidence is not something people are born with—it is something they build. This belief became real to me through cheerleading, but more importantly, through the guidance of my mentor, Coach Kelli, who helped me push past the limits I once placed on myself. As a Filipino-American cheerleader at Leilehua High School, I have always balanced academics, athletics, and my goal of pursuing a career in healthcare. Cheerleading has been the backbone of who I am, shaping my discipline, teamwork, and resilience. However, during my sophomore year, self-doubt began to overshadow my abilities. Even when I knew the routines, I constantly second-guessed myself during stunts and performances. Instead of trusting my training, I focused on everything that could go wrong. By the summer of 2024, the pressure of managing cheer, school, work, and an internship led me to burnout. Cheer stopped feeling like something I loved and started feeling like something I had to prove myself in. I began questioning whether I was strong enough, skilled enough, or confident enough to continue. For the first time, I felt disconnected from something that had always defined me. At my lowest point, Coach Kelli stepped in as more than just a coach—she became a mentor who saw potential in me that I could not see in myself. She refused to let me quit on myself. She reminded me that confidence doesn’t come before the work; it comes from trusting the work that has already been done. She told me that my struggle wasn’t a lack of ability, but a lack of belief. That perspective changed everything. Instead of focusing on fear and failure, I began to shift my mindset toward trust—trust in my training, my teammates, and myself. I started applying this lesson directly to my stunt group—Kelsey, Rose, Priscilla, and me. We struggled repeatedly with our extensions, often failing more times than we succeeded. Before, those failures would have confirmed my self-doubt. However, with Coach Kelli’s words in mind, I began to approach each attempt differently. I stopped overthinking every move and started trusting the process. I learned that failure was not something to avoid, but something to grow from. Slowly, we improved. By the end of summer cheer camp in 2024, we finally hit our stunts. That moment meant everything to me because it showed that confidence is built through persistence, even when you feel unsure. One of my proudest moments came on January 13, 2025, at a stunt clinic, where I accomplished skills I once believed were impossible, such as full-ups and extensions to liberty. I remember pausing in that moment and realizing how far I had come—not just physically, but mentally. The same person who once doubted every move was now performing skills she once thought were out of reach. I had learned how to turn fear into focus and doubt into determination. This mindset didn’t stay in cheer—it became a part of how I approached every aspect of my life. In school, I began to participate more and challenge myself academically, even when I wasn’t completely confident in my answers. At work, I stepped up to take on more responsibility, trusting that I could handle challenges as they came. In leadership roles, I learned to lead with confidence, understanding that being unsure doesn’t mean being incapable. This growth has played a major role in preparing me for my future in nursing. Through Leilehua’s Health Services Academy, I had the opportunity to volunteer at Age to Perfection and Lanakila Adult Daycare in Wahiawa. These experiences showed me that healthcare is not just about knowledge and technical skills, but about presence, patience, and compassion. I approached these environments with the same mindset Coach Kelli helped me develop—trusting myself to connect with patients, even when I felt nervous or inexperienced. I learned that just like in cheer, confidence in healthcare is built through experience, empathy, and the willingness to keep showing up. Because of Coach Kelli’s mentorship, I now feel more prepared and passionate about my goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. I plan to attend the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa so I can stay close to home and serve the community that raised me, especially in Wahiawa. Her encouragement taught me that believing in myself is the first step to helping others. Coach Kelli didn’t just make me a better cheerleader—she helped me become a more confident and resilient person. She showed me that my limits were not real, but something I had created out of fear. Now, I carry that lesson with me into everything I do. Whether in a routine, a classroom, or a future clinical setting, I will continue to push beyond doubt, trust my abilities, and lead with confidence. Just as she guided me through my struggles, I hope to one day guide my patients with the same patience, trust, and heart.

Uniforms turned into scrubs. Practice turned into clinicals. Pom poms turned into gloves. Stunts turned into patient charting. The strength of my Filipino heritage kept me steady on that cheer mat. Cheerleading has been the backbone of who I am. I began cheering with Wahiawa Strong and ended at Leilehua High School. My name is Lindsey-Jewell Ramel, and I am a Filipino-American cheerleader who aspires to work in healthcare to serve Hawai’i. I live my life to the rhythm of counts, moving between my academics, passions, and extracurricular activities, all echoing the same purpose: to care for people of aloha aina through nursing. In the cheer world, timing mattered–the right move on the right count. In healthcare, I found the same rhythm: small actions done at the right moment can bring comfort, trust, or save a life. Driven by the Health Service Academy at Leilehua High School, I gathered hands-on experience. Volunteering at Aged to Perfection and Lanakila adult daycare centers guided me on how to support kupuna and individuals with special needs. Creating motor-skill activities for them to engage in was more than a task; it taught me patience and how to adapt to each person's pace. Seeing their joy gave me the same fulfillment I felt when I had cared for my Lola Grace after her carpal tunnel surgery in the summer of 2023. Those moments with her opened my eyes to what nursing is truly about: genuine presence, respect, and family-centered care. These experiences inspired me to deepen my understanding of patient care. In June 2025, participating in the Kaiser Junior Mentorship Program enhanced my AIDET communication skills and my understanding of malama in patient care. I practiced acknowledging patients, introducing myself clearly, explaining procedures, and building trust. I enjoyed the meaningful bridge it created between the patients and me. Filipinos prioritize the human connection, considering it sacred and pure. My parents always emphasized “tratuhi" ang iba nang may paggalang,” meanin" treat others with respect. I was raised to have helping hands: hands that gravitate towards serving others. My heart is leading me to the UH Manoa School of Nursing, where I can dip my toes into the deep waters of medicine before diving in fully. Attending this university close to home will allow me to be surrounded by driven future nurses who share the same purpose in giving back to our community, gaining hands-on experience from simulation labs and clinicals while serving local hospitals. My commitment to service grew alongside my passion for healthcare. Throughout high school, I immersed myself in clubs, sports, and community work. My time in cheerleading showed my discipline and teamwork. There were early mornings, long practices, and moments where I felt physically and mentally drained, but I learned to push through for my team. Whether cheering at the games, cleaning the bleachers afterward, participating in competitions, helping with the Hawaii Food Bank, or marching in parades. I served the community in various ways. Service was never an obligation to me; it was something I wanted to show up for and be proud of. Seeing a smile made everything worth it. Being a positive role model to the little girls who looked up to me on the sidelines meant everything to me because I once stood in their place, hoping to become someone they could look up to. My culture continued to shape my purpose through leadership. As Miss Teen Magsingal 2024, I maintained my connection to my culture by leading with purpose and bringing people together. One social media post is like a small pebble dropped into water; it only takes one person to create a ripple of awareness and support across Ilocos Sur, Philippines. Sharing the blessings to students in need at my hometown. I learned leadership isn't about recognition, but about impact. Strengthening my sense even deeper in lokomaikaʻi, the generosity and kindness I strive to carry in every space. The story of Jeremieh C. Soroten reflects what it means to live a well-rounded and meaningful life. His involvement in academics, leadership, and service shows that success is not limited to one path. Like Jeremieh, I am determine to grow in every area of my life, whether in the classroom, my community, or my future nursing career. His dedication to serving others, especially during his time in the United States Air Force, inspires me to give back by continuing to pursue a path that allows me to provide accessible healthcare to the people of Hawai'i. Although my path is through healthcare rather than the military, the purpose remains the same: to serve with commitment, compassion, and pride. Cheer gave me steady hands and a steady heart—a call for me to pursue a career in nursing. Every step on the cheer mat, in the classroom, and in the community has shaped my desire to make an impact in Hawai’i as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I will carry aloha, compassion, and resilience, committing to serve my community of Wahiawa and the state of Hawaii in healthcare. In doing so, I hope to honor not only my family and culture but also the legacy of individuals like Jeremiah C. Soroten by living a life rooted in purpose, service, and heart.

What was meant to be the easiest year became the hardest. My name is Lindsey-Jewell Ramel, a Filipino student at Ka’ala Elementary. I struggled to speak English, even though I was born and raised in Wahiawa in an Ilocano-speaking home. Six years at this institution provided me with great teachers and friends, learning from failure, and the values of discipline and respect were instilled within me—Ka'ala's attitude of accepting new things. As a senior at Leilehua High School, it stays with me as I continue my education. From 2013 to 2018, I was truly blessed to be at Ka'ala. My teachers were dedicated and loving souls to me. My kindergarten teacher, Mrs.Snow, gave us a special chocolate rock at the end of class if we were good all day. It taught me that I will be rewarded if I do my best. My first-grade teacher, Mrs.Nakamura, checked on me, which I felt cared for after. In second grade, I was awarded Quality Producer by Mrs.Seneca. I was recognized for the first time for all the effort I put into my work. In fourth grade, Mrs.Abiva thanked me for sharing pencils and paper with others, learning to be responsible and kind. In fifth grade, Mrs.Soriano helped me with my financial needs to attend Camp Erdman. Each showed Ka'ala's spirit in their own way, with compassion and caring for others. My favorite memory is meeting my best friend Camry in kindergarten. I felt lonely, thinking no one would want to be my friend. She was the first person to ask me to hang out during recess. We were little girls playing with Play-Doh in Mrs.Snow's class. It was easy to talk to her. I could be my true self. Camry became part of every version of my life, knowing my family on a deeper level, and our hometown memories. Who could have imagined that one could impact your life so significantly? This friendship reflects the school's spirit of openness and courage. An important lesson I learned is that repeating kindergarten showed me that setbacks lead to growth. I despised myself for being dumb. It pushed me to improve my English language skills through the English Language Learner Program and Kumon, which my parents enrolled me in. I saw it as having the ability to adapt to a new environment. Failure does not define who you are; it motivates you to do better. The Ka'ala spirit taught me to encounter hardships with obedience and strength. My hopes are rooted in the Ka'ala spirit. The things I learned were humility and compassion. Facing challenges and opportunities in my heart—reminding me of the red and blue colors of Ka'ala, love in everything you do, and embracing courage. I enjoy helping others, so I want to study Public Health and Nursing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, through experiences like participating in the Health Services Class provided by Leilehua High School for almost 4 years now, and the Junior Mentorship program at Kaiser in the early summer of 2025. I continue to live out the spirit at Leilehua High School, volunteering and cheerleading. Being a team player and contributing back to the Wahiawa community. Without Ka’ala, I would be unmotivated to go out there to try new experiences and find my passion for the health field. I strive to be a go-getter with my goals and take initiative with my education. Helping my community embody the Kaala spirit by seeking courage in adversity and sharing love with the people and the ʻāina.