Money. Something that can make you feel so limitless and at times, at your wit's end. An inevitable priceless currency of worry. It may seem like everything has a cost. Yet the term "agape love" or unconditional love, can strip all the worries that money may bring. And in my story, this belief became my life. How will I pay for my education? How will I pay for my transportation? Or even, "How will I pay for my home?". Like many people, these questions of money used to keep me up at night. It wasn't until I was shown the unconditional love of dedication and drive that I knew I could overcome anything. It was the summer of my junior year when the world I knew would forever change. My family could no longer afford to pay for the high prices of paradise on the East Side of where we lived, in Oahu, Hawaii. At the time, I didn't know how to deal with this change of home and of money. But changes were happening around me all along. Gentrification: small businesses and houses leave while big businesses come in. All because of rising prices and other factors out of our control. A notion that existed all of my life. A notion that my family and I finally became a part of. Surprisingly, despite these changes, my parents wanted me to continue my high school education at Kalāheo High School-where I started two years prior. They allowed me to do this despite our house now being over an hour away. So what happened? Day after day, morning after morning, my parents would get up before dawn to get me to school by 6:30 am. From the end of my junior year to the entirety of my senior year--I still do not know how we managed to leave each day by 5:15 am. All they wanted was for me to get an education/job to one day not continue their path of worrying about money. All without expecting anything in return. It was this agape love that made me realize that we were going to make it. I no longer had a fear of the lack of money. My fear turned into passion. Instead of worrying about money, I wanted to worry about giving back to my community, my education and most importantly making my parents proud-- all through agape love. It was the 50th anniversary of my high school and I decided to tap into my love for writing and storytelling. Having already re-established the school newspaper the year before, after a 15-year hiatus, I knew this was something I wanted to do. And what was that something? For the 50th anniversary at Kalāheo High, I set out to interview 50 different alumni, write an article for each, and publish them for my peers to read. I wanted my peers to feel inspired. Through reading the stories of those who came before us, I wanted my peers to know that they can do anything they put their minds to. What I didn't know is through this project and the love of my parents, I would learn that about myself. Months and months of writing in the car. Interviewing via phone between classes. Sleepless nights typing and writing. All on top of school and work. Completing the 50 felt good. Yet nothing compares to people reading and appreciating my work. The feeling that someone may have been impacted by what I wrote. The feeling of my parents being proud. This is truly priceless to me. And that is something money can't buy.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

What do I want to do with my life? Is college for me? Am I good enough? How will I be able to afford the cost of higher education? During my time in high school, these questions of self-doubt felt irrevocable to my identity. However, it was during my senior year that I was given 50 reasons to continue my journey in college. And most importantly, I was given the answer not only to my career but to myself--- answering the question of "Who am I?". For most, such a number of 50 holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams, and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I found that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials, and perseverance. It all started when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year, for many may be dubbed the year full of self-discovery and a journey into the unknown. But little did I know that I would be catapulted into the epitome of this notion. I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and me. I decided to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15-minute to 3-hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12,000-word short stories. Stories of laughter, trials, success, and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than me. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. After months of writing, storytelling, and embarking on this creative endeavor, I got to learn about so many different paths of life. Do I want to design newspapers? Do I want to do graphic design? Do I want to continue to write or to story tell? Or do I want to follow the path of an alumnus that I interviewed? Indeed, it took me interviewing 50 different alumni to understand what I truly wanted. I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would unequivocally weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the embodiment of a dream– a paradise destined for prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. Such as my family and I, having to pack up and move due to high prices--- it is a common practice living in Hawaii. But while financial difficulties do arise, it is these hardships that in fact, help me understand what I want to do in life. And that is to help my community. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need if we are not informed of them in the first place? As a passionate writer, I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person, I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one. Despite my experiences of getting to know so many different people, I still desire to best know myself. As I grapple with the journey of my future, I now better understand my need to fulfill a legal career. I realized I always had the desire to fight for those around me, but it was always self-doubt that made me shy away from the possibility of being a voice for the voiceless. Still, coming from a low-income household, the transition into higher education is scary as it is. The fear of being in financial trouble from undergraduate student debt, let alone graduate debt, was far more than I believed I could handle. But while the high prices of education may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. As I grow older, I have a greater urge to achieve my fullest potential, and as I continue to look at the world around me, that yearning only grows stronger. I now realize that my life is not only about me. It's about those you come into contact with, it's about those you affect, and those you may soon affect in the future. Because it takes every one of us to do our part and create a better community. All in the hopes to preserve it for the next generation of dreamers and doers.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it became the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. How I found out what success means to me. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. I wanted to learn how they achieved their success with the intent to share it with others. I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. I realized that to truly cultivate success and satisfaction in my life, I would have to begin to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would learn that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.

50. For most, such a number holds no significance, but for me, it is the defining weight of all of my passions, dreams and goals for the future. It was in my senior year that I would find that everyone has a story. And in our story and journey toward success, we may find injustices, trials and perseverance. My story started in my senior year, when I re-launched the student newspaper at my Hawaii school. A year that just so happened to be the schoolʻs 50th anniversary. Senior year: full of self-discovery, and doubt, I chose to embark on a quest to share the stories of those before my classmates and I. I chose to interview and write 50 articles about 50 different alumni commemorating 50 years of my high school. In 15 minute to 3 hour conversations with those young and old, I would compile into 500 to 12000 word short stories. Of laughter, trials, success and sadness– I had a hunger to learn about those older than I. However, what I truly would be learning about is myself. But I realized it's not enough to share their stories, but to take action to truly rewrite the injustices in it. Having always been interested in sharing stories and seeking the truth and justice– I knew this was an omen to combine my passion for journalism and the law. Writing a path of not only being a journalist but an attorney! In interviewing and writing about 50 alumni, I would learn a crucial detail in these stories that would irrevocably weave into my own. And that is the struggle of living in Hawaii. Hawaii to most may be the epitome of a dream– a paradise destined with prosperity. However, that is not the reality that most living in Hawaii face. It was not only through my own experience with high prices and gentrification, but the experience of those 50, that I knew a change must be made for future generations. Housing crisis, food crisis, money crisis— it did not take 50 stories for me to realize the truth of the matter. However, it did take 50 to solidify my path. If they can achieve success despite their trials and injustices, so can I. But how can we as a group of people fight to help those in need, if we are not informed upon them in the first place? As a passionate writer I must share stories and echoes of those who may be unbeknownst to society. But as a person I must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It is through law school that I hope to become a public interest lawyer with the intent of giving back to my community. While the high prices of education both in undergraduate and graduate school, may scare me, it certainly will not stop me from achieving my goals. For me, public interest law is not merely a public affair, or “9 to 5,” for me, it's a personal one.