Leilani, a graduate of James B. Castle High School in Kaneohe, is a first-year graduate student pursuing her master’s degree in elementary education at Chaminade University of Honolulu. Multi-tasking is nothing new to Leilani; she attends classes in the evening in addition to teaching first grade at Waimānalo elementary school on the Windward side of O‘ahu full time during the day. As a child, Leilani always dreamed of becoming a teacher and began her post-high journey in elementary education at Chaminade. As a student-athlete and captain of the cross-country team, she maintained a cumulative GPA of 4.0 and graduated summa cum Laude with a minor in Psychology. Leilani is the epitome of a well balanced individual in all ways – academically, socially and athletically. Her love for working with families and students in her hometown region of Ko‘olau Loa is evident. “teaching is my life. I love working with my students and having a positive impact on their lives,” and is “helping them become successful” everyday.

 

Both scholarship awards (Inspirational Educator and Myron & Laura Thompson) Leilani has received support students who aspire to become educators and who are committed to working with Hawaiian children in Hawai‘i after completion of their education. She is focused on fulfilling her childhood dreams to help the youth of Hawai‘i “be the very best they can be,” and serves as an inspiration to us all.