College Readiness

Program Information

Saturday, February 9, 2013 is College Day when we bring together Pacific islander students and their parents from local high schools for workshops, forums, presentations to motivate, inspire, and inform them about college opportunities and other self-empowering resources

Schedule

8:30  – 9:30 am
Check-in & Breakfast

9:30 am – 10:00 am
General Session

  • Welcoming Remarks: Vid Raatior & Pacific Island Student Club Presidents
  • Special Performance: “The History Project” by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner
  • Keynote Address: Dr. Lorraine Sonoda-Fogel, MD

10:10  –  11:00 am
Session 1 – Understanding Who We Are

Participants will be assigned to one of these workshops based on their registration preferences.

Our Stories
Throughout history, everyone has had a story to tell. Some made you think and some have made you cry, but some stories stay with us forever. The stories that we hope to share with you are the struggles that we’ve encountered and the challenges that empowered in us a sense of hope that we, too, can do it. College is more than just academics; it is a journey that helps to define who we are and learn more about yourself. We hope that our stories will inspire and motivate you to follow your dreams.
Room: UCB 118
Facilitators: Samalaulu C. Lam Yuen , Nikita Salas, Jossio Timoteo, Karnim Judah, Monica T. Afalava, Kailene Leinaen (University of Hawaii at Manoa)

Dream Big & Take Action
Be inspired to accomplish your dreams through an interactive workshop facilitated by current UH students. Participants will learn about themselves, share their dreams, and discuss ways to accomplish those goals.
Room: Campus Center 301
Facilitators: Desha Staley-Raatior , Ruby Tapuai , Jesse Roberts (University of Hawaii at Hilo)

Get Out of The Box
Based on the exercise “The Man Box”, this workshop explores our own self-identity as Pacific Islanders in the same way the Man Box explores society expectations of men. Learn the identity that yourself, our society and our people have placed on us and how we can be the keepers of our own identities. This exercise will also help us to celebrate our personal achievement, personalities, and skills. This is very interactive and will touch on some sensitive issues. We ask that our students demonstrate their maturity and self-discipline during this workshop.
Room: Campus Center 306
Facilitator: Makerusa Porotesano (Chaminade University)

Words As Weapons
There are a lot of changes we wish we could bring about in this world – things that devastate and immobilize us in our daily life. This workshop is a chance for us to confront and engage with these everyday battles we have with ourselves and with the rest of the world, and to find ways to use our words as weapons for enlightening others and creating movements for change.
Room: Campus Center 307
Facilitator: Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner (University of Hawaii at Manoa)

11:10 am –  Noon
Session 2 – Our Role Models

Student panels led by members of the various Pacific island student organizations at UH Hilo in the respective languages.

  • Chuukese Student Association
  • Kosrae-Hilo Organization
  • Marshallese Iakwe Club
  • Ngelekel Belau
  • Pohnpei Kaselehlie Club
  • Tupulaga O Samoa Mo A Taeao (The Samoan Club)
  • Waab Student Association
  • Mixed Plate – An English speaking panel comprising of various student organization representatives

12:00  –  1:30
Lunch / Resource Fair / Campus Tours

Sponsors, college representatives, community organizations are invited to table during the resource fair.

  • COLLEGE ROW: UH Hilo, UH Manoa, Hawaii Community College, Chaminade University, Hawaii Pacific University, Brigham Young University,
  • CAMPUS RESOURCES: Chuukese Student Association, Kosrae Hilo Organization, Marshallese Iakwe Club, Ngelekel Belau, Pohnpei Kaselelhia Club, The Samoan Club, Waab Student Organization, Admissions Office, Financial Aid, Student Support Services, Upward Bound, Pacific Islander Student Center, Peer Assistant Linkages & Support (PALS), Campus Technology, Student Life Center, Outdoor Adventures, Athletics Department,
  • COMMUNITY SERVICES: Micronesians United – Big Island (MU-BI), Parents And Children Together (PACT), Pacific Resources for Education & Learning (PREL), Pacific Islander Mobile Health Screening, National Guard,
  • TOURS: departing throughout the lunch session for various locations

1:30  – 3:00 pm
General Session: Preparing Our Way

A number of presenters will discus the most commonly asked questions about college preparedness and resources.

  • Going to a 2-year or 4-year College, Kurt Dela Cruz, The Advising Center, UH Hilo
  • Applying to College, Mahealani Jones, Admissions Office, UH Hilo
  • Funding Your College Education, Kolby Santiago, Financial Aid Office, UH Hilo
  • Upward Bound, Len Woods, TRiO Student Success Programs, UH Hilo
 3:00 pm – Closing Ceremony
  • Closing Remarks
  • Video Presentation, Media Team 2013
  • Cultural Performance
3:30 pm – Buses Depart