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Annual Summit Inspires Youth March 9, 2020

Annual Summit Inspires Youth March 9, 2020

The 4th annual Micronesian Youth Summit (MYS) took place over the weekend at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Campus Center. Hundreds of Micronesian and Pacific Islander middle and high school students attended the summit.

MYS is put on by We Are Oceania (WAO), our mentee organization serving the Micronesian community across the state. WAO has helped over a thousand Micronesian individuals and families access vital resources like housing, employment, education, healthcare, and more.

This year’s summit featured multiple keynote speakers including Hawaiʻi State Department of Education Superintendent Christina Kishimoto and returning speaker Relley Araceley. One individual that especially excited the youth was Disney star Ethan Wacker, who spoke to the students about hard work and following your dreams.

“I never thought I would be where I am today,” he told the packed auditorium. “Don’t give up. Don’t ask for permission. Work hard and apply yourself, and don’t give up on your dreams.”