Name: Von Scott
Wong II
Semester/Year Started at WCC: FALL 2011
Semester/Year Started in TRiO SSS: FALL 2011
Degree(s) Earned at WCC or 4yr. college/university: Hawaiian Studies AA (Fall 2013)WCC
Semester(s)/Year(s) Graduated:
How has TRiO SSS helped you/what services have you used?
As a participant of the Trio SSS program at WCC, I credit the majority of my success to SSS. After being out of high school for nearly 10 years, it was hard for me to believe that I could pick up where I left off and continue education. It was harder than I thought it was going to be, but, the motivation and support from Trio made me get to the point I am right now, 10 credits away from receiving an Associates in Hawaiian Studies.
I had been doing construction for ten years and didn’t like it one bit. Sure when there was work, the pay was good. But, when there wasn’t, times were hard. I didn’t like the inconsistency of the industry. Most of all I didn’t like the labor, but I did what I had to do for the time being. In high school, I didn’t study therefore didn’t get good grades and go to college. I thought my work would always be construction. Coming to school and TRIO taught me to believe that there is always something better when you are not enjoying what you do. It took a little while to figure out what I’m passionate about and apply it in college, but I finally figured it out- Hawaiian Studies.
The hardest part of being able to study the things I want to study is the required core subjects such as math, English, and history. At TRIO, I have been provided with a tutor for each of these subjects. Not believing that I could do well in these courses, my tutors made sure I did my homework correctly, completed projects, and studied for quizzes and tests (which I did very well on).
During the summer of 2012, TRIO provided me with a grant to attend summer school for free. I was in the Math 25 summer program, which required class three times a week and at least two hours of tutoring, five days a week. Although my learning process for this class was slow, tutors would put in up to 6 hours sitting next to me to assure success in this class. Sure enough, after seven very long week of intense studying, I received my very first “A” in math, in my life.
Tutoring is a big part of the daily maintenance of learning, but, the most important thing at TRIO is hard working staff. They keep you on your toes to assure that you will get out of this school (graduated) and further our education at a four-year college. I went to school at one point for one semester and stopped. One day I was riding my moped through Waimanalo (and I live in Kalihi), and saw Roy, the counselor at TRIO. He called me over and told me about school again. It was a very hard time because I was working to take of my family and my Grandma. Anyhow, he convinced me that the benefits of attending college would be much more rewarding in the long run.
For many people as myself, money is an issue when attending school. Trio faculty keeps everyone posted on scholarships and grants either verbally when they see us, or through email. This is great because I need the push to get things done on time. Being able to print and make copies for projects and essays is also a privilege. Not many of us have computers and printers, so having access to these college necessities assure that you will complete your projects on time.
So in conclusion, I would not be successful in my college career if it weren’t for TRIO. I would still be struggling and trying to figure out a better way for me to get by.
MAHALO TRIO!
Personal Statement:
Aloha, my name is Von Scott Wong II and I am a second year student at Windward Community College. Here at Windward, I was able to redefine what I really want to do in life. I am currently pursuing a Associates in Hawaiian Studies and plan to transfer to Manoa to get a Masters in Hawaiian Studies as well. The staff and student support at Windward gives me the motivation to know that my goals are possible to reach and that I WILL achieve them. I now feel that I am worth a good education.
My time at Windward has given me the confidence to believe in myself and to get good grades which allows me to be a part of the Phi Thetta Kappa Honor Society. I am currently a volunteer world history tutor at the TRIO SSS center on campus. I also volunteer at different on and off campus events that include setting up, breaking down, public speaking, and entertaining.
To assure that my priority will be school, I choose not to take on part time jobs outside of school. After years of confusion and doing a job, which I didn’t like and just for the money, I now know my purpose and passion. I want to be involved in anything that will perpetuate the Hawaiian culture. Although I grew up in Hawai`i, I did not get a chance to participate in much traditional Hawaiian practices such as music, imus, language, hula, etc. It is the lack of knowledge, which I am now gaining, that drives me to want to share it with people that might not be able to experience these things but have a desire to learn them.
I now know that I want to be a teacher of Hawaiian Studies, a career that I look forward to. I would like to teach in the high school or college level. Not only will I be able to go to work and perform a job that I have a genuine interest in, but, I will have the opportunity to bring forth cultural information to people like myself that have not grown up with Hawaiian practices. It is these kinds of people that have experienced the generation gap of our culture whom realize such vital information is important to preserve and practice.
I have found my passion in Hawaiian music. Aside listening to the harmonies and melodies, I like to compose my own songs. I recently won the Na Mele Ko’olaupoko Composer’s contest, which was held at Windward Mall in September 2012. I enjoy being able to connect with others thorough the power of music. I would like to be an influence to anybody who would like to learn or even just listen to Hawaiian music, and I encourage everyone to do so.
Hawaiian music has got me through many rough nights of studying and homework. I know that my college career will get rough but I will push forth to better myself. I would like to be an influence to many people that may think it not be possible to do so. If I stay assure on my goals and passion, I know that I will be able to set an example and contribute to a better Hawai’i.
Semester/Year Started at WCC: FALL 2011
Semester/Year Started in TRiO SSS: FALL 2011
Degree(s) Earned at WCC or 4yr. college/university: Hawaiian Studies AA (Fall 2013)WCC
Semester(s)/Year(s) Graduated:
How has TRiO SSS helped you/what services have you used?
As a participant of the Trio SSS program at WCC, I credit the majority of my success to SSS. After being out of high school for nearly 10 years, it was hard for me to believe that I could pick up where I left off and continue education. It was harder than I thought it was going to be, but, the motivation and support from Trio made me get to the point I am right now, 10 credits away from receiving an Associates in Hawaiian Studies.
I had been doing construction for ten years and didn’t like it one bit. Sure when there was work, the pay was good. But, when there wasn’t, times were hard. I didn’t like the inconsistency of the industry. Most of all I didn’t like the labor, but I did what I had to do for the time being. In high school, I didn’t study therefore didn’t get good grades and go to college. I thought my work would always be construction. Coming to school and TRIO taught me to believe that there is always something better when you are not enjoying what you do. It took a little while to figure out what I’m passionate about and apply it in college, but I finally figured it out- Hawaiian Studies.
The hardest part of being able to study the things I want to study is the required core subjects such as math, English, and history. At TRIO, I have been provided with a tutor for each of these subjects. Not believing that I could do well in these courses, my tutors made sure I did my homework correctly, completed projects, and studied for quizzes and tests (which I did very well on).
During the summer of 2012, TRIO provided me with a grant to attend summer school for free. I was in the Math 25 summer program, which required class three times a week and at least two hours of tutoring, five days a week. Although my learning process for this class was slow, tutors would put in up to 6 hours sitting next to me to assure success in this class. Sure enough, after seven very long week of intense studying, I received my very first “A” in math, in my life.
Tutoring is a big part of the daily maintenance of learning, but, the most important thing at TRIO is hard working staff. They keep you on your toes to assure that you will get out of this school (graduated) and further our education at a four-year college. I went to school at one point for one semester and stopped. One day I was riding my moped through Waimanalo (and I live in Kalihi), and saw Roy, the counselor at TRIO. He called me over and told me about school again. It was a very hard time because I was working to take of my family and my Grandma. Anyhow, he convinced me that the benefits of attending college would be much more rewarding in the long run.
For many people as myself, money is an issue when attending school. Trio faculty keeps everyone posted on scholarships and grants either verbally when they see us, or through email. This is great because I need the push to get things done on time. Being able to print and make copies for projects and essays is also a privilege. Not many of us have computers and printers, so having access to these college necessities assure that you will complete your projects on time.
So in conclusion, I would not be successful in my college career if it weren’t for TRIO. I would still be struggling and trying to figure out a better way for me to get by.
MAHALO TRIO!
Personal Statement:
Aloha, my name is Von Scott Wong II and I am a second year student at Windward Community College. Here at Windward, I was able to redefine what I really want to do in life. I am currently pursuing a Associates in Hawaiian Studies and plan to transfer to Manoa to get a Masters in Hawaiian Studies as well. The staff and student support at Windward gives me the motivation to know that my goals are possible to reach and that I WILL achieve them. I now feel that I am worth a good education.
My time at Windward has given me the confidence to believe in myself and to get good grades which allows me to be a part of the Phi Thetta Kappa Honor Society. I am currently a volunteer world history tutor at the TRIO SSS center on campus. I also volunteer at different on and off campus events that include setting up, breaking down, public speaking, and entertaining.
To assure that my priority will be school, I choose not to take on part time jobs outside of school. After years of confusion and doing a job, which I didn’t like and just for the money, I now know my purpose and passion. I want to be involved in anything that will perpetuate the Hawaiian culture. Although I grew up in Hawai`i, I did not get a chance to participate in much traditional Hawaiian practices such as music, imus, language, hula, etc. It is the lack of knowledge, which I am now gaining, that drives me to want to share it with people that might not be able to experience these things but have a desire to learn them.
I now know that I want to be a teacher of Hawaiian Studies, a career that I look forward to. I would like to teach in the high school or college level. Not only will I be able to go to work and perform a job that I have a genuine interest in, but, I will have the opportunity to bring forth cultural information to people like myself that have not grown up with Hawaiian practices. It is these kinds of people that have experienced the generation gap of our culture whom realize such vital information is important to preserve and practice.
I have found my passion in Hawaiian music. Aside listening to the harmonies and melodies, I like to compose my own songs. I recently won the Na Mele Ko’olaupoko Composer’s contest, which was held at Windward Mall in September 2012. I enjoy being able to connect with others thorough the power of music. I would like to be an influence to anybody who would like to learn or even just listen to Hawaiian music, and I encourage everyone to do so.
Hawaiian music has got me through many rough nights of studying and homework. I know that my college career will get rough but I will push forth to better myself. I would like to be an influence to many people that may think it not be possible to do so. If I stay assure on my goals and passion, I know that I will be able to set an example and contribute to a better Hawai’i.
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