Lora Honjo's TRiO SSS Success Story

Name: Lora Honjo

Semester/Year started at WCC: Fall 2009

Semester/Year started at TRiO SSS: Fall 2010

Degree Earned at WCC or 4 year college: AA in Liberal Arts

How has TRiO SSS helped you? What services have you used?

My mom was a single parent and always put her family first.  Though her job didn’t pay well, she always loved what she did and looked forward to going to work every day.  Growing up with two older brothers, I always felt I had to push myself to meet the expectations they had set before me.  It was difficult to live in their shadow, especially after my brother had got into the college of engineering at UH Manoa, right after high school.  Unlike him, I knew I wanted to start on a smaller scale at a community college. 

For my first year at Windward, I would hear about TRiO SSS, but never really gave it a second thought into joining. It wasn’t until Fall 2010 that I finally went to check out what the program was all about and fell in love with it.  Not only would I be provided with free tutoring, counseling, and computer/printing services, but I was even offered a job as a peer tutor.  This would allow me to attend classes as well as make some extra money to add to financial aid.  As soon as I began talking with Roy, Russell, and Ruby, they instantly made me feel comfortable and welcome.   Although I became a tutor and never received tutoring, there would always be someone there to help me out with my course work or even personal obstacles.  It has given me a safe place to learn, make new friends and help others.  TRiO has become my family where we all help each other as much as we can and there is always someone with open, welcoming arms.  They have given me the tools to become an improved student, worker, and individual.  There is no place like TRiO and I can't imagine WCC without it!

With the help of the drive and support system of TRiO, I ended up completing my AA in Spring 2012, before my brothers even completed degrees at other community colleges. I still work as a peer tutor, but I have transferred to UH West Oahu and am currently majoring in Psychology.  After I receive my Bachelor's Degree in Spring 2014, I plan to continue my education at Chaminade, pursuing a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology.  I aspire to be like my mom and enjoy the career I choose, which is why I would like to come back to WCC after I graduate. I want to contribute and give back to great programs like TRiO SSS that would allow me to help many people. I would like to return the great service they have done and continue to do for me.

            Without successful programs like this, that truly makes the college experience an easier and a more enjoyable one, students may lack the inspiration needed to continue their journey towards higher education.  It is programs like these that encourage and motivate students to learn and go beyond any academic goal they could have imagined.  I owe a lot of my success in college to TRiO.  No matter who you are or where you come from, TRiO is always willing to help or point you in the right direction.  

UPDATE as of Spring 2016 

Lora graduated with her AA at the end of the 2012 spring semester and her BA in psychology from the University of Hawaii West Oahu at the end of the 2014 spring semester. She is currently attending Chaminade University working on her Master's degree in counseling.