What year(s) did you march in the Blue Knights?
I marched from 2014-2018 (“That one Second” was my first season and “The Fall and Rise” was my ageout).
What section?
Colorguard Where did you attend high school? I graduated from Mililani High School in Mililani, Hawaii.
Education beyond high school?
I have an associate’s in Digital graphic design from Leeward Community College in Hawaii and am currently in the cosmetology program at the Honolulu Community College.
What is your current occupation?
I teach at Mililani High with the marching program!
Why did you choose to march with the Blue Knights?
I had a very good friend who I spun with during high school. He was a year older than me and went on to Blue Knights as I was finishing High school in my senior year. After sharing all the fun stories on tour, he convinced me along with my directors in the band to join him after I graduated.
What is your favorite drum corps memory?
I don’t have a specific memory that was my favorite. I would consider all 5 years as a great memory. I still to this day tell all kinds of stories to people from good and bad, the experience was just overall some of the best I’ve ever had.
How have the Blue Knights impacted your life?
The places I’ve been and the people I’ve met have really opened me up to a whole other world of my tiny island (I’ve lived on the island of Oahu my entire life). I would have never known if it wasn’t for those summers traveling with BK.
What are some of the Blue Knights’ core values/principles that have resonated with you in life?
One of my favorite things I’ve taken away was that being world-class wasn’t just an ability but a mentality. And I’ve kept that through work and my schooling. I can learn what I need to succeed, but to hold myself to a higher standard and consistently deliver my best is something I’ve kept after Blue Knights.
What advice would you tell someone considering trying out for the Blue Knights?
Don’t ever be afraid. Don’t be afraid of trying new things, asking for help, being in new places with new people. There’s no time to be fearful of the “what if” and “I can’t”. You’ll spend so much time worrying that you can’t enjoy everything the Blue Knights have for you. Plus there will always be people in that same boat. Everyone is there to help you. Work hard, and just go for it.
How would you like to see other Blue Knight alumni get involved in the organization?
I guess just speaking out with newer people and members is kind of the minimum. Our experience is so valuable and sharing what we know to people coming into the organization would help them out. For someone like me, it’s hard to go out to be volunteering, and because we’re so spread out I know it’s not always possible but it’s a good place to start.
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