Genel Sepada
Mililani High Grad On Her Way to a Teaching Career
All it takes is one caring teacher to change the life of a student. Genel Sepada, who graduated from Mililani High School this past May, remembers how one teacher made such a lasting mpression on her that by the time she entered high school, she already had her mind set on becoming a teacher so that she could also have a positive impact on the academic, social and emotional lives on the next generation of students.
Genel was so determined to pursue teaching as a career that she joined Mililani High School’s Teaching As A Career (TAAC) Club and dual enrolled at Leeward Community College to get a jumpstart on her college courses.
Her scholarship application stood out because of her enthusiasm and sharp, laser focus on teaching as a career. HEA awarded her a $500 college scholarship, jointly sponsored by Pi Lambda Theta-Beta Zeta Hawaii Chapter. This is given to a high school senior who is a member of a Teaching As A Career (TAAC) Club or is pursuing the Education Pathway in the Career and Technical Education pathway.
Genel is grateful for the financial support as she will be attending the University of Hawaii West Oahu in the fall full time and may not have time to work with a full course load.
“My biggest goal is to inspire and educate young students to guide them to be the best versions of themselves,” Genel wrote in her scholarship application.
She is especially interested in teaching high school students.
“High school is a very crucial part of one’s life, as it is the period where students learn many life lessons that will prepare them for the real world,” she wrote. “After observing different grade level classrooms, I decided to pursue a secondary education major, with a concentration in history. Throughout my education, I enjoyed learning about the history of Hawaii and other parts of the world. It is important for students to know how the place they live in came to be, and I believe I can support and guide them with their learning.”
Congratulations, Genel!
