Growing up in Hawai’i is one of my biggest blessings. Not just because of the warm weather and the picturesque beaches, but because of the rich culture and diversity. In the early 20th century, immigrants from China, Japan, Portugal, Philippines, and Okinawa came to Hawai’i to work on the sugar plantation fields. My great-grandparents were among those who moved from Okinawa and Japan, making me, “yonsei,” or fourth generation. My great-grandpa worked in the plantation fields while my great-grandma was a housekeeper. Because of Hawaii’s history, I grew up in a place where so many other cultures were weaved into mine.
I chose to pursue dentistry because growing up, my mom and her siblings, who are also dentists, would talk about how dentistry is a combination of art and medicine. In high school, I took as many art classes as I could, from basket weaving to glass work. I also grew up working in my family’s practice, learning to sterilize instruments, assisting with procedures, and verifying insurance benefits. However, when I think about my path to dentistry, it dates back to generations before me. When my grandma was growing up, it was very uncommon for girls to go to college. Despite this, my great-grandparents recognized the importance of education, and sent both their daughters and sons to college, allowing my grandma to pursue a job as a high school math teacher. Thus, my path to dentistry is not my work alone, but also my ancestors who came before me.
Attending the University of Utah School of Dentistry has been a dream. I have loved getting to know my classmates with different backgrounds and their own unique stories. Most of all, I am so excited to begin seeing patients in the fall and to continue learning and growing with the school of dentistry!
