The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), the nation’s largest leadership honor society, honored 50 students at the Fall 2023 NSLS Induction Ceremony, held on Dec. 12 in the Campus Center Multipurpose Room. Of the 50 students, 17 participated in the actual ceremony.
The NSLS is an organization that provides a life-changing leadership program that helps students achieve personal growth, career success, and empowers them to have a positive impact in their communities, according to its website. With 817 chapters, the NSLS currently has more than 1.9 million members nationwide.
The UH West O‘ahu Chapter of NSLS was established on Feb. 5, 2018, and since then has grown to a total of 1,126 members. Of those members, 581 students have been inducted.
Induction means students have completed required steps, which includes participating in orientation, Leadership Training Day, and three speaker broadcasts, and being a part of a success networking team. The team met three times over the semester to work towards accomplishing their goals.
The speaker broadcasts featured celebrities and professionals from various industries around the world. This semester, students heard inspirational remarks from Daymond John, Christina Wallace, and Adam Grant.
“The highlight from the induction ceremony were the speeches from each of the newly inducted members, who expressed their gratitude to the people in their lives who have been instrumental in their educational and life journey,” said Rouel Velasco, UH West O‘ahu’s Director of Student Life and co-advisor of the UH West O‘ahu Chapter of NSLS.
Velasco said each member is a living testament to their individual excellence and success in creating pathways for others around them to follow.
“NSLS is one leadership development opportunity to help students realize their potential where they can make a difference in the lives of others,” he said.
Velasco added, “Mahalo nui to executive board members and chapter student leaders Ashlie Ferido and Ilikea Gould for their service to the board. They played an instrumental role in facilitating the different program components for the chapter.”
The following 50 UH West O‘ahu students were inducted into NSLS this semester:
Fritzie Jane Acob
Chantelle Ajolo
Evan Arita
Michaelangelo Barbieto
Sayrahlynn Barnayha
Rosalva Bracamontes Acosta
Troy Bunce
Brandy-Lee Burke
Mark Dominick
Cabalse Stephygraff Dorce
Cassandra Dumaslan
Oluwajafunmi Faniomi
Jeanee Frasco-Brewer
Leslie Garo
Ke’alohi Harvest Castro
Melissa Imahara
Lindy Ishimine
Laurence Jackson
Carrie Jellings
Angelina Jones
Cierra Jones
Moises Juarez
Nicole Kamai
Ayako Katagi
Rachelle Kendrick
Cassandra Koerte
Megan Angela Lapitan
Leilani Ledesma
Amy Little
Kawena Lorenzo
Ashley Macho
Davin Maxilom
Samantha Michael
Christy Michioka
Holland Morris
Candace Owens
Juliet Paulino
Tanya Patricia
Tanuvasa Pio
Edmond Pulu Jr.
Aaron Ramirez
Justin Ricafort
Kristen Rivera
Pitolua Samuelu Jr.
Acelyn Sayathongheuang
Chelsea Tagaloa
Kymia Tagami
Chaston Tobosa
Christopher Wagstaff
Christina Xay
Cristy Young
Students who are interested in learning about NSLS and being a part of the growing movement of developing leaders at UH West O‘ahu (become a chapter leader, participate in service projects and activities, and attend professional development opportunities) may contact chapter co-advisors Dr. Katrina Abes or Rouel Velasco at katrinag@hawaii.edu or rouel@hawaii.edu for more information.