Amazing First Year

Sky Ma ’26

I was new at Punahou last year, and even though we had to wear masks and be socially distanced, it was still a lot of fun. I really love the campus, my teachers and other students. My teachers introduced me to a lot of places on campus, and we had a new student lunch at the Chapel, and that’s how we got to bond. I also got chosen as student ambassador, so that gave me a lot of chances to do things like clean up the beach.

I was really nervous at first about doing a Damon speech and being judged. When I heard we would have to present in front of everybody, my heart was pounding. But my English teacher, Mrs. Chock, helped me a lot with my citations and worked with me to practice and recite it. She showed me how to stand up tall and project my voice. She was so helpful, and I appreciate that a lot. My speech was about perspective – the way people view each other in terms of race, religious beliefs and how we look, and I felt really confident when I had to present it. I spoke from the heart.

“I was new at Punahou last year, and even though we had to wear masks and be socially distanced, it was still a lot of fun.”

I feel brave because I went to a prestigious new school in the pandemic and had a great year. I really love the campus, and the faculty and all the students I’ve met are really nice. I made friends easily, and I think everything about school is amazing.

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Punahou School

1601 Punahou Street, Honolulu, HI 96822
808.944.5711