Our story
begins here :
My name is Leni Halaapiapi and I am originally from Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. My father immigrated from Tonga to come to the US where he met my mother. After they met, my birth soon followed.
I am currently a senior, but I am pursuing a double major in computer science and electrical engineering, so I will be at Central for a few more years.
My whole life I’ve been stereotyped for being big and scary and only good for sports and entertainment. As a Polynesian, I have never been seen as an intellectual. My passion and drive is to break that stereotype. I want to show people that a Polynesian can be an intellectual, and that Polynesian people can do big things other than sports and entertainment. As of right now I have a 3.563 GPA, a member of the McNair Scholars Program, a SOLVER scholar, a Washington State Opportunity Scholar, Academic Chair for 2 organizations on campus, and last year I was nominated as one of the top 25 students out of all campuses of CWU, that’s Ellensburg’s main campus combined with 8 satellite campuses. As a first-generation student and the oldest of 6, I’m trying to set the example for my family and all those who come after. I’m here to show people who come from my same background that they too can succeed.
When I graduate from CWU, I hope to pursue my Master’s Degree in Computer Science at M.I.T.
Some of the places I’ve traveled to are Florida, Utah, Louisiana, Tonga, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, England, France, and all of the west coast of the US.
Nick Poprawski
Country of origin- United States of America
Year in school- Junior
Major- Environmental Biology
Your passion- Hunting and Fishing
What you hope to do when you graduate from college- I want to be a Game Warden
Places that you have traveled to- I have traveled to Canada, and 28 States.
My name is Kristin Kensrud. I was born in Tacoma, Washington and grew up in a small town called Yelm, which is about 20 miles South-East of Washington states’ capital. I am a third-year student, and I am double majoring in Accounting and Leadership and Management. My expected graduation date is the Summer of 2019. I enjoy spending my time outside hiking, camping, backpacking, fishing, and swimming; as well as painting and spending time with people. My passion is people, I enjoy serving and helping make a difference in people’s lives.
Upon graduation, I am hoping to find a job working as a public accountant with my CPA then later, the financial controller of a private company, incorporating accounting and management. But before I settle into a job, I hope to spend a year or so traveling. I have mainly traveled inside the United States, visiting Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Florida, and Louisiana. And internationally in British Columbia and Jamaica.
I am Jackson Wollan and I am finishing up my senior year at Central Washington University. I came to Central Washington University from Spokane, Washington. I am working toward achieving my bachelors of science in Business Administration with a specialization in Supply Chain Management. I am also working toward a minor in Organizational Communications. I currently hold a 3.5 cumulative GPA and have had four summer internships. My most recent was an internship this summer with SRS distribution.
I have received some scholarships during my time at Central Washington University. My first two years here I received the Trustees scholarship. I also received one for being a part of Chavez-King leadership institute two years in a row. I won a Boeing scholarship and two more this year.
I have been apart of five clubs and organizations during my time at Central Washington University. I am the former president of happiness club, I am the vice president for Supply Chain Management Association, I am the president for Brother 2 Brother, I am apart of the Cross Cultural Leadership Program, and I am apart of the Chavez-King Leadership Institute. On top of all these activities, I have dedicated myself to over 100 intramural games and have volunteered my time through the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement. I have helped with the Winter Special Olympics and played on a Unified soccer team.
I lived in Malaysia for two years and have been to places in Mexico and Canada. My country of origin is the Netherlands. When I graduate from college I hope to be apart of an organization where I can interact with people in some fashihon.
My name is Justin Francisco and I am originally from the Philippines. I moved to Washington state during my middle school 8th grade, in 2008. I am now in my senior year here at CWU, majoring in communication with a specialization in intercultural communication.
I would love to take care of my pet fish! And also love to sing in the choir or by myself. When I graduate from college, I hope to work with helping others to attain higher education, especially those from low income community and working in community colleges.
Other than living in the Philippines and Washington, I have travelled to Chicago and New Orleans, but will soon add San Francisco to my list!
Hello, my name is Bryan Kennedy and I am double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Electronics Engineering at Central Washington University. I also work at the outdoor activities shop on campus, renting out equipment and leading outdoor backpacking and camping trips. In my free time, I enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, backpacking, shooting, and building stuff.
Once I graduate, I hope to get a job in the alternative energy field and work towards helping to develop new ways to generate power.
