“I was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and I’ve lived there my entire life. Aside from spending a few summers away from home for soccer, the only other place I’ve ever lived is here at Northwood. Oahu is the place where I feel most comfortable calling home. It’s where I grew up, built all my memories, and where my entire family lives. There’s something special about the pace of life back home. The people are laid-back, the culture is welcoming, and the island’s natural beauty has always made me feel grounded. No matter where life takes me, Hawaii will always be the place I return to when I need comfort.

“Growing up in Hawaii, I never faced social barriers because of my Asian identity. Hawaii has a strong Asian culture, and many people there are Asian themselves, so I always felt like I belonged. It wasn’t until I started traveling to the mainland and eventually living here that I noticed how much less common it is to see Asian Americans. Still, I’ve never felt discriminated against or like I don’t fit in. Instead, seeing these differences made me more aware of how unique Hawaii’s cultural diversity is, and how lucky I am to have grown up in a place where different backgrounds are so naturally accepted. That experience has given me the confidence to carry myself comfortably in new environments.”

As told to Li Feng ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“I started ski jumping when I was nine years old. Before that, I had been an alpine skier with NYSEF and had heard about ski jumping but never thought much of it. Then, while on vacation in Lake Placid with my family, I saw a poster for a ‘Grasshopper Camp,’ an intro to ski jumping program. Something about it caught my attention, and I told my parents I wanted to try it. The next year, I attended the camp and took my first jumps. I loved it, and I never stopped.

“Ski jumping has taught me a lot about perseverance. It’s an incredible mental sport, and there are times when it feels impossible to push through a slump. But if you keep putting in the work, things eventually click. One day, you land a perfect jump, and while everyone else sees it as a sudden breakthrough, you know how much effort it took to get there. Ski jumping has reinforced something my mom always used to say: ‘Never quit on a bad day.’

“That mindset carries over into everything I do, whether chopping wood, ski jumping, or tackling challenges in life. There are times when I ask myself if I still love the sport, especially when I’m not jumping well. But I remind myself of how good it feels when everything comes together. One of my coaches once said that ski jumpers are like junkies; always chasing the high of that one perfect jump. That feeling of flying is unlike anything else, and I wouldn’t trade ski jumping for anything else.

“Beyond the jumps themselves, the people I’ve met and the places I’ve traveled to make it all worthwhile. My teammates and coaches create an environment that keeps practice fun, even on the tough days. No matter how many challenges come my way, I know I’ll keep jumping because there’s nothing else like it.”

As told to Li Feng ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“Spain felt like an entirely different world from what I was used to. I’d been out of the country before, but never to a place like nor for the time I spent in Spain. Initially, I was sad to leave my friends behind but was excited about what was to come. As I settled in, I became more comfortable being alone with myself and my thoughts. Nobody spoke English, so I had few people to talk to. It was a truly formative experience and one that changed me for life. I went from not knowing a lick of Spanish to understanding most conversations and conversing in ways I didn’t know possible. It showed me what independence and hard work can get you when coupled together, but also what a lack of truth can do. The owners insisted I go the professional route, but I never wanted that.

“Living on my own at such a young age was tough, especially with only one other English speaker nearby. The experience forced me to grow in ways I hadn’t expected. When I realized the professional route wasn’t for me, I contacted countless coaches back home, searching for a new opportunity. Knowing that college coaches needed to see me play in person, I emailed every MLS academy, prep school, and most club teams in the Delaware area to maximize my options. Coach Moodey was one of the first to respond. He explained a spot opening at Northwood in January—a center-back position, just like mine.

“My parents were initially completely against me returning from Spain, let alone coming to Northwood. It took a lot of convincing, and eventually, I took financial responsibility for the cost of Northwood. My parents gave me a loan, and it’s safe to say I took it and ran. I’m always one to bet on myself, and this is no exception.

“Academically, Spain and the U.S. are vastly different. Education overseas is more relaxed and geared toward teaching rudimentary skills rather than complicated material, which is often reserved for university. The contrast between a small-town university and an institution like the University of Madrid is massive.

“On the soccer side, every player is born with a ball at their feet. Little kids in the street are as good as teenagers here. All of them have a concrete technical basis and soft first touch. The first 30 minutes of practice would be technical warmups, and tactics would follow. However, they lack physicality and fitness. When I arrived, I was recovering from a significant knee injury but was still the fittest and most potent on the team. It could be an anomaly, but nobody on the team was on the same level.

“Coming to Northwood was an unconventional path, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision. From my first week, I felt part of a family. During my visit, I remember thinking about how cozy the campus felt. Now, I can confidently say that the community is as well. Everyone here genuinely cares about your well-being, pushes you to be your best, and supports you in ways that make Northwood feel where I belong.”

As told to Li Feng ’25. Photo provided.

“‘Kimmer.’ That’s my nickname. It stuck with me since seventh grade when I moved to Canada to continue pursuing my hockey career. The name originated in Inferno, Halifax, and ever since then, it has followed me. Some people also call me Kimmy, but most people at Northwood know me as Kimmer.

“Hockey has been my passion for as long as I can remember, but before I got into the sport, I experienced speed skating. I quickly realized that constantly spinning in circles didn’t bring me joy, so I turned to hockey instead. The transition wasn’t easy. I hated it for the first couple of months. But everything changed when I got hold of the hockey puck. That was when I found the excitement and drive to play hockey.

“In sixth grade, I was first called up to the national team. Sarah Murray was the head coach then, bringing me onto the team at a young age. That experience opened doors for me, including a summer showcase in Boston, where I started gaining interest from several schools. My agent, who has worked closely with me throughout my career, eventually connected me to the Inferno hockey team in Halifax.

“After my years in Halifax, I searched for a high school that would support my academic and athletic aspirations. As a result, I found Rothesay Netherwood School in New Brunswick, Canada. I spent three years there, from ninth through eleventh grade, before moving to Shattuck St. Mary’s in Minnesota for my senior year. That was when I unexpectedly reunited with Coach Murray, a full-circle moment in my hockey journey. My time at Shattuck was unforgettable. I made lifelong friendships and was exposed to a very competitive environment. After graduation, I continued my hockey journey as a post-grad here at Northwood.

“Outside of hockey, I have a few other passions. I started golfing last summer, and while I initially didn’t take it seriously, my family played a massive role in attracting me to the sport. My dad is extremely good at golf, and my brother is working toward playing professionally. There was a point when he was struggling, not seeing the results he wanted, and I decided to go out and play with him one day. I made jokes, lightened the mood, and helped him find the joy he was missing in the game again. That moment was a turning point for him; in a way, it was for me too. I realized how much I enjoyed being on the course, and now, I can proudly call golf one of my favorite hobbies.

“The one person who has been my constant support is my mom. She knows everything about me. Sometimes, even before I tell her. When I first moved to Canada, I struggled a lot with homesickness. I called home every day, complaining about anything and everything. But through it all, my mom supported me. She helped me shift my perspective, encouraging me to push through the tough times. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. She is my light in the dark.

“I plan to take up boxing this summer to improve my speed and agility, which will directly correlate to hockey. It’s part of my preparation for college and the next chapter of my athletic career. My journey has been full of challenges, but every step, whether on the ice, on the golf course, or in a new country, has shaped me into who I am today.”

As told to Li Feng ‘25. Photo by Mr. MIchael Aldridge.