Honor Society® member
Sophia Balanay
Water Sports Director at Camp Manitou for Boys, a sleep away camp for boys ages 7-16. I have worked many positions here including a cabin counselor for age 10, child care provider for ages 5 and under, program coordinator for nonprofit programs as well as Watersports director managing a team of teachers.
- University Of Hawaii Honolulu Community College
- clinical mental health counseling
- Class of 2016
- kailua kona, Hawaii
Member since March 2016
About
I love lifting and encouraging others, but I have a hard time talking about myself, so here are 6 things about me and my mission in life. Sweet and Simple.
1) I have always had one mission in life. That is to show and help others be everything they are capable of being no matter the ups and downs in life. This mission has driven me to create multiple businesses at a young age and teach youth and young adults how to properly manage their finances and find a significant life path for them to follow. My compassion for people will always be above all else.
2) Creativity is the catalyst to my fire that I express in all outlets of my life. Art, music, movement, conversations, and knowledge.
3) I have tunnel vision syndrome. I will not stop until I complete my goal and if something gets in my way, I will take on a different perspective and move forward.
4) I left my small town in Hawaii and traveled to over 15 different countries on my own with an intention to learn more about the world and the people in it, so I may share my knowledge with my community.
5) I have consistently gotten a 4.0 GPA every semester for the last 2 ½ years of my bachelor’s program and into my master’s program. I consistently made the dean's honor list in Community college, presidential honors list in my University and have gotten various recognitions for academic achievement both state and nationwide. I continue to be part of the Honors Society to gain more insight into opportunities in my community.
6) My goal is to model success and overcoming hardship in my life to help guide those from all walks of life.
Education
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West Texas A&M
MA in Counseling for Mental Health
2020 – 2022
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Humboldt State University
BA of Interdisciplinary studies: Leadership Studies
2016 – 2019
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Cuyamaca College
AA in Psychology
2015 – 2016
Honors and awards
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All California Academic Team Representative
I was chosen to be 1 out of 2 representative for Cuyamaca College in the All California Academic Team and was nominated for the National Academic Team 6 months later.
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Hualalai Ohana Foundation Academic Honor award
Every year since 2013 I have received an honor award for a GPA of 3.7 or higher
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Honors Society
I have been a part of the honors society and invited to renew every year since 2016. This includes multiple honor groups such as Honor Society: Strength and Honors and Phi Thetta Kappa Honors Society.
Goals and interests
- Career goal
My career path consists of being a career counselor in a college or business setting. I plan to become a full-time career counselor within the next 5 years.
- Graduate school interests
My aim is to obtain a degree in Mental Health Counseling so I am not limited to working in one particular environment and that I may work with young adults and youth together.
- Outside the classroom
Music, art, and writing are my biggest hobbies. I play 3 instruments including the ukulele, piano, and guitar. I also continuously expand my vocal skills and have been performing for holiday events since I was 13. These are through school events, community events, and work events. My art hobby consists of painting, sketching, and digital art. I have designed logos and prints in the past and have painted murals for the Overnight Camp I work for creating 7 large pieces of art in total for this company. I continue to develop my art and music skills.
Experience
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Water Sports Director
Camp Manitou for Boys, a sleep away camp for boys ages 7-16. I have worked many positions here including a cabin counselor for age 10, child care provider for ages 5 and under, program coordinator for nonprofit programs as well as Watersports director managing a team of teachers.
May 2016 – Sep 2021
Volunteering
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Life Plan youth mentor, teaching 9-12 grade students life applicable skills such as finances, finding life paths and career paths and using important professional resources for success.
Life Plan Hualalai
Jan 2011 – Jan 2019
Languages
- English (US) Advanced
- Spanish (Spain) Intermediate
