Waipahu’s Emma B earns grand prize in her call for peace
HTA Waipahu senior Emma B has won the grand prize in a new student speech contest commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Her winning speech, Bridges, Not Borders, was selected by a judging panel that included Pearl Harbor survivor Dorinda Nicholson, USS Missouri staff, and Gov. Josh Green.
The contest, which asked students “What can I do for peace?” was a collaborative effort between Auntie Dorinda, HTA U.S. History teacher Shiloh Francis, and the USS Missouri staff.
In her address, Emma reflected on the impact of war across generations and emphasized the power of every day actions.
“We don’t need to be world leaders to make a difference,” she says. “But we do need to take action. We can choose every day to treat others with empathy, speak up for what’s right, and choose compassion over conflict.”
She also highlighted her experience with her school’s Paper Cranes for Peace project. HTA students and community members folded 2,000 origami cranes as symbols of hope, unity, and peace. These cranes are now on display in the Pearl Harbor Museum as well as at the Children’s Peace Monument at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan.
Congratulations also go to HTA Waipahu’s Trey T, Kailie T, and Jared A, who all made it into the contest finals.
This islandwide contest grew out of a long-standing partnership between Mrs. Francis and Auntie Dorinda. Since 2021, Mrs. Francis’ U.S. History students have had the rare opportunity to hear firsthand from Auntie Dorinda what it was like to live through one of the most pivotal moments in history.
Each semester, students visit Pearl Harbor and use creative storytelling to share Auntie Dorinda’s experiences — her memories of Japanese planes flying overhead, the fear and confusion of that day, and the resilience she and her community showed in the aftermath. Over the years, students have interpreted her story through sculptures, documentaries, children’s books, and more. Auntie Dorinda herself attends the presentations each semester.
Looking ahead, Emma hopes to pursue a career in medicine, where she can foster safe, respectful, and supportive environments for her patients. Emma’s achievement highlights both her own dedication and Mrs. Francis’ vision as a teacher — showing how classroom learning, community collaboration, and student voice can come together to make history meaningful and inspire real-world impact.
