NUKOLII — Theresa Tico described the recent Kauai County Committee on the Status of Women career day as an opportunity for island girls. “A woman’s journey is full of opportunities,” she said. “Sometimes, we need to use someone else’s lens
NUKOLII — Theresa Tico described the recent Kauai County Committee on the Status of Women career day as an opportunity for island girls.
“A woman’s journey is full of opportunities,” she said. “Sometimes, we need to use someone else’s lens to see our own potential.”
Tico has served the Kauai community for nearly 40 years, first as a lawyer in her legal practice specializing in environmental protection, then for 16 years as a documentary film producer.
The event, chaired by Virginia Beck at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort, had a theme of “inspire.” Several women were invited to discuss their pathways to success with more than four dozen high school girls from Kauai’s high schools and two public charter schools.
“I want to learn better skills to better myself so I can achieve more in life,” said Taegan Keep, a sophomore from Kauai High School.
Beck said Friday’s event more than doubled its attendance from last year’s, drawing students from Kauai, Waimea and Kapaa high schools, Island School, and two charter schools.
She described the young girls in attendance as being “mystery packages.” By mixing them with students from other schools, and speakers — Savita Kumar, Erika Valente, Tessa McSwain and Abby Santos — the students could become more confident and empowered about their decisions for the future.
“I wish we had this opportunity when I was in high school,” said Nadine Nakamura, county managing director. “There is no one path, and sometimes, it’s good to change; it’s OK to change and go a different direction.”
Nakamura said when she was first elected to the Kauai County Council, her family had to make adjustments because she took a pay cut.
“But you follow your interests, and not just the money,” she said. “Where can I make the biggest contributions? You can be anything you want to be. This is just the beginning of great things because we all have dreams. You must follow that dream and it will come true in different ways. You always will have a choice.”
