The hustle and bustle of a Maryknoll scholar-athlete schedule taught Spencer valuable life lessons.
“It has taught me about teamwork, how to work with others, and how I should never give up and should always give my best in whatever I do,” he said.
Participating in sports such as football, basketball and track, Spencer also enjoys learning science, about which he says, “You’re always learning new things.” Thanks to his biology teacher, Mr. DeSilva, Spencer is always excited to come into class and learn more about living things. “You can tell that he’s really passionate about what he’s talking about,” he says. “He really enjoys it, too, so it kind of rubs off on the students.”
The 17-year-old is focusing on physical fitness for his senior project, a requirement he says that will set him up for acareerin health care. “I want to go into Physical Therapy when I get older. I can help people heal from injuries, and (I can) preach staying active and a healthy lifestyle.”
Spencer has been at Maryknoll since Kindergarten and credits his parents for his drive and aspiration. Being here for his entire life, he’s looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. What’s next? College. “Maryknoll has prepared me for college by giving me a quality education, and a very good academic foundation while also teaching me the Catholic values that I’ll need when I get older.”
Many Maryknoll graduates have gone on to successful careers as physicians, nurses and other professionals in health care. Read about Marel Ver, MD ’98, general, bariatric and trauma surgeon at Pali Momi Medical Center, or Natalie Kamada ’15, who was one of just 10 students awarded an undergraduate scholarship through the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine’s (JABSOM) Doctor of Medicine Early Acceptance Program for Fall 2015.