Vision Lab - Center for Tomorrow's Leaders

Click here for the full Vision Lab 2023 Program, which includes more information about the semifinalist project teams.

Thank you for partnering with us to engage, equip and empower young leaders for Hawaiʻi.

We all know that Hawaiʻi will need a new generation of leaders. Since the beginning, CTL has worked tirelessly to find and train over 3,000 young leaders. With programs on 5 islands and a fully-developed 10-year pipeline of leadership support, we are poised to be a true leader for Hawaiʻi.

This year, our alumni pledged “to restore hope in Hawaiʻi’s leadership, return home with many of their friends and be caretakers of the aloha spirit.” Let’s help them get there!

Together, we can expand CTL’s reach to 1,000 high school students each year and triple the number of alumni we empower through the Vanguard network.

CTL could not do this work without you - our supporters, mentors, and friends. Thanks for standing with us to believe that every young person has the potential to lead and that Hawaiʻi’s best days are ahead.

Project of the Year Awards

Year 1 Division: Schoolwide Impact	Kalani High’s Aerodynamic Analytical Falcons - English Language Learners (ELL) Newcomers Club
Year 2 Division: Community-wide Impact	Waiʻanae High’s Connect With Tech!
Year 3 Division: Island-wide Impact	Pearl City High’s Centerstage
Legacy Division: Island-wide Impact	Roosevelt Highʻs I Don't Dig Your Cig
People's Choice Award	Kapolei Highʻs ʻŌhā Project

Year 1 Semifinalists

Schoolwide Impact

The Doormen

James Campbell High School

Topic: College Enrollment

When a group of sophomores learned that many of their peers at James Campbell High School didn’t want to pursue further education after graduation, they decided to do something about it. Titling themselves "The Doormen," their goal is to open doors of opportunity to a variety of post-graduation options. The students are gathering information about not only colleges and universities but trade schools and the military as well to showcase a variety of paths. They shared this information via fliers posted throughout the campus with the hope that other students will be informed about the possibilities in store.

HHS Student Center

Hilo High School

Topic: Study Spaces

In an effort to provide students with a designated study area after school, a group of high school students from Hilo High School Student Center partnered with their school's principal to open up the cafeteria on certain days throughout the week. This move is in response to the lack of designated study areas for students, which can be particularly challenging for those seeking a quiet place to focus or receive tutoring services. The team, which recognized the need for such a space, hopes to provide a creative hub where students can meet new people, and collaborate on projects.

AAF-ELL Newcomers Club

Kalani High School

Topic: Supporting English Language Learners

Aerodynamic Analytical Falcons (AAF) created the ELL Newcomers Club at Kalani High School. The purpose of the club is to help bridge the gap between ELL and general education students. Through club meetings, they have slowly welcomed their fellow peers into Kalani's culture and have formed friendships that will help raise their English proficiency.

Hoppaz in Hawaiʻi

Kapolei High School

Topic: Wildlife Conservation

James Wooderson has a passion for wildlife conservation, which includes the Hawaiʻi population of the rock wallaby. Introduced to Hawaiʻi in the mid-60s on a fluke, these animals have frequented the Kalihi and Mānoa valleys since then. In partnership with the Honolulu Zoo Society, James has been working on public awareness by handing out fliers and rallying others to the cause. There is also the push for better legislation to make sure that the wallabies, who help with the population control of invasive species, will be better protected.

KAM III

Kohala High School

Topic: College Engagement

Kohala High School students receive college life opportunities too late in their high school careers. The advisors, counselors, and students believe that all classes, including juniors and sophomores, should be given equal opportunities and resources to prepare for life after high school. To address this issue, a group of 20 students visited Palamanui Community College for a campus tour and created ACT-prep packets and the Kohala High School's College Continuum Packet. They strive to see all students prepare for college without fear or doubt about their readiness after graduation.

Triple G

Maui High School

Topic: High School Transition

A group of high school sophomores found that many incoming freshmen were struggling to adapt to a new learning environment and therefore don’t create a strong foundation for a meaningful and successful high school career. To address this, they partnered with the freshmen guidance class teachers and hosted various class activities and discussions to facilitate connection. Through peer mentorship, the group was able to add and support over 100 freshmen. They are also providing a template for future guidance class teachers to use for the years to come. They hope to see incoming freshmen confident about their transition to 9th grade.

Project Pride

McKinley High School

Topic: School Pride

A group of students from McKinley High School, known as Project Pride, have identified a lack of school pride as a significant problem on campus. According to the 2022 StriveHi Survey, only 58% of students felt positive about their school. In response, the group has taken the initiative to create personalized birthday cards for students to deliver across campus as a way to show they care. Through their efforts, Project Pride aims to improve the overall student experience and foster a greater sense of unity in the school community.

Charger Up!

Pearl City High School

Topic: High School Transition

A group of sophomores from Pearl City High School has taken initiative to help incoming freshmen transition into high school smoothly. Known as “Charger Up,” they noticed that many middle school students struggled to make the leap to high school. To tackle this issue, they developed a “cheat sheet” that contains useful information about the campus, extracurricular activities, and academic support services. Their goal is to ensure that the Class of 2027 has a positive high school experience and is aware of all the amazing opportunities Pearl City High School has to offer. The group believes that this initiative will help every student succeed and avoid getting left behind.

Grateful Girlies

Roosevelt High School

Topic: Teacher & Staff Appreciation

A group of students wanted to show appreciation to the teachers and staff members of Roosevelt High School. They’ve taken teacher appreciation to a whole new level with their dedication and creativity. The girls have not only kept the teachers’ lounge stocked with snacks and goodies but they have also highlighted different staff noting their favorite movies and hobbies on fliers throughout the school. The students know the hard work that the staff and teachers put in every day and their goal is for them to know that they are seen and that what they do does not go unnoticed. The Grateful Girlies prioritize the well-being of the teachers and staff knowing that even something small like a snack or a flyer can make someone’s day.

Kako'o for Yo'o

Waipahu High School

Topic: Academic Spaces

Waipahu High School students are hoping to revitalize their school's library after interviews and research showed that many students were unaware of its existence or that its hours were too limited to be useful. The Kako'o for Yo'o team, made up of sophomores, partnered with the librarian and principal to make the library more accessible to all students throughout the week, allowing for after-school study and other activities. The group is planning a grand opening event to encourage more students to make use of the space and hopes to see an increase in library attendance as a result.

Aspiring Attitude Achievers

Waiakea High School

Topic: Student Positivity

The Aspiring Attitude Achievers are taking on a big challenge - tackling negative attitudes towards school. The group has created a series of inspiring videos filled with tips and tricks for staying positive throughout the day, which will be featured on the school's morning announcements. They also plan to start a podcast featuring students and staff to build a sense of community on campus. The Aspiring Attitude Achievers are taking proactive steps to promote a more positive school culture at Waiakea High School.

Year 2 Semifinalists

Community-Wide Impact

Don't Ewa Smoke

James Campbell High School

Topic: Underaged Vaping

Don’t Ewa Smoke is a group of James Campbell High School AVID students. This project is a branch of the I Don’t Dig Your Cig Legacy Project. The plan is to follow the curriculum with high school students and have them create posters and videos about the effects of vaping and share them with the feeder schools of James Campbell High School. Through this they hope to shed light on the consequences of vaping.