Jessica Kailani Mau

Jessica's Story

For seventeen years, I have struggled with time - time split between two families, and this has challenged me in unique ways. When I was two, my parents divorced. Since then, I have lived with my mom and my younger sister, but spend time with my dad. Thankfully, each parent respects the other, and they have never pressured me to choose between them. But my parents are very different, and my lifestyle differs between households. My mom's house is more organized. At my dad’s house things are more relaxed, which is not always a good thing. Growing up with divorced parents has made me a stronger, more independent, and resilient person. I have learned so many things from my single mom taking care of me and my sister.
Mom periodically has to leave us to travel for work so we stay with our Dad. Because of this, I have needed to become very responsible and take care of my own needs, as well as help my younger sister. Sometimes it is difficult to go back and forth to different houses, with different expectations, and I confess it can be challenging. Nonetheless, adjusting to this lifestyle has helped me learn to accept and be okay with change.

Being more independent, I have been steadfast in striving to reach my goals. I have always been determined to work hard and overcome any obstacles. For example, prior to making the Star Spangled Girl Competitive Dance Line at my high school, I had never taken any studio dance classes or private dance lessons. But I worked tirelessly to make the team, and through my efforts, I actually made the dance team as a sophomore and successfully accomplished one of my lifelong dreams. Because I knew how fortunate I was to be on the team, I always take my coach’s and captain’s instructions seriously. I also realize how expensive it is to be on the dance team, so I am always careful to follow directions and help myself and others become better dancers and leaders.

I am so blessed to have parents who, despite having to deal with the pressures of their own lives, have helped shape me into the person I am today. My life is my own, of course. I am extremely grateful for my parents' influence on me, and I would not trade my family experiences for anything. My parents have each guided me in their own unique ways. I am proud of the person I am becoming – someone who is wise, ambitious, courageous, inquisitive, resourceful and independent.