Homeland: Chuuk High School: Xavier High School College: University of Hawaii at Hilo Major: Business Accounting Status: 2nd Year Pursuing: Bachelor’s Degree
Biography
Martha Miochy Aten is from Chuuk, FSM and in her second year at University of Hawaii at Hilo studying Business Administration. She was a valedictorian at Berea Christian School and later at Xavier High School. At Xavier, she received the most prestigious Bishop Kennally Award in recognition of her service, resilience, and academic achievement.
Martha’s family has been her inspiration to her in her journey. She is the granddaughter of Dr. Gerhart Aten, and Mrs. Helen Aten, BA. Her parents have worked so hard to build business and the land they call “our home.” Everything she does in life is in gratitude for her family’s support and hard work for her and her siblings. She writes in her application, In my life, “I was taught to be respectful, responsible, and humble no matter what. Everyone is told to be humble and to be passive in everything they do. Usually when people comment on our mistakes, we must say “thank you” and “I will do my best next time”. However in certain times and situations, one must clearly convey their hard and soft skills which might contribute to the society.”
Martha’s achievements have not come without immense hardships. But she considers all her life hardships as opportunities to shape her to become better person in the future. In particular, she experienced being bullied in elementary school which greatly impacted her motivation. However, being bullied never stopped her from reaching her goals in school eventually leading to becoming the valedictorian at Berea Christian School in Chuuk, FSM class of 2017. She wants no one to ever experience what she experienced.
Another life-changing experience happened during her senior year at Xavier High School in 2020. Her grandmother had a stroke while Martha’s mom and many members of her family were stuck in Hawaii due to the border closure. She ended up taking care of her grandma by herself a few relatives while preparing to represent Chuuk and Xavier High School on the FSM National Debate. Every day Martha had to wake up early to take care of her grandmother’s food and medications before catching the bus to school. She made the decision to finish her homework on campus so she could focus on her grandmother’s needs. There were days when she almost gave up on school, but she did not want to disappoint or sadden her grandmother who always supported her. Eventhough her grandmother eventually passed way in 2020, Martha continued to pursue her education eventually becoming the valedictorian of Xavier High School class of 2021 and was voted to receive the Bishop Kennally Award, the highest most prestigious award for a graduate.
Inspiration
What inspires me the most about Joakim Peter is how much power and passion he has for his COFA citizens to advocate for our equality and justice. I too have experienced racism by people in Hawaii because I am Micronesian. Joakim Peter inspires me to embrace my culture and not shy away from it. He inspires me to love my culture and fight for my people. His passion and voice truly pushes me to advocate for the people of Micronesia and anyone who experiences injustice.
Legacy Project
Being a part of the future educators program, I have realized many things. However the one thing that truly hits me is the fact that there are not that many teachers to educate the future leaders of Chuuk, the kids. A person could either be part of a department or be a part of an outside entity and still assist or help in any way. My future plan is to be a part of an outside entity but still try to aid the Department of Education in coming up with a program that is similar to the “future educator’s program” that I joined during my years in high school. The whole purpose of creating a program is to spread awareness towards high school students that this is what we really need in Chuuk. We need teachers in order to educate and build strong leaders for the future of Chuuk.
Martha Aten
Meet the Scholars
Sponsor a Scholar
Homeland: Chuuk
High School: Xavier High School
College: University of Hawaii at Hilo
Major: Business Accounting
Status: 2nd Year
Pursuing: Bachelor’s Degree
Biography
Martha Miochy Aten is from Chuuk, FSM and in her second year at University of Hawaii at Hilo studying Business Administration. She was a valedictorian at Berea Christian School and later at Xavier High School. At Xavier, she received the most prestigious Bishop Kennally Award in recognition of her service, resilience, and academic achievement.
Martha’s family has been her inspiration to her in her journey. She is the granddaughter of Dr. Gerhart Aten, and Mrs. Helen Aten, BA. Her parents have worked so hard to build business and the land they call “our home.” Everything she does in life is in gratitude for her family’s support and hard work for her and her siblings. She writes in her application, In my life, “I was taught to be respectful, responsible, and humble no matter what. Everyone is told to be humble and to be passive in everything they do. Usually when people comment on our mistakes, we must say “thank you” and “I will do my best next time”. However in certain times and situations, one must clearly convey their hard and soft skills which might contribute to the society.”
Martha’s achievements have not come without immense hardships. But she considers all her life hardships as opportunities to shape her to become better person in the future. In particular, she experienced being bullied in elementary school which greatly impacted her motivation. However, being bullied never stopped her from reaching her goals in school eventually leading to becoming the valedictorian at Berea Christian School in Chuuk, FSM class of 2017. She wants no one to ever experience what she experienced.
Another life-changing experience happened during her senior year at Xavier High School in 2020. Her grandmother had a stroke while Martha’s mom and many members of her family were stuck in Hawaii due to the border closure. She ended up taking care of her grandma by herself a few relatives while preparing to represent Chuuk and Xavier High School on the FSM National Debate. Every day Martha had to wake up early to take care of her grandmother’s food and medications before catching the bus to school. She made the decision to finish her homework on campus so she could focus on her grandmother’s needs. There were days when she almost gave up on school, but she did not want to disappoint or sadden her grandmother who always supported her. Eventhough her grandmother eventually passed way in 2020, Martha continued to pursue her education eventually becoming the valedictorian of Xavier High School class of 2021 and was voted to receive the Bishop Kennally Award, the highest most prestigious award for a graduate.
Inspiration
What inspires me the most about Joakim Peter is how much power and passion he has for his COFA citizens to advocate for our equality and justice. I too have experienced racism by people in Hawaii because I am Micronesian. Joakim Peter inspires me to embrace my culture and not shy away from it. He inspires me to love my culture and fight for my people. His passion and voice truly pushes me to advocate for the people of Micronesia and anyone who experiences injustice.
Legacy Project
Being a part of the future educators program, I have realized many things. However the one thing that truly hits me is the fact that there are not that many teachers to educate the future leaders of Chuuk, the kids. A person could either be part of a department or be a part of an outside entity and still assist or help in any way. My future plan is to be a part of an outside entity but still try to aid the Department of Education in coming up with a program that is similar to the “future educator’s program” that I joined during my years in high school. The whole purpose of creating a program is to spread awareness towards high school students that this is what we really need in Chuuk. We need teachers in order to educate and build strong leaders for the future of Chuuk.