Hometown: Monterey, CA
Major: Human Development, Leadership Studies Minor
HC: What made you want to come to Eckerd?
MH: I fell in love with Eckerd. It didn’t sound like a real academic institution with dogs, yellow bikes and right on the ocean with a beach on campus. It is small, which was a huge thing coming from California where most college classes are massive. The people at Eckerd seem to glisten with happiness in the Floridian sunshine.
HC: What role(s) do you play on campus?
MH: I am a Resident Advisor in Sigma 200-214 and am going to be an RA in Gamma Knox next year. I am the Co-Club Head for Sallie House, which takes about 20 Eckerd students each Sunday to play with children who are living in a half way house without their parents. I was a Facilitator this past Winter Term for the Leadership and Self Discovery Practicum (LSDP). I am on the ECOS Environmental and Intercollegiate Affairs committees. I am also a Student Ambassador, which means I am a tour guide and get to relate the Eckerd experience to perspective students.
HC: What has been your most memorable experience at Eckerd?
MH: I think it has to be walking around campus on a random Friday night and stumbling upon a weird silent party at the pavilion on South Beach. There were three to four DJ’s playing music on different channels and you could hear the music on headphones. It was so hilarious to watch some people really dancing to the upbeat music while others were entranced in the calmer musical channels. My friends and I danced aggressively and started to sweat so then we jumped into the ocean off of the Waterfront to cool off. It was such an amazing spontaneous and unexpected evening.
HC: Who is your biggest role model?
MH: My weird seventh grade teacher, Mr. Krislyn, may be my favorite human being ever. He was 6’5”, was a vegan before it was hip, owns a massive tortoise, and solely wears vintage clothing. This man was weird. He may be why I enjoy the oddities of Eckerd College. At the time he felt like a wise sage full of knowledge. He always expected a high quality of work and pushed me to be my very best in and out of school. His positive outlook on life has really transformed the way I see the world and I cannot speak more highly of a man. I could keep talking about how much I love this man but I think I’ll stop.
HC: If you could pick one song/ album to listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
MH: I love the classic 1978 Queen album Jazz. I think it speaks for itself. Smash hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Fat Bottomed Girls” were the mega hits of my childhood. I have really fond memories of driving all over California with my family listening to this emotionally intense and riveting album.
HC: What movie/ TV character is your spirit animal and why?
MH: SpongeBob Squarepants is whom I aspire to be like. He is so happy and care free. I think secretly on the inside I want to be this weird square, who is anything but a square. His laugh is infectious and always puts a smile on my face. Though he can be annoying, like me, it is always with the best intentions. I feel like he is a great friend to Patrick and I am still looking for that person here at Eckerd to just match my weirdness (so if that is you hmu).
HC: What are some fun facts about you?
MH: I volunteered a 1000+ hours at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and then became the youngest staff member at the time in high school. As you can tell, I was pretty popular.
I took Latin for four years in High School. Again, I was really the most rad kid at my school.
I am half Asian and fully gay.
I have a Hello Kitty microwave here at Eckerd.
I met George Lopez.