Interesting Islanders

Meet Sylvia Wan

Teenagers are often given a bad rap. The general population usually doesn't hear about them unless they've done something foul or committed a crime.
Gone unnoticed are the good ones trying to work, go to school, earn their way to a better life in order to make a positive impact on society.
Take 19-year-old Sylvia Wan, for example.
I met this jewel of a young lady while spending some time at Volcano House. She was working in the gift shop with the beautiful view of Haleamaumau Crater. While browsing the store I couldn't help but notice she was really working.
Not snapping gum, twirling her hair or talking on the phone as adults would come to expect of juvenile behavior.
No. This self-motivated gal thoughtfully assisted me in my gift selection before turning her attention to unpack inventory, carefully unwrapping the fragile wares before pricing them and putting them on the shelves.
Turns out Sylvia's been working at the Volcano House for two years. And here's the kicker--she is a floater--meaning Sylvia shows up for work and actually does whatever job they have planned for the day.
And she loves it.
The truth is, Sylvia is grateful. For her job. Her family. The life she has on the Big Island.
Four years ago Sylvia moved with her entire family to Volcano from Palm Beach County, Florida. After graduating from Waiakea High School in 2002, Sylvia became a political science major at the University of Hawaii, Hilo Campus.
As if she doesn't have enough on her plate, Sylvia said she is currently "shopping around" for two minors, most likely in economics or philosophy.
In her spare time, this active teen loves to hike around the aina, taking pictures along the way.
"It is naturally beautiful on the Big Island," Sylvia said. "There's no trying, it just is. It's so different from South Florida where everything is planted and manufactured. Here it is so random and not man made. I love to take pictures and capture the beauty that is there. It's almost priceless. It is priceless."
It comes as no surprise that Sylvia is happy at work. Doing her best. Trying her hardest. This job is the means to reaching her goals. Fulfilling her dreams.
The money she saves working part-time will help pay for her needs during the coming school year. That, in turn, will afford her the opportunity to spend a lot of quality time on her studies.
After she graduates with a BA, Sylvia hopes to go on to law school. Here's the kicker--she wants to help others.
"I want to become an immigration lawyer because there are so many people flowing in and out of the island," she said. "It seems like a good thing to do."
A great thing indeed, Sylvia.
Cheers to a wonderful teen that actually made the front page of the newspaper and is probably, by far, the best news of the day.