To the readers of Island Times, the newspaper staff, other figures in the media, my family, friends, and to those who have followed along my articles:
It was such an honor to work as an intern for Island Times this summer under the mentorship of publisher and editor, Leilani Reklai. Mrs. Reklai is a hard-working woman with lots of drive and passion for what she does as a writer and a strong member of the media in Palau. Her guidance and support throughout the internship has meant so much to me, and I value the experience she has allowed me thoroughly. From our meeting to Coffeeberry to sitting in with her at several Press Conferences, I give her the biggest thanks for this enriching blessing.
As highlighted in my first article published May 31st, I traveled to Palau this summer as a part of “The Palau Expedition”, a May term summer course from the University of Redlands, focused on environmental studies, led by Professor Lei Lani Stelle and assisted by Risong Tarkong. Prior to my knowledge of the trip running for 24 years and continuing, I was drawn to the summer course due to my cultural identity. I grew up in Portland, Oregon, USA, but my mom, Charity, was born and raised in Ngchesar. I previously visited Palau for the first time in December 2022, and given my roots in Ngchesar, I longed to visit my grandma Justina Ramarui again, meet extended family, and learn more about the culture of Palau.
Following the conclusion of the two-week long course, I stayed behind after my classmates returned to the US to extend my time in Palau for the summer. I expressed to my mother that I wanted to volunteer or intern during my visit. I strongly value giving back to my communities, and try to do so no matter where I go. Thanks to my auntie Bola, and my mom reaching out to many, I got connected with Leilani Reklai to take on an internship for the Island Times. Currently, I am majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Redlands—alongside a major in Psychology and minor in Spanish—so I was intrigued with the opportunity to experience journalism first-hand. I found myself in a unique, yet almost perfect position with this internship. Given this was only my second visit to Palau, taking upon the role of an intern for the Island Times provided me with an outlet to become more immersed in Palau, learning more about the government, sports, culture, environment, art in the community, education, and most of all, the youth population. I had the opportunity to conduct interviews with many inspiring individuals, sit-in for events, meet President Surangel, and establish a widened network.
As a member of the Palauan youth population off-island, I am passionate about the youth population both in and outside Palau as a whole. I felt it necessary to hear what the concerns are, what changes are being made, what solutions are in the works, and what perspectives need to be highlighted. As President Surangel wrote in the National Youth Policy, the Palauan youth like myself have the future of Palau in our hands. I’m deeply aware of how grand the population of Palauans off-island is becoming. While I cannot reach each individual, I want to ensure that I do my best to give back to the beautiful island I confidently call my home as well. While my understanding of Palauan culture, systems, and language is still limited, I do not want that to stop me from pushing to learn more and being proud to be Palauan. Through writing for Island Times, I am so grateful for what I have learned thus far in the span of two months and all the new people I have added to my network. It is an experience I will cherish forever, and I feel it’s just the beginning. I am so honored to have gotten to start my literary career in Palau with Island Times and utilize my love for writing to support the Palau community.
Kmal me sulang
- To Leilani Reklai, for being my mentor, inspiration, supporter and Auntie in writing.
- To My mom, for pushing me to appreciate my heritage and supporting my passions.
- To President Surangel, for speaking with me as a student, youth, citizen, and media rep.
- To Auntie Bola for connecting my mom and I with Leilani Reklai, and iUrban Teen.
- To Professor Lei Lani Stelle, for accepting me into the Expedition and supporting me.
- To Risong Tarkong, for welcoming me, teaching me about Palau and supporting me too.
- To Auntie Hermana Ramarui and Uncle Peter, for teaching me Palauan during my visit, giving me rides to meetings, supporting my writing, and caring for me like a daughter.
- To Grandma Justina Ramarui, for being a model of the strength of family and women.
- To my family and and all the friends I made in Palau, who welcomed me like family.
- And to every single individual I got to meet/interview for my articles including…
My classmates from Redlands, Jomil Garcia, Chief of Youth & Career Development — Sylvester Alonz, Team Palau Athletes, Benina Berger, Mr. Alan Marbou — Principle of Mindszenty, Shuri Chibana and the Bangikoi Society, Minister of Health — Gaafer Uherbelau, Pastor Jon Clapp of Omekulel a Biblia er a Belau, Director of the Division of Juvenile Justice — Sanya Olkeriil.
Spires has returned to Oregon for the remainder of the summer, and will enter her Junior year at the University of Redlands in Southern California. She works as a Resident Assistant on the campus, and hopes to deepen the educational relationship between the University’s Expedition and Palau alongside Professor Stelle. Aside from school, she interns for the NGO iUrban Teen that holds STEM+ programs for minority students in the US, and hopes to revisit her connection with the Island Times upon her future visit(s) to Palau.