11/25/2025
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 - 𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗸𝗶
𝗝𝗘𝗠: 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝗘𝗠.
𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱: My journey began in September 2016 while I was a senior in high school. JEM visited our school and presented the job, and I was interested in applying as I had classmates who also worked here at the time. After a few months of working here, I became a Lead (Coordinator) Lifeguard in January 2017. While attending high school and continuing into my first years of college, I continued my journey as a Lead and then became a Supervisor in 2019.
During this time, we unfortunately had a shutdown due to COVID; however, I was able to experience the work-travel program and worked at Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells. After a year, I became an Assistant Manager for the company from 2021–2022. I then departed JEM for a few months to work with our Disney partners as a Guest Service Manager. After leaving Disney, I returned to JEM as an Assistant Manager in 2023, where I remain today. As a leader here at JEM Hawai‘i, I was part of the committee that created the Alaka‘i Program (leadership development).
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𝗝𝗘𝗠: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀?
𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱: A few accomplishments that I am proud of include becoming an Instructor in 2019 and being part of the Alaka‘i Program (leadership development). I was also involved in the internship program, which led into the Supervisor Development Program. Another committee that I was part of was the Internal Audit. My next goal for the future is to take on more HR procedures and duties.
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𝗝𝗘𝗠: 𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁?
𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱: During my time here, the mentor I can truly highlight is Jill Steinke, as she helped me become a leader and created many development programs that I was fortunate to be part of.
The advice I give to others in my role is to never take things personally and to always remain professional, no matter the circumstances. Aquatics is a tough industry emotionally and physically, and you always have to stay positive and be a supportive leader. A big reminder is, “At the end of the day, don’t forget that everyone is a lifeguard, no matter what role you are in. If you need to hop on stand or get in the water, remember that it is your job and duty to perform, no matter your position.”
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𝗝𝗘𝗠: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗻?
𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱: Outside of work, I like to remain physically active and go to the gym. I am also a high school volleyball coach for both the girls’ and boys’ programs, so needless to say, I am booked in the fall and spring seasons. Coaching is my passion, and I see it as my stress reliever and a way to give back. When I have free time, I love to relax and binge-watch shows.
