Written by Theresa Marzan

William Balinbin is a 1996 graduate of Lahainaluna. He talked to us all today about his time in the military and his experiences at Cornell University.

After high school, William enlisted in the Air Force because in his senior year he didn't know exactly what he wanted to do and didn't have enough money for college. He was first based in Texas then to Japan, South Korea, and the Middle East. It took 6 weeks long for basic training in Texas. For a while he was in the Fire Academy to become a fire fighter and then he was transferred to Tokyo, Japan, where he worked 24 hours shifts. Soon after he got deployed to South Korea. Then it was off to the Middle East, Iraq to be specific. In Iraq they lived in tents. William loved the military a lot. He now is a freshman attending Cornell University, which is in Ithaca, New York. He pays $36,000 a year all by himself. 75% of his tuition is paid by the military and the Montgomery G.I. bill sends a $500 check to him monthly. He is hoping to seek a major in Hotel administration. Cornell is the #1 hotel school in the world, also up with Cornell is Michigan State, Purdue and University of Nevada-Las Vegas for business administration. He says he gets just 2 to 4 hours of sleep a night due to studying so hard. He had a goal to travel the world which he had certainly has done with himself. He made many of friends while doing it. Till this day he has a part time job at a Hotel and is still in New York and just came back to visit.

William Balinbin was a great guest speaker. He showed us very interesting pictures of himself, places he had been to and of his friends. He was outrageous.

Other reactions:

I learned that it doesn't matter what schools you go to as long as you try your best. When William told us about the school he applied to it made me think about the college that I want to go too and what kind of courses that I want to take. William told me that it's up to you. You need good grades, money and also you need to try hard and you might be able to go to the college you want. Salote Tone

William is very young and has a whole future waiting for him, just like we all have. He made a good choice; the best choice always and that is to go to college, he mentioned some ways to get scholarships, like research, Internet, or talk to a counselor. I want to go to college and be a life long learner. But, first I have to commit myself and I want to go into the hospitality and tourism industry just like William. Fernanda Palacios