On Friday, May 15th, Faith Laukon spoke to 8th and 9th grade students at Southwest Junior High in Springdale, Arkansas, during a school assembly celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. About 15 percent of the students at Southwest are Pacific Islander, and most of those students are Marshallese.

Faith Laukon, who is currently running for Justice of the Peace, encouraged students to follow their dreams and to keep going—even when they hear discouraging words from others, or negative thoughts in their own heads.

She also pointed to her campaign manager, Michael Mapa, and shared part of his story. As a 5th grader, Michael helped start the first Pacific Islander student club in Springdale. Today, Pacific Islander student clubs can be found in schools across Northwest Arkansas wherever there are Marshallese students.

In support of their students, teachers at the assembly were wearing Marshallese handicrafts and clothes, often gifted by students, making the event not only a school assembly, but a visible reminder of how deeply Marshallese students and families are now part of the Springdale community.

No longer a small or unknown minority, Marshallese are a vibrant and visible part of Springdale—one with students, parents, teachers, leaders, and future leaders shaping Northwest Arkansas.