We Can Give these Trailblazing Travelgirls Experiences They'll Never Forget

你好！

My name is Lea Williamson. I am a sophomore at Berkeley International High School (BIHS), an authorized International Baccalaureate in Berkeley, California. I am so excited to have the opportunity to travel to Japan, especially for the first time! Going will open so many new opportunities for growth!

First, let me tell you a little more about myself. I am originally from Nashville, Tennessee, and though I moved to California at a relatively young age, I still consider myself a southern girl at heart. I enjoy surfing, reading, and music is a massive part of my life. During lunch you can find me dancing to music or on occasion, I’ll bring my mixing board to school, pushing buttons, turning the turn tables, and seeing what songs transition into each other well. I really enjoy going into deep research about different cultural practices and stories. Coincidently enough, the most recent cultural research I have done was about Japanese mythology, specifically about the sun goddess Amaterasu. My favorite class would probably be Mandarin because I really enjoy learning about Chinese mythology and ways of life, specifically being able to see the connections between ancient and modern-day China. I have certainly had an exciting experience with Mandarin. I started learning Mandarin in 6th grade. At the time, I didn’t have the best teacher. There definitely were times when I felt like I wasn’t good enough, especially when I was the only black girl in my class and not getting the help that I needed. Once I got to high school I changed teachers and regained the love and interest I had when I first started.

There are so many reasons that I am incredibly excited about this trip. One of the main reasons I am excited is the opportunity to explore. We all have been told stories in our lives by loved ones. The kind of stories that people tell about the hardships that they have endured and what they’ve learned from it. I recently realized that I love hearing people's stories so much. I have even considered it for a potential future career! This trip to Japan will be a great way to explore my passion even more! Globally! It would help me become an even better storyteller since I would be open to so many new perspectives different from mine. It will also help me to step out of my comfort zone as much as I can. Appreciating cultural storytelling has always been something that I’ve been interested in. Sitting down and listening while my mother would tell me stories about her life and travels is one of my first memories of storytelling and has made a mark on me, as I continue to navigate life as a teenager. I look forward to this trip opening me up to many life stories and perspectives. I am especially interested in ancient stories that have been told for centuries in regard to how they’ve impacted cultural practices and daily lives.

This trip to Japan will provide me with many opportunities, but I can’t make this happen without your help. My fundraising goal, along with my other Cinnamongirl sisters, is $6500. Any donation would be greatly appreciated!

For more information about me and my endeavors check out https://www.leawill.com/

谢谢！