Late-blooming scholar pursues master's degree

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Leighton Miyake sits in Wist Hall on the UH-Manoa campus, where he is working on a master's degree in education. He hopes for a career as a school psychologist. Cory Lum •The Honolulu Advertiser Leighton Miyake Age: 45 Hometown: Kane'ohe Family: George T. Miyake, father; Ann A. Mahi, older sister; Alan A. Miyake, younger brother Position: Graduate student in the educational psychology master's program at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, with a 3.71 grade point average Accomplishment: From slacker to highly motivated student, with goals on a doctorate degree in educational psychology Quote: "I've never lost that motivation. I'd have too much to lose. I've worked too hard to get to this point."

That's how Leighton Miyake feels.

Lucky to have a supportive family. Lucky to know what he wants. Lucky to be here, right now.

Miyake wasn't always that appreciative. School was never a priority, and he took advantage of his parents' trust and patience.

From his first day in kindergarten, he decided school wasn't for him. After he was left in the classroom, pouting and crying, Miyake snuck back into the car while his mother's attention was distracted, hid in the backseat and crept into the house.

"I never liked school," he said with a laugh. "I hated it."

So it may seem ironic to some that Miyake, a high-school drop-out, is so intent on earning his doctorate and working in a classroom.

But his shift in priorities is something that has gotten Miyake through the tough times. And there were many.

In 1992, 14 years after Miyake got his GED, his mother was diagnosed with cancer. It spread so quickly, she fell into a coma and died. But before she slipped away, Miyake made a promise to her that he's worked at keeping for almost 10 years: to go back to school and start taking his future seriously.

"My mom protected me no matter what I did," he said. "It was unconditional love. It seems she paid the ultimate price. She gave her life to see my turn mine around."

'A strong desire'

His goal was to go back to school, do the best he could, and give something back to the community.

The next year, at age 36, Miyake enrolled at Windward Community College. The transition to school wasn't easy.

"Learning how to study again," he said, "that was killahs."

He set goals: to get an associate's degree, get on the Dean's List, earn membership in the National Honor Society, graduate with honors. So far, he's achieved them all.

"He's distinctive in that he loves ideas," said Mark Hanson, assistant professor of psychology at UH West O'ahu, where Miyake earned his bachelor's degree with distinction in social science. "He really wants to give something back. Not that that's totally unique to him, but it's not the norm."

And Miyake hasn't stopped setting goals. He will graduate with a master of education in educational psychology in May, and plans on working as a school psychologist for a few years before enrolling in a doctoral program.

This is a 180-degree turnaround for Miyake, who, in the past, could never finish a project or follow through on his promises.

"That was a pattern in my life," he said. "I never finished anything I started. I think that's why I have such a strong desire to meet my goals."

Runs in the family

Giving back runs in the family.

His father, a retired communications engineer, volunteers every Friday in the chemotherapy ward of Castle Medical Center, where the late Mrs. Miyake died.

Miyake and his father live together in Kane'ohe. Though the elder Miyake never says it, Leighton Miyake knows his father is proud of him. "He shows me in his own way," Miyake said.

When he's not studying for exams or writing papers, Miyake is an assistant coach with Aulea Swim Club in Kailua, a lifeguard and a water safety instructor.

Part of getting back on track was throwing himself into school and work. All at once. No excuses.

So far, it's paid off.

"I've never lost that motivation," he said. "I'd have too much to lose. I've worked too hard to get to this point."