As 2020 is near, that will end the most recent decade; We are about to embark into a new decade that will begin in 2021. I would like to encourage us all, including you and me, to reflect, within the last 10 years from 2009 through 2019, what were our life's experiences like?

Accomplishments?

Accolades?

Honors?

Goals?

Peaks?

Valleys?

For me 2009 through 2019, honestly, were my greatest and roughest of experiences, personally and professionally. It were my years post college graduation. I did not think I would live to be able to share that.

Before I reached 30, I went through what I call a "midlife crisis." I learned more about what my concussions, night terrors, nightmares, adverse childhood experiences, and the traumatic impact the SUV collision has destructively done to my overall personality, health, identity, and memory. The breakthrough? I've been set free from that torment.

The trauma triggered I experienced was one I wish for no one to go through. Sometimes, many times, it's inevitable. I am grateful to be alive and well, today. What helped me most? Getting planted at a church to grow in my devotional relationship with God. Prayer helped too. When I got grounded and sought for wisdom from the Word of God is when I began to overcome and grow in my character to win over trauma and torment.

Then I conscientiously surrounded myself with good people and families. I cut ties from the people that make unhealthy choices. That made the difference. My overall health benefitted. My family and friends took note of it.

I've experienced peaks and valleys in all aspects. I am grateful that within one decade, it has been a year of growth, maturity, character building, valleys, and peaks on a personal as well as on a professional level. Before my father passed on, that time and after allows me to reflect all he has instilled in me.

What I accomplished from 2009 through 2019? As a beatboxer, I was honored as Best Performer Hawaii Scene Choice Award, TEDx Presenter Award, Best Local Musician Deserving of a Wider Audience, 4x HawaiiSlam First Thursdays Top 12 Grand Slam Poet Finalist, and top 3 McDonald's of Hawaii's NextNext Music Competition and Charity Event.

My beatbox students became champions in statewide competitions and talent contests.

I probably left out some accolades. I've performed all over the island of Oahu, neighbor islands of Kauai, and Hilo of Hawaii Island. I've also gone on a business trip for Maui. I've also performed for events in New York, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Los Angeles, and a corporate project overseas in Sydney, Australia. As a mom and pops beatboxer, I've been honored to perform for weddings, 1st birthday parties, graduation parties, company parties, and more.

I've presented at Creation production, Hawaii Children and Youth Day, Hawaii Music and Book Festival, TEDx Honolulu Conference, KS EdTech Conference, Windward Oahu's Early College Conference, Koko Head Elementary's Back to School Assembly, Kauluwela Elementary's Back to School Assembly, Aliiolani Elementary's Parent Night, Hawaii Baptist Academy Summer School Assembly, Music With A Message School Tour, Real And Powerful Anti Bullying School Tour, Hawaii Explorations Expo, Kapiolani Community College Scholarship Dinner, Leeward Community College, Iolani School, Kamehameha Schools, Art and Flea, Honolulu Night Market, Kroc Center Night Market, Art after Dark, Estria Graffiti Grand Final, International Human Beatbox Convention, American Beatbox Championship, and I was nominated to compete at the Beatbox Battle World Championship.

I opened for Michael Winslow, Quest Crew, JabbaWockeez, Blue Scholars, Reeps One.

I judged the Brown Bags to Stardom Statewide Grand Final.

No missing a beat. As a mathematics coach, I've worked with students to learn mathematics, pass math classes, graduate high school, enroll in college, and earn a degree from university.

As a blogger and writer, I've reached somewhere in the neighborhood of 2.7 million readers, and households. Thank You!

What's next for me for the new decade starting in 2020? My goal is to not forget where I came from. Not forget who helped me along the way. To better serve others, families, and our community. Know my roots. To not settle. Raise the bar. Set goals. Short term. Mid term. Long term.

I send blessings and well wishes to my family, friends, blog readers. and website visitors. I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope that your 2019 finishes stronger than how it began for you, and that 2020 will be a great year for you, yours, and ours! Here's to a great 2020 and to many more years to come.

I am blessed to fellowship with Nate at Poi Bowl for his birthday. We both had the "Local Boy" plate. Ono. We cannot go wrong with that. Happy Birthday Nate!

As a professional beatboxer, mathematics coach, and busy bee buzzing around the clock, I am sharpening my planner and calendar edge this 2020 with the Christian Planner. Got mine in "Lady Lilac" in tribute to my Alma mater Kauluwela Elementary. The Christian Planner is an amazing gift and tool in accomplishing personal, professional, and ministry goals. I will close 2019 emceeing a 1st birthday party. My students are on winter break. I am super stoked to work with them and more in 2020.

Math photoshoots are fun.

I want to thank you and those of who that wished me a Happy Birthday before, during, and after Thursday, November 21st, 2019. On my birthday, I gave my "Flip the Script" keynote message at Aliʻiolani Elementary's Parent Night on the importance on having "grit" to not give up even through our life's greatest adversities and challenges. What would the script of your life look like today if it were to go on the big screen? Let's ask ourselves that each day. Are we living the script in our lives the way we ought to and want to today?

I have a special gift for you! Scroll down to watch my birthday keynote presentation!

Principal Joseph Passatino, Nate, Cary Miyashiro, Debbie Kim Morikawa, Jason Tom, Violet Shimoko, Lori, Gale, vice principal Tim.

Jason Tom Birthday Flip the Script Keynote

Video Credit: BloomingGale's

As an unashamed product of Hawaiʻi's Deparment of Education's public school education, I shared my greatest accomplishment in life was being able to fail early in life, because that taught me early on what I needed to do to dig deep to overcome adversities and challenges in life. How when I failed first grade at Liholiho Elementary was pivotal to me beginning my journey as an amateur beatboxer.

I was six-years-old. I knew not how to read nor did I know my ABCs then.

I transferred to Kauluwela Elementary where I began to learn my ABCs, liking toward mathematics, art, and how to read.

15 years later, I ventured into my journey as a professional beatboxer after my collision with a SUV when I judo sprawled that vehicle before being knocked unconscious.

It was then I also decided to take care of my unfinished business academically. I judo flipped my transcript from 1.0 to 4.0 grade point average. I was then rejected then accepted into the Freeman Foundation Scholarship program at Beijing Foreign Studies University. In 2006-2007, I landed on the University of Hawaiʻi at Kapiʻolani's Dean's Honorees List!

I also shared on one of my student's accounts on how she was at the brink of giving up. When I worked with her... she became an A math student and she completed her degree at University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu!

I also shared when I advocated to present my keynote at TEDx Honolulu "It's About Time" Conference with "Vocal Groove" when they originally turned me down and then selected me to present.

Jason Tom Flip the Script Keynote Presentation

Video Credit: Nate Izumi

Ever had a conversation with someone who asks you the same question even after you've already responded to him or her your answer? I will use mathematics to as an analogy to share this scenario.

Person asks: What is the answer to (p + 3)³ (translation: what is the cubed evaluation of the binomial p plus three)? 

You: You want to know the answer to (p + 3)³? Well here it is...... 
(p + 3)³ 
= (p + 3)(p + 3)(p + 3) 
= (p + 3)(p² + 6p + 9) 
= p(p² + 6p + 9) + 3(p² + 6p + 9) 
= p³ + 6p² + 9p + 3p² + 18p + 27 
= p³ + 6p² + 3p² + 9p + 18p + 27 
= p³ + 9p² + 27p + 27 (final answer) 
That is the answer to (p + 3)³. 

Person (months later): Wait, you typed all of that beautifully, but I don't get it, what is the answer to (p + 3)³? You did not answer me. 

You: I answered your question what the answer to (p + 3)³ is. Our conversation was done months ago. 

Person: What is the answer to (p + 3)³? 

You: Here it is, the answer to (p + 3)³...... 
(p + 3)³ 
= (p + 3)(p + 3)(p + 3) 
= (p + 3)(p² + 6p + 9) 
= p(p² + 6p + 9) + 3(p² + 6p + 9) 
= p³ + 6p² + 9p + 3p² + 18p + 27 
= p³ + 6p² + 3p² + 9p + 18p + 27 
= p³ + 9p² + 27p + 27 (final answer) 
That is the answer to (p + 3)³. 

Person: What is the answer to (p + 3)³? You did not include the answer. 

You: I answered your question. Our conversation is done. Mahalo!

Bonus Math Problem: here is of another math problem that could also be used in this scenario.

 Math and Beatbox Music Speaks

I'm honored to have been invited to present at the 3rd Annual Hawaiʻi Explorations Expo, 9am to 3pm at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, Hawaiʻi on Sunday, October 27th hosted by the Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum!

Topics at this expo will include agriculture, robotics, astronomy, mathematics, science, engineering, art education, health care, automotive technology, energy production, marine biology, and more!

Come and join us!

WHAT:
Hawaiʻi Explorations Expo

HOSTED BY:
Hawaii Science and Technology Museum

DATE:
Sunday, October 27, 2019

TIME:
9:00AM to 3:00PM

LOCATION:
Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

ADDRESS:
799 Piilani Street, Hilo, HI, United States, 96720

WHY:
Science, robotics, mathematics, engineering, technology, audio engineering, beatboxing, art education, and more!

WHO:
Henk Rogers
Kālepa Baybayan
Jason Tom
Keaʻau High School Cougar Techs Robotics Team
Waiākea Intermediate School Titans Ukulele Band

As a product of Hawaiʻi's STEM/STEAM education, mathematician musician, and education advocate, I am stoked!

My mathematics and music career merged as one like when the Constructicons of Transformers merges into Devastator at the right place, right time.

And I nearly did not make it to see it. My life near devastated before it was my Dad's time.

My first math mentor, my Dad, saw the math music merge before he left to be with the Big Boss Upstairs on a Father's Day.

To my Dad it was an achievement and accomplishment up to that point as a human beatbox mathematician.

Want to know about the bouts I battled through to get to be thriving today?

Scroll down to read the rest of my story....

In 2004, on a green light I collided with a SUV at the crosswalk near Pizza Hut and Liliha Bakery. That took place after I completed my training at Shobukan Judo Club. I applied judo prior to the impact and I broke my fall on wet asphalt. I then went into unconsciousness.

Split seconds prior, I heard the calm voice of the Big Boss Upstairs who told me, "stay down Jason, don't get up, and you will be okay." The driver rendered help.

I vaguely recall hearing someone, perhaps the driver, prayed for me while I was knocked out. To date, I had not met the driver.

First responders, ambulance came and took me into Queens Medical Center's Emergency Room. No broken bones. Not fatal.

I woke up at the hospital with my family members who visited me. Due to my judo training, I was strong enough to walk on my own strength, but I was too dazed to collect my thoughts of what happened.

One day later one of my family members took me to see, "The Passion of the Christ," on the big screen. That's the Big Boss Upstairs who protected me. I did not know him then, but I knew of him.

My doctor confirmed I had a concussion and head trauma from that SUV collision. It affected my memory and in later years it caught up to me bad.

I changed my career path in 2004. It was after I collided with a SUV and my recall of Elaine Chao's beatbox performance at the Showtime at the Apollo that compelled me to leave the pursuit of judo, to pursue my actual life's purpose in an ever fulfilling career as a professional beatboxer. 

To figure out a human beatbox and hip hop soloist blueprint, I studied Bobby McFerrin, Doug E. Fresh, Michael Jackson, Rahzel, Michael Winslow, and MC Jin like a hawk.

During that, I returned to community college. After one term back, my math professor Mark Alexander considered me to be one of his top performing math students, and I simultaneously began my mathematics career.

If I am not mistaken, the mathematics position I held as an undergraduate student was more than what University of Hawai'i at Mānoa graduate students earned at the time.

I began my mathematics career as an algebra 1 supplemental instructor in my early undergraduate years while I pursued my music career as a professional beatboxer.

My mathematics supervisor was LaVache Scanlan. 

I was assigned to work with math professor Dennis Perusse's algebra 1 class, and I took notes. My office hours I prepped math sessions. Though not in my job description, I'd go in on exam days to take the exams, and I scored 100% on all of them.

I asked Dennis to grade my exam with no leniency and he agreed.

I used no calculator.

I did that to challenge my math ability and skills, keep them sharp and fine tuned so that I can ensure I am more than equipped to prepare math students. 

Then I got into math tutoring and math note taking. 

My math coaching is in alignment with how I am as a math student, I do not use a calculator when I do mathematics. My academic approach is similar in fashion to how I excelled in judo to win gold medals and I applied that onto the classroom setting. It works!

Then I noticed that my health started to decline over time, but I understood not how come. I got planted at a home church to build a solid relationship with the Big Boss Upstairs to seek answers. My health got better.

Then it got bad. It was then that the Biblical verse like John 10:10 awakened me to what was going on.

I eventually got tormented by night terrors as well as nightmares that I could not shake.

It was through prayer that it was revealed to me that "trauma" continued to afflict me.

After years I warred with the affliction it was through prayer that Big Boss Upstairs uprooted trauma and restored my health completely whole today.

Galatians chapter 5 on the "fruit of the spirit" helped me as well as instructions from all of Proverbs, and the book of Job. Ecclesiastes helped me too.

When I applied those Biblical verses and chapters into my daily life, I witnessed a transformation upon my life and health.

Big Boss Upstairs then instructed me to pull from my mathematics foundation to reverse the brain degenerative process from the traumatic brain injury completely. While I continue my music career.

Then Big Boss Upstairs opened the door for my mathematics to kick up. To the point both careers merged as one.

Today, I am completely healthy and restored! No longer tormented!

I am grateful and thankful for how Big Boss Upstairs took care of me during what I considered to be the most trying period of my life.

Today, I continue to perform as a professional beatboxer.

I am grateful to have a thriving mathematics music merged monster of a career as a professional beatboxer!

My business model?

Inspired through my time going through road trips throughout the USA, the hustle bustle of South Shore O'ahu, Beijing, and the Big Apple.

All that? Sums up the making of my career today.

Today, I also math coach and math tutor many students throughout the state of Hawai'i, on O'ahu.

When I study math, I process it, dissect it, digest it, master my retention for math, to be able to teach it to students on "how to" master it.

With my math students, we don't use a calculator in plain sight.

I've observed as a math tutor in my earlier years, how a calculator exponentially stunts the growth of a student's math progress and learning.

I focus on the math knowledge, process and foundation.

I pull a lot from my math mentors, my father, and I also pull from my sports background in soccer and judo. I reflect upon how I learned from the sports, to eventually excel at them to then be able to break it down to basics to train others, and then I applied that to the world of academics and mathematics.

It works!

Thank You Allan Silva for having me rock the mic for the 26th Hawaiʻi Children And Youth Day on the Hawaiʻi State Capitol Rotunda main stage! Missed me? You and your family are invited to catch me live this Saturday, October 12th at the Hawaiʻi Children And Youth Day and Brown Bags to Stardom main stage of the Waikiki Block Party, 4:30pm to 9:30pm!

26th Hawaiʻi Children And Youth Day with Miss Asia Hawaiʻi Camille Yano,
Miss Hawaiʻi Nikki Kehaulani Holbrook, Hawaiʻi's Human Beatbox Jason Tom, and
Mrs. Hawaiʻi Jennifer Bugarin at Hawaiʻi State Capitol Rotunda!

Jason Tom "Appetizer" for 26th Annual Hawaiʻi Children And Youth Day at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol Rotunda main stage!

Video Chef: Nathan Izumi

Jason Tom "Appetizer" for 26th Annual Hawaiʻi Children And Youth Day at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol Rotunda main stage! (BloomingGale's)

Video Chef: BloomingGale's

Jason Tom "Full Course Meal" for 26th Annual Hawaiʻi Children And Youth Day at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol Rotunda main stage!

Video Chef: Nathan Izumi

Jason Tom "Full Course Meal" for 26th Annual Hawaiʻi Children And Youth Day at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol Rotunda main stage! (BloomingGale's)

Video Chef: BloomingGale's

Jason Tom and Ms. Yoshino at Hawaiʻi Children And Youth Day with the five of us at Hawaiʻi State Capitol Rotunda!

Jason Tom and Tomsolo's Breaks R4 Kidz at Hawaiʻi Children And Youth Day with the five of us at Hawaiʻi State Capitol Rotunda!

26th Hawaiʻi Children And Youth Day with the five of us at Hawaiʻi State Capitol Rotunda!

Kanikapila!!!
Ethan Capone, Jason Tom, Imua Garza, and Tiffa Garza
at the Summer Night Market at Kroc Center Hawaii!!!

Jason Tom Summer Night Market Opener at Kroc Center Hawaii!

Amazing!!!
It was great to meet Dora!
She recalls having seen me live all of her high school years on the American Lung Association's Music With A Message Tour!

Good times!

Hawaii's human beatbox Jason Tom sound check at Kroc Summer Night Market!

Da Kine Hawaiian Sauces And Rubs at Kroc Summer Night Market!!!

The Kid Raiden Ohana!

Summer Night Market at the Kroc Center!

Rie and Ty Ohana!

Kulia Ohana!

Took this photo with a couple of Hilo High Vikings alumni. I am rocking the Vikings school colors. Wow!!!

Thank you Mililani Baptist Preschool and Hawaii Baptist Academy for having me share about beatboxing with your students on my Summer School Tour! I'd like to invite you to come and see me live in concert with your friends and family for the Kroc Summer Night Market on Friday, July 26th from 6:00PM to 8:30PM!!! Give a watch at my Kroc Summer Night Market Concert Announcement!!!

It's F-R-E-E and open to the public! It's family friendly! Bring the keiki! Bring your friends! Bring you! Bring your family! It'll be a joy!

Jason Tom Summer School Human Beatbox Tour Stop at Mililani Baptist Preschool!

Jason Tom at Hawaii Baptist Academy with sensational ukulele duo Heart And Soul's Jody Kamisato and Micah Ganiron!

Thank you for dropping in to see my June showcase with Prisma Dance at Ala Moana Centerstage! I invite you to catch Prisma Dance and I at our next Ala Moana Centerstage Showcase, Friday, August 2nd, 7pm!

I am happy to let blog readers like you know that since 2016, on June 10th, "National Beatbox Day" is celebrated in honor of Darren 'Buffy" Robinson the Human Beatbox of the Fat Boys, the pioneers, creators, and game changers!
 

Jason Tom + Prisma Dance June Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage

The legendary Rahzel, formerly a member of The Roots, and Jason Tom at Webster Hall New York!!!

I wore my Fat Boys t-shirt in my extended observance of "National Beatbox Day" at this June 21st showcase!

Fat Boys: Kool Rock-Ski, Buff Love, Prince Markie Dee

Jason Tom Prisma Dance June Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage! | Photo credit: Jayson David

Jason Tom Prisma Dance June Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage! | Video credit: Gale West

Jason Tom Prisma Dance June Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage! | Photo credit: Jayson David

Jason Tom Prisma Dance June Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage! | Video credit: Nate Izumi

Jason Tom Prisma Dance June Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage! | Photo credit: Jayson David

Jason Tom Prisma Dance June Showcase at Ala Moana Centerstage! | Photo credit: Jayson David

Jason Tom "Rhythm And Moves" Prisma Dance May Showcase (Beatbox Battle Survival Jacket)! | Photo credit: Albert Moreno

Jason Tom "Rhythm And Moves" Prisma Dance May Showcase (Beatbox Battle Survival Jacket)! | Photo credit: Albert Moreno

Jason Tom "Genghis Blues" Prisma Dance May Showcase (Beatbox Battle Vintage Jacket)! | Photo credit: Albert Moreno

Jason Tom "Boom Bap" Prisma Dance May Showcase (Beatbox Battle College Jacket)! | Photo credit: Albert Moreno

I, Jason Tom, love you! What? Yes! In the world of showbiz, I've met a few superstars and divas that will show a lack of appreciation to you and your support. No matter how small or big of a beatbox star I am or am not, I want you to know I will always appreciate you! I will also continue to spend quality time to not forget to write you when I can with an update no matter how small or big of a beatbox star I was, am, and will become. Talent can take anybody far in life. It is character that can keep anybody there and take them even further in life. Come and join Prisma Dance and I (Jason Tom), Ala Moana Centerstage Showcase, Friday, May 3rd @ 7:00PM — 7:45PM.

Jason Tom judge showcase at Brown Bags to Stardom Grand Final, Hawaii Convention Center Liliu Theater!

I want to thank Hawaiʻi's human beatbox pioneers Radical Rob, Gizmo, Re-Run, and Joevon "J.B" Brown for paving the way for a Hawaiʻi beatboxer like me. And I will continue to pave the way for a local beatboxer, a beatboxer you know and people like you. I am not a stranger to the world of competition and it was an honor when Johnny Kai invited me to judge this year's Brown Bags to Stardom Grand Final. Congratulations to all Brown Bags to Stardom Grand Finalists, contestants, families, and friends! What remarkable talent! WOW!!!

As a beatboxer, I accomplished some of these accolades...

• HawaiiSlam's First Thursdays Top 12 Grand Slam Finalist (2019)
• University of Hawaiʻi Foundation - Freeman Foundation Scholarship Feature (2019)
• Specialty beatbox artist for the Creation production by Prisma Dance (2018)
• Featured in Uplift And Renew at Ala Moana Centerstage (2018)
• University of Hawaiʻi News Feature (2018)
• Headlined the 25th Hawai‘i Children And Youth Day at the Hawai‘i State Capitol Rotunda Main Stage (2018)
• Opened for 10th KS EdTech DisRupt Conference (2018)
• Opened for Uplift at Ala Moana Centerstage (2017)
• Specialty beatbox artist for the Creation production by Prisma Dance (2016)
• McDonald's of Hawaiʻi NextNext Top 3 Musician (2016)
• HawaiiSlam's First Thursdays Top 12 Grand Slam Finalist (2016)
• Nominated as a Top 150 Vocal Percussion Artist for the men's solo contest at the Beatbox Battle World Championship (2015)
• HawaiiSlam's First Thursdays Top 12 Grand Slam Finalist (2015)
• Headlined Art After Dark at Honolulu Museum of Art (2014)
• Beatbox Battle TV Feature (2014)
• KITV News Feature Oahu Beatboxer Jason Tom performs Interview with Jill Kuramoto (2013)
• KITV News Feature Local beatboxer shares his sounds Interview with Jill Kuramoto (2013)
• Headlined the 20th Hawai‘i Children And Youth Day at the Hawai‘i State Capitol Rotunda Main Stage (2013)
• Honolulu Night Market: Artrageous + Interview with Olena Heu (2013)
• RAW artists Feature (2012)
• HawaiiSlam's First Thursdays Top 9 Grand Slam Finalist (2012)
• Recipient of the TEDx Honolulu "It's About Time" Presenter Award (2011)
• Recipient of the Hawaiʻi Scene Choice "Best Performer" Award (2011)
• Opened for Apex (2011)
• Opened for Apex (2010)
• Opened for Mighty4 Honolulu (2010)
• Featured musician on Faioso's 2010 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominated album (2010)
• Interview with Angela Keen at TEDx Honolulu "Shift" Conference (2009)
• Featured entertainer at TEDx Honolulu "Shift" Conference (2009)
• Pipeline's Got Talent (dubbed Hawaiʻi's Got Talent) Top 4 Grand Finalist (2009)
• Pipeline's Got Talent (dubbed Hawaiʻi's Got Talent) 1st Place Winner (2009)
• Voted as the Best of Honolulu Weekly's Local Musician Deserving of a Wider Audience (2009)
• Word of Life Emerge Talent Show 1st Place Runner Up Grand Finalist (2009)
• Word of Life Emerge Talent Show 1st Place Winner (2008)
• Kapiʻolani Community College Talent Show Top 4 Finalist (Fall 2007)
• Kapiʻolani Community College Talent Show Top 4 Finalist (Spring 2007)
• Kapiʻolani Community College Talent Show Top 5 Finalist (Fall 2006)
• Kapiʻolani Community College Talent Show Top 3 Finalist (Spring 2006)

Photo Credit: Germaine Barsatan

Jason Tom Brown Bags to Stardom Judge Biography narrated by Johnny Kai!

Jason Tom beatbox rocked it for 30,000 to 50,000 and shared the stage with remarkable talent at the Spring Street Jam on the Brown Bags Waikiki Block Party Stage! In 2017 and 2018, Jason Tom's beatbox students won the Brown Bags to Stardom Grand Finals in the variety act category. This 2019, Brown Bags has invited Jason Tom to be one of the guest judges for Saturday, April 27th's Brown Bags to Stardom Statewide Final at the Hawaii Convention Center Liliu Theater! Please forward to anybody who may be interested...

Saturday, April 27 @ 9:00AM — 12:30PM
Brown Bags to Stardom Elementary School Division Statewide Final
at Hawaii Convention Center Liliu Theater

Saturday, April 27 @ 2:00PM — 5:00PM
Brown Bags to Stardom Middle School Division Statewide Final
at Hawaii Convention Center Liliu Theater

Saturday, April 27 @ 6:30PM — 9:30PM
Brown Bags to Stardom High School Division Statewide Final
at Hawaii Convention Center Liliu Theater

If you are open on April 20th, Saturday, Brown Bags has a Waikiki Block Party - you are welcome to join us!

Jason Tom is HawaiiSlam's First Thursdays 16th Anniversary Grand Slam Finalist at Hawaiian Brian's Crossroads Concert Hall. Show hosted by Hawai`i Poet Laureate Kealoha with DJ Toki of Sisters in Sound and live painter Alicia Soder. 

Video Credit: Sáshily Kling

.

The best First Thursdays show of the year is almost here!! We've got the 2019 Grand Slam FINALS and HawaiiSlam’s 16th Anniversary on April 4th. 

Come witness the 12 best poets from the 2018-2019 season fighting for their metaphoric lives in an all out, three-round elimination match for $2000 and a spot on the 2019 HawaiiSlam team. Competing poets are Anesu Makufa, Noa Helelā, Izzi Emz, Lani Fisher, Jesse Lipman, Brianna Johnston, Jason Tom, Liam Skilling, Z, Destiny Sharion, Asia Lavarello, and Sterling Higa. The show will be hosted by Kealoha (Hawai`i Poet Laureate) with DJ Toki (Sisters in Sound) and Alicia Soder (live paint). 

Tickets are $10 presale and $15 at the door, so get yours now for this annual fundraiser and anniversary show!! You can get tickets for the Grand Slam FINALS as follows: 

IN PERSON: 
- Hawaiian Brian's (1680 Kapiolani Boulevard), phone: (808) 946-1343. Tickets are sold at the bar in the main pool room. There is a 15-minute free grace period for parking in the Hawaiian Brian’s parking structure 

ONLINE: 
- Internet purchase at www.HawaiiSlam.com or click here on this paypal link. Note that internet orders will be held for you at the door. If you're buying tickets for people other than yourself, you can email us at info@HawaiiSlam.com at least one day before the show to specify who to hold the tickets under (you can specify various names -- useful if your group plans to arrive at different times). If you are having difficulties with purchasing via paypal, give us a call at (808) 387-9664 and we'll help you out. Please note that internet purchases will not be available on the day of the show! 
___________________________________________ 
First Thursdays (April 4th -- Grand Slam FINALS) 
LOCATION: Hawaiian Brian's (Crossroads concert hall) 
1680 Kapi`olani Boulevard (2nd Floor above 24 Hour Fitness) 
Doors at 7:30pm, Show at 8:30pm 
$15 Fundraiser to Send the Team to the National Poetry Slam 
All Ages 
Phone: (808) 387-9664 
Email: info@HawaiiSlam.com 
Website: www.HawaiiSlam.com 

Validated parking for Hawaiian Brian’s is $2 for 4 hours and $2 per additional hour. There is plenty of street parking in the area as well (note, if you street park or walk/bike/bus, enter through the 24 Hour Fitness lobby on Kapi`olani and walk up the stairs). 

First Thursdays is the largest registered poetry slam in the world (400+ in attendance)!! HawaiiSlam has official 501(c)(3) non-profit status through Poetry Slam Inc. Please forward to anybody who may be interested...

Jason Tom opened for the 10th Kamehameha Schools Education Technology Conference: Disrupt!

I am an entertainer who advocates for education, because I've experienced first hand "invaluable" tools we can develop through education. In 2017, a struggling university math student contacted me online. I offered to math tutor and coach that female student on the "how to" turn her academic journey around.

She then flipped the script, and finished strong with multiple 4.0 grade point average (gpa) semesters.

In 2018, that student earned her bachelor of arts degree in Early Childhood Education.

My own reflection process on the life tools I've engineered to "dig deep," "persevere," "turn the tables," and "endure" through what I've accomplished in my academic adventure aided to the success in life, my academic coaching, and beatboxing.

When we go through a crossroad... it's important we keep a memory bank on our roots in the "how" we overcame adversity in order to move forward in life.

President William McKinley High School alumnus Jason Tom beatboxing on the Music With A Message Tour.

I am most grateful that I failed early and multiple times later in life! Yes! The failures taught me how to bounce back  discouragement and that developed my character.

I flunked the first grade at Kaimukī's Liholiho Elementary. My fondest memory at Liholiho Elementary was when our teacher played the classic video cassette of 1989's Moonwalker.

At that time, I was six-years-young, and I began my luxurious amateur beatboxing days by recording my "beatboxing" on audio cassettes. I performed my "inward k snare" with my tongue, and I scat sung the synthesizer of "Badder." "Badder" is the kid version of the Michael Jackson song "Bad" featured in Moonwalker's VHS. I still have all of the recordings of me "beatboxing" from 1989 through the 1990s.

Jason Tom beatboxing on the Music With A Message "Not On Tobacco" Tour at McKinley High School.

My second attempt at first grade took place at Liliha's Kauluwela Elementary. I then attended Nuʻuanu's Kawananakoa Middle School and Downtown Honolulu's President William McKinley High School. I was one of the 1.0 to 2.0 gpa students. I worked diligently to graduate from high school on time. I barely made it. I did not let up.

I attended summer school in Kailua's Kaleheo High School to make up missed high school credits.

A US mainland teacher snail mailed me my "correspondence" assignments for other missed credits, and I'd snail mailed those assignments back for it to be graded.

I lettered in varsity soccer and judo to encourage myself to maintain a 2.0 plus gpa. I peaked at two point something.

May 2001, I graduated from McKinley High School.

McKinley High School alumnus Jason Tom lettered in varsity soccer and judo.

Jason Tom is the McKinley High School boys soccer "Mr. Hustle" Award recipient in 2001.

As a first generation college student in my family household, I failed yet again in my academic journey my fall 2001 semester at the University of Hawaiʻi at Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC) when I got placed on academic probation. I earned a B, D, D, and F. Wow!

Spring 2002, I was placed on academic suspension when I earned my D for a 1 credit elective course.

My first two semesters of college, I earned not a single "A."

Discouraged, I took a college school break and I vowed not to return until I know I will be "serious" about college.

From 2002 to 2004, I trained and competed in local judo tournaments in Northern California and Hawaiʻi.

I left judo gradually after I used my judo to save my life when I was hit by a car while I walked the crosswalk on a green light near Shobukan Judo Club and Liliha Bakery in 2004. I would learn much later I would be unknowingly triggered multiple times from the "trauma" of that 2004 car impact.

Jason Tom 2000, 2001, 2002 judo medals, and ribbon; (2004 judo trophy not pictured)

Fall 2004, I came back to KCC, and I earned my first 4.0 gpa. My game plan was to not settle, and to put in the responsibility to earn A's.

I honed time management, punctuality, perfect attendance, reading ahead, note taking.

I avoided distractions like TV, procrastination, and I often started on my college assignments early, not late.

I also decided in 2004 to go into that transition from being an amateur beatboxer to turning into the pro beatboxer people have grown up watching live and on videos today.

My two D's, and one F in 2001? I retook the classes, and through due diligence, I redeemed them all with A's.

Summer 2006, I completed the Freeman Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship Intensive Mandarin Chinese program at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

In fall 2007, I earned my associates of arts degree in Liberal Arts at KCC.

Beijing Foreign Studies University

Jason Tom's associates of arts degree in Liberal Arts at KCC

Kauluwela Elementary gifts for Jason Tom performing at their Back to School Assembly!

Jason Tom beatboxing at Kapiʻolani Community College's Fall 2007 Talent Show with Tiny Tadani and George Higa.

Jason Tom - Kapiʻolani Community College Class of 2007 Alumni Profile!

Jason Tom Kapiʻolani Community College class of 2007 alumnus congratulated by KCC chancellor Leon Richards!

Freeman Foundation Scholarship - Jason Tom - Beijing Foreign Studies University!

Jason Tom's academic journey at Kapiʻolani Community College and beyond... 
Fall 2001: 3.0 gpa / 12 credits
*amateur beatboxer

Spring 2002: 1.0 gpa / 1 credit 
*amateur beatboxer; took a two-year college school break, moved in East Bay, Northern California while I got hired for clerical office work at a furniture warehouse, and I competed in judo tournaments before returning to Honolulu.

Fall 2004 - 4.0 gpa / 6 credits 
*professional beatboxer 

Spring 2005: 4.0 gpa / 11 credits 
*KCC Math Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader (Peer Mentor), Holomua Center math tutor, pro beatboxer 

Fall 2005: 3.75 gpa / 12 credits 
*Freeman Foundation Scholarship, Math SI Leader & math tutor, pro beatboxer 

Spring 2006: 4.0 gpa / 12 credits 
*Freeman Foundation Scholar, pro beatboxer, dormed at Tokai University 

Summer 2006: 4.0 gpa / 12 credits 
*Freeman Foundation Scholar, pro beatboxer, studied abroad at Beijing Foreign Studies University 

Fall 2006: 1.75 gpa/ 12 credits 
*Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Math SI Leader & math tutor, pro beatboxer 

Spring 2007: 2.0 gpa/ 6 credits 
*Math SI Leader & math tutor, TRIO Math notetaker, pro beatboxer 

Fall 2007: 4.0 gpa / 10 credits 
*Math SI Leader & math tutor, notetaker, pro beatboxer, enrolled in 3 credits at Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business (CEMB), & Honolulu Community College (HCC). . 
. 
Spring 2008: 2.0 gpa/ 3 credits 
*KCC commencement, pro beatboxer, enrolled in 9 credits at CEMB, & HCC 

Fall 2008: not enrolled at KCC; enrolled in 3 credits at CEMB, & HCC, pro beatboxer 

Spring 2009 - 2.0 gpa/ 6 credits 
*pro beatboxer, enrolled in 3 credits at CEMB, and HCC

Jason Tom pictured on the Kapiʻolani Community College Fall 2007 Talent Show poster!

Kapiʻolani Community College Spring 2008 Commencement Ceremony!

Kapiʻolani Community College chancellor Leon Richards with KCC class of 2007 alumnus Jason Tom!

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