About Me

My name is Leland Nisky and I am a senior at Maryknoll High School. Over the weekend of February 17-20^th, I will be skating the periphery of Oahu in order to raise money and awareness for Habitat for Humanity, an organization I have supported for over 4 years. Beginning in 2008, as a student at Hong Kong International School (HKIS), I became a member of the HKIS HFH afterschool club where I participated in the annual Homeless Simulation weekends, helped with various community outreach programs and contributed countless hours to fundraising. But it wasn’t until 2009, during a week long build in Manila, Philippines, working side by side with the recipient family, that I realize how life changing the builds can be for the families and how significant HKH’s work really is. Since moving to Oahu in 2010, I have been fortunate to have worked on both the Fuller and Papakolea builds.

The idea for Skate For Humanity has been in the works for almost two years. As a part of the graduation requirements at Maryknoll, all students must complete a senior project that showcases their knowledge and creativity while spanning several disciplines and showing a commitment to the community. This process begins with a Junior Research Paper. Picking a subject I am passionate about and wanting to learn more, I chose skateboarding and wrote about the dynamics and science behind skateboard design and function. This year, my senior year, I focused on designing and building a board from scratch. It was a time consuming process that includes gluing and pressing 8 layers of Canadian maple and then, due to a design flaw, covering the board with a layer of carbon fiber for strength. Long before the board was completed, I knew that I wanted to do something significant and meaningful for the board’s maiden voyage. I knew immediately that I needed to do something for HFH, an organization I have supported the whole of my high school years. And what better way to showcase this great organization and the incredible work they do than with the longest skate route I could think of….a 120 mile skate around Oahu. I have chosen to call this journey Skate for Humanity. 

Any and all Donations are greatly appreciated, and everything earned will be going to the Honolulu Habitat for Humanity charity organization . 

History of project

In this part you can describe the project's history and give reasons for its creation. It is convinient to mention project milestones and honor participating people.