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Contact: Liberty Peralta
Email: lperalta@pbshawaii.org
Phone: 808.973.1383

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HIKI NŌ: Maui teen with Tourette Syndrome returns to public school with confidence

After a year of being home-schooled, a Maui teen with Tourette Syndrome re-enters public school with more confidence. This report from Maui High School students will be featured on HIKI NŌ, premiering Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 pm on PBS Hawaii.

Bristyl Dempsey, 13, was diagnosed with the neurological disorder while she was in intermediate school. Classmates teased Bristyl because of her tics, and one teacher thought she was intentionally misbehaving in class.

Because of these difficulties, Bristyl’s mother had her home-schooled for a year. Bristyl’s symptoms improved through therapies such as meditation. Upon returning to public school, Bristyl aspires to be a cheerleader.

Ewa Makai Middle School students on West Oahu host this episode, which will also feature these stories:

• Students from Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu profile ukulele phenom Jody Kamisato, who chose the high risk/high reward route of opening his own music school over the option of being an employee of someone else’s school.
• Students from Wheeler Middle School on Central Oahu offer tips on how to prepare an emergency kit in the event of a hurricane.
• Students from Kalani High Schoolin East Honolulu introduce us to The Canvas, a student designed, student run work/play space in Kalihi.
• In keeping with the theme of students creating their own venues of expression, we take a look at a past HIKI NŌ story from Maui Waena Intermediate Schoolabout a high school student who created a youth version of TEDx, global events that promotes “ideas worth spreading.”
• Students from Kapolei High Schoolon West Oahu tell the story of a youth volunteer at the Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a no-kill animal shelter.

This episode will be posted online after the broadcast premiere: pbshawaii.org/hikino

PBS Hawaii is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and Hawaii’s sole member of the trusted Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). We advance learning and discovery through storytelling that profoundly touches people’s lives. We bring the world to Hawaii and Hawaii to the world. PBSHawaii.org | facebook.com/pbshawaii | @pbshawaii