Meet Holy Chea

Whitworth Cadre One
'07 Graduate (B.A. Communication)
Henry Foss High School '03

A b-boy mentor

What kid doesn't want a mentor who break dances, has turntables in his living room and can give good advice on the "do's and don'ts" of college life? For those who wouldn't oppose, there is Holy Chea. "Students are motivated by their teachers, but I think I can motivate a lot of kids (in urban schools) because I understand where they come from and, not being much older, I can relate to them," says Holy.

In the midst of relocation

Getting his start at Henry Foss High School in Tacoma, co-creating a break dancing group, while simultaneously volunteering as an Ignite mentor and helping his older brother/youth pastor with ministry, Holy hasn't strayed much from his roots. Holy has mentored youth in the Spokane community as a counselor at a boys' group home and also as a teacher at two local dance studios, but luckily for the youth of Tacoma, Holy is returning home to continue his passion.

Two sides to every Act Six story

Anyone who knows Holy, knows that he has a lot of fun. He's always cracking jokes and forcing people to smile. In between the laughs, though, Holy faces challenges just like the rest of the Act Six scholars. According to him, being a part of Act Six has had a positive influence on him as a leader. He comments, "Seeing my peers step up has motivated me to step us as well." On the other hand, "Some people who know I am Act Six treat me differently because they assume I don't deserve to be here," Holy says recognizing the challenges of being a part of the program, "…But I just have to prove that I do deserve to be here just like everyone else," he finishes.

A professional we need

Holy wants to work with youth because he feels that he has been blessed with a great opportunity and "I think everyone deserves that," Holy says. After Whitworth, Holy is returning to Tacoma to continue what he has already been doing. This time, however, he has a B.A. in Communications, which he is hoping will help to get him in the door of an institution like Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center. It is unlikely that Holy will ever lose his youthful spirit and passion for the hip hop culture, but highly probable that with an attitude marked by statements like, "As long as we keep working towards making a change, that's enough for me," Holy will become the kind of professional our cities need.

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