by Erin Harris and Siraput Jongaramrungruang
SGI-USA Future Division Young Women’s and Young Men’s leaders
ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—“Run! Champions of Soka!”—this was the theme the eight members of the national high school planning board chose for the inaugural High School Conference, held June 27–30 at Soka University of America (SUA) in Aliso Viejo, California.
One-hundred and thirty-six future division members, entering or in high school, assembled from across the country to create and strengthen friendships, study Buddhism and engage in fun activities and discussions that helped them deepen their understanding of Ikeda Sensei’s vision for kosen-rufu and how Nichiren Buddhism applies to their lives. Activities included interest group breakouts, an Olympics tournament, a talent show and a Q&A session with the national youth leaders.
The conference was planned entirely by the national high school planning board members who began meeting in April toward the event: Taka Koga, of Texas; Oliver Joffee, of New York; Ayo Agoro, of California; Hideo Beber, of California; Melody Lewis, of Louisiana; Misha Simeon, of California; Sophia Coats, of California; and Prashantika Chand, of Georgia.
Based on Sensei’s encouragement, they established a firm united prayer toward the conference for all participants to:
• create and strengthen lifelong friendships through this conference;
• experience victories as champions of Soka through this conference;
• form a deep connection with Ikeda Sensei;
• travel safely to and from, and feel comfortable at SUA, with no sickness or accidents; and
• enjoy themselves, have fun and feel inspired to return to SUA.
Receiving feedback from their peers in a preconference survey, they presented on the Buddhist concept of the “oneness of self and environment,” where they shared experiences of how this concept applies to their lives, making it relevant to every participant. To further explain, they shared this quote from Sensei:
When you study hard and achieve good grades in school, you return home in a good mood, which changes how you feel there, right? The way your parents look at you may also change, and they may even increase your allowance. … This is what is meant by “the oneness of life and its environment.” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 9, revised edition, p. 129)
During the open mic session, appreciation was the focal point. Participants did not hesitate to express gratitude to their chaperones, the support staff and all the friends they made throughout the conference.
Centered on creating and strengthening friendships, participants forged new prime points in faith and deepened their understanding of Buddhist practice. This manifested as participants challenging their hesitation to offer support during the conference as fukudoshi, emcee and in other roles. This makes us excited to see how the participants will grow as protagonists in our kosen-rufu movement toward 2030, by taking home what they learned and challenging themselves further in their studies, their districts and shakubuku rooted in friendship.
Shelton Jeanelus
Georgia
I am very grateful to have attended the High School Conference, as I was able to make new friends that will hopefully become lifelong friends—shoutout Group 14—and I learned a lot about our Buddhist practice. Additionally, I had so much fun, and the people were so kind! For these reasons, I will be forever grateful to everyone who made this conference possible and my parents who flew a long way to bring me here. Thank you so much, and keep up the good work!
Melody Lewis
Louisiana
I really enjoyed the High School Conference! This is my third year going, and it’s always an amazing and memorable experience, where I get the chance to meet new people and form genuine friendships. The energy and atmosphere is always so positive, and it felt great to connect with those who I’ve known from the previous years and who share similar interests as me as well. But being part of the planning committee made the experience even more special. I was involved in organizing different parts of the event, from brainstorming ideas to helping set up fun events! It was meaningful to see everything come together; knowing that I played a part in making it fun means a lot. The whole experience helped me grow socially, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to be involved in something so impactful. The conference never fails to make me smile.
Ivan Cordner
California
The conference this year was life-changing for me. I didn’t realize it, but I had been lacking self-confidence and self-esteem, and that was becoming normal. At the conference, I was moved by everyone’s kindness and felt like I could truly be myself, without judgment. It made me reflect on the kind of person I want to become and the kinds of choices I make for myself moving forward. It helped me gain back my confidence to be authentically me.
I also now have a favorite quote from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: “Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop with only one day remaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital?” (“Letter to Niike,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1027). This conference has inspired me to study harder in school so that I can attend Soka University of America.
July 18, 2025 World Tribune, pp. 6–7
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