JOSH GREEN, MD KEITH HAYASHI

GOVERNOR SUPERINTENDENT

STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL
94-1211 FARRINGTON HIGHWAY
WAIPAHU, HI 96797

February 26, 2024

Re: Letter of Recommendation for Cherese Pantohan-Agustin

I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Cherese Pantohan-Agustin, whom I have had the pleasure of
knowing as an advisor and teacher for Marketing, Accounting, Financial Management, and the DECA Marketing Club.
Cherese looks at new experiences as an opportunity and challenges. She has displayed a can-do attitude and has
continually committed herself to her personal growth, helping others, and giving back to the community.

In class, Cherese approached every task with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Her contributions to team efforts
and internships demonstrate her capability to thrive in a demanding and fast-paced environment. In her junior year, she
completed internships with our Student Operated Credit Union by HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union and The Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program through The Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Through the SOCU experience, she
learned to open new accounts, handle deposit transactions, reconcile deposits, service, and promote financial literacy in
the community. As a part of the VITA Program, Cherese was certified by the IRS to provide federal and state tax return
preparation services in our local community for lower-income families. Cherese's reliability and confidence made me
confident in her as a candidate for The Ritz-Carlton summer internship.

Over the summer, Cherese worked at The Ritz Carlton internship, where she experienced several different departments
and quickly adapted to each position. To exemplify Cheree's ability to manage her time and handle diverse
responsibilities in customer service, she also held a part-time position with the USS Bowfin Museum and Park Retail
Shop. Through these opportunities, she reaffirmed her career interest in hospitality and tourism.

Despite her demanding schedule, Cherese managed to excel academically and actively participate in various clubs (5),
extracurricular activities, community service events, and serve as an Ambassador to the Business Pathway. Overall,
Cherese is a dedicated and driven individual who has already made significant strides in her academic and personal life.
Her exemplary work ethic, diverse skill set, and passion for learning make her an ideal candidate for any position or
opportunity she pursues. I do not doubt that she will continue to excel and make valuable contributions wherever she
goes.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at toddnakayama@gmail.com or (808) 375-5147 if
you require further information or clarification regarding Cherese's qualifications or experiences. I am happy to provide
additional insights into her exceptional talents and capabilities.

Sincerely,

Todd Nakayama
Business Teacher
Waipahu High School

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER