Meet our MANH 2026 Erdkinder Graduate, Nozomi Kato!
BY NICK GRADLE • 11th Grade
Nozomi Kato is a senior at MANH and will be graduating on June 6. Nozomi has been at this school since he was in kindergarten and has made great friends along the way, specifically, among the current upper Erdkinder group. Some of his fondest memories are those made during two Erdkinder East Coast trips, one during his 9th grade year and another during his 12th grade year. During those trips, he was able to connect with and became very close with his peers, while also having a very enjoyable time on the various outings in Washington, DC, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne, and Philadelphia. Nozomi admits that he will miss his fellow students and teachers because he’s become very close with them over the years and considers this group to be the best.
Nozomi doesn’t have a senior trip planned this year because he wants to finish out the year and spend more time with his friends and family over the summer before leaving for college. Instead, he will use that money to fund a meaningful future trip. When asked what he’s most excited about in the next phase of his life, Nozomi said he was excited about “moving far away to attend college and experience a new area [of the country] and experience some independence, a virtue the school provides. [I can] care for myself.” He plans to move to California in the fall and attend The University of California-Merced where he will study either psychology or music. Nozomi said he wants to give himself time to “find what’s best for me.”
According to Nozomi, his biggest accomplishment during his time at MANH was making friends because he was ultimately able to connect with everyone and have great experiences. Nozomi wants to leave a last piece of advice for his fellow MANH students before they leave MANH: “It’s really important to rely on each other as students because we can stand up for each other, help each other, and get along." We can all agree that this is something everyone should practice in this great community.
Nozomi will be missed after he graduates next month. Our class is excited to spend these last few weeks with him before he graduates, and we all wish him the best in the future.