SPUT Youth Council: Htoo Ku Paw

What is your favorite memory with Saint Paul Urban Tennis?

My favorite memory with Saint Paul Urban Tennis is when I volunteered at the Pro-Am fundraiser. I got to meet new people and spend more time with other Warriors off the court, which allowed me to get to know them better. That was very memorable.

How has Saint Paul Urban Tennis developed you as a leader?

When I first started my job as the tennis assistant coach, it was very challenging because sometimes I didn’t really know what to do with the lessons. The more I practiced, the more I learned from the other assistant coach and the head coach. It was a great experience for me to develop as a leader.

Through Saint Paul Urban Tennis programming I became more open-minded and aware of what my weaknesses and strengths are. I now focus more on my strengths to improve myself as a person.

Self-awareness has taught me to accept growth, the learning process, and change. I learned that a leader will never stop doing these three things.

What skills have you improved as a Youth Council member?

As a Youth Council member, I have improved my listening skills and have learned to voice my opinion and ideas. I’ve become a voice for those who are afraid to speak for themselves and have learned to see other Youth Council members’ views.

What is your favorite quote? How does it relate to your life?

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”-Arthur Ashe

I like this quote because I like to think of my life as a movie. There are a lot of good and bad experiences along the way, but I would like to take those as a lesson and keep moving forward. I don’t want it to be a competition because I know that everyone is going on a different path and have their own problems. Life is not about rushing. It’s about the memories, the journey, and the lessons. I like to think of it as a journey where no one competes with one another.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for being myself. I am a confident person and I do the best I can to succeed. I also want to be remembered for being open-minded and caring towards others.

What will you miss most about Saint Paul Urban Tennis?

What I will miss the most about Saint Paul Urban Tennis is the awesome SPUT staff and the Warrior Leadership Academy. Each of the people at SPUT have taught me a valuable lesson and they all have unique personalities. My relationships at SPUT have taught me that everyone is one of a kind.