Attending: St. Paul’s School
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
When Mano arrived at Rumsey in sixth grade, she said she was nervous. “I didn’t know anyone. But the people here quickly turn from strangers into your family.” Mano soon discovered passions and talents she never knew she had. Raised in Japan, she hadn’t had the opportunity to play field sports, but at Rumsey, she became captain of four different sports and found a love for field hockey and lacrosse. “I didn’t know I was athletic until I came here,” she says. “That one game where everything just clicked. My decisions were fast, my passes strong. I said to myself, ‘Wow, look how far I’ve come.’” She’s also left her mark as a speaker, mentor, and role model. And she’s not the only one who notices. You’ll often find Lower School students greeting her with hugs every day. “They recognize me. It makes me feel seen. That’s what Rumsey does well.” Academically, she grew from a hesitant sixth grader into a determined and focused ninth grader who now loves science. She joined the Varsity Club, the Senior Committee, and spoke often in front of the school with poise and pride. “In sixth grade, I would never have done that. But Rumsey helped me find my confidence and discover who I am.”
