Mission Statement
Our mission and purpose are to advocate for the health, education, and cultural edification of Marshallese students of Southern California.
Meet Our Board Members
Neritha Kelani Silk: Founder & Executive Director, Marshallese Youth of Orange County Reliability Engineer, Crisis Counselor, Entrepreneur
Kelani has worked with community-based organizations in Southern California for over 20 years, mostly focused on assisting with higher education, cultural education and preservation, health advocacy and data collection. She represented the Marshallese community at: The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans Policy Summit to shape and integrate Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) community voices and priorities, Washington DC; NHPI National Convening meeting with policymakers, Washington DC; The Stakeholder’s Convening, Mainlanders for Education, Las Vegas, NV; NHPI National Census 2020; National NHPI Civic Engagement; WH OPE & WHIAANHPI AA and NHPI Stakeholder Briefing, Washington DC; WHIAANPI Briefing – 2022 Hunga Tonga Eruption and Tsunami, Washington DC; Asian Pacific Islander Moving Forward Food distribution/Resourcing Programs; SoCal NHPI COVID Response Team; Evening Talk Speaker, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles; Tapa/Jaki Blessing, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles; UCLA Youth Health Fair; PIFA and HBPIF.
In addition, Kelani has taught traditional weaving and dance workshops at the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum; is the current COVID-19 point of contact for RMI citizens residing in the Americas - US west coast; event coordinator for RMI delegate convenings held in SoCal; California Department of Human Services – COFA population, Medi-Cal and in language scribe.
Kelani is a board member of the Pacific Islanders Community Council (PICC), Pacific Islanders Health Partnership (PIHP), Southern California COVID Response Team (SoCal PICRT) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Alliance (NHPIA) and is an Entrepreneur -Ja’Nei Island Goods and Services. She was born in Chicago, Illinois and is the daughter of Deaconess Neibaj and Deacon Jack Silk and brought up with a traditional Marshallese upbringing, descends from Ribit Clan with islands of origin: Ebon, RMI; Namdrik, RMI and Tarawa, Kiribati.
Kelani has worked with community-based organizations in Southern California for over 20 years, mostly focused on assisting with higher education, cultural education and preservation, health advocacy and data collection. She represented the Marshallese community at: The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans Policy Summit to shape and integrate Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) community voices and priorities, Washington DC; NHPI National Convening meeting with policymakers, Washington DC; The Stakeholder’s Convening, Mainlanders for Education, Las Vegas, NV; NHPI National Census 2020; National NHPI Civic Engagement; WH OPE & WHIAANHPI AA and NHPI Stakeholder Briefing, Washington DC; WHIAANPI Briefing – 2022 Hunga Tonga Eruption and Tsunami, Washington DC; Asian Pacific Islander Moving Forward Food distribution/Resourcing Programs; SoCal NHPI COVID Response Team; Evening Talk Speaker, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles; Tapa/Jaki Blessing, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles; UCLA Youth Health Fair; PIFA and HBPIF.
In addition, Kelani has taught traditional weaving and dance workshops at the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum; is the current COVID-19 point of contact for RMI citizens residing in the Americas - US west coast; event coordinator for RMI delegate convenings held in SoCal; California Department of Human Services – COFA population, Medi-Cal and in language scribe.
Kelani is a board member of the Pacific Islanders Community Council (PICC), Pacific Islanders Health Partnership (PIHP), Southern California COVID Response Team (SoCal PICRT) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Alliance (NHPIA) and is an Entrepreneur -Ja’Nei Island Goods and Services. She was born in Chicago, Illinois and is the daughter of Deaconess Neibaj and Deacon Jack Silk and brought up with a traditional Marshallese upbringing, descends from Ribit Clan with islands of origin: Ebon, RMI; Namdrik, RMI and Tarawa, Kiribati.
Likkien Ralpho: President
Daughter of Deacon Jetmar and Berty Ralpho, Likkien is from Arno, Namdrik, Likiep, Mejit,
Majuro and Jaluit; all Islands found in the Marshalls. Educational background include; Golden
West College and Irvine Valley College where she is actively seeking a Bachelors in Accounting.
Likkien Ralpho has contributed over 1000 man hours towards volunteering for various
community and religious based functions such as: the resurrection of the Pacific Island Ethnic
Arts Museum; PieAm grand opening events October 2010 and Pacifika Voice show case for
2011 and 2012. From 2005 till present, Likkien has been the assistant Sunday School Teacher
for Marshallese Christian Center (MCC). Likkien has also promoted the Marshallese culture
through song, dance, language, customs and arts at various venues such as PIF Huntington
Beach 2008 to PIF 2013 and Pacific Island Community Council Festival 2011.
Other Non Profit work consist of, one to one financial aid and community college admission
assistance, one on one mentorship and tutor as needed and on the planning committee for the
Marshallese Constitution day functioning under various titles such as operations and treasury
promoted through sports and welcoming committee from 2010 to 2013.
Daughter of Deacon Jetmar and Berty Ralpho, Likkien is from Arno, Namdrik, Likiep, Mejit,
Majuro and Jaluit; all Islands found in the Marshalls. Educational background include; Golden
West College and Irvine Valley College where she is actively seeking a Bachelors in Accounting.
Likkien Ralpho has contributed over 1000 man hours towards volunteering for various
community and religious based functions such as: the resurrection of the Pacific Island Ethnic
Arts Museum; PieAm grand opening events October 2010 and Pacifika Voice show case for
2011 and 2012. From 2005 till present, Likkien has been the assistant Sunday School Teacher
for Marshallese Christian Center (MCC). Likkien has also promoted the Marshallese culture
through song, dance, language, customs and arts at various venues such as PIF Huntington
Beach 2008 to PIF 2013 and Pacific Island Community Council Festival 2011.
Other Non Profit work consist of, one to one financial aid and community college admission
assistance, one on one mentorship and tutor as needed and on the planning committee for the
Marshallese Constitution day functioning under various titles such as operations and treasury
promoted through sports and welcoming committee from 2010 to 2013.
Melody Seanoa: Founder and Vice President
Melody is of Marshallese and Portuguese descent. Islands of Origin include Namdrik, Likiep, Arno,
Ebon and Wotje. Melody is a mother of 5 and owner of Tupua productions, a Micro/Poly group
located in Orange County. Dance instructor at the Huntington Beach Art Center and Rodger
Senior center teaching all levels of dance. She enjoys sharing her culture through dance.
Charitable work includes Establishing the annual Believe to Achieve Health Fair; Aquarium of
the Pacific Festival, PieAm volunteer work, Annual Pacific Island Festival Huntington Beach,
Active Participants in local parades throughout Southern California and dance workshops at
various public and private venues.
Melody is of Marshallese and Portuguese descent. Islands of Origin include Namdrik, Likiep, Arno,
Ebon and Wotje. Melody is a mother of 5 and owner of Tupua productions, a Micro/Poly group
located in Orange County. Dance instructor at the Huntington Beach Art Center and Rodger
Senior center teaching all levels of dance. She enjoys sharing her culture through dance.
Charitable work includes Establishing the annual Believe to Achieve Health Fair; Aquarium of
the Pacific Festival, PieAm volunteer work, Annual Pacific Island Festival Huntington Beach,
Active Participants in local parades throughout Southern California and dance workshops at
various public and private venues.
Jessica Amsa: Secretary and Program Manager
Jessica was born in the Marshall Islands and raised in Oregon where she was a student at Lane Community College. Jessica’s Islands of origin include the Islands: Kili, Ebon and Namdrik of the Marshall Islands. Jessica moved to Orange County in 2013 and has been part of the Marshallese community in OC ever since.
Jessica is a program administrator who provides support to build capacity with her team and to maintain sustainability. Her administrative work also entails answering phone calls, emails, and clerical work. She currently serves a role on the Equity in OC taskforce. In which, they are tasked to work on social determinants of Orange County within their communities. She is a Crisis Counselor working under Pacific Islander Health Partnership (PIHP) for the Marshallese Community. And is a current AmeriCorps Vista Site Supervisor.
Other activities entail volunteer work completed under the Salvation Army where Jessica directed and supervised children's bible camp and the annual Christmas donations for families in need. She also supervised and directed volunteers at different community events, including vaccination sites.
Jessica was born in the Marshall Islands and raised in Oregon where she was a student at Lane Community College. Jessica’s Islands of origin include the Islands: Kili, Ebon and Namdrik of the Marshall Islands. Jessica moved to Orange County in 2013 and has been part of the Marshallese community in OC ever since.
Jessica is a program administrator who provides support to build capacity with her team and to maintain sustainability. Her administrative work also entails answering phone calls, emails, and clerical work. She currently serves a role on the Equity in OC taskforce. In which, they are tasked to work on social determinants of Orange County within their communities. She is a Crisis Counselor working under Pacific Islander Health Partnership (PIHP) for the Marshallese Community. And is a current AmeriCorps Vista Site Supervisor.
Other activities entail volunteer work completed under the Salvation Army where Jessica directed and supervised children's bible camp and the annual Christmas donations for families in need. She also supervised and directed volunteers at different community events, including vaccination sites.
Rony Ralpho: Board of Directors
Rony is from the Islands Arno, Namdrik, Likiep, Mejit, Majuro and Jaluit – Marshall Islands. After obtaining a certificate for Computerized Accounting, Rony went on to a position working for an environmentally savvy company, monitoring bacterial level in local water lines.
Community work includes Empire for local little league, Coach for Community Women’s soft ball team and for the Men’s Community fast pitch Softball Team. Rony has sat in the chair for Marshallese Community Sports Committee at a national level for over 2 decades and his leadership both on and off the field has helped foster camaraderie, self-empowerment and collaborative skills amongst the Marshallese Youth across the U.S.
Rony is from the Islands Arno, Namdrik, Likiep, Mejit, Majuro and Jaluit – Marshall Islands. After obtaining a certificate for Computerized Accounting, Rony went on to a position working for an environmentally savvy company, monitoring bacterial level in local water lines.
Community work includes Empire for local little league, Coach for Community Women’s soft ball team and for the Men’s Community fast pitch Softball Team. Rony has sat in the chair for Marshallese Community Sports Committee at a national level for over 2 decades and his leadership both on and off the field has helped foster camaraderie, self-empowerment and collaborative skills amongst the Marshallese Youth across the U.S.
Christina Kalles: Board of Directors
Christina’s lineage derives from Namo, Arno and Pohnpei found in the Marshall Islands and The
Federated States of Micronesia. Christina graduated from Concorde Career College as a dental
assistant in 2004 and has been working for Universal Care Dental since graduation till present.
Christina is a skilled weaver and spends most of her time demonstrating her craft through
workshops during private and public gatherings such as various local festivals including Pacific
Island Community Council Festival, Long Beach CA; Pacifika Voice, Long Beach CA; Pacific Island
Ethnic Arts Museum Grand Opening, Long Beach CA and H’olaule’a Festival Beaumont CA.
Christina has also served as a member of the planning committee for the Marshallese
Constitutional Day events, fundraising, costume committee and transportations for the
Marshallese students that reside in Southern California.
Christina’s lineage derives from Namo, Arno and Pohnpei found in the Marshall Islands and The
Federated States of Micronesia. Christina graduated from Concorde Career College as a dental
assistant in 2004 and has been working for Universal Care Dental since graduation till present.
Christina is a skilled weaver and spends most of her time demonstrating her craft through
workshops during private and public gatherings such as various local festivals including Pacific
Island Community Council Festival, Long Beach CA; Pacifika Voice, Long Beach CA; Pacific Island
Ethnic Arts Museum Grand Opening, Long Beach CA and H’olaule’a Festival Beaumont CA.
Christina has also served as a member of the planning committee for the Marshallese
Constitutional Day events, fundraising, costume committee and transportations for the
Marshallese students that reside in Southern California.
Kristene is Marshallese born and raised in Orange County, California, where she has resided all her life. Her jowi “clan” is Ijjidrik and the islands found in the Marshalls include Kiribati, Likiep, Mejit, Namdrik, & KabinMeto.
Kristene attended Cocorde Career College and studied Medical Billing. After graduating, she worked as a medical biller for 7 years. Kristene is currently working for a company that reports worker's comp claims for the states of California, Oregon and Texas, and has been there for 10 years.
As a proud mother of 2, Kristene spent most of her volunteering with her kid's school, and sport activities. She has volunteered with sport organizations such as, Costa Mesa American Little League, and Ocean View Little League.
Kristene attended Cocorde Career College and studied Medical Billing. After graduating, she worked as a medical biller for 7 years. Kristene is currently working for a company that reports worker's comp claims for the states of California, Oregon and Texas, and has been there for 10 years.
As a proud mother of 2, Kristene spent most of her volunteering with her kid's school, and sport activities. She has volunteered with sport organizations such as, Costa Mesa American Little League, and Ocean View Little League.
Damien Nakamura was born in Majuro, Marshall Island to Irooj (Chief) Rod Nakamura and Lejlā (Chief’s wife) Lywood Nakamura with islands of origin including: Ebon, Jaluit and Wotje and is from the jowi (clan), Raaur. Damien is a sibling of 6; 5 brothers and 1 sister and has 3 children.
In 2019, after 2 years of college at the College of Marshall Islands, Damien traveled to California in order to escort his nephew where he ultimately planted his roots. Soon after his arrival, Damien began work as a warehouse clerk and not long after, he joined the security industry.
In conjunction to his two full time jobs, Damien also joined MYOC as a volunteer. His volunteer work included transporting youth to and from locations; running logistics and/or security for major events; coordinating packing, transport and/or load of large shipments of donated clothing, household goods or PPE supplies to the Region; liaison for sports committees; community outreach and translator.
In 2019, after 2 years of college at the College of Marshall Islands, Damien traveled to California in order to escort his nephew where he ultimately planted his roots. Soon after his arrival, Damien began work as a warehouse clerk and not long after, he joined the security industry.
In conjunction to his two full time jobs, Damien also joined MYOC as a volunteer. His volunteer work included transporting youth to and from locations; running logistics and/or security for major events; coordinating packing, transport and/or load of large shipments of donated clothing, household goods or PPE supplies to the Region; liaison for sports committees; community outreach and translator.
Martin Harry: Board of Directors
Born on June 18th, 1995, in Anaheim, CA. I spent the majority of my adolescence bouncing from motel to motel and couch surfing all throughout Orange County. The daily struggle of life and constant confusion of growing up sparked my interest in nurturing the youth. Setting an example and foundation for the next generation is my biggest passion right now and I thanks MYOC for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow as a leader.
Born on June 18th, 1995, in Anaheim, CA. I spent the majority of my adolescence bouncing from motel to motel and couch surfing all throughout Orange County. The daily struggle of life and constant confusion of growing up sparked my interest in nurturing the youth. Setting an example and foundation for the next generation is my biggest passion right now and I thanks MYOC for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow as a leader.
Sokhoeun Ya "Suki" Smiggs: Director of Finance
Sokhoeun Ya "Suki" Smiggs was born in Khao-I-Dang, a refugee camp located north of
Thailand. She was born to parents who survived the Cambodian Genocide between 1974-1979.
Sokhoeun came to the United States in 1985. Through many successes and failures, she
graduated from the California State University of Fullerton with a Bachelor's degree in Business
Administration and Accounting. She is also a Founder of VirtualBooks Direct, an accounting and
bookkeeping services LLC.
Sokhoeun is a CPA candidate with over five years of experience in accounting. In addition, she is
a QuickBooks Pro-Advisor and a business consultant. She specializes in book clean-up, system
migration, bank reconciliations, and non-profit.
Speaking of non-profits, Sokhoeun has volunteered for numerous organizations. For four years,
Sokhoeun volunteered for Davis Magnet Elementary School, serving on the board as a financial
secretary and treasurer. In 2020, she created a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), a non-profit
organization, to bridge the gap between the NMUSD Cloud Campus, students, and parents.
Sokhoeun is a mother of two boys. She is very involved in her children's after-school activities
and curriculum. In her spare time, Sokhoeun likes hiking with friends and participating in the
Spartan Race. On the creative side, she likes to draw black and white pictures using the charcoal
technique.
Sokhoeun Ya "Suki" Smiggs was born in Khao-I-Dang, a refugee camp located north of
Thailand. She was born to parents who survived the Cambodian Genocide between 1974-1979.
Sokhoeun came to the United States in 1985. Through many successes and failures, she
graduated from the California State University of Fullerton with a Bachelor's degree in Business
Administration and Accounting. She is also a Founder of VirtualBooks Direct, an accounting and
bookkeeping services LLC.
Sokhoeun is a CPA candidate with over five years of experience in accounting. In addition, she is
a QuickBooks Pro-Advisor and a business consultant. She specializes in book clean-up, system
migration, bank reconciliations, and non-profit.
Speaking of non-profits, Sokhoeun has volunteered for numerous organizations. For four years,
Sokhoeun volunteered for Davis Magnet Elementary School, serving on the board as a financial
secretary and treasurer. In 2020, she created a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), a non-profit
organization, to bridge the gap between the NMUSD Cloud Campus, students, and parents.
Sokhoeun is a mother of two boys. She is very involved in her children's after-school activities
and curriculum. In her spare time, Sokhoeun likes hiking with friends and participating in the
Spartan Race. On the creative side, she likes to draw black and white pictures using the charcoal
technique.
Mai'Lani Silk: Administration
Mai’Lani Silk is a Marshallese descendant from the Ribit Clan born and raised in Orange County, California. She is a mother, sister, daughter, and an aid to her community.
Now, Mai’Lani is working with Marshallese Youth of Orange County (MYOC) as a program administrator. She has been a member of MYOC for 14 years. Mai’Lani is no newcomer to lending a helping hand within her community. In her involvement, she collaborated and volunteered at events such as Pacific Island Ethnic Museum, Huntington Beach Islander Festival, Covid testing clinics, and Marshallese Constitution Day.
Mai’Lani Silk is a Marshallese descendant from the Ribit Clan born and raised in Orange County, California. She is a mother, sister, daughter, and an aid to her community.
Now, Mai’Lani is working with Marshallese Youth of Orange County (MYOC) as a program administrator. She has been a member of MYOC for 14 years. Mai’Lani is no newcomer to lending a helping hand within her community. In her involvement, she collaborated and volunteered at events such as Pacific Island Ethnic Museum, Huntington Beach Islander Festival, Covid testing clinics, and Marshallese Constitution Day.
Mercy Lated: Social Media and Website Administrator
Mercy is from the islands of Majuro, Jaluit, Mejit, Aulik, Arno and her clan is Rikoro. She was born in Fountain Valley, California. At the age of 3, Mercy moved to the Marshall Islands where she was raised until the age of 9. At the age of 9, Mercy moved back to the United States and has been in the United States since then. Mercy has five brothers, two sisters and is a mother to her son. Mercy attended Concorde Career College where she studied medical billing in the year 2020 - 2021
Mercy recently joined the Marshallese Youth of Orange County Organization in the beginning of this year, April 2022, and now is a social media administrator for the MYOC Organization. Her responsibility is to maintain our social media platforms such as updating website, writing monthly newsletters, taking pictures, uploading and updating community regarding upcoming events, and much more.
Mercy is from the islands of Majuro, Jaluit, Mejit, Aulik, Arno and her clan is Rikoro. She was born in Fountain Valley, California. At the age of 3, Mercy moved to the Marshall Islands where she was raised until the age of 9. At the age of 9, Mercy moved back to the United States and has been in the United States since then. Mercy has five brothers, two sisters and is a mother to her son. Mercy attended Concorde Career College where she studied medical billing in the year 2020 - 2021
Mercy recently joined the Marshallese Youth of Orange County Organization in the beginning of this year, April 2022, and now is a social media administrator for the MYOC Organization. Her responsibility is to maintain our social media platforms such as updating website, writing monthly newsletters, taking pictures, uploading and updating community regarding upcoming events, and much more.