The Only Constant
Kalela Stone, who is of Samoan and Tongan descent, was born in Utah and raised in Arizona and Illinois. As the second oldest of six siblings, she considers Illinois her home, having spent most of her formative years there and building lasting friendships. “Illinois is where my mind goes when I think of home. I love the place, the vibes, and especially the people,” she shares.
Stone was raised in a spiritually grounded home, where her parents sought to instill faith in Jesus Christ in their children. Though she was less active than her siblings, she continued to attend church activities and came to understand that her faith needed to be her own. By age 20, she realized that amid life’s challenges, the Church and the Savior’s love had become her enduring constants.
This realization marked a turning point for Stone. She contacted her brother to express her desire to serve a mission, and he encouraged her to speak with her bishop. “When I messaged my bishop, he basically said he didn’t even know who I was, which showed how far I had drifted. But from there, I began preparing, and eventually, I served in the Chile Santiago North Mission. On my mission, I learned how much I loved connecting people to spiritual and practical resources, which later helped confirm my desire to become a social worker,” she explains.
School Life as a Single Parent
Stone is a junior majoring in social work and psychology, with a minor in Pacific Islands studies. She began her academic journey at BYU in Provo, Utah, after completing her mission. Following the pandemic and the birth of her son, she moved to Hawaii to be closer to her parents and was accepted to BYU–Hawaii. Stone was surprised by the smaller student population compared to BYU Provo and feels that students here benefit from a closer connection with their professors. She claims this environment has supported her growth as a student, especially given her passion for her majors. “Psychology helps me understand human behavior and emotions, especially how people react under stress, while social work focuses on connecting people to resources and asking, ‘How can I help you?’ rather than ‘What’s wrong with you,’” she shares.
Balancing school and work as a single parent presents a unique challenge, but it is also deeply meaningful. The birth of her son, JJ, was a life-changing moment, and she strives to do right by him; he is her greatest motivation. “Every time I feel stuck, I pull out a picture of him, and it keeps me going. I'm striving to create a better future for him,” she says. Stone also acknowledges her strong support system. “I am blessed to have my parents here with me; they are incredible and help care for JJ so I can work and go to school. Their support, love, and understanding of what matters give me strength. Because I’ve been so supported by my family and community, I feel motivated to turn outward and support others in their struggles as well,” she says.
Working with Hope Squad
Stone joined Hope Squad after a close friend, who was already a member, encouraged her to participate. Seeking support, she was initially hesitant, concerned that the environment might be too serious for her child. However, her friend's persistence convinced her to attend.
Upon attending, Stone found Hope Squad to be an open, supportive environment rather than a rigid, classroom-like setting. While she had experience with organizations such as the Food and Care Coalition in Provo and Utah State Hospital, Hope Squad distinguished itself by integrating her spiritual, academic, and personal experiences.
When asked about Hope Squad, Stone said, “To me, being a member of Hope Squad simply means being a good friend. You don’t need a title or a degree to care about people. Hope Squad trains students to recognize warning signs of suicide, know available resources, and reach out in loving, appropriate ways, but at its heart, it is about connection.” Stone initially joined to seek support, but over time, she developed genuine friendships. Members often discussed shared challenges and supported one another. She learned that everyone faces difficulties and values the encouragement they offer one another.
Hope Squad promotes empathy, leadership, and responsibility. Although Stone once believed those facing mental health challenges could not be helped, her training showed her that hope remains, even in difficult times. Hope Squad connects students with resources such as counseling and health services. She shares, “I learned that most people don’t actually want to die—they just don’t know where else to turn. That shifted my focus away from trying to 'fix' the outcome and toward being present, kind, and supportive in the everyday moments that lead up to those crises. I can’t control another person’s agency, but I am responsible for how I treat them, how I respond, and whether I choose to notice and care.”
Moving Forward
Looking ahead, one of Stone’s goals is for Hope Squad to become a well-recognized and integral part of BYU–Hawaii’s campus culture. “When people see [Hope Squad’s] life preserver logo, I want their first thought to be ‘Hope Squad,’ and for that to be tied closely to BYU–Hawaii’s identity. I hope that students associate Hope Squad with safety, community, and a place where they can feel seen and supported,” she shares.
The university has expanded its mental health initiatives to better serve its diverse student body. Many students are the first in their families or cultures to learn about and openly discuss mental health. “I hope we can create more spaces and programs that support those students, so they don’t feel like they’re doing it alone.” She continues, “I’d like to see more friends connecting friends to counseling, resources, and peer support, and not just relying on official offices to do all the outreach.”
Regarding her personal goals, Stone plans to graduate next year and then pursue graduate studies focused on mental health, social work, and faith. She concludes, “I want to keep finding ways to connect Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father to my everyday life and to the lives of the people I serve. I don’t want to be in any place where it becomes hard for me to see their presence. Ultimately, my path forward is wherever the Lord needs me to be.”