With the gloves I got for Christmas and the hat my mom made me, I'm all set!

What do you do in your free time?

One of my favorite places to go when I have a break is a spiritual center in New York where I practice giving and receiving Light. It's a place where many people gather to experience what is called the Art of True Light, or a spiritual energy that purifies and cleanses body and soul.

You are pretty well-known for healing sick or physically-impaired people with a special healing technique. Can you tell me more about that?

The Art of True Light is a practice of radiating the Light of God from the palm of our hands. I have been blessed with many experiences with the Light. For example, when I am sick I have always received Light and have never had to take any medication since I was a baby. I would like to share the Light with more people here.

I hear you live in Newport. What is that like?

I love living in Newport. It's a clean and friendly house. I'm grateful for my friends who help me out with my Spanish because I'm not as fluent as the rest of them. Also, I am happy that it's a combined house between Spanish and French because that means double the opportunity to attend some cultural events involving delicious food (i.e. brownies and crepes).

How did you get into playing the clarinet?

Back when I was in middle school, I wanted to start playing some instrument. I asked my best friend what instrument I should pick up, and he said, "I play the clarinet, let's play clarinet together." Since then, for six years, I played the clarinet right next to him. Now in college, I am continuing my practice of clarinet because I enjoy making music and am always learning new things.

So you're an active member of MassPIRG. Why is it so important to you?

MassPIRG has been very interesting and wonderful in many ways. I enjoyed working with other students in the various projects because they encouraged me to be of service to others and to learn to care for the people of our society and the environment. I loved the river cleanups and the environmental education at local elementary schools. Come to our events!

You seem like a very peaceful guy. Are a lot of people taken aback when they learn you are on the rugby team?

I love playing rugby and I love the team. Peace is very important in rugby.

You are from Greenwich, Conn., right? Isn't that really close to Amherst? Did you purposely pick a college close to home?

I am grateful that I am now at Amherst. Although now that I'm in college, I think I've come to appreciate my home and my family in a different way.

Have you declared a major yet? What interests you academically?

I am planning to declare a political science major. Until I came to college, I never knew I was so interested in world events.

Do you have any plans for the summer?

I'm preparing to attend a spiritual conference in my home country, Japan. Also, I am looking forward to an environmental conference and having Japanese food!