Cydrienne Llamas, a sophomore at Sacred Hearts Academy, left a presentation yesterday that featured a Hawai'i-born Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist more interested in becoming a reporter.

"I learned that in journalism, if you stand up for what you believe in, you can make a difference," said the 15-year-old Llamas.

Wahiawa-born Byron Acohido, a 1997 recipient of the highest honor awarded to print journalists, spoke to Llamas and about two dozen other high school journalists at his alma mater — Damien Memorial School — in hopes of "shedding light on what it is I do." Acohido graduated from Damien in 1973 and is in Hawai'i visiting family.

Acohido, 50, wrote a series of investigative reports while a business reporter with The Seattle Times about rudder problems in the Boeing 737. His reports raised questions about widespread problems in the manufacturing of the aircraft and ultimately led to new Federal Aviation Administration requirements.

He is the only Pulitzer Prize winner known to be born and raised in Hawai'i, said Pat Bigold, Damien spokesman.

Acohido told newswriting students from Damien Memorial School, Sacred Hearts Academy and Saint Francis School that they, too, can make a difference in their communities.

The easiest way to do that, he said, is to "do a story that helps your reader understand something better."

He also told them not to be swayed by people who tell them a story cannot be done.

"If you feel strongly about something, speak up," he said. "That's how you make a difference."

Acohido, now a reporter for USA Today, began as a writer for the Damien school newspaper, The Ke Ali'i. USA Today is owned by Gannett, the company that owns The Honolulu Advertiser.

He went on to the University of Oregon where he initially wanted to study law. But he said he remembered his days on the school newspaper and decided to go into journalism.

Michael Taguinod, a Damien senior, said it was great to meet a Damien success story. Taguinod, 17, said he plans to major in English in college and said he liked Acohido's advice that reading more will make him a better writer.

Acohido said he wanted to speak with the students to "let them know that I came from here, went to the Mainland and got a career in journalism at a very high level." He said he wanted the students to know they can be successful in journalism.

Malori Mindo of Sacred Hearts Academy said Acohido's story should inspire all students, especially students of diversity.

"I admire his drive," she said. "I know that there aren't that many Filipino-Americans that get this kind of recognition."

Mindo, 16, said she plans to at least minor in journalism when she attends college.

"He really opened my eyes to the entire journalism field," she said.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.