Before Zoe Cipres ’14 stepped in front of cameras as a series regular on FOX’s “Rescue: HI-Surf,” she was stepping on stage for Mid-Pacific School of the Arts dance concerts. Being in the dance program at Mid-Pacific didn’t just build her confidence, it helped her believe a career in the arts was possible.

Specifically, Cipres credits Ms. Yamada, one of her Mid-Pacific dance instructors, for teaching her the greatest lesson of all: to chase your dreams.

“I was getting a lot of pressure to move to Japan after I graduated and not go to college, just focus on my modeling career there, and I didn’t want to. I wanted to go and pursue acting, and it was Ms. Yamada, who told me that I need to go with my gut,” Cipres said.

That conversation became a turning point for Cipres. Encouraged by Ms. Yamada’s advice, she applied to college in New York that very day, determined to chase her dream of becoming a professional actress.

“It wasn’t until she sat me down and said, ‘You need to pursue what you want to pursue and what your gut is telling you to do’,” Cipres said. “I think about that moment a lot.”

Originally born in California, Cipres moved to Hawai`i when she was five and attended Mid-Pacific from the seventh grade. Choosing Mid-Pacific was a no-brainer for her because of her passion for the arts.

“I applied to other schools, but this was always my number one choice, because I knew the arts program was so strong and I wanted to be an actress,” Cipres said.

Though she didn’t actually enroll in the acting program at Mid-Pacific, Cipres developed her artistry through the school’s dance program instead.

“I had a hard time choosing, but I was really passionate about dance, and I knew that there weren’t dance programs outside of Mid-Pacific that I felt were as strong, so I wanted to focus on dance here, and then I ended up taking some acting classes outside of school at the same time, so I was able to do both,” Cipres said, adding that her friends also signed up for the dance program, which played a role in her decision.

When Cipres thinks about some of her fondest memories at Mid-Pacific, too many come to mind, but her favorite is performing in dance concerts at Windward Community College’s Palikū Theatre.

“We always had the best time putting on a show, and it was exciting,” Cipres said.

In addition to Ms. Yamada, Cipres recalls that dance instructors Mr. Maley and Mr. Silva had a big impact on her career.

“They completely changed my life,” Cipres said. “I don’t think I would have ended up moving to New York if it weren’t for them encouraging me. So it was a really special experience, honestly. I can truly say that.”
After graduating from Mid-Pacific in 2014, Cipres headed off to New York to attend Marymount Manhattan College for a year before deciding to fully commit to acting. She then trained for two years at an acting conservatory, signed with a manager, and began the relentless cycle of auditions.

The road to “Rescue: HI-Surf” was anything but smooth. Though she landed a few roles along the way, Cipres faced the harsh reality of the industry—constant auditions and frequent rejections. Yet, she feels her time at Mid-Pacific had already prepared her for these challenges. Cipres said the school instilled in her the resilience and confidence to keep going, and the adaptability to make the most of every opportunity.

“Being in the dance program, you have to audition to be in dance pieces, and that was my first taste of how to deal with rejection. You have to keep going, you have to keep trying,” she said.

Persistence paid off: Cipres landed the leading role of Hina Alexander in the lifeguard drama “Rescue HI-Surf”— her first major project. While she’s already making her mark in the entertainment industry, she knows the journey is far from over. Her focus isn’t just on securing dream roles, but on building a sustainable career.

“There’s, of course, projects that I would love to be a part of, but I mostly just want to continue acting and making a living off of this,” Cipres said.

In the meantime, her message to the next generation is clear: persistence is key.

“Make opportunities for yourself, even if they don’t go anywhere. Just keep practicing that muscle and keep honing your craft. You hear it all the time, don’t give up, but that really is the answer.”