Chase Takaoka on School Spirit, Street Photography, and Legacy

In Episode 10 of Season Two of The Late Start Show, we sit down with senior Chase Takaoka, pep rally mastermind, Prep Squad spirit leader, and award-winning street photographer. Chase talks about his family (including trips to visit his grandparents in Japan), how travel turned into a love for immersive food hunts and candid street shots, and the classroom spark that pushed him from “landscapes” to storytelling with strangers. He contrasts the quietness of Tokyo with Cleveland game-day chaos, remembers the neon-out under the lights at Shaker, and explains why real school spirit means showing up loud and together.

From freshman-year to becoming senior, Chase opens up about growth, a tough leg surgery and recovery, and the moments that made this year feel different. He shares the story behind his national Silver Medal in the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a striking shot outside a public smoking box in Ikebukuro, and introduces his new nonprofit, the Backstage Pass Project, bringing instruments, lessons, and music therapy access to kids who need it. We talk whiteouts with baby powder, packing the stands for hockey, and what it means to leave a legacy that makes US feel big: civil, rowdy, and proud. Chase sums up his “why” simply, friends, family, and the drive to show up, be better, and help the community do the same.

Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.