Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of the Waimea High School Class of 2007 as they prepared for graduation ceremonies on the school’s front lawn last night. “We’d probably be running around in the rain if not for
Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of the Waimea High School Class of 2007 as they prepared for graduation ceremonies on the school’s front lawn last night.
“We’d probably be running around in the rain if not for our (graduation) gowns,” said senior Karmn Rivel. Prior to the processional, she worried about getting her white gown dirty on the wet bleachers.
“They’re a fun-loving class,” Waimea Principal Bill Arakaki said of the graduating class of 2007. “There’s no hesitation in them in coming out to participate whenever there’s a crowd.”
Their class motto, “lots of laughs, inside joke, stupid fights and passing notes, here for each other until we go to heaven ‘cause we’re the Class of 2007,” is indicative of their playfulness and how much they enjoy being with each other.
“We’re a really, really close class,” said class president Tehani Nakamitsu as she reflected on the class over the years. Paying tribute to a classmate they lost when in the eighth grade, she said his passing brought them closer together. Nakamitsu took a moment during the ceremonies to present roses to the parents of Kaipo Yorkman.
She remembered how everyone looked forward to the kalua pig lunch served by the cafeteria. One day there was a false fire alarm, but school officials wanted them to treat it as a drill. Nakamitsu said everyone cleared out of the cafeteria as ordered, but carried out their lunches.
Nakamitsu said the attitude of the class has always been, “if you yell at us, we won’t listen; talk to us in a calm, collected and respectful way and we will listen.”
Arakaki also characterized the class as being very competitive. Their class mascot, the shark, is a suitable representation as are their achievements.
Valedictorians Carolyn Hoeckmann-Percival, who will be attending Smith College, and Kelly Joyce, who lettered in five sports, wrote the commencement address together with touches of humor and references to their favorite animated films. They presented it alternating paragraphs or stanzas and, in concert, shared how they will apply what they have learned in childhood as they proceed in the “real world.”
“From mom telling us to eat our vegetables to the scholastic guidance of our teachers and counselors, we’ve had nothing but the best advice from those admirable guides to bring us to this moment and carry us through the rest of our lives,” said Hoeckmann-Percival.
Notable scholarships totaling $926,000 were awarded to Kelly Joyce, attending the Naval Academy; Randall Duldulao, attending the University of Portland; Shantal Guirao, attending the University of Hawai`i at Manoa; Tiare Newton attending Pacific Lutheran.
Alana Fujikawa has been the counselor for the Class of 2007 for the last three years. In that time she has come to know the class well. She said the class is a diverse group of students, free-spirited and kind-hearted.
One student, Shantal Guirao, was recently recognized as a recipient of the 2007 Citizenship Award. Sponsored by The Honolulu Advertiser and the Hawai`i Hotel and Lodging Association, the award acknowledges those who demonstrate “strong moral character” and civic responsibility.
Guirao said her participation in JROTC exposed her to community service as the unit set up and cleaned up for various events, marched in parades and presented the colors. That led her to doing community service through the National Honor Society, blood drives and informational booths through the Health Operations for Teens Club and vision screening though the Leo Club.
“It feels great to help the environment and the community,” Guirao said. “It’s important to give back to the community.”
With her Army ROTC scholarship, she plans to get degrees in nursing and business administration and return to Kaua`i to be a hospital administrator.
Forty-six percent of the 164 graduating seniors plan to attend two-year institutions. Twenty-five percent are already employed or will seek employment. Twenty percent will be attending four-year institutions on the Mainland and in Hawai`i. Four percent are joining the military. Two percent are entering trade or technical schools. Three percent have other plans.
Micah Fernandez said he was pretty nervous about graduating and going out in the big world.
“No more bumming off my parents,” Fernandez said. “Can’t get lunches for a dollar anymore.”
Kamuela Palama was just glad that school was finally over.
Kui Souza, co-head advisor for the senior class, said he enjoyed having the seniors in his classes.
“It was comfortable,” he said. “There was a connection with them.”
Souza said class wasn’t just about hitting the books. It was talking about life, too.
Austin Armstrong agreed, and said that Souza was always there to help them whenever they needed help.
By the time the students began their processional, the rain stopped and left a rainbow.
• Cynthia Matsuoka is a freelance writer for The Garden Island and former principal of Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School. She can be reached by e-mail at aharju@kauaipubco.com.
