WAIMEA — Proud parents, siblings, aunties and uncles were among the many in a sea of smiles and cheers Friday evening at Waimea High School’s Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2009. Amidst the glowing moonlight, which followed a signature
WAIMEA — Proud parents, siblings, aunties and uncles were among the many in a sea of smiles and cheers Friday evening at Waimea High School’s Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2009.
Amidst the glowing moonlight, which followed a signature golden Westside sunset, 165 seniors walked one by one to accept their diplomas.
Despite the recent loss of classmate Max Agor, fellow students said they will never forget the memories he left behind.
“We will always love you,” said Caralyn Broyles, one of the six graduating valedictorians, during her address.
“Precious times we will always remember,” she said.
One memory Nely Caberto, vice principal of Waimea High, will fondly hold in her heart from the class of 2009 was the “enthusiasm our seniors displayed when presenting their senior projects.”
Seniors were each asked to pick a topic of interest to research, write about and present to a panel of judges, including Polynesian tattoo and neonatal nursing.
“In the beginning, they hem and hawed,” Caberto said, adding that it actually turned out to be something they truly enjoyed.
“All that participated in the panel judging were wowed by our students’ efforts and accomplishments,” she said.
“We have circumstances that limit our success, but it is our attitude toward those circumstances that define our success,” said Benjie Baclig, during his class president address.
Also graduating as one of the valedictorians, Baclig said it was something he dreamt of accomplishing as a freshman and was apparently up to the challenge.
“The first step toward accomplishing your goals is you have to be 100 percent responsible for your actions,” he said. “Destiny is not a matter of chance, but a matter of choice.”
Besides the senior class having a victorious homecoming win this year, they also were successful in that there were only seven students who did not earn their diplomas this year, with some of them completing their classes this summer, Caberto said.
Of the 180 Waimea High School students who earned diplomas, 40 graduated cum laude, 13 magna cum laude and 14 summa cum laude.
“To the class of 2009, we are proud of each and every one of you,” Caberto said.
