‘You can steer yourself in any direction’ KAPA‘A — In the jumble of memories that’s been their four years of high school, graduating seniors at Kapa‘a High School remembered the support of their families and friends most. “They help you
‘You can steer yourself in any direction’
KAPA‘A — In the jumble of memories that’s been their four years of high school, graduating seniors at Kapa‘a High School remembered the support of their families and friends most.
“They help you with everything — with life and with school,” graduate Crystall Genegabuas Tabura said. “You see them every day, so it’s going to be weird not seeing them.”
The 17-year-old student joined 242 other seniors for graduation on Friday night at Kapa‘a New Town Park.
Chanel Dias, 18, remembered her first days at the campus. She transferred to the school in the second semester of her junior year.
Although she said she was shy at first, she quickly made friends.
“I really value that friendship today,” Dias said outside the park, before graduation. “I don’t regret ever coming here. It’s a great school.”
While leading the group of white and green-clad seniors to the park, Principal Daniel Hamada shared his pride in the Class of 2011. It’s the first commencement he has seen since his own graduation at Kapa‘a in 1970. Hamada took the job as principal at Kapa‘a High School in October.
These students, he said, set themselves apart by their academic and athletic talent, along with their willingness to give back to the island through community service.
“OK guys, I’m proud of you, I’ll see you inside,” he said as he parted with the teens at the park where hundreds of their family members and friends waited.
Later, during the ceremony, he told the graduates to make good decisions and to always remember they came from the best school in the nation.
“You have brains in your head; you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose,” Hamada said, quoting Dr. Seuss. “ You’re on your own, and you know what you know. You are the person who will decide where to go.”
Special speakers for the event included six valedictorians — Kaitlyn Jarry, Chas Okamoto, Shannon Paleka, Sophia Saindon-Davies, Justin Uegawa and Christen Wilson. Each teen spoke of the challenges of high school and the belief that they had all the time in the world before real life set in. They spoke of braces and pimples, learning to drive, young romance, completing their senior projects and applying for college.
“No matter where we go, we’ll always (represent) our warrior pride,” one valedictorian said.
Senior Joe Blair, 18, said he felt like his life started that day.
Following years in ROTC, the graduate is set to join the Marine Corps on June 13.
“I always knew I was going to join,” Blair said. He knows he’ll miss high school, but found it difficult to focus on one memory about his years there.
“Coming down to this day, it’s like everything is a blur together,” he said.
While waiting for her son to walk to “Pomp and Circumstance,” Leona McDermott said she was relieved to see him graduate. She said her husband battled cancer twice, while she had to undergo major brain surgery. Additionally, her son is autistic and somehow managed to conquer seizures during his senior year.
“He managed to overcome all our family obstacles to make it to this day,” McDermott said. “I had a lot of miracle workers for my son because he’s autistic. Without these special-ed teachers, he wouldn’t be where he is today.”
Looking back on her years of high school, Class President Kona-Kai Wilson rhymed her way through her commencement speech.
“I’m convinced since 2007, you’ll never find a class like 2011,” Wilson told her fellow grads from a mobile stage set in the park.
“Congratulations, seniors. We did it!”
