‘One person can make a difference’ LIHU‘E — They survived midterms, finals and multiple bomb threats, but Kaua‘i High School’s graduating class of 2011 tossed their caps in the air Friday evening to celebrate the end of their high school
‘One person can make a difference’
LIHU‘E — They survived midterms, finals and multiple bomb threats, but Kaua‘i High School’s graduating class of 2011 tossed their caps in the air Friday evening to celebrate the end of their high school careers.
Out of the class of more than 200 students, 58 of them have received scholarships to attend college in the fall, said Senior Class Counselor Kristi Moises. She added that the class of 2011 has accepted more than $1.3 million in scholarships and awards.
Graduating seniors Erin Navarro and Darren Acoba emceed the hour-and-a-half celebration at Vidinha Stadium in Lihu‘e, which attracted thousands of friends and families of the graduates.
“Our class if filled with talent and many memories we’ll never forget,” Acoba said in his welcoming address.
Navarro jokingly added that despite their academic and athletic achievements, the Class of 2011 is mostly known for their procrastination, which drew a loud cheer from the students, while parents kept silent in the stands.
Student Body President Waileia Kaneali‘i was emotional during her speech, emphasizing her classmates are “the best people that the world hasn’t discovered” and that being part of her graduating class is a privilege and a blessing.
Principal Linda Smith recognized students Sheri Jian, Kellie Oride and Jomar Morden among the 26 seniors who were honored with the Na Lima Kokua award. Only students in the top 10 percent of the graduating class who have committed themselves to serve the school are selected for this award.
As is Kaua‘i High School tradition, the valedictorians of the graduating class were the featured speakers during the ceremony. The valedictorians each had a GPA of 4.0 or greater and had completed their senior project.
Justin Fujikawa, Sheri Jian, Kellie Kurasaki, Morden, Lyle Nemeth, David Ochoco, Danielle Ola and Kellie Oride gave short, inspirational speeches to encourage their classmates on their journey towards success.
Morden, who will go on to Colgate University to study international relations and Japanese, encouraged his classmates and audience members to wander outside of their comfort zones and not be afraid of judgmental people.
He then blasted Lady Gaga through the speakers and encouraged everyone to bust a move and “dance with freedom and without restriction.”
Fujikawa, who will go on to California Polytechnic State University to study Computer Science, told his classmates to appreciate the little things that their friends and family have done for them, which included “being there, … giving us a ride when we needed one” and “giving us that extra push.”
Ola, who will go on to Stanford to study international relations, gave a special thank you to the people who disrespected and mistreated her and her classmates, because “overcoming negativity has helped us overcome them.”
She added, “There’s one value that will only be of use — strength.”
The seniors’ class motto was “one person can make a difference,” and Principal Smith and faculty members reminded the graduates that they were that one person.
The ceremony ended with the graduating seniors, arm in arm, singing “Today My Life Begins” by Bruno Mars.
• Andrea Frainier, writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or afrainier@ thegardenisland.com.
