KAPA‘A — As the sun slipped behind the mountains Friday evening, a crowd gathered at Kapa‘a New Town Park in honor of Kapa‘a High School’s graduating class of 2012. The commencement was attended by families, friends and well-wishers. So many
KAPA‘A — As the sun slipped behind the mountains Friday evening, a crowd gathered at Kapa‘a New Town Park in honor of Kapa‘a High School’s graduating class of 2012. The commencement was attended by families, friends and well-wishers. So many were there, in fact, that the stands were almost completely filled.
“Congratulations class of 2012,” said Student Body President Joni Esaki to a roar of applause and hollering, “We killed it!”
The 221 students in this year’s graduating class cheered on as Esaki talked about their path to being successful graduates and what to expect on the road ahead.
She also told students to take a moment to look around and reflect on the faces they may not see again for a long time.
Among those faces that was and will be sorely missed was would-be graduate Viviane Arnett, who passed away last July in a motorcycle accident. Through tears, Esaki gave Arnett a heartfelt message.
“We love you Viviane. You are truly unforgettable,” Esaki said.
After Esaki’s speech, class president and valedictorian Christina Maile Pico took to the stage and rhymed her way to the crowd’s heart with funny anecdotes about all of Kapa‘a High’s most memorable assets.
“We’ve got it all from the jocks to the nerds,” Pico said.“… And don’t forget about those that don’t hesitate to populate!”
She went on to thank her hanai families that were always there for her and her best friend for keeping her on track.
To end it all and keep the school’s original style, she led the students in dancing the one-and-only Macarena.
After that, Principal Daniel Hamada spoke and congratulated the students on their eight semesters of hard work and dedication. He said that even though he has only been with the school for a year and a half, he noticed a different quality in the class of 2012.
“This group has modeled civic responsibility so well,” said Hamada.
“Whether it was through your athletic teams or clubs, you really gave back to the community.”
After Hamada’s speech, the school’s 14 valedictorians were honored along with their parents present onstage.
Collectively, the group narrated what could be called “the story” of the class of 2012. They chronicled the class’s experience from elementary school on up, covering everything from the carefree days of elementary school to braces and attending prom.
Of special mention were the school’s athletes; the valedictorians issued a thanks to the students that competed for Kapa‘a High.
Among those were the Warriors who won the KIF football championship this fall for the first time in 23 years.
Ultimately, to put an end to the tale, one valedictorian offered wisdom to her fellow grads by quoting the wise saying, “find something you love to do and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
• Ali Vandergon, can be reached by emailing avandergon@thegardenisland.com.
