LIHU‘E — Angelica Camarillo, a member of Na Lima Kokua, or Helping Hands program, was the president of the Associated Student Body, including d the Class of 2012 at Kaua‘i High School. Kaua‘i High School celebrated the graduation of 253
LIHU‘E — Angelica Camarillo, a member of Na Lima Kokua, or Helping Hands program, was the president of the Associated Student Body, including d the Class of 2012 at Kaua‘i High School.
Kaua‘i High School celebrated the graduation of 253 participating seniors in the class Friday under the anxious and celebratory eyes of hundreds of relatives who filled one side of Vidinha Stadium.
“This was one of the best graduations I’ve attended,” said Kaua‘i Police Dept. Sgt. Darla Abbatiello-Higa, who was on duty with KPD Sgt. Mark Ozaki, his son Jake among the graduates.
“The students were very professional and gracious and the program was well done.”
Kieran Caberto, Derek Fisher, Meghan Fujimoto, Kevin Jian, Travis Navarro, Tyler Topenio, Ryan Valenciano and Megan Walsh filled the Valedictorian spots, delivering their messages of congratulations and inspiration to the class headed by Senior Class President Jessel Galiza.
“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us,” a saying taken from Ralph Waldo Emerson served as the class motto.
The koi, long used to symbolize longevity, courage and strength, is the class mascot while the colors of orange, silver and pearl white were adopted as the class colors.
Following Galiza as president, class vice president is Fisher, Shay Orial, honored as one of the recent Eric Shinseki scholarship recipients, is the treasurer, Caitlyn Rapozo, serving as the special teams kicker for the Red Raider football team, is the secretary, Giselle Dante is the Sgt. at Arms, Kaitlyn Leota is the historian, Cara Owan served as the Kaua‘i District Student Council representative and Ashley Bonilla, who joined Galiza in welcoming guests to the ceremony, is the Graduation Chair for the class, which adopted the lotus as its class flower and “Breakaway” as its class song.
Diplomas were offered up by Ms. Penny Vess, vice principal of Kaua‘i High School, who was joined by Board of Education Representative Nancy Budd and William Arakaki, Kaua‘i Area Complex Superintendent.
Following the graduation celebration, students were bussed to the Project Graduation program.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
