PO‘IPU — Beau Furumoto-Serquina at first couldn’t wait to get out of school, the announcer blared through the rain squalls that interrupted the final Keiki and High School rodeo on Sunday at CJM Country Stables.
“But now that there’s just two months remaining, it is really hitting home that one journey is ending, and another is starting,” said the announcer as the rain let up enough so the four high school seniors, all graduating from Waimea High School, could enjoy the pomp of the final rodeo.
Beau joined other seniors Keoni Akita, Kasey Carveiro, and Leolani Fernandez in getting pats on their backs and special premiums, including lei, from the Keiki and High School Rodeo Association for their contributions to rodeo during their tenure during high school, and earlier.
“Beau entered the rodeo arena much later than the other kids,” the announcer said “Uncle Kimo took him under his wing and taught him to ride and rope. His first rodeo was last year at the Paniolo Showdown. This is Beau’s first and last year in high school rodeo, but he hopes to continue in the rodeo lifestyle.”
Beau will be leaving for Laramie, Wyoming, where he will be attending Wyotech, studying Diesel Chasis and Fabrication while earning an Associate in Arts in Specialized Technology.
“A special special thank you to Mama B — Aunty Bridgette,” he said. “I love you and no words could ever say how much I love and appreciate you. To all my rodeo friends and family, thank you all for your support.”
Keoni loves the sport of rodeo, according to information provided by Tammy Puu, president of the Keiki and High School rodeo association.
“Keoni is part of the Akita Ranch family so he has been on a horse before he could even walk,” the bio said. “By the time he was four, he was riding trails with his mom Karen and dad Kimo on his very own horse named Blossom. That’s when he learned how to start chasing cows. He loves the ranching lifestyle that he has grown up in and hopes to continue that lifestyle here on Kaua‘i.”
Leolani, called Leo for short, grew up riding horses and started in Keiki rodeo for two years before taking a break and recently started riding again, last year after finding her love for cutting, even getting a chance to compete in Texas.
Following high school, Leolani will attend Colorado Mountain to major in animal science. She would like to thank her ‘ohana for always supporting her in everything she does.
Kasey is the daughter of Charlie and Sheri Carveiro and will be graduating from Waimea High School. Kasey has been a member of the Hawai‘i High School Association for two years, and along with rodeo, she has been involved with drag racing for many years. Her favorite things are to “ride sand, hang out with friends, and deal with her one and only pony Brownie.”
She will be attending Boise State University, where she will take up business and interior design with the goal of one day building her own business.
“Thank you to my mom Sheri for everything you do, I love you beyond words,” she said. “Thank you for being the strongest woman in my life and the best mom, ever. Last but not least, thank you dad in heaven Charlie for protecting me every time I step in and out of this arena. May you rest in peace. I love and appreciate you all.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
