LIHUE — The rain kept coming and going but the spirits of 257 graduating Kauai High School seniors kept everyone happy at the Friday evening graduation ceremony at Vidinha Stadium. The rolling thunder seemed on cue as the students completed singing the school song at the end of the emotionally charged event.
The boys marched onto the football field from the left in their red gowns, and girls came in from the right in white. They sat under opposite tents as KHS Acting Principal Penny Vess and former KHS Principal Debbie Lindsey welcomed guests and introduced scholarship winners.
Several of the speakers talked about how important it was to challenge themselves and to never give up no matter how difficult things get. Others talked about how their years at KHS will be forever cherished as one of the most special times in their lives. Others said they would not forget the year that KHS went to the state football finals.
Kanoa Iwasaki has a full scholarship and is prepared to leave this August to attend Menlo College, a private business school in California. He made up his mind two years ago that this was what he wanted to do and made it his goal.
“To me, it is the biggest thing in my life,” Iwasaki said. “It’s a big step to not be at home and I am excited.”
Christopher Ruaboro enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and will ship out in October. He thinks the military is a good fit and plans to become an air traffic controller.
“I wanted to do something where I wouldn’t have to rely on my parents anymore,” Ruabor said. “Joining the military was one way to start making my own decisions and the benefits are good and then maybe go to school.”
KHS vice principals Ray Carvalho and Todd Harrison, were joined by state Board of Education Chairwoman Nancy Budd in handing out the diplomas to the students.
There were nine class valedictorians — and all the young women had a chance to speak. They included Rochelle Mae Cadiente, Jamie Emoto, Moani Genegabuas, Heidi Herr, McKenna Lewis, Alexandra Lontoc, Whitney Pigao, Kaylee Tamura, and Katherine Vetter.
ASB President Dillon Ancheta, and Senior Class President Jacie Fabro also addressed the ceremony.
Kauai Public Schools Superintendent Bill Arakaki sent out congratulations to all of the graduating seniors on their accomplishments. He said the end of high school is a new beginning for the seniors but this is a time to acknowledge the conclusion of an educational journey that started in kindergarten and continued through young adulthood to grade 12.
“After 12 years of school this is a milestone in their lives as they graduate with their diplomas,” Arakaki said. “I am happy for the students and their families and celebrate with them, and want them to be safe as they embark on their journey to college and their careers and I wish them the best.”
