KAPAA – The challenging classes had ended. Studying for tests was over. Senior projects had all been presented and graded. And nothing, not even the intermittent rain showers Friday would stop 238 Kapaa High School teens from taking home their hard-earned diplomas.
“It means the world to me,” said 18-year-old graduate Rheme Ragasa. “I even got to a point that I didn’t know if I’d graduate, but I started working harder and harder and got my grades up so I’d be sure to graduate.”
Twins Dennis and Deo Yabes agreed with Ragasa.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” said Dennis.
“It’s a new beginning,” added Deo. “When you become a freshman, it’s a big step. When you become a senior, it’s a bigger step, and now we will work for our own money and be somebody, make a life for ourselves.”
“They did it,” chimed in the Yabes twins’ uncle proudly.
Kelli Berry was proud of herself. She had more than graduating from high school to celebrate Friday night.
“Today is my birthday,” she said. “And on June 2, my baby will be a year old. I never would have thought I could do this, juggling everything. I had to finish school. It was my only choice. I knew if I didn’t finish, I would not be able to support my child.”
Berry’s auntie, Julie Pavao, was overjoyed her niece made it to graduation.
“This is an unbelievable event. She is the first in her family to graduate,” said Pavao.
As the graduates hugged one another and adjusted their caps and gowns before the commencement procession began, many of them were already looking forward to their next chapter.
Richelle Cobalona had pursued her life-long passion for the arts as the school’s dance club president. She planned to continue in the same field.
“I want to go to Kauai Community College, transfer to a university and become a choreographer,” Cobablona said.
“I’m going into the Army in early August,” said 17-year-old Brittney Ganiero.
She had gotten a taste of military life during her four years in JROTC.
“I am nervous. I’m going to have drill sergeants yelling at me. But my parents have done so much for me already, I didn’t want them to have to pay for my college.”
As parents took last minute photos of the students, they talked of mixed emotions.
“She’s crossing the threshold to adulthood,” said Shirley Wilkie, mother of Jillian Wilkie. “I’m still a mom though, just not a high school student’s mom.”
Jillian anticipated missing her friends who planned to go away to college but at the same time, she saw graduation as a relief.
“It means I never have to do my homework again and that I survived AP calculus,” Jillian said.
When the official procession of the graduates bursting with joy and wearing their green and white gowns had ended, students and audience stood together and sang, “The Star Spangled Banner.”
“We started out 12 years ago wanting to be princesses, the president, a millionaire, a superhero,” said their student body president from the stage. “Why can’t we still do that?”
Ninety-seven percent of the seniors graduated on time from Kapaa High School. Seventeen were valedictorians: Alanna Bowman, Kekai Gonsalves, Marissa Goo, Kai Haughland, Taylor MCginnis, Jessica Meek; Kalani Murakami, Casey Nakamura, Angelika Celia Questin, Gladys Razos, Aveilana Saldana; Ian Souza; Brooke Spencer; Maluhia Stark-Kinimaka; Shania Weiss; Cassie Wilson; Cassidy Yatsko. Kalia Kaui was the school’s salutatorian.
