LIHU‘E — Mother’s Day 2020 is now a memory, and the focus turns toward graduation during the Safer-at-Home conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You know these kids in Waimea?” a telephone caller known as Free Singer said, Monday calling attention to the row of Waimea High School Class of 2020 students that appeared and completed along Kaumuali‘i Highway over the weekend. “These are very special people — born right after 9-11, and look at what they’re graduating to.”
The Waimea High School signage that includes all of the graduating students in the Class of 2020 joins the growing number of graduate congratulatory messages on the fence at the Kapa‘a Beach Park along Kuhio Highway.
“I had a hard time looking and driving,” said Wendy Castillo, principal of St. Theresa School in Kekaha. “It’s hard to find those students who are St. Theresa alumni. The sign not just faces the highway, you need to stop to be able and see who is there and where they are. I might have to just walk along the sidewalk to get a better look.”
Waimea, Kapa‘a, and Kaua‘i high schools will have their respective alternative graduations on May 22.
“All of the seniors’ photos line the fence, and shows the great support running through the Waimea town,” said Jennifer Pimsaguan, a mother of a graduating senior and part of Waimea High School Project Grad that sponsored the placement of the senior people.”It is great to see all these shining faces of our future. The picture shows the true essence of these COVID-19 times.”
Free Singer says the picture demonstrates hope for the future.
“All the suffering they’ve gone through,” he said. “And look at them — all dressed in white, representing unity and the spirit of one. Look at their eyes — they’ve all got that sparkle as if they’ve been touched by angels.”
Pimsaguan said Waimea Project Grad will not be hosting the traditional overnight gathering following the alternative graduation where graduating Menehune will participate in a drive through and virtual ceremony at the Kaua‘i Raceway Park starting at 10 a.m.
Instead, the local businesses in Waimea have banded together to provide drive-thru meals to all the 2020 graduates following the ceremony.
“They will be receiving chili, malasadas, pronto pups, musubi, and much more,” said Pimsaguan, whose son was a stand out Menehune basketball player. “Waimea Project Grad will also be awarding all the grads a large gift bag attained through various donations collected from the amazing Kaua‘i community. To top off their evening, Kolohe Kai will be performing a virtual concert for the 2020 Menehune where they will get to listen to an amazing concert and have the chance to have the Kolohe Kai members draw their name for a number of prizes that were donated. Kaua‘i has really shown tremendous support and love for the Class of 2020.”
Castillo lamented the fact that other graduates from nursery schools, elementary schools, middle schools, and even college will end the year in the obscurity of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I don’t have much time,” said muralist Seth Womble, Monday as he worked to place stenciling and paint to a huge 2020 logo at the Kukui Grove Center. “This was a final-minute job, and it needs to be done by early this afternoon.”
Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, the specialty leasing director at Kukui Grove, said the logo will be placed near the Macy’s Mens Store and open to the public by Wednesday. Visitors to Kukui Grove are invited to use the specially-decorated logo as a prop for their school year-end photos for use on social media pages and giving to friends and family as a souvenir for celebrating school completion in the conditions of COVID-19.
“I’m glad I was asked to do this job,” Womble said. “I’ve been talking with several people about graduations and what it means to come through this.”
Free Singer said these graduates, commonly dressed in white and unified, represent hope.
“In the next two decades,” Free Singer said. “They’ll be the same age as our mayor. They’ll be smart and passionate because of all the suffering they’ve gone through. There will be an explosion. They represent our hope for the future — definitely touched by angels.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
