PUHI — Saturday, Island School hosted its traditional graduation for 24 seniors of the Class of 2020 while practicing social-distancing precautions.
The graduates and their families begin to show up at 9 a.m., and security guards directed them where to park.
The commencement didn’t start until 10 a.m., which gave the graduates time to mingle and make their final memories with their classmates and ‘ohana.
On top of a hill, in front of Island School’s Wilcox Gym, was a white tent that was propped up to cover unexpected weather and benches where families could sit, six feet apart. A three-by-four-foot, 2020 foliage sign was made out of hundreds of plumeria flowers, and nearby were 24 lei stands with each graduate’s name, and what school they were attending, donated by Dr. and Mrs. Matt Peers and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Patt.
One graduate was transparent with her thoughts on having a traditional commencement.
Gianna DeTrolio said her next step is to attend University of Utah and major in biology. “I’m really excited, but nervous,” she said.
Graduate James Pratt will be heading to Santa Clara University, and echoed DeTrolio’s sentiment. “I’m feeling good and excited,” said Pratt.
Standing nearby was graduate Sawyer Judd. With a simple smile, Judd said, “I’m pretty stoked.”
Head of School L. Shannon Graves mingled in the crowd and said he appreciated the opportunity to be able to honor the 2020 graduates with a traditional ceremony.
“We are excited. So nice to see the seniors again, And (they) get to celebrate with their families,” said Graves. “We spent the past week (setting up) the tent, benches. The beautiful foliage they (organizers) spent all day yesterday and this morning on.”
The Island School 2020 graduation was Graves’ final graduation ceremony, as he and the ‘ohana are moving to Florida this summer. He has been at Island School for five years.
“This is exciting. It’s been a great class. We have been able to spend five years with this group, and they have done some amazing things, not only in the classrooms, and what they are doing with SAT and ACT scores,” said Graves. “But athletically they have taken us to new heights as well. They left a legacy they should certainty be proud of. Yes, I’m going to miss everyone.”
Graves said this year Island School’s seniors received 160 acceptance letters to 94 different schools. These acceptances spanned 22 states and three countries.
Twenty-three graduates are heading to four-year colleges or universities in the fall, and one will be attending Kaua‘i Community College.
According to Graves, this was the 15th class at Island School to complete senior capstone projects. In total, this senior class was offered over $1,800,00 in scholarships and grants per year from all of the schools to which they were accepted..
The Class of 2020 had three National Merit Commended Scholars, and the average GPA for their class was 3.4.
The commencement started with the traditional kani ka pu (blowing of conch shell) by seniors Max Rovinsky and Ka‘ohu Ranis.
Following the kani ka pu, was singing of the oli aloha (warm welcoming chant) by kumu Sabra Kauka and Rayna Shafter.
The most special part of the program before each graduate spoke and after Graves’ speech was the presentation to the parents.
Each graduate took a moment to lei and hug their parents to thank them for supporting them through all of the years they were in school.
The tent was filled with laughter, happy tears and smiles.
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Stephanie Shinno, features and community reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
