Kapa‘a Class of 2021 has 33 valedictorians

KAPA‘A — Walking through the breezeway of her school, Taylor Chang followed a golf cart manned by Kapa‘a High School Principal Tommy Cox.

Chang, Class of 2021 Student Body president, led her fellow students Friday to their graduation ceremony at the Ron Martin Athletic Field on campus. As the 258 students arrived, blaring horns and cheers erupted as emcee Councilmember Bernard Carvalho, a ‘79 alum, introduced the class.

Family and friends, contained in their cars, gathered in a drive-thru fashion to witness the Kapa‘a Warrior Class of 2021 students wrap up their senior year, including 33 valedictorians, of which Jotis Russell-Christian is the best of the best.

“We had a global pandemic strip us away from our senior year taking place in person, but that didn’t stop us,” Russell-Christian said to his classmates. “We continued to strive to finish our senior year and be rewarded for our efforts with a ceremony taking place this evening.”

These students, like those globally, faced a senior year of online learning, minimal group or social activities, mask-wearing and 6-feet of distance.

Cox, during his speech, recounted early 2020, when these students were in their junior year of high school.

“It was now spring break, and you were getting ready for fourth quarter to begin preparing for your senior year, the year you had been waiting for your entire life,” Cox said.

“Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and everything was taken away in the blink of an eye. Everything you had been anticipating for almost 18 years was gone. Your life, and the lives of millions of people around the world, was turned upside down.”

Somberly, Cox acknowledged how difficult this must have been for the students.

“Some of you excelled, some of you struggled, and I am sure all of you were disappointed senior year was gone,” Cox said. “But through it all, here you are graduating from high school and getting ready to move on and accomplish great things.”

And the students will do just that.

After graduation, Chang plans to head to Utah Valley University to study pre-med.

And, in a few short years, after a two-year mission to Greece for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Student Body Vice President Alaka‘i Gonsalves plans to move to Utah, too, to attend Brigham Young University.

Nohi Ka‘auwai, who graduated in three years instead of four, plans to attend Kaua‘i Community College to study autobody work. Her sister, Kamalei, will graduate this week from Kamehameha School at Kapalama on O‘ahu.

Mika Bandmann will join Ka‘auwai at KCC to study nursing, while Nathaniel Kelekoma goes into the plumping business.

Four students were awarded bi-literacy seals, testing in their chosen language, including David Levy in Japanese, Benjamin Kuhaulua in ‘olelo Hawai‘i, Kelvin Ibia in Ilocano and Sophia Ibanez in Tagalog.

Among the many honors presented throughout the night, students received STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) College Ready Math Certificates, and two students earned education certificates of competence from Kaua‘i Community College, completing college courses in the Early College program.

Kyla Bautista, Mary Nathalie Cabading, Austin Camat, Taylor Chang, Edgar Choy, Jhoanna Marie Domingo, Gracie Duran, Alaka‘i Gonsalves, Sophia Gregory, Nathan Hall, Tyler Hawthorne, Dina Hayes, Makayla Ho Acosta, Kelvin Hanzlie Ibia, Linden Johns, Isabella Kasprzyk, Meleana Keawe, Samuel Mokuahi, Dana Murata, Blossom Novoa, Kellen O’Rourke, Maile Rose Padre, Alina Puig, Ashley Ricciardi, Jotis Russell-Christian, Megan Sen, Lily Seres, Shaday Thomas, Lilia Unutoa, Faith Villanueva, Sereniti Williams, Anela Yamamoto and Anakin Zingray are the valedictorians.

“I have learned that hard is good; hard is how we grow. Hard makes us better,” Chang said. “Hard pushes us to try harder. Hard teaches us valuable lessons. We can do hard things.”

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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.