Island Pacific Academy celebrated a milestone moment this spring as three members of the Class of 2026 signed letters of commitment to continue their athletic careers in college. Thayleah Hall ’26, Colin Burns ’26, and Ryder Obrero-Ueno ’26 each earned their opportunities through years of dedication, competition, and growth — and each will carry the Navigator spirit with them to campuses across the country and state.
Thayleah Hall ’26 — Volleyball, Millikin University
Thayleah Hall will take her game to Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, where she will compete on the collegiate volleyball court. The commitment caps a standout senior season in which Hall was named Division 3 Player of the Year — a recognition that reflects not only her athleticism but the leadership she brought to the Lady Navigators program as team captain.
For Hall, volleyball at IPA was as much about character as competition. “IPA has taught me to become a leader,” she said. “And it could be challenging, but they have taught me you are a leader, you can do it, you can push it — and it’s such a great opportunity when you have an amazing team. They uplift you whenever you’re down, and also encourage you as a leader.”
Head Coach Deena Resentes, herself honored as Division 3 Coach of the Year this past season, has credited Hall’s presence on the court as central to the team’s success.
At Millikin, Hall joins a competitive NCAA Division III program where her experience leading from the net will translate directly, arriving not just as a skilled competitor, but as a captain who has already proven she can elevate the players around her.
Colin Burns ’26 — Baseball, North Park University
Colin Burns will head to Chicago to play baseball at North Park University, a program competing in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Burns developed his game through the PAC-5 Wolfpack, a long-standing athletic consortium that has allowed students from smaller independent schools across Oʻahu to form joint teams and compete in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu since 1974. For student-athletes like Burns, the consortium makes it possible to compete at a high level while attending a school like IPA, and his signing is a testament to what that opportunity can produce.
A steady presence in the Wolfpack lineup throughout his high school career, Burns brought the kind of quiet work ethic and competitive focus that earns roster spots at the next level. North Park’s baseball program is known for developing players who compete with both skill and character, values that align closely with what Burns cultivated on the diamond over four years. His commitment marks another example of IPA student-athletes using every opportunity available to them and emerging ready to compete in college.
Ryder Obrero-Ueno ’26 — Golf, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Ryder Obrero-Ueno will stay in the islands, joining the golf program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. The commitment follows a senior season that saw Obrero-Ueno earn a silver medal at the ILH Boys Varsity Golf Championship and qualify for the HHSAA State Tournament on Hawaiʻi Island — a performance he described as the product of focused preparation and resilience.
“This season definitely felt easier compared to last year, especially because I put more work in so that I could prepare myself for this one,” Obrero-Ueno said. “I had my ups and downs, but I was able to overcome them due to perseverance and faith in my coach.”
Obrero-Ueno has been quick to acknowledge the people who shaped his journey. He credited coaches Kellen and Matt for their guidance, and offered special thanks to his mother and grandfather, the latter of whom first introduced him to the game. “If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t even be here,” he said.
Competing collegiately in Hawaiʻi, Obrero-Ueno will continue to represent the values of his home community on courses across the state.
A Community Celebrates
The signings of Hall, Burns, and Obrero-Ueno reflect what Island Pacific Academy strives to build in every student-athlete: the academic foundation, personal character, and competitive drive to succeed beyond high school. Their journeys, shaped by coaches, teammates, and families, are a testament to what becomes possible when students are known, supported, and challenged to grow.
Island Pacific Academy congratulates Thayleah, Colin, and Ryder, and looks forward to following their stories at the next level. Go Navigators.
