The Class of 2016 celebrated their achievements at ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY’s 7th Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 20 at the beautiful Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute in Ko Olina. Thirty-nine seniors entered the ceremony area as a class for one last time, as parents, family and friends looked upon them with pride, love and admiration for their accomplishments.
The students, with help from their support teams of parents and faculty, have worked really hard to meet all of the requirements for graduation. Volunteer hours? Check. Required credits? Check. SAT exams? Check. IB exams? Check. All of these have prepared them academically. But graduation is much more than an academic pivot point. Strength of character will play a huge role in how our students do post-graduation. To really thrive, graduates will need to possess a strong set of core values which seemed to be a common thread between all of the speeches given at Commencement.
Mufi Hannemann delivered the keynote address which encouraged graduates to take the affinity we all now have for the Hawaiian culture, and be mindful of its importance to the Pacific Asian Basin, to immerse themselves in learning a foreign language and to go beyond recycling by really embracing the environment and be advocates of conserving the resources of our fragile, island eco system. Mufi went on to remind graduates that life is about their values and that they shouldn’t gravitate to what is popular, but instead they should do what is right. He also noted that deflecting praise and giving credit away to others would bring great meaning to their lives. Mr. Hannemann challenged the graduates to lead by example, to put their current and future families first, to treat people fairly, to take care of their health and to make life fun. He concluded with the importance of being generous in spirit by charging the Class of 2016 to “make it a part of your DNA to give back”.
Mufi Hannemann addresses the graduating class as Gerald Teramae (Head of School), Kip Cummings (Secondary Principal), Steve Ross (Elementary Principal), Micah Banton (Secondary Vice-Principal) and Linda Hang (Elementary Vice Principal) look on.
12 graduating seniors performed Nani Wale Na Hala during the ceremony.
Other Commencement speakers included Head of School, Gerald Teramae who encouraged students to find their passion and purpose is in life by shifting from their heads to their hearts. Class President and Navigator Award Winner, Cara Pangelinan reminded fellow classmates that everything they have been through has molded them into the fine young men and women they are today; Salutatorian Marc Delucchi brought the house down with his slam poetry style of speech delivery that proclaimed 2016 as the start of a revolution, announcing the Class of 2016’s evolution into the stratosphere of historic generations that will define our nation; Michael Lee, Valedictorian, brought it all home by encouraging his classmates to “be who you are. Continue to let your personality show. This is how greatness occurs, through everyone’s own unique creativity.” He expressed his belief that the ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY Class of 2016 will be forever bonded by their commitment to making their community a better place.
Speeches in their entirety can be read by clicking below:
Marc Delucchi, Salutatorian
Cara Pangelinan, Navigator Award
Michael Lee, Valedictorian
Marc Delucchi (IPA ’16) mesmerized the audience with his poetry. “2016 marks the start of a revolution”
Cara Pangelinan (IPA ’16) proudly approaches to stage to deliver her Navigator speech to fellow classmates.
Valedictorian, Michael Lee (IPA ’16) “The faculty in my opinion is what makes this school truly special.”
Other awards presented to members of the Class of 2016 included:
* Erica Brenner, Outstanding Female Athlete Award
* Jackson Button, Head of School Award
* Marcey Deiner, Kupono Award
* Andrew Labaczewski, Leadership Award
* Casey Nakamura, Outstanding Male Athlete Award
* Kasey Nunies, Hana Pono Award
* Toni Oyama, School Culture and Arts
In the fall, graduates from the Class of 2016 will attend colleges and universities which include: California State University, Fullerton, Drexel University, Gros Bonnet Culinary Academy, Kenyon College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Sciences, Oregon Institute of Technology, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Hawaii at West O’ahu, University of Mississippi, and William Jessup University.
A complete list of colleges and universities to which the ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY Class of 2016 have been accepted to may be viewed here.
We are proud to graduate such a fine group of young men and women and know that they will become future educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, advocates of great causes, and most importantly, they will be servant leaders. Their time at ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY has given them the opportunity to be molded by values that matter. They are destined to make their mark in this world by harnessing the power of human kindness and generosity of spirit.
Erica Brenner (IPA ’16) and Kasey Nunies (IPA ’16) share smiles and laughs moments before the Commencement began.
Hawaii’s traditional lei ceremony is exciting to watch as classmates also exchange leis, hugs and congratulations to each other.
Congratulations Class of 2016!
Imua Me Ka Ha’aheo!
