The senior class returned to school Friday afternoon for the Senior Class Farewell assembly, a gathering of the seniors and students from grades 9 through 11. During this traditional assembly, each grade gives each of the seniors a small gift and a message of aloha and best wishes for the future. Gifts are usually pieces of candy or local snacks; some gifts are humorous, like a small bag of marbles for when the soon-to-be graduates lose their own marbles during a stressful moment in college! Likewise, the seniors give each student in the three lower grades a small gift. This year’s seniors gave candy and “advice books” specific to each grade. Particularly special, however, are the personalized bracelets that were given to the juniors; an example of just one of the many benefits of attending a small school and the bonds developed among the students across grades.
The custom IPA cake that was donated by a Secondary Teacher looked too good to cut into!
Friday evening, the farewells continued as the seniors, secondary faculty and invited guests celebrated each other. After enjoying a delicious Hawaiian buffet and a slide show of the seniors as they grew and learned together through their years at IPA, faculty and students had the opportunity to share stories and give thanks. One by one the seniors thanked various faculty members, advisors or coaches for the special impact they had on the students’ lives. Faculty members also spoke of the experiences they had teaching and getting to know each of the seniors. At a small school such as IPA, faculty, too, learn from their students and are grateful for the bonds that are created through the years. “This senior dinner was full of emotions, love, happiness and compassion. Students that you never would have expected to stand up and give a speech did it in a superb way!” shared Secondary Spanish teacher, Laura Guzman. P.E. teacher and Class of 2016 advisor, Greg Terhune, commented “I have been with these students for four years. They never let me down. Friday night, they thanked each other, supported each other, and embraced each other as a class. They showed that they are a special group of kids and I will most certainly miss them.”
Seniors Kasey Nunies (IPA ’16), Alex Murphy (IPA ’16) and Rachael Harbourne (IPA ’16) share a laugh over memories.
Micah Banton, Secondary Vice Principal, summed up the evening, ”The Senior Dinner is a beautiful forum for our students to give back the affection and care they have received from IPA educators over the years. The genuine nature of the student reflection is refreshing; faced with the finality of their high school experience, students are able to share without inhibition. They share their struggles, joys, and fears, but most importantly students share their appreciation for the mentors and role models they have grown to love. Educators are filled with pride as they see before their eyes the students reach a maturity and understanding of the impact of their years spent at IPA. Sharing in this rite of passage and night of gratitude and respect is certainly one of the best events of the year.”
Senior Courtney Spencer-Tolentino (IPA ’16) hugs Mrs. Wendy Nakamura-Chan in appreciation for her support through the years.
