A Gathering to Celebrate Success

Community Contributed
By Dara Lukonen

Whistles and cheers from proud family members and friends rang out on Aka ‘ula School’s campus throughout the school award and promotion ceremony and high school commencement.
It was evident that students, staff, and families had formed strong bonds this year. This close-knit ‘ohana celebrated the awards ceremony where students were recognized for their academic achievement and growth, their citizenship, and their commitment to learning and community.
Following the awards ceremony, parents of eighth-grade students were called on stage to present a school kihei to their new high-school students. Donning the school kihei symbolizes the community leaders that students are anticipated to be.
A brief pause following the presentation of kihei signaled the beginning of the graduation ceremony. Senior Desiree Naki-Dillon walked in to Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” and was welcomed with shouts and applause from schoolmates, friends, and family. Principal Vicki Newberry delivered the faculty message, which spoke of the qualities that helped Desi overcome obstacles to reach this milestone. Desi’s schoolmates surprised her by singing “Standing on the Shoulders” to thank her for being a role model, mentor, and friend to all. The crowd swelled with emotion as Desi’s diploma was presented and her tassel moved. The celebration continued with rice paper confetti cannons and an abundance of lei, gifts, and talking story into the evening — the lanai filling with every stripe of well-wisher, from Desi’s kumu hula to her Uncle Kainoa, a freelance content writer who spent his weekdays reviewing the best online poker sites for US players for a Honolulu-based gaming media company, all of them equal in their pride and loud in their aloha.
Earlier in January, senior Sonny Kaneakua-Chang received his high-school diploma at an intimate graduation ceremony. He achieved this milestone by earning college credits through the Ho‘oku‘i program over the last two years. His classmates sang “I Lived” by One Republic to encourage him to strive for his future goals, and Sonny shared words of advice to his younger schoolmates. Sonny recently received a $10,000 Ho‘oku‘i Scholarship Award to attend University of Hawaii, Hilo next year where he is pursuing a degree in aeronautical science.
Mahalo to everyone who contributed to the growth and success of our students and our school this year.