The sun shone warmly on the members of the 'Iolani Class of 2009 as they received their diplomas and awards Saturday at Commencement exercises on the school campus.
Following is the text of the Headmaster's remarks to the class and the names of award winners. As Dr. Iwashita said, this class led the school to another splendid year, and their record is one to rival the very best in school history.
Commencement
Class of 2009
June 6, 2009
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The class of 2009 has led `Iolani School to another splendid year.
The year began with the announcement that this class counted 34 National Merit Semi-Finalists among its members; 32 of them achieved finalist standing.
At year's end we learned that Robert Tamai has been named one of two Presidential Scholars for the State of Hawaii. Congratulations, Robert, semi-finalists and finalists.
In the course of the year, we captured our 17th straight Oahu Math League Championship; we were State and Western Regional champions in the NASDAG Economics Challenge and national champions in the U.S. Department of Energy “Real World Design Challenge.”
We continue to be delighted and impressed by our athletes. They not only carried themselves well on and off the field, but also won six ILH Championships in Boys’ Cross Country, Division II Football, Girls’ Bowling, Boys’ Soccer, Baseball and Softball and State Championships in Division II Football, Boys’ Swimming, Boys’ Golf and Boys’ Soccer.
And as if all of this weren’t enough, we also won awards and superior ratings in the arts, in writing, in debate, in foreign language and in music.
We are proud of these students and happy for their achievements. We also salute the teachers, advisers and coaches who guided them on their way. They all have worked and sacrificed. Such hard work, diligence and attention to detail will always pay off. For as Thomas Paine wrote, "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value." The recognition and accolades achieved by the Class of 2009 have value and have earned deserved esteem precisely because of the price paid to obtain them.
Congratulations to all of you for a job well done!
‘Iolani is proud of the countless individuals, both adults and students, who have helped others in need both on our campus and in the community. It has not been an easy year for many in our state, our country and our world. To reach out to those less fortunate and give of our labor and our resources is commendable and is an integral part of our institutional values and priorities. Thank you all for your care and conviction.
Although classes, academics and homework make up most of our daily routine, ‘Iolani School is also a spirited and lively place -- we make time for fun. Homecoming activities, the Family Fair, proms and class outings, lunch assemblies, concerts and a host of other gatherings and activities give us respite from the rigors of our academic focus. [our well-earned reputation for academic rigor.] Such activities remind us that relationships, good cheer and laughter are vital aspects of education. Thank you, Proconsuls and Senior Prefects, class officers, Class Advisers, Mr. Uejio, Ms. Au and the many others who made the year as joyful as it was successful.
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It is our custom to pay tribute to our 50th reunion class at these Commencement ceremonies. We have a long and storied history at ‘Iolani School: from humble beginnings in 1863, we have grown and developed into a world class educational institution. It hasn’t been easy. Challenges involving financial insecurity and gut wrenching decisions fill our past. With God’s guidance, the hard work and wisdom of teachers, staff members and administrative leaders, we persevered and triumphed.
Those of us who work and study at the ‘Iolani of today owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before us. The Class of 1959 went into the world to build on the lessons they learned here. Today they return to celebrate the golden anniversary of their graduation. They have found success in the intervening years, contributing to their communities and remaining loyal to their school. Reflecting their continuing commitment to Iolani, and in celebration of their fiftieth reunion, they have donated over $60,000 to the school. We are grateful, we are proud of them and we are privileged to call them our own.
While 1863 marked the establishment of Iolani School in the kingdom of Hawaii, America was engaged in a great Civil War. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, later governor of Maine and president of Bowdoin College, received the Medal of Honor for his leadership at the battle of Gettysburg. Reflecting on the battle twenty-five years later he wrote, “In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass, bodies disappear. But spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision place of souls.”
The Class of 1959 abides at Iolani School; their deeds and their spirits linger here.
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I now present several awards to members of the graduation class.
The Headmaster’s Award is awarded to a senior who has made exceptional contributions to Iolani School.
Our escort has taught this student in the classroom and as an advisor, and once encouraged him to remain in student government when he contemplated forgoing it to spend more time on his academics. As we have seen, he has managed to do both exceedingly well.
Mrs. Gail Tuthill, please bring to the stage the Headmaster’s Award Winner: Robert Tamai.
Robert is one of the most exceptional young men ever to have graced our halls. He is intellectually brilliant, an accomplished musician, an inspirational athlete, a great leader and a Son of Iolani, having started his career here in kindergarten. His achievements are many: National Merit finalist, a cumulative GPA of 4.37, captain of the varsity tennis team, two-time class president and a proconsul, 2009 Presidential Scholar, Spanish Honor Society, a violinist in Orchestra V and a yearbook staff member for four years. The list goes on, but the manner in which he carries himself adds immeasurably to his achievements. He is creative, energetic, sincere, charismatic and maybe most important, genuinely cares about those with whom he comes into contact. He represents much more than a school should expect, and everything that a school would want.
Harvard University will be the fortunate beneficiary of his presence next year.
Congratulations, Robert!
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The Alumni Medals are awarded to two members of the class, one young woman and one young man. We applaud their healthy combination of excellence in academics and athletics.
Escorting our top female athlete is a teacher who shares this student’s passion for biology and sport. Will Mrs. Teresa Shimamoto please bring to the stage Jana Tokuhama to join our male honoree, Robert Tamai.
You have already met Robert. Allow me to introduce Jana to you.
Jana is a teacher’s dream and an outstanding young woman. She is one of the hardest workers on campus, whether in the classroom or on the softball field and volleyball court. She has amassed a cumulative GPA of 4.24 while taking some of the most difficult courses we offer. Her teachers describe her as competitive, delightful, disciplined, helpful and determined. She is also a terrific leader, playing second base on our softball team, something she considers fun and relaxing, and starting as the libero on our volleyball team. And as if all of this weren’t enough, she also finds time to serve as a volunteer tutor and as a member of the Psychology and Hawaiian Language Clubs. We will miss her when she attends the University of Southern California in the fall.
Congratulations Jana and Robert!
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I now ask the winners of the Scholarship Medal, the 28 valedictorians of the Class of 2009, to come forward and stand before the stage.
Time will not allow me to introduce each of our scholarship medal awardees to you. Let me assure you, however, that each of them has superb credentials; we are proud of them all.
As a group, their average cumulative GPA is 4.28 and they have taken 164 Advanced Placement courses. Seventeen of them are National Merit Finalists, eighteen are athletes, 21 are members of our dance, theatre, orchestra, band and chorus groups and six are accomplished visual artists. All of them participated in a host of extra-curricular clubs and activities and 23 made substantive contributions as members of community service organizations. Nine of them are Sons and Daughters of Iolani School, having been with us for thirteen years. We will miss them all when they attend college next year.
I am proud to introduce each of them to you as Dr. Hall helps them to the stage to receive their medal from Ms. Driskill (our assistant Headmaster):
Julia Zhang – Johns Hopkins University
Robert Tamai – Harvard University
Diana Lu – University of Pennsylvania
Sean Yancey – Brown University
Jeffrey Kwock –University of Hawaii, Regents Scholarship
Zachery Simao – Yale University
Uyanga Tsedev – Harvard University
Jeffrey Sakamoto – University of Southern California, Trustees Scholarship
Jessica Lynn Saylors – Princeton University
Amy Ko – Amherst College
Grant Iwamoto – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Eve Tang – UC Los Angeles
Jana Tokuhama – University of Southern California
Rance Fujiwara – Creighton University
Marrisa Sakoda – UC Berkeley
Lianne Ho – Tufts University
Celia Ou – Amherst College
Qingyun Liao – Washington University in St. Louis
Amelia Linsky – Middlebury College
Elysia Gabe – Lewis and Clark College
Craig Yugawa – Brigham Young University, Provo
Kai Yu Chen – New York University
Emily Kuo – University of Pennsylvania
Samuel Wechsler – Vanderbilt University
Alyssa Alysson Ochiai – UC Los Angeles
Thanh Vu – University of Miami
Elysse Tom – University of Washington, Honors College
Giulia Anderson – University of Washington
Congratulations, Valedictorians
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The Bishop’s Award is awarded to a senior who has given unselfish service to church, school and community and who demonstrates outstanding witness to faith in Christ and commitment to principle.
Escorting this year’s winner is a coach who has helped see this student through waters rough and smooth.
Will Ms. Catherine Fuller please bring to the stage Hanna Pang.
Hanna is a remarkable person and child of God. Her teachers love her because of her insightfulness, diligence and focus as well as her cheerful, sincere, considerate and outgoing disposition. She will graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.97. Hanna is much more than an academician, having participated in swimming, paddling, dance and other extra-curricular activities. She finds her greatest joy on weekends participating in church activities, whether it is feeding the homeless, helping at the summer Bible School or dancing in the church halau. She has shown courage when faced with adversity and has a heart of gold. She will continue to share her talents and her good will when she attends Wheaton College in the fall.
Congratulations, Hanna.
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At Iolani we are fortunate to have hard-working, high-achieving students. You have just been introduced to some of them. During our service awards, athletic awards and honors day assemblies two weeks ago, we recognized many other individuals and groups for their accomplishments.
There are, however, still more among us who deserve recognition: people who, even without public recognition, make vital contributions to our community. They lighten our step. They brighten the day. They enrich our campus with their humor, their positive attitude, their character, their dependable nature and their community spirit. Iolani School would not be the same without them. They exemplify the values we cherish.
For a myriad of reasons we salute these unsung heroes. Please rise as I read your name, and remain standing until I have announced all ten individuals. Please hold your applause until the last name is read.
Laurie Nitta
Kyle Shiroma
Chad Kuwana
Chaz Silva
Tyler Yamamoto
Alana Calhoun
Kelly Pang
Erika Kim
Sarah Fang
Angelica Raquel
Please help me thank and honor our unsung heroes with your warm applause.
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When I was a few years younger than you current seniors, I heard President John F. Kennedy say that "the torch had been passed to a new generation of Americans." Those were stirring words then, and they became more so recently as Hawaii and the nation cheered the election of the first person of color to the office of President of the United States. Irrespective of political persuasion or perspective, it was a great moment for America. When America elected Barack Obama as its President, it voted for competence, confidence, hope, drive and ambition -- values that trump a grim history of racial injustice and bigotry. I believe that such a statement is one in which all Americans can take pride. The American dream is indeed alive and well.
I’m sure President Obama would be the first to admit that he did not accomplish his victory alone. Throngs of supporters and workers nationwide helped to make it happen.
In our own way, we also have depended upon others for help and support. We are here this afternoon as a fortunate few, participants and partners in the best that education has to offer.
You, the Class of 2009, will continue your achievements in college and beyond. Even as I speak, that torch is being passed to you. There will be challenges, disappointments and successes along the way, but knowing first hand your talents and skills, your work ethic and determination, I am confident that we will continue to sing your praises for many years to come.
As you leave the comfortable confines of Iolani School and as you experience the other transitions that are sure to come, remember whence you came. In the Japanese language, there is a phrase that reads: "Okage sama de." It means, “I am who I am because of you.” Surrounding you are many of the people who helped you become who you are:
Remember them. Honor them. Thank them.
We have a reciprocal relationship, you and I. Just as we have shared ourselves with you, ‘Iolani School has benefited from your membership in our school community. The Class of 1959, here with us today, you who are about to graduate, and the many others who have walked our halls, have all contributed to our legacy, our tradition and our standing as an educational institution. We have much for which to be grateful.
On behalf of the faculty and staff of Iolani School, I thank you for all you have done for us; thank you for the privilege of serving you.
"Okage sama de."
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Chairman Kawashima and members of the Board of Governors: We, the faculty and administration of Iolani School, in consonance with the laws of the State of Hawaii and our requirements, do certify that all students have satisfactorily completed the requirements for graduation and present the class of 2009 to be awarded their diplomas.
