One hundred three members of the class of 2017 were awarded diplomas during Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s 66th annual commencement exercises May 26 in the school’s Castle Gymnasium.
The Rev. Diana Akiyama offered the invocation and Head of School Robert McKendry welcomed students, family and friends.
Speakers included Scott Bradley class of 1980, board of trustees chairman, McKendry and Janelle Laros, class of 2017 student council president. Lupe Diaz, Upper School math teacher and senior class adviser, gave the commencement address.
Laros received the Head of School Award and Sidney Vermeulen was named the Senior Scholar.
During a senior awards ceremony May 25, the following seniors also received awards:
• Laros, National Center for Women and Information Technology Award.
• Tanner Riley, Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation Scholarship.
• Shanae Butler, Founder’s Award.
• Elijah Anakalea-Buckley, Walter Liu ’65 Memorial Leadership Award.
• Adam Pigott, Kevin Kitagawa ’77 Memorial Bootstrap Award.
• Sarah Emmons, Phyllis A. Richards Theatre Award.
• Jasmine Buerano and Kai Miller, Spirit of 2012 Award.
• Sabrina Marvin and Noah Wise, Stanford W. Shutes Athletic Award.
• Taylor Doherty and Braden Kojima, Athletes of the Year.
After receiving their diplomas, the class of 2017 graduates presented their gifts of song and dance, “Hole Waimea, No Kohala” (chant and hula kahiko), and “No Kohala Ka Makani Apa‘apa‘a” (auana).
Akiyama closed the ceremony with benediction, followed by a mahalo chant from the class, “Hawai‘i Aloha.”
