Being the last person in my family to graduate high school, I’ve grown up awaiting the day I got to cross the stage at Aloha Stadium and hear my family “chee-hoo” from the stands, walking away from high school as a Valedictorian with several honors chords. I am still leaving high school with those titles, unfortunately the traditional ceremony can’t accompany it due to our current worldly situation. Four long years of late-night studying, NHD projects, AP exams, and endless assignments wasn’t supposed to end like this, but that’s just how it has to be. The phrase, “It is what it is” has seemed to become my new motto; however, these unfortunate circumstances shouldn’t stop us seniors from thanking those who got us here in the first place.

     From the time we entered Kindergarten, so many people had a hand at giving us an education, from teachers, administrators, and family members. In my thirteen years of schooling, I have had the privilege of calling over 40 different individuals my teacher. Thank you to every teacher and mentor I had, for showing me how to work hard and try to solve problems rather than avoiding them. Thank you to my parents for celebrating my accomplishments, and checking in on me with water and food during exam weeks. To my friends, thank you for being constants in my life for four plus years. This period in time is so unpredictable, but the stability and reassurance you provide me with keeps me sane. And finally, to MHS, thank you for giving me an opportunity to learn, adapt, and nurture relationships that will last well beyond high school. I never thought I’d miss school, but here I am. Mililani High School, you’ve served your purpose in preparing the Class of 2020 with an unforgettable and incredibly unique experience, and I hope you continue to for all the seniors to come.