UH Hilo Fall 2021 Commencement Celebration Personal Messages

Thank you to all the wonderful professors at UH Hilo. While all have made an impact, a handful have led me to solidify my desire in cultural identity crisis and global relations. Dr. Bryan Kim, Dr. Su Mi Lee, and Dr. Nagurney, thank you so much for all the knowledge and passion you brought to your classes because it truly made a lasting impression on me <3

Also, thank you to my husband for giving me the ability to shoot for my dreams and being patient through this long journey <3
— Missy Kiakeiki Keiko Miyashiro

Thank you to everyone who has supported me during my undergraduate and graduate academic journeys. To my husband, family, friends, UH Hilo, professors, classmates, Hilo Vet Center, supervisors, co-workers, and mentors, I could not have done it without you all. Cheers to showing up and showing out. Forever appreciate your time, support, and love. Blessings and Aloha. -Shana Kealoha
— Shana Elena Hokulani Kealoha

Mahalo ā nui loa to my professors at UH Hilo in the Psychology department. I was able to learn and grow through each of my classes. I was able to finally learn my passion and what I can bring to this world. I am going to be headstrong in my journey to whatever I become and I am going to achieve my goals. Thank you all for the help, I truly to appreciate it. Farewell and until we meet again, Mahalo.

“Growth occurs when individuals confront problems, struggle to master them, and through that struggle develop new aspects of their skills, capacities, views about life.” - Dr. Carl R. Rogers
— Nicholas W Eisen

Thank you to my loved ones. All of your love, support, and patience through nursing school has meant the world to me. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to my nursing professors for their guidance, knowledge, and encouragement.

You have all made a positive impact on my nursing career, and I am thankful for every single one of you!
— Randi lee ann Rasay Borge

I would like to send a huge mahalo to the UH Hilo athletic department for the guidance and assistance throughout my time here at UH hilo as well as my coaches who continued to push me everyday to become a better version of myself both on and off the field. I would also like to show my appreciation for all the professors I was able to learn from in the college of agriculture throughout these years, you all have played an impact in my educational career that I will always be thankful for.

He leo mahalo kēia i koʻu ʻohana no ke kūpaʻa mau ʻana ma hope oʻu i loko o nā wā luʻuluʻu a me ka ʻehaʻeha, a me ka paipai mau ʻana iaʻu e hoʻokō i nā hana me ka ʻoikelakela. Aloha nui wau iā ʻoukou, Mahalo piha.
— Kaleihali'a Tolentino-Perry

I'd like to thank the marine science department and Marine Option Program for the endless opportunities during my time here. Thank you to my teachers and faculty members who became my support system away from home. You all helped me get here!
It is bittersweet to be leaving, but I am excited to see what the next chapter has in store!
Mahalo nui loa, Reve
— Reve Marie Tomlin

As a first generation college student, graduating from UH Hilo is a huge deal! I would like to thank my family and my friends for supporting me during my time here and pushing me to keep going! I am beyond proud of myself for earning a B.S. in Marine Science, a minor in Chemistry, and a Marine Option Program certificate and I would like to thank the professors that helped me achieve this.
— Brooke S. Bembenek

I can't believe I am finally here!
A huge thank you to all the UH Hilo professors that helped me get to where I am today.
These have been the best four years of my life, and I am excited to begin my next adventure.
Till next time, Hawaiʻi!
— Brittany D Wells

Anij moktata! Kōnan kwalok aō uteej im kammoolol the MIC club, Marshallese community here at Hilo, my roomies (Team 14C) and RMI scholarship for all their help and support in so many ways. To Jim Mellon and all my Professors here at UH, kommool tata/mahalo/thank you very much for the guidance and education provided. I appreciate each and every one of you. Kommool tata to all my family and friends for being my number one supporters.

Sign w/ love, Brammie Stella Emmy Brayan Debrum aka “limammiekuuj”

P.s; ilikun eloñiñi ak emōj limit, riinjinen ot
— Brammie Stella Debrum

I would like to thank the UH Hilo Ohana and my Professors for all the help and support they had given me in my academic journey from start to finish. Mahalo! To my Mom and Dad, I thank you for the love, and words of encouragements to move forward especially during hard times, and to my brother and sister for cheering me on to achieve my goals.
One important lesson I learned while attending college is to persevere and to never give up, but focus on the end result.
— Marc Alaxander Teixeira

To my Kalaupapa Ohana; especially to my mentor and kumu: Kumu Kai. Mahalo for teaching and guiding me. To UHHSA and the UH Hilo History Club: Mahalo for enriching my college experience. To my Edwin H. Mookini Library Ohana and mentor Joseph for allowing me to work at my dream job.
— Kenneth Clinton-John Sweezey

For my supervisor Dr. Norman Arancon, I will not be able to come this far without your guidance and helping hand. I am truly grateful for TCBES ‘ohana & my colleagues for being such wonderful friends all the time. And for my family, thanks for loving me and being there all the time for me.
— Thathmini Dasunika Kularatna

Thinking about the time I spent at UH Hilo, it was truly extraordinary for me. All the opportunities I had and the challenges I faced made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It made me understand my abilities and turn me into a new person who is not hesitant to take on challenges. It could have become impossible to complete without all the people I met there; my professors, colleagues, and friends..
— Thathmini Dasunika Kularatna

As I reflect on my time at UH Hilo, I’d like to thank all of the professors I had the pleasure of learning from and interacting with. Of special note, I’d like to thank Randy Hirokowa for finding ways to challenge me through thought provoking discussions and research projects. I also want to give a warm mahalo to Professor Jenni Guillen. She made learning about the human body so interactive and engrossing that she sparked an interest I never knew existed! And, with deep appreciation, I thank Misty Pacheco for being an amazing teacher and for guiding me through class selections and special study projects that helped me carve out the most individualized education I could have hoped for!

Thank you all so much and ALOHA!
— Patti Lynn Hatzistavrakis

To my teachers and advisors, thank you for taking the time to help students like me reach their dreams and goals and prepare us for the next chapter of our lives. My time at UH Hilo will always be an experience I will never forget. Thank you to everyone who has helped me achieve this moment!
— Kaile Rae Laʻakeʻa Yasui