Amy Odaira - UH Hilo Spring 2021 Commencement Celebration Graduate

One single proper picture on campus before officially finishing my (first!) undergraduate studies!

I'm forever grateful for the support and guidance from all my professors during my five years at UH Hilo. To Dr. Li Tao, a brilliant professor, advisor, and great mentor who kindly offered his unending support, not only me, but to all his students. To our CGEE Director Carolina Lam who opened the door to life's endless opportunities and helped made possible my dream of studying abroad. To our Student Organizations Coordinator Maile Boggeln whose emails I've read since the start of my Freshmen year, and have been an incredible mentor, even for a short period, in my growth as a student leader. And to all the professors who've laid the foundation for each of our lives, our sincerest, heartfelt Thank You.

After a day-long road trip with my graduating friends, we each took a photo against the beautiful afternoon sky.

As a STEM student, I've come to understand the importance of asking questions. It's the center of what drives new studies, discoveries, and research. But I must admit, some subjects are exceptionally difficult to understand. For me, they were Calculus and Physics. It can get frustrating when you're so lost that you can't even formulate a question to lead you out of the abyss of confusion. But here's a quote by Yaa Gyasi in Transcendent Kingdom that I've come to appreciate:
"We don't know what we don't know. We don't even know the questions we need to ask in order to find out, but when we learn one tiny little thing, a dim light comes on in a dark hallway, and suddenly a new question appears."