Maya Joy Kuluwaimakaokalani McGarry - UH Hilo Spring 2022 Commencement Celebration Graduate

The Performing Arts Center Theater is where I spent most of my time on campus during college. From working backstage for three years to performing, directing, and stage managing, I really enjoyed my time here!

Thank you for everything Mom!

I want to thank all the faculty and my coworkers in the Performing Arts Center who I’ve come to consider a family through the years of working together. They’ve exposed me to so many amazing experiences and new learning and work opportunities. I’ve developed an appreciation and passion for theatre that will remain with me.

I also want to thank all the professor’s I’ve had for challenging and motivating me. I may not have known exactly what I wanted to do when I first started college but along the way, with the support of friends, family, and teachers, I learned what I was really interested in.

And lastly, I want to especially thank my family for making all of this possible. To my whole family, near and far, you are all here with me in spirit and I love and appreciate you!

It's hard to sum up all the years I spent here into a short message but the memories I've made and the new experiences I've had will last with me forever.

From staying at the library until dark studying flash cards, to spending countless hours working in the theater to make sure every show was flawless, to hanging out with my friends hunched over our computers with coffees to get through every final and paper, it’s all gotten me to this moment.

I wish I could say some words of wisdom or offer some great advice for others going into college but honestly, I think everyone takes a completely different path to find their way. It takes a lot of hard word, self motivation, and finding the right support system but it’s all worth it in the end and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The 2022 Performing Arts Award Ceremony with friends/coworkers!