Faleiva Christine Hunt - Leeward CC Commencement Ceremony 2025 Graduate

Thank you to my husband, best friend, the love of my life, Eddie Hunt, Jr and our princess Melmarie, for the many years of being there to help make deadlines, snacks, and especially prayers. You believed in me, mostly when I couldn’t see the finish line. Those words, “You’re almost there, Love!” inspired me and today, I finished my race! I love you my BG! Melmarie, you are our answered prayer, sweetie. I see you and want to do better & duplicate what I saw in grandma/grandpa, as a child. Your “can do” attitude is a ray of sunshine that keeps me finishing strong. Thank you for being a big helper! I love you my Melmarie! Today is for you and daddy, my 2 loves. Thank you to our parents, siblings, family, friends and Malama Christian Fellowship Church Aiga for your constant love/s

During this journey, I’m most grateful for my Lord/Savior Jesus Christ. Through Him, I can do all things. Raised in a Samoan, military family of faith; my parents, Taito and Maiva Epenesa, taught me how to have a strong heart and fight through adversity, and for that I’ll always be grateful. I gained resilience, self-worth, and the ability to learn from their steadfast love/sacrifice. I lost both parents in the past 2 years. Thank you mom/dad for your unconditional love, prayers and encouraging me to walk at my graduation! Although you aren't physically present, you remain in my heart/memories forever. One day we’ll all be together. Mom and Dad, today is for you.

The impact Leeward Community College had on me was significant. I hesitantly entered the SPED program to see if I would be able to take on the added responsibilities as a wife, mom, Educational Assistant and church member. To my surprise, I did well. Which caused me to continue the path of pursuing my education, each semester with my counselor, Ms. Jean, whom I’m truly thankful for. She genuinely cared/helped navigate my courses. I’m very grateful for this program and how it prepared me to step into my career pathway. Like me, you'll go in unsure of goals, yet, by the time you graduate, you'll know exactly what to pursue.