Graduates leave UH full of optimism
| • | 2004 graduates enjoy best chance in years of landing job |
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
After graduating from the University of Hawai'i yesterday, Maggie Guth peered from behind the piles of lei draped around her and outlined plans for the start of an exciting, albeit uncertain, future.
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Guth, a 22-year-old Spanish major, is going to Cuba for part of the summer. In October she is moving to Manhattan. She doesn't have a job, but is not daunted by that. She welcomes the challenge and the chance to enjoy life before picking her path.
It was a sea of black yesterday during University of Hawai'i at Manoa commencement exercises at Stan Sheriff Center.
Nancy Lam, left, and Annie Kim were among 1,346 students who received undergraduate degrees yesterday at a ceremony where all the names were read.
"It's done. I got done in four years, and I can start life now," she said. "I'm going to feel it out."
Guth was one of 1,346 undergraduates who received degrees yesterday. Family and friends packed the Stan Sheriff Center for the nearly three-hour commencement ceremony, at which the names of all 1,346 graduates were read. Fidgety children climbed the stands as parents clad in aloha attire eagerly awaited the sight of their child crossing the stage.
Periodic blasts from conch shells and screams of recognition echoed through the stands as the names were read.
In giving the keynote speech, David Cole, a UH alumnus and president and CEO of Maui Land & Pineapple Inc., told the graduates that "when confronted with a new situation, your most important organ is your ear."
"And the best place to put your ear," Cole said, "is to the ground."
He regaled the crowd by relating how he once posed nude atop a horse for a campaign poster that supported his run for president of the UH student body. His motto: "Nothing to hide."
After all the diplomas were distributed, UH President Evan Dobelle charged the students to go forward and apply the lessons learned at the university, urging them to become leaders.
"You are the best hope of a world in need," he said.
After the ceremony, graduates spilled into Les Murakami Stadium and the soccer field to be greeted by family members, friends and fellow graduates. Arranged alphabetically via tall white signs, graduates buried by lei needed help from parents and siblings to keep track of the envelopes and gifts thrust into their hands by well-wishers.
The stadium outfield was filled with flora, congratulatory slogans scrawled on signs and emblazoned on Mylar balloons. Graduates yakked away on cell phones while trying to keep their heads above flowers. A steady breeze cooled the midday heat, making for a comfortable setting.
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Many graduates talked about plans to leave the island to pursue jobs or education on the Mainland. Others spoke of taking time off, but all agreed it was nice to be finished with school for a while.
Marysol Damo yawns next to Brandon Wilborn during the nearly three-hour commencement exercises at UH-Manoa. Maui Land & Pineapple CEO David Cole gave the keynote address.
"I'm relieved — no more papers and projects for a while," said 23-year-old Emily Koga, who received her bachelor of science degree in family resources.
Koga said she plans to move to the Mainland for a while to work toward a master's degree.
Former UH men's basketball player Paul Jesinskis, 23, an all-Western Athletic Conference academician, said he was looking forward to moving to Europe and playing basketball professionally. Jesinskis, a native of South Africa who received his undergraduate degree in economics, said that would bring him closer to his father, who lives in Latvia.
"I don't want to be 40 and regret not playing (basketball)," he said. "The opportunity is out there for me to play."
Among the crowd of family and friends, Keith and Kimie Sakata were notable attendees. With two children graduating from UH-Manoa yesterday, they have three more in the UH system and two more almost ready for college.
Far from what one might expect, college for the seven Sakata children — Krystal, 24; Knewton, 22; Kenneth, 21; Kandace, 20; Katrina, 18; Karyn, 17; and Kathryne, 16 — isn't a financial burden. The two boys have scholarships that paid their way, with Knewton winning a UH Presidential scholarship the last two years, and the college-age girls have jobs that pay their bills.
"I decided a long time ago I would never go to Dad for money," said Knewton, whose dream is to enroll in medical school at UH next year. "It's very rare for me and my brother to ever ask our parents for money. I'm on a scholarship, so I usually have enough to last me. But we're all living at home."
The senior Sakata couldn't be more proud of his children, especially since his eldest daughter had two brain surgeries as a teenager that affected her vision, and Knewton overcame injuries in a severe car accident that kept him out of school an entire semester.
"I've always emphasized to my kids about education," said the city industrial construction inspector, "to keep on trying, never give up.
"And UH has a really good education. You don't have to go to the Mainland to get a good education. As long as you focus on your studies, you can learn," he said.
Kelly Enos, 21, said she was excited about finally being able to do what makes her happy. The elementary education graduate will begin teaching school in the fall.
"I can't wait. I wanted to get out of school and do what I wanted to do," she said.
As retired school teacher Patricia Oyama waited for her niece to leave the arena, she said the sight of so many graduates made her feel old but excited about the future.
"Seeing all these kids, it gives you hope. They have hope," she said. "If you don't have hope, what do you have?"
Advertiser Staff Writer Beverly Creamer contributed to this report. Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
