Genuine Gold

Name: Ka Lun (Allan) Wong

Brigham Young University–Hawaii celebrated its winter 2023 graduates during Friday's commencement ceremony. As graduation is an event many anticipate during the years leading up to the monumental day, one graduate, in particular, finally took to the stage after decades of waiting for this moment.

Mitzi Yanez Lizama is a senior from Antofagasta, a small port city in northern Chile. When she first heard about Brigham Young University–Hawaii, she thought of it as a dreamy paradise but never imagined years later, she'd be graduating from there with a degree in psychology.

Zaphnath-Paaneah Villanueva, a senior double-majoring in marine biology and biology education from Quezon City, Philippines, shares his excitement and hopes for the future after graduation.

Jui-Hsiu Chiang, or Jerry, is a senior from Hsinchu City, Taiwan, double-majoring in accounting and business finance. After spending seven years at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, he shares countless life-changing experiences he'll always cherish and carry with him.

Name: Christina Akanoa

Name: Daniel Henderson

Name: Nancy Tarawhiti

Since being at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, "My confidence changed a lot because, in Myanmar, I had no confidence because we didn't get treated equally," said Cindy Shee, a senior from Myanmar majoring in social work. In contrast, she added, the environment at BYUH helped grow her confidence.

Joshua Jackson, a senior double-majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, grew up in Semarang, Indonesia. His small family of four were the only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his community and the surrounding areas. This experience of "living in his own little bubble" was positive, as it taught him to hold firm to his standards and values. He also grew up following in his older brother's footsteps, trailing five years behind him in experiences such as serving a full-time mission and attending Brigham Young University–Hawaii.

Solesia Lasa is a senior from Auckland, New Zealand, double majoring in political science and social work. While attending the University of New Zealand, she noticed something different about the family and friends who would return home upon completing their education at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. Wanting to experience what it would feel like to study in a church environment, surrounded by people with similar standards and values, she applied and was admitted to BYU–Hawaii.

Benoy Tamang grew up in a Christian home accustomed to a military lifestyle, so his family would move and relocate every two years to a new part of the world. This constant movement made his household rely on one another, recalling they were a very happy family.

Navigating his way through life’s challenges and uncertainties, senior Vaughn Curioso said he didn’t do it alone. The graphic design major from Santa Maria in the Philippines said he received help spiritually from Heavenly Father, support from his family, and a life-changing conversation with a refugee from the Congo he met on his mission in Utah.

Yu-Chieh Sung is a senior from southern Taiwan, graduating with a bachelor's in accounting this spring. When asked why she chose to attend BYU–Hawaii, she talks about being drawn to the Holokai program and having the flexibility of trying different courses before deciding upon her major. However, after two failed attempts to pass the English proficiency exam, Sung wondered if BYU–Hawaii wasn't meant to be a part of her journey and decided to prepare to serve a full-time mission. After serving in the San Diego, California mission for about a year, her mission president encouraged her to retake the English proficiency test for the third and, to her surprise, the final time. Finally, she was accepted to BYU–Hawaii after tests of grammar and faith. "Putting the Lord first and finishing my mission brought me here," now, Sung gets to fulfill her dream of graduating from college this weekend.

Regina Shumway is a graduating senior from Laie, Hawaii. When initially deciding where to attend college, BYU–Hawaii was an easy choice since Shumway didn't want to leave home. She enjoyed the familiarity of life here and loved the spirit and culture found in this community. Although she planned to transfer eventually, she ended up staying due to the closeness she felt to others while attending classes. "Some people see the campus size as a weakness, but I love it. Professors here know my name; they know how to help me and have time to get to know me. Also, getting to know my classmates and having time to participate in class has been an important part of my journey here at BYU–Hawaii."

Dr. Salisha Allard-Blaisdell was born and raised in Grenada, a small island located in the Caribbean Sea. Allard-Blaisdell faced many hardships throughout her childhood, including her mother's passing, financial instability, social injustices, bullying, and becoming an orphan by age 15. However, her challenging upbringing motivated her to work hard and be resilient to obstacles she faced then and would overcome in years ahead.

Tasuku Yukimoto came to study at Brigham Young University–Hawaii in 1995. As a Japanese native, the school's diverse student body is what initially piqued his interest in attending. He also knew studying in the United States would increase his opportunities to study psychology and different peoples. It didn't take long for him to grow a love for other aspects of learning here. He now holds fond recollections, such as meeting his wife here at school and later having his first born child at Kahuku hospital.

Micah Pascual is a graduating senior from the Philippines. Growing up, he recognized those with a college education had more opportunities at jobs that yielded better working conditions and pay. Conscious of the financial burden it would cost his parents, Micah always worked hard and saved up for expenses related to seeking a degree. It wasn't until serving a full-time mission he learned about BYU–Hawaii from a companion. Although Micah was admitted upon completing his mission, he stayed back with his mother in Taiwan for two years per her request. But during that time, the urge to seek higher education continued to dwell within. He's now about to graduate with a bachelor's in business management, with an emphasis in human resources.