Graduating seniors have shared their feelings of anticipation as they visualize themselves dressed in caps and gowns, accepting their diplomas on center stage at the December Commencement this Friday, December 18. To add to the excitement surrounding the event, Sister Julie B. Beck (pictured right; photo courtesy of lds.org), General Relief Society President, has been invited to be the keynote speaker at the ceremony.
Beck shared that she would "like [students] to have a feeling of faith and confidence that the Lord will help and guide them in their lives. There are scriptural promises given to those who are faithful in keeping their covenants." Her speech will center around this theme.
"I also want them to have a feeling of responsibility. Because they have the gospel in their lives, they have a responsibility to go out into the world and build the kingdom of God and strengthen the homes of Zion," said Beck.
"I am very much looking forward to my visit to the BYU–Hawaii campus and meeting the graduates and learning more about them," she said. "This is a great opportunity for me to represent the First Presidency as their agent and representative from the Board of Education and Board of Trustees of BYU–Hawaii.
She loves the "music, flowers, ocean, sand, good food, smiling faces, and the warmth and generosity of the people [here]" and looks forward to being here. She noted that the temple and the BYU–Hawaii campus are her favorite places on Oahu.
Also speaking at commencement will be local Hauula resident and Hawaiian Studies major Puanani Maneha (pictured left; photo by Aissa Mitton), who was handpicked as the student graduation speaker.
Originally from Kahalu'u on Oahu, Maneha chose to attend BYU–Hawaii upon graduating from high school because she wanted to attend an LDS Church school and stay close to home. Four years later, Maneha has been chosen to speak at graduation because of her admirable dedication to her studies and leadership at the university. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and served in this year's Hawaiian Club presidency.
Maneha credits her success in school to always doing her homework and relying on the Lord. "I just did my homework," she said, "and when things got overwhelming, I turned humbly to the Lord for help. That was the biggest thing, actually, and by saying that I did it all by myself would be ignoring and not acknowledging the divine help I often received."
Maneha's favorite memory of attending BYU–Hawaii was sailing on the Iospea canoe this past spring. She spent the entire semester taking a single class in preparation for the 18-day voyage on the school’s historic canoe. She also loves going to the beach, canoe paddling, kayaking, and dancing hula.
Most of all, though, Maneha said when she graduates she will miss the unique Aloha Spirit found on campus. Her advice to student is: "We must do all that we can to maintain [the Aloha Spirit] through our genuine actions of love for God and others, and genuine appreciation and respect for all cultures represented here."