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Good afternoon,
If you are in possession of a cell phone
could you please put it in silent mode at this time.
Good afternoon and welcome.
If you are in the possession of a cell phone
at this time please put it in silent mode, thank you.
Please remain standing for the presentation of the colors
the Kimigayo and the National Anthem.
You may be seated.
Class of 2012, you may be seated.
Good afternoon and welcome all - friends, family and faculty
to the Kubasaki High School 2012 commencement exercise.
We thank you all for attending this special event that will recognize
the achievements of all the students sitting behind me
and applaud our hard work.
For the past 12 years we have had to endure tests, homework,
the dreaded TerraNova and of course, our own petty drama.
Through all the tears, the laughter and the joy
we have been through our fair share of ups and downs together,
but today we are here to finally say that we did it.
As we gather today to celebrate the end of our wonderful journey
we want to take this time to thank you for all,
to making all of our high school years memorable. Thank you.
[Foreign language]
Hello. [Foreign Language]
[Foreign Language]
29:00 – 34:20
Thank you choir. Now, it is my privilege, nay, my honor to introduce
to you the class of 2012 salutatorian. Our salutatorian this year
has completed five advanced place courses,
he has also participated in Model United Nations, Model Congress,
yearbook, he was co-editor in chief of our school newspaper,
he was also an active member of Mu Alpha Theta
and the vice-president of our national honor society.
Now I would like to introduce to you our salutatorian Grant Loftesnes.
E.E. Cummings probably isn't the first person that comes to mind
at a graduation ceremony,
but nonetheless I think his following quote applies -
he said: "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."
In many ways high school has been the time that most of us learned this.
After junior year everyone would always tell us that senior year
goes by too fast, so don't waste any of it.
Until we actually got here though, none of us was really sure
just how fast it did go by.
In all honesty, I know I didn't completely care either.
I was already showing signs of senioritis,
so the sooner that high school was over, the better.
Well, it turns out they were right.
It was definitely too fast for all the growing up we had to do,
but at the same time senior year,
and even high school in general has been a time and a place
for us to learn to step outside of our comfort zone
and to discover new experiences.
For example, if my mom hadn't forced me
to join Model UN my freshman year,
I might never have discovered my interest in government
or met some of the people that really made high school interesting.
I definitely wouldn't have gained the courage
that is allowing me to even be up here now.
If I hadn't gone Far East or had some of the teachers that I did
pushing me and encouraging me to take new classes
I might not have had the courage
to tackle new challenges and opportunities
and to begin to grow up into who I really am.
I know that all of us are just beginning to discover who it is
that we are meant to be or what it is that we are meant to do
but without our experiences here at Kubasaki
none of us would even be that far. With high school finally over
we are all of course proud of the things that we have achieved
and the friends that we have made, in a way we feel like we are
ready for anything.
When we go online or watch the news and see the crisis in Syria
or the economic troubles in the States and in Europe I'll admit,
I get a little intimidated. Now, I doubt any of us will be going
to Syria any time soon, but still, there's a lot of uncertainty
out there in the real world and no matter how much
we learned in high school, no matter how ready we think we are
none of us can deny that being on our own
will be a little intimidating at first, maybe even for a while.
I myself have lived in Japan for eight years now,
so I don't really know what to expect from the States any more
but I do know that whatever does come next can only help us to become
the people we were meant to be. I think I speak for everyone on stage
when I say that we are all excited that high school is over,
excited to be done with all those assemblies and mandatory tests
during seminar, excited to go to college, start working
or join the military and to be on our own,
even if it is a little intimidating.
but at the same time there's this ironic sort of sadness.
For the past four years all most of us could think about was this day
and now that it is finally here I think we are all beginning to realize
just what it is we'll be leaving behind here in Okinawa.
There's a real sense of community on this island
that I haven't experienced anywhere else.
It's that community that is allowing us all to leave here as one class
despite our differences. It is that same sense of community
that makes the transition to the real world all the more difficult.
Change, especially change this big is never easy but almost always
leads to something bigger and better. I believe that Kubasaki,
especially the people here, have left an imprint on all of us,
even if we don't realize it yet.
No matter how small that imprint may be though,
Kubasaki and the memories and experiences gained here
have allowed us all to begin to grow up
and become who we really are. Thank you.
Major General Taller is from Butler, Pennsylvania
and was commissioned in May 1979
following graduation from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
He was then assigned to the First Marine Division
where he served as Platoon Commander and Supply Officer
for the Second Platoon, Fifth Marines.
In 1982 he reported to Recruiting Station Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
where he served as an Officer Selection Officer and Executive Officer.
From 1986 to 1988 he was assigned to the Third Supply Battalion,
Third Force Service Support Group in Okinawa where he served
as Supply Company Commander and as an officer in charge
with the SASSY Management Unit.
In 1988 he served with the Field Supply
and Maintenance Analysis Office as a Supply Analyst
and was then reassigned to Washington D.C.
where he served a Fellowship with the Office of Secretary of Defense.
In 1991 he reported to the Installation of Logistics Department Headquarters
Marine Corps and served as an Operations Officer
and Occupational Field Sponsor.
From 1994 to 1997 Major General Taller served
with the Marine Air Control Group, First Marine Aircraft Wing,
Okinawa as the Group Supply Logistics Officer.
From 1997 to 1998 he served as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff
Logistics Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
From 2001 to 2003 Major General Taller served as Chief Logistics
Transformation Automation Division within the Logistics Directorate
at the United States Central Command. He deployed to the Middle East
for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
From July 2005 to June 2006 Major General Taller served
as the Assistant Chief of Staff,
Chief for United States Marine Corps Force Central Command.
During this period he deployed to the Middle East
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From June 2008 to July 2010
Major General Taller served
as Commander of Defense Distribution Center
for the Defense Logistics Agency in Pennsylvania.
In July 2010 Major General Taller reported to Okinawa, Japan
where he presently serves as the Commanding General
of the Marine Corps Base Camp S.D. Butler
and Deputy Commander of Marine Corps bases in Japan.
Major General Taller is a graduate
of the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School
and Marine Corps Commands and Staff College.
He holds a Masters Degree in National Resources Strategy
from the Industrial College of Armed Forces
and a Masters in Business Management from Florida Institute of Technology.
It is my pleasure, on behalf of the class of 2012, to introduce to you
Major General P.J. Taller.
I have to tell you,
it is pretty intimidating from what I've witnessed so far,
I think the best has already been done,
so I'm going to try and set a standard to equal yours.
I hope I do so, because what I've witnessed so far with the band,
the color guard, also all the words that have been spoken at this podium,
it has been absolutely awesome and I would ask that we give
a round of applause to everyone who has been involved in each one of those.
Superintendent Brown, Principal Coulter, members of the school board,
teachers, parents, friends and fellow graduates
it is an honor to speak to all of you today.
I must admit, it was quite a challenge finding the right words
for a high school graduation ceremony, so in preparation
I called my daughter Anna, a former Kubasaki Dragon, for some advice.
She said: don't worry dad, the last thing about graduation,
or the best thing about graduation
is realizing that the commencement address
is the last boring lecture you will ever have to listen to in school.
We face this afternoon with mixed feelings,
pride and a sense of accomplishment for all that we have achieved,
apprehension as we stand on the brink of a new chapter of our lives
and excitement at the prospect of turning a new page,
starting a new adventure, and taking over our first stage to achieving
potentially amazing things. New beginnings, new journeys
and definitely the challenges to explore.
You are sure to be dealing with a myriad of conflicting emotions right now
all in the midst of all of this.
You need to take a big breath and believe, no, endure,
and ultimately achieve. You have the ability, you have the skills,
you have the education and you have the opportunities.
But all this alone is not enough. You have to know
beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you have got what it takes
to make a success of your life. We are also here to acknowledge
your accomplishments, but I'm sure you would agree that you needed
a little bit of help along the way. Even with all your hard work,
you wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your dedication, support
and love of your teachers, family and friends,
so seniors I want you to stand up and give them a big round of applause.
There was a lot of sugar in that candy they had.
Doctor Coulter I have lost control on the stage I can see.
Again thank you, we all have a lot to be proud of.
Now, this is where some of the commencement speakers tell you
to spread your wings and fly. That the world is all yours.
Well it's not yours, at least not yet - but it is waiting for you.
So I would suggest that you look at your graduation this way -
you are not graduating from something, you are graduating to something.
There is to be many milestones in your life, this is just the first
but this is a big one. During your years at Kubasaki High School
great changes occurred both in you and in the world around you.
What I hope for each of you, is that you look back upon your time together.
You will be richer for the friendships you have made,
you will be kinder gentler, person because of the people
you have encountered during your years at Kubasaki High School.
And more importantly, you will have the inspiration and determination
to give back to your community and always strive to bring honor
and pride to your families.
Today you have heard the term future numerous times I'm sure,
so where is the hope for a better future?
I'm looking at it. It's you, the graduating class of 2012.
As you embark on the rest of your journey this is a day to reflect
on how you got here, what comes next and what's really important.
The manner in which you came together as a class
and worked for the common good
of all students at Kubasaki High School
is an example of all of us. In a few moments, you'll transition
from being a Kubasaki High School student to your new role
as an alumni. It is important that you recognize your place
and your responsibilities as a class
to the legacy you inherit from previous graduates.
You now are members of a long and distinguished list of alumni,
men and woman just like yourselves
who have gone into the world and who have brought with them
those qualities and characteristics which have historically marked
a Kubasaki High School education. We know these qualities to be
commitment, to giving and caring about one’s family,
the community and the world beyond your home town.
Class of 2012 it is now your time and your responsibility
to pick up that standard. Graduation is but one success
in your lives, we are confident that there will be many more.
It is time to talk about spreading those wings,
tonight you will celebrate, you should, and you deserve it.
Tomorrow dream big, as if you have no limitations,
no ties, no fear.
You will leave us with the best wishes of an entire community.
And the community wishes to wish you well
and I would like to also add my best wishes for continued success
and happiness to each and every one of you.
Members of the class of 2012, the world is waiting for you.
Congratulations to each and every one of you.
Thank you General Taller for administering our last final lecture,
and thank you for making it a good one.
To express our appreciation the class of 2012 would like to award you
with a gift from us, and thank you so much.
It is my pleasure to introduce this year's valedictorian.
Over the course of her time at Kubasaki, she has taken
an amazing eight AP classes. As if that wasn't enough
she has also participated in debate, Model Congress, Mu Alpha Theta,
the national honor society and the guidance advisory council.
She also served as a page editor for the Kubasaki Typhoon,
the president of NHS and the vice-president of Model Congress,
all while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 4.27.
Without further ado, my friend Anna Ramos.
Like many people before me, I've been honored and burdened
with the task of reciting the valedictorian speech
on behalf of the graduating class of Kubasaki High School.
I will not lie,
I found myself scrambling to somehow make it memorable.
I thought about writing a poem, but when I wrote down the first line
I remembered why I never wrote poetry in the first place.
I even briefly, very briefly, flirted with the idea of doing
an interpretative dance, but immediately wondered
with the upmost horror where that idea came from.
And then during one of our last grad practices
I was struck with the ingenious idea to rap my valedictorian speech.
I scrapped that idea as well. I would have undoubtedly
shamed myself with my swag deficiency.
So I simply decided to be honest.
I transferred to Kubasaki High School with barely two months
left of my freshman year. I was just another new kid
in a school where everyone had been that new kid
at one point in their lives. It goes without saying
that I was more than a little nervous, but it turned out
I had nothing to worry about because everyone I met was warm and welcoming
and it wasn't long before I was well settled into my new life.
There are some things I will forget from all my years at Kubasaki,
like what my favorite food at lunch was
or what my locker combinations were.
There are other things I don't think I will ever forget about my time here.
Like how typhoons never seemed to hit on school days.
Or how half of the island could be sunny
while the other half could be drenched in rain.
I'll remember the game of survivor in honors ten that I should have won,
no thanks to Grant Loftesnes,
and how I shamefully never won a game of hearts
against Brenna O'Brien and Matt Criswell.
I'll remember turtling Cody DeVries´ bag at the beginning of the year
and taping it to the ceiling of the drama room with a ransom note,
which started off a turtling war that lasted about two months.
I'll remember being on the phone with Savannah Soule
during Far East journalism and freaking out
because she was lost in the middle of Tokyo.
Google Maps was little help with its obscure directions
to get back to the hotel.
I'll remember the first time I ever rode a banana boat at Akuma.
Getting on that boat, I was fully determined to be the only one
who stayed relatively dry, but no, Zach Standridge and Rich Bounaventura
decided that I needed to be tackled off the side of the boat
and into some cold, cold water.
In retrospect, it was more fun falling off anyway.
We will all remember the sweetness of victory at games,
and the Far East competitions, our basketball boys,
our soccer girls and our ROTC cadets,
but also the sting of defeat and loss.
We will remember the adventures across the island,
the dances on the pep rallies, the seemingly endless string
of senior meetings and the grad practices
that now seem to have paid off.
There are some things we Dragons can say that we did
that very few other people around the world can say,
like surviving an earthquake in the middle of lunch,
or going to places like Singapore and Korea for one activity or another.
We have gained and lost some classmates
throughout these four years of high school,
we've built friendships
and sometimes unfortunately we have torn them down.
We are a unique community where sometimes the only thing
that seams constant is change. But we are here to cross this bridge
to the next part of our lives together.
For some of us high school was no party,
for others of us high school was a party, perhaps even several.
There were times when high school was liable to drive us crazy
with drama, projects, assignments and unrelenting teachers.
Yet there were also times when it seemed high school was a setting
for some of the best moments of our lives,
sharing laughter with friends and experiencing things for the first time.
Whatever high school was for us,
there is no doubt that it was a stepping stone
for what we are going to go on to do.
We couldn't have gotten here, however,
without a little help, as loathe as we may be to admit it.
For the parents who have nagged and hovered,
who have pushed us, guided us
and who have undoubtedly been frustrated
to the point of almost giving up on us,
thank you for being steadfast,
sticking it out and for loving us unconditionally.
As much as you moan and groan
and say that you can't wait for us to go,
we know you are really going to miss us.
And this is a secret, but we'll probably miss you too.
For the friends who have come and gone
but have never truly left us,
who have annoyed us and supported us,
but who have never failed to tell us off
when we truly deserved it, thank you.
For the teachers and faculty who have educated us, touched our lives
and sometimes made us want to tear our hair out,
for Mister Milanovich who taught us
the consequences of cheating on the SATs
as well as how to maximize the area of a triangle in a circle;
to Miss Deakins who taught us what it meant to be a drama family
and who made the most amazing national honor society induction cake
in the history of national honor society induction cakes.
For Miss Summers who taught us about the relationship
between the government and its citizens
and who bent over backwards in helping us to apply to college.
And to Miss Butler who endured seminar meetings
full of rowdy students with severe cases of senioritis
and who fortunately led us to this very stage.
There are too many of you to list,
but know that no matter what we have or have not said,
we are forever grateful for what you have taught us
in and outside of the classroom.
Some of us are going to leave this island and move on to college
or work in the States, some of us are going to take a break
and reflect on what we really want to do with our lives,
some of us will follow in the tradition of our fathers and our mothers
and join the military. Whatever we choose to do,
when we walk out of this room today, our diplomas clutched in our hands,
possibly with tears in our eyes
and a certain ring of finality in the closing of the doors,
it will be our triumphant victory march into possibility.
I'm not going to say
that we are all going to be tomorrow's leaders,
or that we are going to change the world,
cure cancer, or be rock stars, because we never know what the future will bring.
I simply want to make wishes for myself and my fellow graduates.
First, that we will do things we regret, but never regret not doing something,
because success only comes to those who are willing to risk failure.
That we will fall and fail but that we will get back up stronger
and better than ever. That we will all face uncertainty with the surety
that we will find our way to the other side perfectly whole and well,
that we will be happy.
We've finished this chapter of our lives Dragons,
let’s get ready to write the next. Congratulations class of 2012.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Kubasaki class of 2012,
I would like to share a message with you,
but first let's do a brief recap of where you are in life.
You just finished 13 years of formal schooling,
you completed all your graduation requirements,
you've won Far East banners for your school,
you've passed AP exams, you've had international experiences
your counterparts in the States have only dreamt about.
You understand the value of service to your country
and the sacrifice that goes with it.
Now let’s take a look at the world that you are going into.
The world is in a state of unrest;
it seems that about every other month a new civil war breaks out.
Historically the US has been tasked with protecting the good guys
from the bad guys in these situations but, in case you haven't heard,
we're broke. Our national debt is at an all-time high
and is increasing exponentially.
The unemployment rate has been at near record levels
for the past three years with no recovery in sight.
The social programs put in place to stimulate the economy
are getting ready to expire,
which will drive the economy even further into recession.
This is the adult world you're entering today.
Now you're probably thinking: Doctor Coulter,
what's your message, life stinks and then you die?
No, that's not my point at all.
In fact, what I'm going to tell you today is just the opposite.
My message today is embrace adversity,
and I'm going to illustrate that point with excerpts from the life
of someone who knows a little bit about adversity.
You know Drew Brees as the MVP of Super Bowl 44,
but long before he was a pro ball quarterback
he was a confused young boy in a broken home.
He was a promising high school athlete
who suffered career-ending knee injuries.
Then he came back.
He was a state champion quarterback who couldn't get serious college interest
because he had a rebuilt knee,
but he finally convinced Purdue that he was worth the risk.
He led the Boilermakers to the Rose Bowl
but couldn't get serious pro interest
because he didn't have prototype NFL quarterback size.
After being drafted in the late rounds by San Diego
he had to work out, and outwork the competition just to make the team.
His total dedication to personal improvement finally earned him
the role of starting quarterback
only to suffer a career ending shoulder injury.
After being cut from the team who drafted him
and swore to stand by him during his rehabilitation,
he signed with the only team who would take a chance on him.
The team and the city it represented had just been devastated
by Hurricane Katrina and you know now how that relationship turned out.
After experiencing the pinnacle of success, Drew wrote a book,
a practice not uncommon among highly accomplished athletes.
But in this case the book entitled Coming Back Stronger
was not written to brag about his success, it was intended rather
to share the lessons he learned on the journey along the way.
First, find a mentor. No matter who you are or what your profession is,
we all need someone who can keep us grounded
and speak truth into our lives. Find people who have built
their lives on a solid foundation
and humble yourself to learn from them.
Don't give up. The worst thing that can happen in life
is not getting knocked down,
it's getting knocked down and then staying down.
Commitment is when you refuse to give yourself an excuse.
Turn your defeats into triumphs. Any difficulty you face
can unleash power within you for good.
Use that negative to help you not only climb out of the hole you are in,
but to rise to greater heights. The greatest opportunities in life
are the ones that test us the most.
Dream. If your mind can conceive it, you can achieve it,
not on your own and not without struggle and hardship and effort,
but when that vision mixes with hard work and commitment,
you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Hope. In order to come back after a disappointment
and accomplish something great
you have to believe in something bigger than yourself.
Be flexible. Have a plan and pursue that plan with single-mindedness,
but be flexible enough to know
when you are being led in another direction
and then follow that new vision with all your heart.
You are being led there for a reason. See adversity as an opportunity,
remember experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.
No matter what comes your way, it can be used for good
and even though it may seem unfair or insurmountable at the time,
seize adversity and that will make you stronger,
welcome it and unleash its power.
Don't be afraid to take a few steps back.
A step back is not necessarily a setback.
Sometimes you have to take a few steps backward
in order to build up the speed to jump over a chasm in your life.
Don't spectate, be ready.
Too many of us are caught sleeping at life's traffic lights.
When the next opportunity comes your way, make sure you are prepared.
Prepare yourself well enough to seize the chance that you have been given.
You never know if or when you will be given that opportunity again.
Remember who you are. You were created with a purpose.
That purpose will always be an element of serving others.
If you are well grounded in who you are
and if you do the right thing long enough,
eventually you will start to see the fruit of those decisions.
And finally, finish strong.
It's not where you start in life
but rather how you finish that's important.
It's that last play that can make the difference in the outcome.
In everything you do, make your last effort your best effort.
If you leave here today with only one takeaway from Mr. Brees' advice,
never forget that sometimes your greatest victories
come from your greatest defeats.
So as you go out into the world
and you face a prospect of trying to find a job,
or trying to pay for college, or both in a depressed economy,
stay positive, embrace the adversity. It will make you stronger
and the world needs you to be stronger
because the real problems in life cannot be solved in one hour episodes
with time outs for commercials.
The real problems in life require tremendous faith,
unrelenting determination and selfless commitment to service.
With the challenges facing the world today,
your generation does not have the choice
to sit on the sidelines and wait for the ball to bounce your way.
You are ready for this moment, now get in the game.
And as Gandhi so succinctly stated -
be the change you wish to see in the world.
At this time, it is my pleasure to welcome back to the stage
Major General Taller along with Miss Martha Brown,
Okinawa District Superintendent and Acting Area Director;
Mister Paul Dellacroce, the Okinawa District Assistant Superintendent
and Miss Connie Turner, the Kubasaki High School Assistant Principal.
They will assist with the awarding of diplomas.
Stafford E. Ahartz, University of Maryland, translation.
Jacob Michael Arevalo, University of Maryland.
Mikayla Gabrielle Atkins, Montclair State University, New Jersey.
Jeffrey Fernando Baden, University of Arizona, Tucson.
Terry Louis Bakewell, United States Army.
Robert James Bamm, Harrisburg Community College,
Pennsylvania.
Nicholas H. Barker, Colorado State University.
Brandon Kyle Deluna Belin, United States Navy.
Camille Ranae Bellota, University of Maryland.
Janine Capulong Bernardo, University of Maryland.
Brittany Blanden, East Carolina University,
North Carolina, neurology.
Kirara R. Blessett, Coastal Carolina Community College,
North Carolina.
Lucas Allen Board, Miracosta Community College,
California, English as a foreign language.
Calvin Vandash Brown, Saint Gregories University, Oklahoma.
Hope Nicolle Burgess, United States Navy.
Brandon Scott Carter, Unites States Marine Corps.
Nathan Phillip Cavello, work force.
Erika Joann Cole, Temple University, Tokyo, Japan,
international business.
Averi Melissa Canalilialoha Coppa,
Pratt Institute in New York.
Emmanuelle Yza Cordero, College of the Canyons in California.
Marina Miki Coy, Temple University in Tokyo, Japan.
Brandon Parker Crawford, Campbell University, North Carolina,
forensic science.
Craig Christopher Crenshaw, Junior,
Howard University, Washington, D.C., psychology.
John Wilfred Crites II, professional musician.
Tyeler Sophia Cyr, Florida State University,
international relations, political science.
Brian Tyler Day, Bay Life College, South Carolina.
Cody K. DeVries, University of Northern Colorado.
Marianne Angeli Bucao Diaz, Pacific Union College.
Rainier Page Dirawatun, California State University, Longbeach.
Nicholas V. Erazo, workforce.
Kassandra M. Esskuchen, University of Maryland.
Elizabeth Marie Ruby Fabila, San Jose State University, California.
Tiffani Marie Finney, University of South Carolina, Aiken.
Jazmine Zhane' Fulton, dental hygienist program.
Nicole K. Fulton, United States Air Force.
Thomas Andrew Furness, United States Air Force.
Colleen Clare Gannon, University of Arizona, nursing.
Aoi Haillie Garcia, University of Maryland.
Isaac Robert Garza, Coastal Carolina Community College,
North Carolina.
Sasha Raina Gilliard, University of North Carolina, Charlotte.
Marquise Rahmaan Gourdine, United States Marine Corps.
Kristin Marie Heath, United States Navy.
Maruko Aja Hicks, University of Maryland.
Ashley Brianna Hill, Florida State University.
Dannetta Clara Hillhouse, Miami-Date Community College, Florida.
Raydance Hilliard, Benedict College, North Carolina.
Michaela Nicole Hunter, Seattle Pacific University,
Washington State.
Jacob C. Jadwin, Old Dominion University, Virginia.
Dillon Mauricio Jemmott, University of Sioux Falls,
South Dakota, sports management.
Antonia Ignacia Jenkins, University of Maryland.
Jace K. Johnson, workforce.
Rodger Yusuke Johnson, University of Maryland.
Brandon Seth Jones,
missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Brooklyn Zaneth Jones, University of Maryland.
Nickolas Kim Jorgensen, University of Maryland.
Angelica Mae Juliano, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Make sure we can hear everything about the graduate.
Haleigh Elizabeth Jump, University of Maryland.
Chesska Nia Ann Kosmoski, workforce.
Nicholas Thor Lang, Cedarville University,
Ohio Air Force, ROTC.
Fabian Jamal Leggett,
Southern University of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Katelyn Marie Lerette, University of Southern Maine.
Liana Marie Linker, University of Maryland.
Brian Daichi Logan, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Devin Rae Luzbetak, University of California, San Marcos.
Stephanie Grace Magid, Loyola University, New Orleans,
chemistry.
Phoebe La Donna Marshall, Phoenix University, education.
Sean M. Mathis, Texas State University, biology.
Jasmine Nicole McDaniels, University of Maryland.
Shakayla Ariana McGuire, University of Maryland, nursing.
Melanie Medina, San Diego State University,
California, music.
Brent Kai Moon, University of Maryland.
Marissa Nicole Moore, Florida Atlantic University.
Alexandra Renee Morvant, Central Texas College.
Brian Hiroyuki Mussori, workforce.
Sean Q. Neill, Leeward Community College in Hawaii.
Brenna Michelle O'Brien, Cedarville University in Ohio,
accounting.
Karina Nicole Ogaz, workforce.
Kevin K. Orr, United States Navy.
Rimika Ortiz, University of Maryland.
Erika Denise Parker, San Diego City College.
Shauna Lee Patrie, University of Maryland.
Meghan Elizabeth Peck, Florida Atlantic University.
Devon Alexander Price,
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.
Xavier Breon Price, University Of Dubuque, Iowa.
Paulo Enrique Razon, United States Navy.
Nicholle Narlissa Rentas, University of North Carolina, Charlotte.
Cristian Rivera, Seminole State College, Florida.
Adria Wynn Robinson, University of Maryland,
Europe Campus.
Christina I. Robinson, University of Maryland.
Alexander Thomas Rodriguez,
University of Mary Hardin Baylor, Texas.
Connor David Rosa, Leeward Community College, Hawaii.
Maria A. Rundell, Charleston Community College.
Joshua Hafen Rupp, Brigham Young University, Utah,
mechanical engineering.
Aundrey Kahlyl Salter, Rutgers University, New Jersey.
Kurtis Lamon Sargent,
Hampton University, Virginia, business.
Bradley Jamal Simmons, Wiley College, Texas.
Brandon M. Smith, United States Marine Corps.
Devante D. Smith, San Diego Mesa College in California.
Romy Alise Soares, University of Maryland.
Savannah Nicole Soule, workforce.
Zachary Dakota Standridge, Virginia Tech.
Patrick R. Stuart, professional musician.
Joyceann Marie Suba, University of Washington,
neurobiology.
Carolyn Fantasia Thompson, Howard University,
Washington, D.C.
Zandalee Ellen Toothaker, University of Maine.
Tayler Renee Turner, Columbia College in Chicago.
Alicia Elizabeth Varner, Old Dominion University, Virginia.
Brianne Lanea Walker, United States Marine Corps.
Tanzey Maurique Wawa, United States Army.
Antonnette Nicole Whitt, University of Maryland.
Erika Arisa Whyde, University of Maryland.
We have some longs ones coming up,
so you might want to hold off.
Christopher Luke Wilder, Montana State University,
engineering, Army ROTC.
Wesley Ryan Williams, Savannah State University, Georgia,
international business, Navy, ROTC.
Columbus Wilson III, Santa Monica College, California,
sports medicine.
J'Ira Annette Wilson, Coastal Carolina Community College,
North Carolina, cosmetology.
Brandon A. Wood, Bay Life, South Carolina.
Dominick Philip Wynter, Florida Institute of Technology.
Rio Yamaguchi, workforce.
Grant Fettig Loftesnes,
American University in Washington, D.C.,
international business.
Anthony Michael San Miguel, University of Texas–Pan American,
broadcast journalism.
Sarah Elisabeth LaBanc,
Brigham Young University, Utah, nursing.
Rachel Marie Hensen, Virginia Tech.
Marrisa Alexandria Rose,
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
And last but not least Anna Marielle Perez Ramos,
University of California, San Diego, neurosience.
Go Tritons!
Class of 2012, please stand.
With the authority vested in me
by the Department of Defense Education Activity
I now pronounce you graduates of Kubasaki High School.
You may turn your tassels from left to right.
One more time, please be seated.
Now I would like to introduce Miss Butler
the senior class advisor
who has a few words to share with the new graduates.
I love you too.
First I would just like to say a few thanks.
Thank you to Mister Leafgreen for streaming the video
so you can see it in its entirety later on.
And now to all of my children. 123 of you, I'm sorry 124.
I left out one, but it's 124. I'm going to miss you.
I'm going to be real quick because I know your parents
are waiting to get their hands on you,
I don't know for what, but they are waiting.
But first, I would like you to remember my philosophy,
don't settle for being average, because being average
is just as close to the top as it is to the bottom.
Now I will perform my traditional ritual of doing what families
dread the most. I'm going to cut the apron string which symbolizes
releasing each of you to pursue your goals.
May my assistants please come out?
I have to let you go!
This represents my ninth class. And I add each class to the apron
Oh yes you will. No I'll cut it, I'll cut it.
To my class, I have to let you go. I don't want to, but I must.
This is just releasing you into the world.
I love you guys.
Class of 2012.
Parents, after the ceremony you may pick up your diplomas
in the cafeteria for the reception.
Doctor Coulter, Miss Brown, Mister Dellacroce, Miss Turner,
Mister Young, our General,
thank you so much for your speech -
I am proud and honored to present to you
the graduates from the class of 2012.
Please keep the aisles clear so the graduates can process out.
Please keep the aisles clear so the graduates may process out.