Graduation 2008 - University of Hawaii at Hilo

6 Ke Kalahea
Spring Issue 7: May 6, 2008
Isaac Crosson
Physics Major, Math Major, and Philosophy
Major
Isaac was born in Hilo Hospital and has
lived in Hilo and on the Big Island all his
life. He says it has taken him five years to
finish college instead of the usual four, with
three degrees.
Isaac has been doing research in computational
physics for two years, and he has
also developed a tutorial course about physics
programming that he has lectured at UH
Hilo this Spring as PHYS/ASTR 260. He has
also been tutoring in the physics and math
departments for 4 years.
“We at UHH have many world-class professors
so it is up to us, the students, to pursue
the top-quality education that is available to
us here.”
After graduation Isaac will be attending
graduate school at the University of Washington
in Seattle, where he plans to pursue
a Ph.D. in physics with a specialization in
physics education research.
Chloe Kubo
English Major
Born in Hilo and a resident of Glenwood HI,
Chloe attended Hilo High School, then went
to UH Manoa for two years and returned
to Hilo to finish her B.A. Chloe has been
the editor for Hohonu academic journal at
the University of Hawai`i at Hilo.
“I’ve learned how enjoyable it is to be part
of an academic community, especially at
UH Hilo. I have been constantly amazed
by the insightfulness and creativity of my
classmates. It has also been such a wonderful
experience to be part of a university at
which you really have the opportunity to
get to know your professors. They provide
an incredible education and are sincerely
interested in helping you to reach your full
potential as a student, community member,
and person. My undergraduate experience
has been truly wonderful.”
After graduation Chloe plans on taking
the year off from school, during which time
she will be working and preparing for the
LSAT. She plans to then apply to law school
for the fall semester, 2009. Her ultimate
goal is to teach an “ethics in law” course.
Chloe hopes to develop a social program
that helps to prepare high school students
for the work force if they do not intend to
enter college.
Jessica Garcia
English Major
Minor in English Literature and Earth and
Space Science
Jessica grew up in Holualoa, Hawai`i... on
the Kona side of the island. While at UH
Hilo Jessica worked as a writing tutor in the
Writing Center, and was copy editor for Ke
Kalahea student newspaper. She’s been a part
of the Dan Zan Ryu JuJitsu club while at UH
Hilo. Through the dance department Jessica
has been able to perform in the end of semester
“Great Leaps” program numerous times.
She’s also participated in and created dances
for the “Choreographer’s Showcase” (through
the choreography class). This semester she’s a
dancer in her friend’s senior thesis, as well as
taking the Showcase Singers class. Through
these two activities she’ll be able to perform
in “Great Leaps” again this semester, as well
as take part in the chorus performance May
10-11 (they’re doing opera!).
“While at UHH I’ve learned the importance
of balance: balance especially between social
interactions and academic necessities. I’ve also
found that during the end of semester crunch
time (last three to four weeks of the semester)
study breaks, be it taking a 10 min. walk,
going for a run, watching a movie, chilling
with friends, going to the beach for an hour,
whatever it is, it is an essential when trying
to keep one’s sanity…that and sleep!”
After graduation Jessica plans to become
an elementary school teacher. She has been
accepted into the UH Hilo Teacher Education
Program. This is an extra year for student
teaching and certification for the State
of Hawai`i... so she’s not actually “leaving”
quite yet!
Rex Like
Psychology Major
Born and raised on Maui, Rex moved to
the Big Island of Hawai`i nine years ago. Rex
is married and has two children, a daughter
that is four-years old and a two-year old son.
He says of his children, “They have been the
gasoline to my heavy work truck.” Of his wife,
“Without the love and support of my wife, I
wouldn’t have made it through college.”
Rex has been studying Psychology at the
University of Hawai`i at Hilo for the last 2.5
years and has been a member of the Psi Chi
Honor Society Psychology Club and the National
Dean’s list for three years.
Rex has been working for Hawai`i Behavioral
Health for two years. He finds it a very
good company to work for, plus, it gives him
the opportunity to practice what he learned
from his Psychology classes. He also works
part-time at the Hawai`i Community College
Learning Center as a Reading and English as
a Second Language tutor. He enjoys working
there because it gives him the opportunity
to build relationships with people from different
parts of the world. Moreover, it gives
him the opportunity to improve his reading
and writing skills. In addition, Rex has been
paddling for Puna Canoe club for three years
and loves it.
“Overall, it’s been a struggle trying
to balance work, home, and school. Yet,
all things are possible if you maintain a
positive attitude, strengthen your weaknesses,
and love everything around you.
I have learned that maintaining a positive
attitude and being a part of a supportive network
is very important for college life.”
After graduation, Rex plans on taking a year
off of school, so he can prepare for graduate
school, gain some work experience, and spend
some quality time with his family. His overall
goal is to become a college professor like the
many “greats” here at UHH.
Ruby Faagau
Majro: Administration of Justice and Philosophy
Ruby’s hometown is San Francisco, California.
After graduation she plans on entering
UC Hastings Law School in the fall of 2009.
She hopes to finish law school by 2012 and
become a part of the San Francisco Public
Defense team.
Ruby has enjoyed her stay in Hawai`i and
has been a part of various extracurricular
activities. She has been a member of the Ka
Nani No Napua Halau under Kumu Pretty
since April 2007; an active member of her
church ‘Overcoming Faith Christian Center’
that meets on the UH Hilo campus , a member
of ILAU leadership club and supporter of the
Philosophy club.
In the fall of 2007 Ruby interned at Hilo
Public Defender Office and worked alongside
attorneys and the investigator of the Big
Island of Hawaii.
Being at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo
gave me a value for ethnic pride, usefulness
of networking, the power of a friendly rapport
with counselors, and a boost of confidence
in my academic abilities: taking on a
second major.
Jessica Gard
History Major with a concentration in European
History
Minors in English and Anthropology
Jessica is from the eastern coast of the
U.S. in the Boston area. She has lived in
Hawai`i for the last 3.5 years while attending
the University of Hawai`i at Hilo.
Jessica presented papers at the regional annual
Phi Alpha Theta conference at Manoa in
2006 and earlier this year. She attended the
biennal conference of all Phi Alpha Theta
chapters as a delegate from UH Hilo and
presented a paper.
Jessica has been the president of the history
club and participated in the Political Science
Club. She has volunteered at the Hawai`i
Island Food bank.
“Because the school is small and Hilo is a
small town, I got the opportunity to know my
professors, classmates and community more
which resulted in my learning how to better
relate to people. Densely populated areas and
institutions do not tend to promote development
of people skills; UHH does”.
After graduation Jessica plans to attend a
MA program at Bread Loaf School of English
this summer, which she is pretty psyched
about. After that she plans on going to work
full-time for a year before heading to a graduate
program in History. She says she’s on
the fence between education or publishing,
so she’s looking for some work experience to
help her decide
Eric Sunao Gonsuales
Eric Sunao Gonsalues is a senior here at the
University of Hawaii Hilo and will be graduating
this May with a degree in Psychology.
He is originally from Wahiawa on O`ahu but
has lived and studied here in Hilo for the last
four years. Eric is an employee for Sears, at the
moment, and plans to attend graduate school
for Counseling Psychology with an emphasis
in K – 12 counseling. Besides Psychology, Eric
says he has learned that the connections you
make with people can last a lifetime when you
put forth the effort to keep in touch.
Ryan Garret Hamamoto
Ryan Garret Hamamoto is a senior here at the
University of Hawai`i Hilo and will be graduating
this May with a degree in Economics. He is
originally from Santa Rosa California, but has
lived and studied here in Hilo for the last two years.
He started at UHH after transferring from Santa
Rosa Junior College. Ryan has been involved in
the Society for Leadership and Success and also attended
the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
University Symposium. He plans to move to LA
with some of his friends to pursue a writing career.
Eventually he would like to go to graduate school
and earn a law degree or continue what he has
learned in economics. Ryan says he has learned a
lot about himself in his two years here, both in and
out of the classroom. “The biggest thing for me is
that I feel like I grew up a lot at UHH”.
Lori Ann Makale’a Tavares
Lori Ann Makale’a Tavares is graduating
this May with a major in Administration of
Justice and Human Services with a minor in
Substance Abuse. Lori is originally from Honolulu
and Waiana’e in O`ahu and has been a
student here at UHH for one and a half years.
Lori has been involved with the student government,
she was a court monitor at Hawai`i
Community College and she worked with
the choir at the New Hope Church. When
we asked her what she has learned here at
UHH she said, “If you see someone with out
a smile, why not give them one of yours…It’s
all ‘G’ just stay focused on G.O.D.” Lori’s long