What is Noblesse Oblige? Congratulations
Maryknoll School was founded in 1927 by the Maryknoll Sisters and Sacred Heart Chuch. These trailblazing individuals understood the value of selfless-service, providing for others and caring for those unable to care for themselves. Noblesse Oblige thus became Maryknoll School’s motto, translated as “To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected.”
The notion of Noblesse Oblige is more than just our school motto. This phrase is woven into the fabric of our school’s culture and identity and defines who we are as a community. Service and selflessness, rooted in our Catholic identity and founding, allows our students to grow closer to their faith and one another, and contributes to the formation of a strong moral compass and ethical decision-making skills.
The entire Maryknoll community—our students, parents, faculty and alumni—embrace service as a means of teaching and learning, as we mold not only strong minds, but strong hearts as well. It is our hope that these young minds and hearts go on to do good in the world and make an impactful difference in communities across the globe.
Our students are given tremendous opportunities to grow and thrive in this fast-paced, ever-changing world. As such, much is expected of them to serve and share with others what has been given to them.
Graduation Ceremony
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Jeremy Ramos ’07, Student Life Coordinator
INVOCATION Rev. Nicholas Apetorgbor, Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Church & Maryknoll School
CLASS SONG "Take On The World" by Rowan Blanchard & Sabrina Carpenter
VALEDICTORIAN ADDRESS
TOP HPU STUDENT ADDRESS
CLASS TRADITION
ADDRESS TO THE GRADUATES
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS & AWARDS
GRADUATION READERS
. Adelais Myra Pettit ’26
. "Pu‘u Malia" by Mailani Makainai ’98
Dr. Andria Tupola, Councilmember, City & County of Honolulu (District 1)
. Rev. Eseese Ace Tui, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church & Maryknoll School Shana Tong ’83, President, Head of School Carol Chong, Principal & Academic Visionary
Lee Marie DePonte ’93, Faculty Jeremy Ramos ’07, Student Life Coordinator
MARYKNOLL CUP AWARD
Our top award. It is given to the graduate who best personifies the spirit of Maryknoll School’s motto, Noblesse Oblige — to whom much is given, much is expected.
MOTHER MARY JOSEPH ROGERS AWARD
Honors the foundress of the Maryknoll Sisters and recognizes the senior class woman best exemplifying good will and sensitivity towards the needs of fellow students and the Maryknoll Community.
BISHOP JAMES A. WALSH AWARD
Honors one of the co-founders of the Maryknoll Fathers and is awarded to the student who displays outstanding character, leadership ability, and concern for others.
FATHER JOHN MURRAY AWARD
Honors a former associate of Sacred Heart Parish and recognizes the graduating senior who has, in the tradition of Father Murray, provided unselfish assistance in serving fellow students and the Maryknoll community.
CHRISTOPHER AWARD
Presented to the senior who has demonstrated those qualities which mark one as a contemporary Christopher, a person who gives tangible evidence to Christian principles in everyday activities.
CHI RHO AWARD
Given to the graduating senior who displayed growth in personal integrity and Christian outreach.
PRESIDENT’S COMMENDATION
CLOSING PRAYER & FINAL BLESSING
ALMA MATER
Shana Tong ’83, President, Head of School
. Rev. Eseese Ace Tui, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church & Maryknoll School
Maddison Ito ’26
Haden John Agbayani
De'Andre Agleham
Jace Asato †
Levi Au
Carlee Baker
Nia Cadiente †
Shawn Alexander Ching †
Noelle Chuck
Mia Chuckovich
Kacie Chun † (AA)
Mason Cogbill
Micah Combs †
Joshua Dela Cruz
Haley Dissanayake
Siyi Du
Kayla Faatau
Ghesiah-Dunes Faleafine-Auwae
Emily Flear
Isabelle Furuto
Elizabeth Gillaspie
Journey Hahn (S)
Tyler Hashimoto †
Puaena Herrington
Haikela Hiraishi
Mandy Ho †
Kiai Ilae
Maddison Ito (*H*) † (AA)
Caleigh Kaio
Class of 2026
Welina Kamai-Tuiteleleapaga
Reece Kawamura (AA)
Wyatt Kawamura (AA)
Royce Kido †
Alexander Krupitsky
Carter Lapitan
Jason Lau
David Lee
Keanu Lee
Heidi Libkuman †
Jayden Mariano
Micah Matsuda
Bryson Moats †
Ceana Moore
Ian Moore
Skylyn Moore
Marcus Naito
Zachary Nelson
Keegan O'Grady †
Aden Oktela
Jayven Palomares
Adelais Pettit ( V )
Jordyn Remily
Gryffyn Rol †
Ezekiel Rumbaoa
Katie Sah
Taylor Schnitzer
Palehua Silva
Zoe Silva
Kana Smith
Jada Souza
Noah Suzuki
Jaiden Marie Tafaoa
Micah Tangonan
Joshua Theuriet †
Sachie Theuriet †
Evan Tokumoto
Richard Tom †
Wayne Tsukayama-Hirakawa
Derek Tulchin
Valili Tulikihihifo
Mission Uperesa-Thomas
Taryn Urasaki †
Carrissa Marryanne Uy
Isabelle Van De Water
Luke Van De Water
Teia Vazquez (AA)
Kennedy Wardlaw (AA)
Mekauimaluhia Wells
Samantha Wu †
Mia Xu-Sugahara
Braylon Yamada
Dylan Yamamura
Jarren Yamashita
AWARDS LEGEND KEY
The young men and women of the Class of 2026 distinguish themselves through merit and service and are deserving of the following:
GOLD STOLE
National Honor Society
WHITE STOLE
Hawaii Pacific University, Associate of Arts in General Studies
LIGHT BLUE STOLE
Hawaii Pacific University, High Honors
GOLD & WHITE STOLE
Campus Ministry Service
SILVER CORD
Distinguished Senior Capstone
BLUE & SILVER CORD
Civil Air Patrol
PURPLE CORD
TOAD Literary Magazine
BLUE & GOLD CORD
Key Club
MAROON & GRAY CORD
National Forensics League
HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE CORD
(Perpetuating the Indigenous Language & Culture)
Lei Hulu, 4th Year Students
PINK CORD
GlamourGals Service Club
RED WHITE & BLUE CORD
First Robotics, Maryknoll Team 2441
PU‘U MALIA
by Mailani Makainai ’98
Ke welina ke aloha
I ka malu ‘o Pu‘u Malia
‘O Mānoa i ka uluwehiwehi
Pi‘o mai ke ānuenue
Affectionate greetings; loved ones
Pu‘u Malia in the shade (protection)
Of Mānoa in the lush surroundings
Where the rainbow arches
Pau‘ole ka hana a nā pua
E li‘a ana i ka na‘auao
Po‘ai ‘ia e ka lamakū
Ika pua ‘a‘ali‘i
Boundless are the deeds of the children
Yearning for the depth of wisdom
Surrounded by the light of knowledge
These ‘ a ‘ali‘i blossoms
E hui hau‘oli ai
E ‘oli pū kākou
E mele ‘oli mau
Na ka lehulehu a pau
Let’s all joyously come together
Let’s share in rejoicing
To ever sing in delight
To the multitudes
Aia i ka uluhala
ke ‘ala o ka hīnano
me ka wai o ka punahou
makalapua i luna
There in the grove of hala trees
The fragrance of the Hīnano
The water from the new spring
MARYKNOLL SCHOOL Alma Mater
by Virginia Lum ’72, Traditional
To search for the truth is the goal we have in life
Fully bloomed up above
To hope, trust, and honor the faith that we believe
To share with each other
The ideal of Maryknoll
That love is the greatest gift in life
To you our loyal hearts we bring Maryknoll, our Maryknoll
Thy fame shall through the ages ring Maryknoll, our Maryknoll
As thy dear sons and daughters true
We’ll keep ideals we learned from you
We’ll love you then as now we do
Alma Mater, Maryknoll
We love thy dear maroon and gold Maryknoll, our Maryknoll
Our deep devotion it shall hold Maryknoll, our Maryknoll
In days when we are far away
We’ll lift our faithful hearts to pray
That God may bless thy every day
Alma Mater, Maryknoll
Kehakeha a hanohano
he māhele kuleana
kūlou me ka ha‘aha‘a i ka hanauna hou
Proud and majestic
A sharing of privilege/responsibility
A humble bow (of reverence)
DESIGNATED LEI-GIVING AREAS (by Last Name)
LEI-GIVING INFORMATION
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING BLAISDELL ARENA REGULATIONS:
• No balloons, noisemakers, air horns, confetti, confetti cannons, laser pointers, or tripods
• No selfie sticks, GoPro extension poles, or similar devices
• No outside food or beverages, including alcohol
• No signs mounted on sticks, poles, or rods
• All aisles and walkways must remain clear at all times
• All bags and packages are subject to inspection
IN THE DESIGNATED LEI-GIVING AREA:
• Do not place stakes, rods, or poles into the ground
• Do not attach items to trees, fences, structures, or arena property
S.KINGSTREET
• Any displays, decorations, or photo setups must be freestanding and easily removable
Lei-giving will take place immediately following the ceremony in the designated Lei-Giving Area outside the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, located near the corner of Ward Avenue and Kapi‘olani Boulevard.
Mahalo for your cooperation in helping to create a safe & enjoyable celebration for all graduates, families, & guests.