Chosen as the Fall 2018 Graduation speaker, Kekaila Ah Puck, an elementary education major from Laie, Hawaii, said she developed the topic of her commencement speech, being proud of yourself, based on things she has learned during her time at BYU–Hawaii.
“The message I want to give to the graduates is that you should always be proud of yourself. You’ve worked so hard to accomplish what you’ve accomplished. You’re here at graduation. Be proud of yourself,” she said.
“You’re definitely making your family and your friends proud. Your hard work paid off.”
Ah Puck said while she was developing her speech, she thought of her many moments of self-doubt.
“It’s very hard, especially as a student when you’re being overwhelmed with assignments and everything. It’s hard to catch up and continuously think how you didn’t do well [on some] assignments.
“[I’d say] surrounding yourself with your professors and having a relationship with them and surrounding yourself with good friends in your major adds to that environment of support you need.”
Reflecting back on studying at BYUH, Ah Puck said, “The main reason I chose BYUH is because I’m from here. I did have thoughts of maybe transferring to BYU in Provo, but I just liked being here so much that I stayed and finished. I think this campus has something special.
“The gospel plays a big part in it, but also because there’s so much culture here.”
Ah Puck said, “It was such a good experience because when you start as a student here, you are introduced to so many cultures. You make friends from all over the world, and I think that that brings a special spirit to BYUH.”
When Ah Puck received an email from Vice President of Academics John Bell, she recalled, “I thought, ‘Why me? Out of all the hundreds of other students graduating, why me?’ Then I thought about how this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I accepted the invitation.”
Always be proud of yourself
Kawehi Housman, a senior from the Big Island graduating with Ah Puck who double majored in elementary education and Hawaiian studies, spoke on the relevance of Ah Puck’s message of being proud of your accomplishments. “I think [her message] is definitely an important message for this time and age. People tend to look on the negative and it can be overwhelming at times. Graduation is such a big deal and something to be celebrated and to be proud of, but you still need to continue on.
“I feel like we get so caught up in having to finish a paper, or say ‘I didn’t do good enough on this test.’ But I feel like we need to focus on, ‘I did a good job, I tried my best…’ and I think we should always be proud of ourselves.”
Education major
Ah Puck acknowledged how being surrounded by teacher figures in her life influenced her from a young age to pursue teaching as a career. She said, “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. My grandma was a teacher at Laie Elementary for 38 years, and I always heard stories of how good of a teacher she was, and that’s kind of what I wanted.
“I want my students to remember me like, ‘Miss Kekaila was such a good teacher. She helped me, she’s fun, but she also made me learn something.’”
Ah Puck recalled the moment it clicked for her that she was in the right major. “I was teaching, and one of the other staff members at the elementary school came up to me and said, ‘Wow, you’re really good.’ Just complimenting me and I was like, ‘I guess I can do this.’
“I’m also a Primary teacher in my home ward. So having that experience at church and school, I know this is where I belong and that I can do this.”
Ah Puck said she thinks the School of Education is a good program. “It’s tough. It’s challenging. But I really think it pushes the education majors. When we start teaching at the end of the program, things are much easier. They definitely prepare you for student teaching.”
She said after graduation she wants to go more into educational counseling. “I might move on to get a master’s in psychology with an emphasis in graduation. I like working with kids, and yes, as a teacher you’re there with students. But I like developing a good relationship with students, getting to know them–knowing people and knowing students–especially, I want to get into that.”
Her influence and work ethic
Brittany Akeripa, a senior from New Zealand studying accounting, said she first met Ah Puck when she was Akeripa’s trainer at the Polynesian Cultural Center. “I started working evenings as a cashier because I had a baby, and on my first day she trained me.”
Akeripa said Ah Puck has stepped in many times to help her with her children. She said, “She always has time to help me and my kids. I don’t know where she finds the time to do everything. My kids love her. She’s really good with kids.”
Housman met Ah Puck when she substituted for her mother’s Hawaiian language class Ah Puck happened to be taking. She said they continued to see each other in their education classes and became good friends. “I think when you first get to meet Kekaila, she’s a little shy. But as I’ve gotten to know her, I’ve watched her grow into the woman she is today. She’s very open and sweet spoken.”
Housman said, “In our group, she’s always the one who goes ahead and gets things done. She goes beyond what’s required, which is why I think it’s great she’s been chosen as a speaker, because she has really given her all these past few years at BYUH.
“Something I’m really happy about is how Kekaila is Hawaiian, so she’s representing all of us Hawaiians on campus, which is sometimes a small ratio. Also because she’s from Laie, she can represent this community as well. I’m very proud to see her as a speaker at this graduation.”
Akeripa said Ah Puck was always at work, on time, and with energy while being a full time student. “She’s pretty awesome. I’ve seen her grow and get better and better. When I heard she was speaking, I was really excited. I feel like she is one of those people who goes under the radar because she is one of those ... who help everyone and is really smart and gets things done.”
Elder Utchdorf to speak at December Commencement
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf is scheduled to speak at Commencement on Dec. 14. He was called as second counselor in the First Presidency on Feb. 3, 2008, says lds.org. He served in that position until January 2018. He was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Oct. 2, 2004. He has served as a General Authority since April 1994.
He was born on Nov. 6, 1940 in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia. In 1947 his family became members of the Church in Zwickau, Germany. They fled to Frankfurt/Main in 1952 where he received an education in engineering. In 1965 Elder Uchtdorf began working for Lufthansa German Airlines as a pilot and then a senior vice president. Uchtdorf and Harriet Reich married in 1962. They have two children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Writer: Shannon Crowley