Known among friends as the tallest couple at BYU-Hawaii, Kendrick Navarro from the Philippines and Katrina Navarro from Utah will both graduate with an ICS degree by the end of this semester. As they looked back on their BYUH experience, the Navarros shared the miracles that helped them find purpose and happiness at school. Standing 6 feet and 3 inches tall, Kendrick Navarro said he first saw his wife Katrina in an anthropology class their junior year and soon learned that in addition to rivaling his height at 6 feet and 2 inches, she also spoke Tagalog. The rest was history.For Kendrick, studying at BYUH was a dream come true. “In the Philippines, if you get accepted in BYUH, it is a big thing because we think that if you study in the U.S, you get quality education,” he said. Although he thought he wouldn’t reach the deadline, he said the deadline was “miraculously” extended so he could apply. “I got accepted and it has been life-changing. Especially since I was able to work for my education.” Kendrick said this was the first time he got a job because he was accustomed to the Filipino culture of being dependent on parents. “I am the only one of my three siblings to be a working student, which is a big fulfillment.”The culture and diversity at BYUH was what Katrina and Kendrick said they loved the most. “I’m not just learning the cultures, I’m seeing it in action. All around me. Everyday,” said Katrina. She explained having such a culturally diverse class enabled her to ask questions about different cultures that were not in the textbook. “I can just ask them, ‘do you really think this way?’” With the exposure of different cultures, Katrina said she learned to “stop creating barriers” between herself and others. “I’ve learned to get over myself and not think that everyone who spoke a different language was talking bad about me,” she said. “And now, I find it cool to have so many different languages and stories.”Their close friend, LaDon Jansrikesorn, a Winter 2015-16 fine arts graduate from the Philippines admired how “tall” the couple was and how they lead a well-balanced life. “We notice them a lot because they are the tallest couple, but beyond that there is an energy about them,” she said. Jansrikesorn added she likes how they perform well academically. “But they do not just focus on studies. I see them having fun at the beach and socializing,” said Jansrikesorn. She added how they are also involved in their spiritual development by always attending church activities and going to the temple.Katrina said she learned a lot from her experiences at BYUH and encouraged others to make the most of their experience here. “We should come with a purpose. Is it to come to the beach? Or to finish GEs?” said Katrina. From Kendrick’s experience of working at the Center for Academic Success, he said he sees how many students struggle with finding a balance. “Know your priorities,” he advised.Katrina encouraged others to make the most of their experiences by “making as many friends as [they] possibly can.” She said her fondest memories include going hiking with a bunch of friends on the weekend.Kendrick and Katrina attribute their marriage to BYUH. “The Lord was able to use this school and the temple to make it a possibility for us to meet,” said Katrina. She shared how they met due to the perfectly timed coincidences of height, same major, and both being able to speak Tagalog because Katrina served in the Philippines Cauayan Mission.After graduation, Kendrick and Katrina said they aim to do an internship in Utah, where Katrina wants to focus on helping refugees and Kendrick on business. “It is exciting to graduate but it is scary to be in the world,” said Katrina. Despite these fears, the couple said they hope the spiritual, educational and social skills they have adopted from BYUH will help them become successful in the future.
Writer: Danna Osumo
