Island Pacific Academy graduated its first senior class on May 22, 2010 in a lovely outdoor setting at Lanikuhonua in Ko Olina. As family, friends and faculty looked on, the 45 seniors were celebrated for the contributions they have made to the development of the Upper School program. From the time they were freshmen, and the only students in the Upper School that year, this First Class has been asked to help mold the school culture, and develop traditions. Though at times they may have wearied of the leadership role, they persevered and rose to every challenge in very responsible ways. See more photos from the event.

The Class of 2010 are all off to colleges and universities across the country. The list of colleges to which this class was accepted is lengthy, and included each senior’s first choice school.

You can read in the speeches by Salutatorian Jessica Blakely and Valedictorian Elliott Chen, the accomplishments of this class and get a sense of the way in which this class has bonded. That the core values that have always been part of the vision at IPA have taken root in the student body is evident from the student speakers’ remarks.

The Class of 2010 is a diverse group, with wide interests and talents which they will be pursuing in college. Read more about some of the members of the class and their achievements.

Two additional traditions that began this spring were the Senior Dinner and the Senior Farewell Assembly.

A candlelit evening on campus, the Senior Dinner brought together the Class of 2010 along with faculty to reminiscence about shared times and express appreciation for friendship and support during their time at IPA. Yes, lots of nostalgia tears were part of the experience as several seniors and teachers shared their thoughts about this First Class. What was evident was the close bonds that had been formed and the mutual respect with which the seniors held their classmates.

At the Farewell Assembly the next day, seniors bade farewell to the rest of the Upper School students, and presented lei to all the faculty and staff in appreciation for their contributions to the success of the Class of 2010. Senior Class President Nicole Chatigny also announced the Senior Gift to the school, a trophy case. It is now installed in the main hall of the Secondary School building, and already nearly filled with various trophies.