In the school year 2019-2020, Kalāheo students were confronted with unprecedented school closures and remote learning due to COVID-19 restrictions. Although all students were challenged to adapt to a new educational reality, perhaps most affected was the Senior Class of 2020. Senior Year is traditionally a time for anxious anticipation, planning for life after high school, strengthening friendships, and special social activities, including Senior prom, Project Graduation, award presentations, and other events. 

Despite all of the disruptions in campus life, Kalāheo alumna Gracie Cipriano, who sent in a write up through Ka Leo o Kalāheo Instagram, overcame the difficulties and still followed her dreams in the field of Art. Cipriano reflected on her senior year, including giving credit to Kalāheo’s teachers for their work during the 2020. 

“It was sad that I never got to see and graduate with my classmates. The workload was also pretty tough as well at the time, but I worked hard and eventually got through it. I worked hard and did the best I could in my classes. I even earned a lot of honor roll awards and Mustang pride awards as well.” “The teachers I had were phenomenal; they did a great job at teaching the subjects that they taught. 

People like Mr. Wong and Ms. Chock had an impact on my life.” “Teachers helped me gain useful skills/knowledge for college. Aside from this, [they] shaped my success by helping me to learn a lot more about myself. I learned about my strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities.” Now enrolled in and working in the field of Art at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, Cipriano continues to follow her passion. 

“Currently, I am working as an art gallery attendant at the Main Art Gallery and Commons Art Gallery at University of Hawaii at Manoa. Prior, I was working as a painting lab assistant at the campus. I am 

working towards my Bachelor’s in Art/Art Studio. I decided to major in Art because I want to explore and learn about different areas of my passion.” 

For current students who may feel the pressure of other students, Cipriano advises them to “be more confident and do not let the opinion of others influence you or bring you down. 

During high school, people can say rude things to you. The same happened to me. And it used to bother me, but I donʻt let othersʻ; opinions or words affect me negatively anymore.” 

“The main takeaway from all of these experiences,” Cipriano says, “is that they taught me the importance of self-love and self-care.

 Since leaving Kalāheo, I learned how to embrace, accept, and love myself. I even learned how to take care of myself not only physically but also mentally and emotionally as well. 

This led to me feeling and gaining more self-confidence. Overall, I feel more prepared and ready to face the real world and future experiences as well.”