Photos: UH Hilo College of Arts and Sciences 2025 Student Award Convocation Celebration

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At this year’s convocation, the college celebrated 46 awards received by students representing 15 programs.

Professor takes a selfie of the group of three students and the two professors.
Group from the language department takes a selfie at the College of Arts and Sciences 2025 Student Award Convocation Celebration on May 8. From left, award-winning students Rusty Taizo Kuamoo, Kenicia Godinet, and Annelise Hogan, with their professors Yoshiko Okuyama and Masafumi Honda.

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo held its annual Student Award Convocation Celebration on May 8, 2025.

“This annual College of Arts and Sciences event recognizes student achievement and success across all of our departments and programs,” says Michael Bitter, dean of the college. “This year, we had 15 programs presenting around 46 awards during the ceremony, which was followed by a lunch open to all students from the college and any family members attending the event. As always, it was the highlight of our academic year.”

This year’s award recipients are as follows. (Photos by Tyler Kramer, click to enlarge.)

Administration of Justice

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  • Outstanding Senior: Donnie Pogtis
  • Academic Achievement Awards: Noah-James Aiona, Rya Cabral, and Sarah White

Anthropology

Group photo with students and professors. Some of the students are holding their certificates. All wear lei.
From the anthropology department, from left, students Deneva Broughton-Neiswagner, Malialani Dullanty, Benney Lat Jr, and Bernardo Ayala, with professors Christopher Reichl, Joe Genz, and Lynn Morrison.
  • Department of Anthropology Academic Achievement Award: Bernardo Ayala, Malialani Dullanty, and Benney Lat Jr
  • Department of Anthropology Outstanding Student Award: Deneva Broughton-Neiswagner

Art

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  • Department of Art Academic Achievement Award: Kathrina Kapela
  • Wayne Miyamoto Art Scholarship: Cherysh White
  • Art in Public Places Award from the State Foundation for Culture on the Arts: Tiana Honda

Communication

Three students and two professors stand for photo. Each of the students is holding a certificate.
From the communication department, from left, three student award recipients Sky Meltel, Jaelee Picar-Cabal, and Joni Glass; Assistant Professor Colby Miyose and Professor Jing Yin.
  • Department of Communication Academic Achievement Award: Harmony Ahin-Ganir, Chasity Cadaoas, Joni Glass, and Jaelee Picar-Cabal
  • Maury Zimring Communication Award: Sky S. Meltel

Education

Two students each with lei and two professors stand for photo.
From the School of Education, from left, students Zariah Bukoski and Jurney Miyamoto, with Instructor Colby McNaughton and Associate Professor Tobias Irish.
  • School of Education Academic Achievement Award (Aspiring Educator Award): Zariah Bukoski and Jurney Miyamoto

English

Group of six students stand with a professor and instructor for their photo. The students are holding manila envelopes with their certificates.
From the English department, from left, Professor Kirsten Møllegaard; students Joel Martinez, Jun Reyes, Raven Kromer, Emily Thornton, Lucy Burdge, and Hoʻolaokealoha Higuchi-Simmons; and Instructor Susan Wackerbarth.
  • Department of English Academic Achievement Awards: Lucy Burdge, Raven Kromer, and Emily Thornton
  • The Matthew Somchai Therrien Memorial Award: Jun Reyes
  • The Spring 2025 Howard and Yoneko Droste Writing Contests:
      • Outstanding 100-Level Composition Paper: Joel Martinez for his essay, “The Gift of Gab”
      • Outstanding 200-Level English Paper: Jun Reyes for their essay, “The Survival of War: Generational Relationships and Narrative Implications in Shaping Vietnam’s Postwar Society”
      • Outstanding Work in Fiction: Jun Reyes for their short story, “The Garden Where Nothing Grows”
      • Outstanding Work in Playwriting: Emily Thornton for her play, “Beyond the Curtain”
      • Outstanding Work in Poetry: Jun Reyes for their poetry portfolio
      • Outstanding Upper Division English Paper: Hoolaokealoha Higuchi-Simmons for her essay, “Between Preservation and Possession: The Postcolonial Politics of the Kiʻi”

Gender and Women’s Studies

Two students and their three professors stand for photo. The two students hold their certificates.
From the gender and women’s studies program, Professor of Philosophy Celia T. Bardwell-Jones; students Saedie Wakida and Arianna Castillo; Assistant Professor of Communication Colby Miyose, and Assistant Professor of History Makana Kushi.
  • Award for Outstanding Diversity and Social Justice Research Paper: Saedie Wakida
  • Yoko Okita Award for Best Submission on the Topic of Sexual Abuse/Assault/Trauma: Arianna Castillo

Geography and Environmental Science

Group photo of six students and two professors. Some of the students are holding their certificates.
From the geography and environmental science department, from left, students Julia Polloi, Kestrel Swift, Nicholas D’Avirro, Samson David, and Jay Bois; Associate Professor Christopher Knudson; student Isabelle Greig; and Professor Jonathan Price.
  • College of Arts and Sciences Academic Excellence Award: Julia Polloi, Samson David, Jay Bois, and Isabella Greig
  • Outstanding Senior Award: Kestrel Swift and Nicholas D’Avirro

History

Group of students and their professors stand for photo. The students are each holding a red certificate folder.
From the history department, from left, students Līhauikanoe De Lima, Ewalea Dameg, Antonio Vite, Will Sherman, Briana Gaylord, and Madison John, with Professor Yucheng Qin, Assistant Professor Makana Kushi, and Assistant Professor Line Kruse.
  • Department of History Academic Achievement Award: Briana Gaylor, Madison Johns, Will Sherman, Antonio Vite
  • Outstanding Writing Award: Co-winners Ewalea Dameg and Līhauikanoe De Lima

Languages

Professor takes a selfie of the group of three students and the two professors.
In a group selfie at the convocation event are, from left, language department students Rusty Taizo Kuamoo, Kenicia Godinet, and Annelise Hogan, with Professor of Japanese Studies Yoshiko Okuyama and Associate Professor of Japanese Studies Masafumi Honda.
  • Department of Languages Academic Achievement Award for Chinese Language: Kenicia Godinet and Annelise Hogan
  • Department of Languages Academic Achievement Award for Japanese Studies: Rusty Taizo Kuamoo

Performing Arts

Group photo of students, professors and staff. A few of the students are holding their certificates.
From the performing arts department, from left, Associate Professor of Drama Justina Mattos; students Puakea Forester, Aleah Kay, Kara Murphy, Andre Reneau, and Lucille Bonner; with Instructor of Dance Kea Kapahua and Performing Arts Center manager Lee Barnette-Dombroski.
  • Department of Performing Arts Academic Achievement Award: Hokulani Thomas, Cailin Gaume, Meili Caputo, Puakea Forester
  • Hawaiʻi Concert Society Scholarships: Aleah Kay (music) and Jourdan Park (dance)
  • Performing Arts Legacy Awards: Kara Murphy (Artistic Excellence in Dance) and Andre Reneau (Competitive Award — talent: dance)
  • Performing Arts Center Scholarship: Hokulani Thomas, Puakea Forester, and Lucille Bonner

Philosophy

Two professors and two students stand for photo. The students wear lei and are holding their certificates.
From the philosophy department, from left, Professor Celia Bardwell-Jones, students Torii Lynch and Austin Phillips, and Associate Professor Tim Freeman.
  • Department of Philosophy Academic Achievement Award: Markus Fahrenberger
  • Fourth Annual Philosophy Essay Prize: Markus Fahrenberger
  • Outstanding Graduating Philosophy Students: Torii Lynch and Austin Phillips

Political Science

Five students stand with two of their professors. The students are holding their certificates.
From the political science department, from left, Professor Sarah Marusek; students William Angus, Baylee Goeas Galdiera, Christina Robledo, Amaya Hirata, and Misty Cruden; and Professor Su-Mi Lee.
  • Department of Political Science Academic Achievement Awards: William Angus and Baylee Goeas Galdiera
  • The Regina F. Titunik Distinguished Research Paper Award: Christina Robledo
  • Didrick A. Castberg Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior: Amaya Hirata
  • Willard D. Keim Memorial Scholarship: Misty Cruden

Psychology

Large group of students and their professors stand for photo. Some of the students are holding certificates, all wear lei.
From the psychology department, from left, students Tate Hayashida, Lauren Feifer, Sierra Naomi Perryman, Kylee Lesley-Dela Rosa, Zukas Kalvaitis, Nayia Spring, Jamie Rabang, Princess Calapit, and Laura Mendoza; professors Adam Pack (back), Alex Nagurney, Errol Yudko, Eric Heuer, and Jennifer Turner.
  • Department of Psychology Academic Achievement Award: Princess Calapit, Lauren Feifer, Shaelyn Freitas, Tate Hayashida, Zukas Kalvaitis, Aaron Miyasato, Naomi Perryman, Kylee Lesley-Dela Rosa, Jamie Rabang, Naiya Spring, and Gabrielle Zellmer
  • Psychology Department Outstanding Senior Award: Laura Mendoza

Sociology

Group of three professors and three students stand for photo. Students holds their certificates and wear lei.
From the sociology department, from left, Associate Professor Lindy Hern; students Tavan Nakamura, Julie Bryce, and Adelie del Rosario; Instructor Michael Ryan and Associate Professor Alton Okinaka.
  • Department of Sociology Academic Achievement Award: Kawehi Delima-Wright, Tavan Nakamura, and Sanoe Lani
  • Excellence in Sociology Award: Adelie del Rosario
  • Exemplar of Sociological Research Award: Julie Bryce
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