BYU-Hawaii’s 76th class, which will walk Saturday, June 21, includes 235 candidates for graduation. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Roger G. Christensen, Assistant to the Commissioner of the Church Educational System and Abigail Guzman, Political Science major from Nelson, New Zealand, will speak at the upcoming commencement ceremony.
Abigail Guzman [pictured left, with her husband Roberto and daughter Arieli], was chosen to speak at the commencement ceremony, in place of the more traditional speech by a valedictorian, by the Academic Council, headed by Max Checketts, Vice President of Academics. Checketts explained that Guzman was part of a group of students who were recommended by the academic deans at BYUH, and she was selected because she “represents the best of our students.” Two other notable students, Jason Okazaki, pre-professional Biology major from Honolulu, and Cierra Orellana, International Cultural Studies major from Huntington Beach, California, were chosen to give prayers, added Checketts.
Guzman, who recently gave birth to two-month-old Arieli, has been a student at BYUH for two and a half years. She explained she transferred from a school in New Zealand where she was studying law and political science, and when she moved here she decided to make Political Science her major. The education she received while here at BYUH came from both staff and fellow students. “Other students were always good to learn from because they all come from different backgrounds so we have a lot to talk about. I learned a lot from other students.”
Dr. Peter Chan, from the School of Education, played an influential role in Guzman’s time as a student because of his assistance in setting up an internship. Guzman and her husband Roberto, an Information Systems major and Instructional Development and Design minor, were able to fulfill their internships concurrently in Brazil because of the guidance offered by Dr. Chan. “Dr. Robertson was helpful as well,” added Guzman, “because he was flexible with the requirements and encouraging so I could go with my husband and still fulfill my internship.” Both Guzmans will be graduating this June.
As a student recently experiencing the new role of motherhood, Guzman said she hopes that she can give her daughter everything she was given, “knowledge that her parents love her and that she has a Heavenly Father who loves her.” Guzman talked about her parents, and the great examples they were to her. “My parents are good people who love me, and are supportive. My mom is my best example of faith, and my dad is honest, loyal and has integrity. He’s the kind of person who will be there, no matter what.” Guzman’s father, who is not a member of the Church, has always been supportive of her church activity. “He sees the good it has done for my family. Before I had my license he would drive me to early morning seminary,” said Guzman.
As for future plans, Guzman said she has already “started [her] full-time, post-graduate job of being a wife and mother.” The Guzman family will shortly be moving to Ecuador where Roberto is from.
After saying that she hadn’t yet finished writing her address, she did say her topic would be “Put the Lord first, do your best and things will work out. That’s how we fulfill the mission of the school. Enter to learn, go forth to serve.”
The 235 candidates for graduation come from all four schools and represent 30 countries and 28 majors, according to Daryl Whitford, the BYUH Graduation Specialist. There are also 13 of the Asian Executive Management students walking on Saturday. The school breakdown is:
∙ The College of Arts and Sciences: 127
∙ School of Business: 58
∙ School of Computing: 13
∙ School of Education: 24
— Photo by Vaina Barton