Every year at ‘Iolani, the dedication of our students shines through in the classroom, on stage, and across the community. Reading the long list of honorees, I couldn’t help but pause and reflect — each name carries a story of persistence, long nights, and the quiet pride of accomplishment.
Top Academic Students in Each Grade
The spotlight fell on some of the brightest minds across the high school:
- Class of 2012: Shanon W.Y. Chau, Lauren C. Chinen, Stratford D. Goto, Iris Kuo, Adrienne W. Lee … and many more who set the standard high.
- Class of 2013: Sydney K. Akers, Ken-Ben Chao, Jasmine K.Y. Chen, Logan K. Davis, Danielle D. Huang, Allie M.K. Kim … a class brimming with energy and talent.
- Class of 2014: Matthew R. Beattie-Callahan, Megan S.J.M. Ching, Trent K. Dye, John H. Gregory V, Sarah Oyadomari, Rachael M. Ridao … names we’ll remember for their leadership and dedication.
- Class of 2015: Eileen S. Chen, Shea A. Chun, Lindsey K. Combs, Julia K. Kawano, Connor M. Ohira, Kimberly A. Peterson, Jason C. Seto … the list goes on with remarkable achievement.
- Class of 2016: Matthew W. Alexander, Isabella L. Brandes, Jaimee Y. Kato, Jessica X. Lee, Allyson S. Niitani, Kai Y. Warner … students already showing extraordinary promise.
Each class, a constellation of stars.
Book Awards
These recognitions carry a special prestige — each one linking a student to a tradition of scholarship, leadership, and character:
- Rev. Charles L. Halter Memorial Book Award – Lindsey K. Combs ’15
- Harvard University Book Award – Iris Kuo ’12
- Colby College Book Award – Laura A.T. Kagami ’12
- Princeton University Book Award – Gabriel M. Vega ’12
- Yale University Book Award – Stratford D. Goto ’12
… and many more, each an emblem of both intellectual promise and personal integrity.
Special Awards
Writing has always been a way to capture thought and spirit. This year, the Koon Chew Lum Prize honored Kady T. Matsuzaki ’15 for her excellence in writing.
Academic Awards
From the arts to sciences, the awards revealed the breadth of our students’ talents:
- Art – From ceramics to photography, creativity was everywhere. Nicole T. Cheung ’13 for Painting, Dana E. Lim ’14 for Ceramics, Kaitlyn Y.J. Yee ’14 for Drawing … each piece, a reflection of heart and hand.
- English – Kirsten M. Peterson ’12, Holly A. Harada ’13, Lauren K. Yamaguchi ’15 … voices that speak with clarity and imagination.
- History – Laura A.T. Kagami ’12 and others who dove deep into the stories that shaped us.
- Foreign Languages – From Latin to Chinese, students like Stratford D. Goto ’12 and Dream M. Shinsato ’15 showed the power of words beyond borders.
- Mathematics & Science – Logan K. Davis ’13, Iris Kuo ’12, Andrew M. Hsu ’12 … each proof solved and formula tested brought them closer to discovery.
Seeing the sheer number of names, one truth stands out: excellence isn’t rare at ‘Iolani — it’s nurtured. Each award, whether in the arts, sciences, or languages, is more than a certificate. It’s a memory of resilience, a celebration of talent, and a promise of what lies ahead.