COMMENCEMENT 2026

So Class of 2026, this beautiful campus, this beautiful evening is for you!

At this final and very momentous ritual, the final leg of your Waterford journey, I want to say a humble and heartfelt thank you. 

You have modeled this year’s school theme, With Kindness, in every step of your liberal arts journey. We know it has not always been easy as Waterford asked each of you to lean into excellence each day, in and out of the classroom. Your embrace of challenge has inspired and lifted your classmates and a grateful faculty as we’ve collectively watched you grow and contribute in so many meaningful and extraordinary ways. 

You are curious, capable, learners who embraced the responsibility that accompanies the privilege of a Waterford education.

I am certain that your learning-journey will continue in college and well beyond for the rest of your lives as you pursue honor, beauty, and wisdom and the aspiration of a life of meaning and purpose.

And this is where true meaningful learning lies—in your connections with and to others! This is what your liberal arts education is all about! Where your deep passion for lifelong learning results in the betterment of each and every community to which you belong.

As we begin this ceremony, I am reminded of Fiona’s wonderful talk at your Alta Senior Retreat in August—in her comments she captured your class well. You are defined not by perfection, but by connection—by kindness, courage, and a shared willingness to try, fail, and grow together. A class that has warmed and strengthened this community like a steady flame.

You are, to quote Fiona, “kind of fire!”

One final request—take time to kindly express your gratitude to those who helped you to get here. We are all stronger on our path in life in the company of others. As you reflect on your Waterford experience throughout the evening I am certain teachers, coaches, mentors, friends, parents and family members come to mind as you hold space to appreciate ALL who have supported you and will continue to do so going forward.

Thank you class of 2026 for all of the ways that your journey has enriched ours.

We are indeed very proud of you!

Each year, the senior class chooses a classmate to give a senior address at the Commencement ceremony. This year, the class elected Alani Aho to give the senior address, read it here:

Good evening, students, faculty, staff, family and of course, Class of 2026. First and foremost I want to express my gratitude for being given the opportunity to speak on this special day. And Graduates there are people we must show gratitude for as well. Sitting down before us are our parents. 3-4 years ago they were driving us every day to school, watching us walk off and finally driving out of the parking lot. Heading down a road to a seemingly emptier house or to their jobs to pay our pretty hefty tuition. Their sacrifice and many others, for our future, has brought us to this very point. 

And before we continue, I ask all of you to join me in a one breath mindfulness exercise to help all of us center ourselves and be present on this special day. Now everybody, one breath in…. hold… And exhale…

Now, I feel like a bunch of graduation speeches are always super sad and a lot of people are always crying. I want this to be a happy one. . Because many of you know, I’m a happy person and I wanna spread that joy with all of you guys so hopefully you know we see a bunch of smiles at the end of this speech.

I am not a 4.0 student, class president, or a genius in the classroom like THE Liam Reddy. But I do have a purpose. And I believe every person sitting here has a purpose too. Whether you’re heading to college, a trade school, a mission, the military, or whether you’re still figuring things out, your worth isn’t determined by what’s printed on a diploma or acceptance letter.

 The problem is that we spend so much time comparing ourselves to others that we forget our own value. A lot of times in our lives we downplay what we are capable of. We tend to compare ourselves to people‘s achievements. Their titles are accomplishments in school, their grades and we slowly start to believe that we are worth less than we actually are and I can promise you that every single person in the Class of 2026 is worthy beyond measure.

 Now unlike many graduation speeches I will not waste your time by reminiscing on memories of the past. Because to be quite frank, I find it silly to tell people things they already know. The ability to reflect is something we will always have. 

Now you may be thinking, “maybe he’ll talk about the future.” But here’s the thing, I won’t stand before you and make empty promises for the future. I don’t know what’s in store for the Class of 2026. 

And that’s why it’s so important to BE in the present. The reason why I had us do the mindfulness exercise is so we could live in the present. Because many of us look into the past with regret and focus on the things we cannot change. Or look into the future and think about what’s next? What will I major in? Will I be successful? Will I ever get married? Will the gas prices ever go down? 

Anchor yourself to the flow of time and rid yourself of the what ifs. Because if the past makes you wanna die out of regret and the future makes you depressed out of anxiety. Then by elimination, the present is likely the happiest time.

As I approach the end of my speech I would like to take some time to honor some people in my life. To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has filled my life with blessings and opportunities that has made the person that stands before you. All glory to God always and for ever. To Tofilamoa Aho, my loving mother who passed away, she was the embodiment of sacrifice and unconditional love. She was also my best friend. And finally to my family. Oku ou fie tuku e faingamalie ko’eni keu fakaha ai ‘eku hounga’ia mo ‘eku fakamalo kihe’eku ongomatu’a. Kihe’eku fa’e Lupe pea mo’eku tamai ‘Alani ‘Aho. ‘Oku ou fakamalo atu Kia teki moua ‘iho’omo ngaue faivelenga kotoa pe ‘ou Malava ai keu a’usia ai e ‘aho faka’ofo’ofa ko’eni kae pehe foki kihe’eku kaha’u. Kihe’eku tamai, Tamai ‘Oku ou fie tuku ha fakamalo Kiate koe makehe koe’uhi koho’o ngaahi feinga pea moho’o ‘a he pongipongi kotoa ‘o feinga fakatu’asino ke tauhi au keu ma’u e me’atokoni keu makona ai pea moe nofo’anga keu nofo ai. He’ikai pe ha taimi ‘e ngalo ai homo ‘Ofa pea mo homo ngaahi tokoni. Kou fakamalo lahi atu Tamai mo Fa’ee.  

 Class of 2026 I will miss you. And you will miss each other. You will miss the memories, experiences and relationships you have created over the past 4 years. But if you take ANYTHING from this speech please don’t let it be my terrible jokes. Take in every moment because you don’t know which ones will be the happiest. And from what I can tell, my happiest moments have been with all of you.

Now, if you all can join me in one last mindfulness exercise. And if you missed out on the first one, I ask that you participate in this one. Everybody one breath in… hold… and exhale…

WATCH THE LIVESTREAM OF THE 
39TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2026!