2012 Student Gradudation Speech

2012 Graduation Speech

ALOHA! On behalf of the class of 2012, I humbly extend
a warm aloha and greetings to our two guests of honor
– Bruce Coppa and Chas Edelstein. I would also like
to extend the greeting to our university department
heads, faculty, family and friends who have traveled
near and afar for this commencement exercise.

In October 2010, I was fortunate to work as an
extra on the set of Journey to the Center of the Earth 2.
This movie featured Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and
other famous actors. A cast mate I had previously
worked with once asked, “Jeff how old are you?” I
answered my friend’s question with another question.
“How old do you think I am?” My friend was about to
answer when I gave him the stink eye. He wisely
remained silent.

This made me wonder. What can people tell by
looking at me? If you were to see me walking down the
street, can you tell how old I am? Can you guess what
my ethnic background is? Can you tell that I am a
college graduate from the University of Phoenix? But
most importantly graduating class, when you are out in
the world, would anyone know you’re a Phoenix? For
answers to some of these questions, just wait until the
end of my speech or until I become rich and famous.

According to Dictionary.com, a phoenix is a
mythical Arabian bird. Just like any bird, it grows old
and dies. What makes a phoenix different from other
birds is that when a phoenix dies, it bursts into flames
and is reborn from its ashes.

The phoenix continuously undergoes a process:
change, growth and rebirth. Some of us are like this.
After high school, some of us started our own families.
Some of us may have started working jobs that we love
to hate just to pay the never ending river of bills. Many
of us started college, but due to life’s many
distractions, we either burned out or dropped out.

However, we are all here today. We have spent many
hours at the Learning Resource Center or online
working to format our papers into APA, or putting
together last minute Power Point presentations. I know
some of us worked hard to keep our teammates
focused on the group project and to keep them from
posting pictures of what their dinner looked like on
Facebook or playing games like Words with Friends.

I am graduating from the University of Phoenix, so I
am a Phoenix! What will make YOU a phoenix? Will it
be the piece of paper you receive when you walk across
Remember, a phoenix is a bird reborn from its
ashes.

What makes a phoenix a phoenix is not the way
the bird appears on the outside, but the qualities that
made the bird a symbol of renewal. What are those
mystery qualities? I call them the 3 P’s. The inspiring
POWER to PERSEVERE that will lead us to PREVAIL and
succeed. Without the power to persevere, none of us
would be sitting here right now waiting for Dr. Debbie
Hornsby to hand us our degree. When we are out in the
workforce trying to pay off all the student loans we had
to take out, use that power to help you prevail over any
bumps that may come. You now have what you need to
be successful through your University of Phoenix
degree.

It does not matter what university you come
from, but be proud and confident that you have
learned all you need to be the BEST in your job and in
your community. Be proud you are a Phoenix!

So class of 2012, today we are all going to walk
across this stage when our names are called. After this,
many of you will celebrate with your family. Most
people I know will slap me on the back and hand me
cards (I hope they have some money inside).

However, when the celebration is over, it will be
our time to be reborn. In my new life and hopefully
yours, we will apply the knowledge and skills we have
obtained. I will not waste my efforts or those of my
professors. When I am handed a job to do, I will take
the power inside of me and show my superiors and
clients I am a Phoenix. I have the POWER to PERSEVERE
to PREVAIL and make everyone proud. I will always
know my work was my best. I hope you feel the same.

I will do all of this because I am a Phoenix. So to answer
some of those questions I asked earlier, I am a 36-year-
old PHOENIX. What are you?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank
everyone who took the time to support our efforts.
Without your help, it would not be possible for us
graduating class to move into our rebirth. Faculty – you
spent many nights sharing your mana’o with us and
guiding us to become better individuals and workers.
Counselors – Many of you had to deal with our endless
call and worked effortlessly to keep us on track.
Families – You have never stopped supporting our
decision and have been there with us on our good and
bad days. Classmates (especially my learning team)–
We came together as strangers, but I leave this school
with people I can also call my famILY. I LOVE YOU ALL!

I end in my native Samoan language, Malo lava le
finafinau I mea lelei, Ia fa’amanuia atu pea le Atua ia te
oe ma fuafuaga uma oi luma! Congratulations on your
achievement and God Bless!

It is now the last day of February 2013

Wow! It has been quite a while since I last posted on here. A lot has happened in the last year. I am going to summarize a few things because there is just a lot to catch up on.

1. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Human Services from the Uni of Phoenix in June 2013. I represented the students by giving the graduation speech. I will post that speech in another post.

2. I started going to school at USC for a Masters.

3. My cousin gave birth to a new baby boy which I nickname Booder. I came up with a lot of names but this one seem to fit a little more only because he's a little mini version of Buddha and he's a little booger. So I just crammed the two together and yes - that is his name. Booder.

4. My Niners have finally made it back to the Superbowl after 18 years. Alex Smith got benched and Colin Kaepernick took over the reins. I was sad because I really wanted them to win so bad. I'm still a Niner fan, even when I die.

5. Lost 10lbs and working on trying to lose more.

Pretty much that is all the milestones that I can think of. Nothing else. March is right around the corner and just looking forward to dealing with what is going to happen next.

So Merrie Monarch 2012 Festival comes to an end. It was great to be able to watch it. Next time I just have to make sure I am in an area where I am not interrupted. The one thing though is I am glad that my oldest niece was able to watch and understand it with me. Then one of my friends introduced me to a group on Facebook that someone had set up to talk smack. It was hilarious. Just watching it though made me want to get back into dancing again.

One of the topics discussed - Keahi Tucker. I am sorry, but not feelin' him at all. I hope they decide to bring back Paula Akana or something.

Another topic - the costumes, the hair dos, and the mele. The mele was always beautiful. There were a lot of comments on the costumes though because it was like, is this supposed to be MM prom? LOL.

Anyhow, now that it is done, I can get back to attempting to finish my homework. And for the halaus that did not place or win anything, people tend to remember your presentation more than the ones that actually win. You all did your best. Hell just being able to compete is an honor since not everyone gets a chance to dance on that stage. ,

Memories of Merrie Monarch

Its interesting because a very long time ago, when I first watch Merrie Monarch festival on tv, I would have never imagined I would end up getting the chance to compete on that stage. Many people dream of that moment of being on the stage. Some of them actually get to do it. Some still dream of it. But yes, thanks to my Nāpunaheleonāpua Kumu Rich, I got that chance.....One that I will always be grateful for.... And one that will forever be emblazened in my history books: Merrie Monarch 2005. My world was forever changed. My horizons have been broadened.... I have met the best group of aunties one could have..... My family extended... People I would have never had the chance to meet, I know....  Now all of yah'll know what kind of stuff we went through that year... Love and miss all my bro's and sister examples... Now when I see it on t.v., i see things in a whole new different way..

One of my clients that I help out on a regular basis, posted this message on Facebook...

I am not going to post her name just out of respect for privacy issues.... But it helped light up my day that kinda sucked...

JC.

Just thought I'd stop by at 4:52 PM to personally thank you, Jeff, for trying so hard for an hour to help me download my deceased cousin's slideshow on to my hard drive. To you, I'm sure it was just "part of the job," but to me, it spoke far more than just something you HAD to do (and we'll go at it again next week Wednesday--if you're there at ATRC). As a techie myself, nothing's more frustrating than wanting to do something badly but being unable to do it myself without asking for help--especially when the help never comes. Fortunately in this situation, it did--and I have you to thank for it. Never mind the fact that you don't know as much about this and that...Never mind, who cares. I'm not comparing, just grateful for your help! I told my cousin's family, especially his middle sister nicknamed Pnut, what we tried to do and they cried with joy because of the help I got from you. God bless, my bruddah, and have a good one! :-)

It's getting close to graduation time again....

... and I am nervous as heck. I just got a few things to wrap up before that big day arrives... on Sunday, 3 June, 2012.  Here's a paper I had to write for one of my classes that kind of takes you through my journey in school... Why I wanted to get a degree in Social Work. It is mainly because I want to make a difference in someone's life. It doesn't make me any better than anyone else. I just want to make it so I have the credentialing to make it to the next step. My next step? Grad school. That is yet to be determined. However, I have set my eyes on University of Southern California, Los Angeles. I do not know if I will get accepted there. Even if I do get accepted, I will need to find a way to pay for it and support myself throughout that year and a half. But here's what I wrote.. and I hope you enjoy it.... =) Brace yourself, because it is quite long: 7 Pages to be exact.

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My Life Story

I look back on the last 20 years of my life ever since I graduated from high school. June 3, 2012 will make 20 years to the day since I graduated from high school. I graduated from Hawaiian Mission Academy on June 3, 1992 at 16 years old. As the date slowly gets here, I look back to remember what I have done for the last 20 years. Sometimes I feel like I just woke up from a deep sleep and wonder what did I really accomplish. This is a brief version of my story.

Humble Beginnings

My name is Jeffrey Daniel Ah Sam. I was born on Sunday, August 10, 1975. I am the fourth child in a family of six children total. Even though I was born in Pago Pago, AS, I grew up in Los Angeles, San Francisco, CA and Kailua, HI. I was set to graduate from a high school in South San Francisco, but my dad decided to uproot the family and we ended up moving here to Hawai’i in 1991 during the middle of my senior year.

School History

As soon as I graduated from high school, I was given an option to either go to University of Hawai’i (UH) or to go to American Samoa. The last time I have been in Samoa was when I was four years old. I decided I needed to rediscover my roots. So for the next two years, I attended American Samoa Community College (ASCC). I graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in May 1994.

Early Work History

In 1997, I decided to join the workforce. I started working as a customer service representative at Reno Air / American Airlines for the next two years. During that time I took the opportunity to travel since that is one of my passions. I went to places like Miami, St. Thomas, and even to Washington D.C.

I moved back to Hawai’i in 2000 to help take care of my mom who was sick. I ended up working at a travel agency since I had experience working in the airline industry. During this time, I took trips to Australia, Fiji, Japan and Thailand.

Beginnings of a Career Change

In 2007, I had a career change. The travel industry was not as attractive to work in anymore due to the direction it was going. Travel incentives were getting cut. In addition, I was getting bored. I needed some kind of challenge.

One of my friends had a nephew that was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. He came to me and had asked me if I could be like a big brother and help him with simple living skills. So I signed up with Nursefinders. Nursefinders found out that I have an AA degree so they asked me if I would be interested in working with elementary students. At first, I did not want to because I did not feel I would be comfortable doing that kind of job. However, after working my first case, I decided that I liked doing this. As 2008 summer came along, I decided I needed to find another job to supplement my job at Nursefinders. School was out of session and I needed to keep on working. So, I applied at agencies with similar type of jobs. That is how I discovered Care Hawai’i. They assigned me to a residential shelter in Makakilo and Waipahu. That is where I worked for the next two years.

As I worked with Nursefinders and Care Hawai’i, I discovered something inside of me that I have not felt in years. That is the passion of working with others. When I looked back on the types of jobs I had, I discovered they all amounted to one thing – helping others. I also compared my jobs with something I was doing since I was a child, and that was babysitting. I used to babysit my younger sisters. Eventually, I started babysitting my older sibling’s children. Even to this day, I find myself babysitting my cousin’s five children. However, I find that I love kids so it does not bother me one bit that I am with them. So essentially, these jobs I had were just another form of babysitting. I say that because I used to watch over one of my friend’s grandmother. I would feed her, make available her medication, and just play cards with her until her grandson picked her up.

Looking Toward Higher Education

I decided at one point, I would go back to school and see how far up the ladder I can go. I did not want to work hard and find myself at the bottom of the totem pole. I re-enrolled myself at HPU and signed up for their Social Work program. However, the advisor told me that I would be graduating in 2013 being that I was going to school part-time. I did not like that. University of Hawai’i was not an option because they did not offer any type of flexibility in terms of scheduling.

In 2009, I decided to try with the University of Phoenix. My mom just graduated from the school in 2007 and one of my really good friends had also just signed up. I went to the meeting with the advisor, and I was told that I could graduate in 2012. I took a look at the schedule and decided that one night a week, for four hours would work well for me. So I signed my life away.

Enrolling at University of Phoenix turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. At times during the school, I had many ups and downs and there were times I just wanted to give up. However, I told myself, I am almost done and I will give it one more try. At UOP, our BSHS program required us to complete three different field experiences.

Volunteer Experience / Field Experience

Here is a list of my volunteer experiences that I completed while enrolled at UOP. These were part of a requirement I needed to fulfill in order to graduate.

My first internship was at Halawa Correctional Facility. When I first seen this on the list, I was kind of excited and nervous at the same time. I did not know what to expect.

Halawa Correctional Facility, Intern

August 2010 – January 2011

·         I assisted inmates to prepare for a transition from prison to the community. Many inmates were leaving prison so I helped them find resources to half-way houses or find a job.

·         I lead group sessions. Each Tuesday and Thursday, a group session for the mental inmates in Ward C to assist inmates cope with being in prison and how to interact appropriately in a community.

·         My supervisors and I would visit inmates in the Special Holding Unit (SHU). My supervisor would visit each inmate and attempt to find out what the prisoner’s mental status would be like.

For more detail what I did each day, please refer to BSHS 341 Daily Journal.

My second field experience was at Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawai’i. I was very humbug when I could not continue my field experience at the prison. Here is a little of what I did while there.

Assistive Technology Resource Center of Hawai’i, Technology Assistant

March 2011 - present    

·         I trained physically disabled folks on assistive devices and computers. I also used the internet to search for assistive devices that will benefit clients with physical disabilities. I also demonstrated the device for them once they purchased the device.

·         I assisted with instructing computer classes. Many clients wanted to know how to use a computer to email, browse the internet, and how to use different social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.

For more detail what I did at this field experience, please see BSHS 411 – Daily Journal. I should also note that as I was getting ready to leave this agency, the boss decided to hire me as a part-time employee where I am today.

Last but not least, is my third and final field experience. This time, I found a  place where I can stay near school and does not require too much travel time.

Partners In Development Foundation, Hui Ho’omalu Program

February 2012 – March 2012    

·         Recruiting potential families at community events

·         Interviewing families who recently were approved to become foster parents / caregivers.

Calling potential families who wanted to become foster parents to make sure fostering children was something they really wanted to do.

·         Organizing client folders

Following up with the clients to make sure they turned in the requirements needed to approve their request.

                                            

For more detail what I did at this field experience, please see BSHS 491 – Daily Journal.

Extracurricular Activities

During the time of being enrolled at school, I heard on the news that there was going to be a casting call for the newly remade Hawai’i 5-0. I decided to take my nephews and nieces with me. I did not think we were going to make it on the show. However, I received a call that I was going to be casted. After one shoot, I decided to see what else I can get into. Off the Map, another television show just started filming. I sent in my information and was called for it.

Other movie and television projects I have worked on include Battleship, Journey to the Center of the Earth 2: Mysterious Island, and Cougar Town. During this time, I met a great deal of wonderful people. I am also a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) union. The only benefit of joining the union is a higher pay rate.

Future Plans

As June 2012 gets closer, I look back and see everything I have done. I seem to be content with everything. There are a few regrets, but life is too short to wallow in that.

My next step is finding a graduate school to work on a Master’s degree. I am not quite sure what I would like to specialize in just yet. I have a few choices about which school I would like to attend. One choice is at University of Southern California (USC). If for some reason USC does not work out, my other option would be HPU. I have not decided yet which field of study I am going to pursue. I know that I will be possibly looking at Counseling or Social Work. No matter which field I choose, I just have to remind myself of my personal mission statement.

Personal Mission Statement

I am committed to educate, motivate, and empower anyone I can to get them on their feet so they may live respectable lives.

I am about helping others succeed. Schools like UOP did what it could to help me succeed. There are countless many others who also did what they could to help me succeed. It is now time for me to pay it forward and help someone else succeed and accomplish their dreams. Most clients will not always want to attend college, or work. Most have the desire to just lead a normal life and to be treated as normal. As long as I can see that smile on their face, that would be a reward enough for me.  

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I do want to say that I was a University of Phoenix student and I am actually glad that I went through this program. I hope that I will be successful in the long run. =)

I got to watch the first two hours of Whitney Houston's funeral. Indeed it was heart-felt and touching. Hearing the wonderful things about a great legend who went off to rest from all the troubles she endured. I felt a deep emotion inside of me. The same kind of emotion I felt watching Michael Jackson's funeral. Watching this funeral though I couldn't help but compare the two funerals.

Michael Jackson - had his funeral at the Staples Center.

Whitney Houston - had her funeral at the church she was raised in

Michael Jackson - was only 2 hours maximum that showcased his kids at the end. More of a secular nature.

Whitney Houston - was 4 hours long. Marvin Winans served as the main speaker.

I think though that Whitney's funeral was more of a blessing though to those who watched the funeral. Well I am only stating an opinion because I truly don't know what everyone else's reaction was. I just know a few people though that didn't really care though. Maybe because they weren't really emotionally invested as many of us were.

I loved how the New Hope Baptist choir opened up the service with a beautiful chorus - Psalm 23. Even before the service started, they were singing. And it was sooooooo beautiful. Reminds me why I love to listen to gospel. You just know them choirs are going to kill it with their voices. I would love to add the music to my collection.

Donnie McClurkin - Stand
Alicia Keys - Prelude to a Kiss
Stevie Wonder - Ribbon in the Sky
R Kelly - I Look to You
The Winans Family - Tomorrow

Everyone just sang from the heart.
It's a trip though because, Reverend Marvin Winans made a comment - "God says, I got you. Thank you Whitney Houston for your life. We and the whole world is/was attending church and your funeral to
day and enjoying all these moving inspirational words of wisdom and sermon. You lived well and fought the good fight of faith and have won, and left a mark in life that has inspired us all. You will be truly missed be never forgotten. We love you and you will live in our hearts forever! RIP and in love Whitney...

Other quotes: Beautiful, Uplifting, moving and spirit filled -

"You stand! I need you!" Whitney Houston to her sister in law and manager
"You are an angel from God's choir." Stevie Wonder to WH
"Don't grieve for me." Dionne Warwick
"Because you were there, I'm here." - Ricky Minor, WH's music director
"Give your life to Jesus today as tomorrow is not promised." - Rev. Marvin Winan and his family's performance of the song "Tomorrow"

Here's a link to the Winan's tribute to Whitney:

I love this song a lot. It is true when they say, tomorrow is never guaranteed.