Hauoli Caparida '18 Recruiting Profile

Miles and miles of barren fields, few houses, and farm animals pass by. I catch a glimpse of this small island, in the middle of the Pacific, surrounded by bodies of water. The beauty of waterfalls, trade winds, and tropics stuns me and at the same time awakens my senses to the dream that others dream. I shake myself to the realization of thanksgiving, for this panoramic view is real, and home to me. I pull myself away from the school bus window, the bus comes to a complete stop, and I step out and head towards my classes. 

It's Senior year, and I begin to ponder its significant implications. What have I done these four years? Where do I want to be in the next year? And how will I get there? I hear my parents blaring in my ears the things that I need to do; FASFA check, personal statement check, personal references check and the list goes on. 

I am the fourth eldest of my siblings of a total of six. In our home, we were encouraged to pursue a higher education, however, on the condition that we are willing to pay for it ourselves or find other financial assistance. While others would suffocate at this idea, I find hope and confidence in the things that I know. First, there's nothing impossible when you have a goal. Second, I'm willing to sacrifice time, dedicate myself to training and studying, and above all, promising to commit to working hard and finishing. Third, despite my zeal and passion for wrestling, I have a dream of graduating with my criminal justice degree and someday becoming a federal investigator. 

My father is a police officer and my hero. He's a natural athlete and pushes his children to play sports. My father is also a pastor, my pastor. Nothing escapes my father's presence. If I or my siblings do something wrong, my father will hear about it and there will be consequences. In our home, there is rule and order and this may come with an iron sword, or with tuned grace. This has taught me never to deviate from integrity, nor give up a fight, but to walk humbly and with patience, seeking to endure till the end and remaining steadfast, unmoving, and always abounding. This is what I bring to my team, separating me from other recruits in character. As an athlete, I've trained for hours a day and more hours in a week than I imagined possible. My two older brothers and sister were wrestlers who push me to my core, all the while making fun of me and laughing. Friendly fire has motivated me, and I thirst for more constructive criticism!

Finally, "one foot on the sand" is a song by Justin Young that displays Hawai'i at its finest, detailing horizon widening, warming waters, and smaller ponds. The relevance for me is reaching to meet the clouds, or aspiring to dig deep in pursuit of a higher education, leaving my familiarity. My desire is to leave my home so that when I return, I may improve or give back to the islands. The song depicts keeping one foot on the sand or ground, remembering where you came from. It is important to hold on to the values taught by our ancestors, to reflect on the things still good in our world, and to make it better. I intend to do just that.