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Aloha & Mahalo - Senior Class Spring 2023

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Aloha & Mahalo - Senior Class Spring 2023 (Pt. 2)

University of Hawai'i Athletics would like to congratulate and recognize the Class of 2023. Below are stories of some of our current and former student-athletes who earned their degrees this spring/summer.

 
AMBER IGIEDE  |   WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL   |   BATON ROUGE, LA.   |   MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY

Amber Igiede - LBSU 11-4-2022Why did you choose UH and what was your overall experience like?
I chose UH because of the beautiful and passionate culture, the amazing coaches, and the amazing volleyball there. My overall experience has been a dream, from UH being the only "big" program that recruited me, they had faith in me from the beginning. I cherish the passionate fans that support and love wahine volleyball, and that makes me grateful to play.
 
What was your favorite memory as a Rainbow Wahine?
My favorite memory as a Wahine volleyball player has been anytime I think of the crowd cheering at the home games. It's a magical feeling that many people should experience.
 
What's next for you? What is your career aspiration?
My career aspiration is playing professional volleyball! I would love to play for my country one day and go far in my career in volleyball. After volleyball I would love to use my psychology degree and become a mental health therapist.
 
What advice would you give to anyone interested in UH?
I would say that it's an amazing unique place that will make you value family and culture. There's no place like Hawai'i, the hospitality and generosity will make you feel just at home if you ever have to leave your family.
 
Who has been instrumental in helping you get your degree and what would you like to tell them?
My parents are the biggest reason as to how I have gotten my degree. They push me hard to working hard in education and it really helped me become passionate in my studies. Also, the volleyball coaches past and present have been a huge part in putting school first.
 
AXEL LABRUNIE   |   MEN'S TENNIS  |   PARIS, FRANCE   |   DOUBLE MAJOR: FINANCE & INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Axel Labrunie - BW semifinals vs. UCSB 4/29/23Why did you choose UH and what was your overall experience like?
I chose Hawai'i because my older brother was already here and told me very good things about the team and the island. There is no other place like Hawai'i and I knew it was a chance of a lifetime to be able to go study in such a beautiful place. My overall experience was amazing. I met amazing people, discovered a new culture, made many friends for life and was lucky enough to call this paradise home for four years.
 
What was your favorite memory as a Rainbow Warrior?
My favorite memory as a Rainbow Warrior was probably my whole sophomore year when I was living with all my teammates in one house. We had a special and unique bond and shared many emotions together—joy but also pain and suffering from hard work. I will be forever grateful for these guys as we were a real family and came very close to achieving something big together.
 
What's next for you? What is your career aspiration?
I am going to pursue a master in Finance in London or in Denmark, I still have to make a choice between the two. I look forward to the next chapter of my life and am excited for it.
 
What advice would you give to anyone interested in UH?
I would advise anyone who wants to commit to UH to practice and work hard as much as they can. Being good in their sport is awesome but as a student-athlete, the student side is just as important as the athlete part. Having good grades and putting in the work is equally important.
 
Who has been instrumental in helping you get your degree and what would you like to tell them?
My family helped me tremendously in my journey here to Hawai'i. My parents have always been the best support system I could have and I wouldn't have the work ethic and discipline today without them, so thank you for them for sacrificing a lot of their time and energy for me to strive and be happy in what I am doing. I would also like to thank all the muchachos and my two brothers for making me a better player and a better person.
 
KARLEE SHAY   |   CHEERLEADING   |   CINCINNATI, OHIO   |   DOUBLE MAJOR: JOURNALISM & COMMUNICATION, CERTIFICATE IN TRAVEL INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT

Karlee Shay
Why did you choose UH and what was your overall experience like?
I chose UH because I love the people, culture and everything about the University. I felt most like myself and truly felt the, "Live Aloha, Play Warrior." I dreamed of cheering at UH since I was in middle school and my experience is something I am forever grateful for. The professors, athletic department and Hawai'i fans are incredible.
 
What was your favorite memory as a Rainbow Wahine?
My favorite memory as a Rainbow Wahine was either cheering at the men's volleyball National Championship in 2022 or riding the surfboard out on the field at Aloha Stadium to welcome our football team. I am very thankful for all the unique and unforgettable memories Hawai'i has been able to provide.
 
What's next for you? What is your career aspiration?
After graduating I plan on working towards a master's degree to eventually work in media for the sports or tourism industry.
 
What advice would you give to anyone interested in UH?
My advice to anyone interested in UH is to be confident and have fun! Surround yourself with the best people and if you have a dream go for it! :) Hawai'i is a place like no other so make the most of it and challenge yourself to be the best you can be. Go 'Bows!
 
Who has been instrumental in helping you get your degree and what would you like to tell them?
The list of people that have helped me get to this point is exponential. My family has been a big part of this journey along with my coach, teammates and close friends. I would like to thank them and everyone on the island that has been so supportive and pushed me to do my best. Love you guys and all the good stuff!
 
NIKKI JENNINGS   |   TRACK & FIELD   |   FORT MYERS, FLA.   |   MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY

Track_033123
Why did you choose UH and what was your overall experience like?
I chose UH because of the once in a lifetime opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone. It was very scary leaving my family and going so far away, but I would not have done anything differently. I wanted to be immersed in a new culture and I got exactly what I wished for. The University of Hawai'i is full of beautiful scenery, culture, and souls. The people at UH become like family, which is important when you are so far away from your own. I loved every second of my time on island and I am grateful for the opportunities I was given here.
 
What was your favorite memory as a Rainbow Wahine?
There are so many memories to choose from that it is hard to choose. One of my favorite memories as a Rainbow Wahine would be cheering for the men's volleyball game after coming back multiple sets against BYU in 2021. The electricity from the crowd was full of genuine aloha and excitement and it will be something I will never forget. It was one of my first games I cheered in the Stan Sheriff Center and I had never screamed so loud before in my life. 
 
What's next for you? What is your career aspiration?
Immediately after graduation I have an internship in Japan for the Sports Camp of America. I plan on doing some travel while I finish publishing my honors thesis "Love-hacking: A rapid systematic review of intranasal oxytocin for couples therapy." I plan on finding research abroad for intranasal oxytocin before returning to the states and getting my clinical license for therapy. Hopefully I am able to bring intranasal oxytocin research to the states and pioneer the expansion of enhancements for couples therapy.  
 
What advice would you give to anyone interested in UH?
Anyone interested in coming to UH should write out their goals for their time on island and do what they can to live every moment to the fullest. Coming to Hawai'i is full of learning the culture, being respectful, and making memories of a lifetime. Setting intentions when you get to UH is so important because then you will find like-minded individuals that will set you up for success. I would also advise not being scared to reach out to strangers to be friends. Hawai'i can be intimidating since there are a ton of people in a small area, but UH has so many great students and everyone is always looking for new friends. 
 
Who has been instrumental in helping you get your degree and what would you like to tell them?
I have so many great people in my life that have helped me get to graduation that it is difficult to only name a few. For the classic answer, I could not have done any of this without my parents. I am blessed they let me venture so far away from home, but I still am able to feel them in my heart every day. Their endless support pushes me to achieve the most I can. Additionally, my teammates and coaches, specifically Coach Maddie and Coach Tim, gave me a whole new perspective to athletics with track that I will cherish forever. Having athletics is so important to me, and having the opportunity to try something new for my senior year really gave me my final push to finish my degree on the highest note possible. All of my teammates throughout the years always pushed me to be the best I can be, and I have always tried to be my best self in and out of athletics for them. And lastly, thank you to the best fans in the country. From cheering with them, to them cheering me on, the aloha I felt every step of the way will be something I never forget and I will always rep the H with so much pride. Finishing my degree at the University of Hawai'i was a must for me and I have so many mahalos for everyone that could make it happen. 
 
CIRA BARTOLOTTI   |   SOFTBALL   |   KAPOLEI, O'AHU   |   MAJOR: FOOD SCIENCE & HUMAN NUTRITION

Cira Bartolotti swing
Why did you choose UH and what was your overall experience like?
I chose UH because Hawai'i is home and I wanted to stay home and play softball in Hawai'i because there's nothing like getting to play sports her and getting the opportunity to represent something bigger then a sport. My overall experience has been an unforgettable and memorable four years that shaped me and allowed me to grow into the person I am today. I enjoyed my time here at UH and wouldn't have wanted to play and finish my college career anywhere else.
 
What was your favorite memory as a Rainbow Wahine?
My senior year has been something quite special and memorable. I am so grateful I was able to finish my senior year the way I did because there was just so much love and support this year from everyone. But one of my favorite memories is shagging in the outfield during batting practice with Coach Bob pitching and playing his sandstorm music (at a high volume).
 
What's next for you? What is your career aspiration?
I'm going to FAU (Florida Atlantic) for a sports nutrition internship with the FAU football program in Boca Raton, Fla. Starting this June and I am aspiring to be a sports nutritionist in a college/professional sports organization.
 
What advice would you give to anyone interested in UH?
Be open minded to try new things and go outside of your comfort zone. Get used to being uncomfortable. And find a solid group of friends to be your support system.
 
Who has been instrumental in helping you get your degree and what would you like to tell them?
My parents and my older sister who have always set the bar high with not just academics but in everything they do. Always having them pushing and supporting me to try things outside me comfort zone because it is what has helped me to get my degree. And would just like to say thank you to them for never letting me settle because I am very grateful they pushed me to reach for bigger and better opportunities.

 
 
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