Keila Tupua explains that, in the Samoan culture, the more leis given to a person of honor, the more love is shown.
Tupua received a lot of love as she graduated TCU this month with a degree in Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies. The leis she wore at the May 8 ceremony were made by her grandmother and other family members. She also displayed a head piece called a money tuiga, which was given to her by her mother.
“I was so grateful my family was able to see me graduate because I did it for them. My name may be the only one on the degree, but it is a shared success of not only my family but my community as well,” Tupua said. “Pacific Islanders are the epitome of ‘extra’ when it comes to graduations, and rightfully so. There is a low percentage of Pacific Islanders in higher education, so when one of us succeeds, we all do.”
Perhaps a bit serendipitous that she would graduate during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
“I used my family and culture as fuel during my journey here at TCU, so it was only right I gave honor back to them for all they did for me,” Tupua said.
TCU hosted a historic commencement May 7-8, graduating a combined 4,800 for the classes of both 2020 and 2021 at Amon G. Carter Stadium.