Senior Spotlight: Kainoa Gerard

On March 29, the National Anthem played before the Men’s Volleyball game, just as it had all season. But Coach Elle Kosciuk ’15 had a special surprise in store for Senior Day. 

“I look up and I see the Hawaiian flag on the railing and the Hawaiian anthem began to play,” said Kainoa Gerard, the team’s setter and a senior from Aiea, Hawaii. “My family had flown in for the game and to see the team make that extra effort to recognize me really made an impact on all of us.” 

While Kainoa might cite his team for making an impact on him, there are very few areas on campus where Kainoa’s influence hasn’t been felt. The double major in Mathematics and Secondary Education earned a spot in the Scholars Program, thanks to his terrific work ethic and his impressive 4.0 GPA. Much like the support he receives from the volleyball team, Kainoa credits some of his academic success to the professors at Clarke. 

“People like O’Neill Kingston, Amanda Matson, and Cathy Stierman know exactly how to get the best out of you,” Kainoa said. “They think about the collective and how to bring all students up, rather than just focusing on individual strengths and weaknesses. I can honestly say that has shaped me and the teaching philosophy I want to take into my own classroom someday.” 

Kainoa already has extensive classroom experience, thanks to opportunities at Clarke like the Professional Development Schools and an immersion trip to Milwaukee, where Kainoa spent time in an elite private school and an inner-city public school. 

“That experience was eye-opening in a lot of ways. But no matter what classroom I’m in; I’ve felt that passion. I know I want to be a teacher and I’m on the right track,” Kainoa said. 

Beyond his coursework, Kainoa has served as a Resident Assistant, BVM Prayer Partner, and a Clarke Association of Student Athletes Representative at Heart of America Conference events.  

His involvement and the kindness that serves as its foundation are just some of the reasons Kainoa was named this year’s Francis J. O’Connor Memorial Award Winner, the most prestigious award granted to a graduating senior. 

“I have tried to make the most of every experience offered to me here and to have that recognized with this award feels amazing,” Kainoa said. “It’s bittersweet to think that my time on campus is coming to an end, but I know I’m ready for what comes next.”  

Kainoa will maintain connections to campus thanks to his acceptance into Clarke’s Master of Arts in Education program. He will teach in the Dubuque Community School district while earning his MAE and serving as the graduate assistant for Clarke Volleyball.