New students get to know each other and about BYU-Hawaii at talent show and dinner

        Welcoming new students with food and cultural performances, students and volunteers filled the Old Gym for the Ho’olaule’a Dinner and Talent Show on Jan. 4. It was an opportunity for fun and socializing, said Colton Brunson, a New Student Orientation (NSO) specialist and a business junior from California. “We hope new students can step outside their comfort zone and make friends.” 

        Debbie Hippolite Wright, BYU-Hawaii vice president for Student Development & Services, opened the dinner with a welcoming speech and said students should be prepared for an international relationship. 

        NSO volunteers served students teriyaki chicken, chicken long rice, kalua pork with cabbage, and lomilomi salmon. “I just follow the food,” said Chao Gu, a HTM freshman from China, with a laught. “I am happy I get to know other new students. It is a boring Friday. Why not attend a party?” 

Agreeing with Gu, Shawn Wang, another Chinese freshman majoring in business, said he had a good time at the dinner and other orientation activities. “Everything goes pretty well. I got to know the school specifically and in detail. It is good.” 

Individual dance groups and different cultural chapters, such as the Philippine Chapter and the Japanese Chapter, were invited to perform at the dinner. Paula Tsang, a TOSEL junior from Hong Kong, was one of the dancers in the performance. She said, “NSO invited us. I feel happy to dance for our new students. It is also a good opportunity to advertise our dance club.” 

Pushing the activity to the highest point, Keanu Lee Chip Sao, a math and computer sophomore from Tahiti, was requested by the audience members to beat box. He was making beats with the sounds of a dog, cat, monkey, and even a robot. Laughs and cheers filled the hall as he performed. 

       Having a big smile on his face while observing the students, Michael Maile, manager of NSO and an IT junior from Nevada, said he was delighted that all the planning worked out well in the activity. “Students enjoyed themselves and our volunteers are great,” said Maile. 

        Davis Kane, the emcee and the host from NSO as well as a psychology junior from Hawaii, said, “Our students are very active in participating. It turned out as we expected. It is very social and very fun. My job is done.”  

        BYUHSA members were also helping in the activity. Mustapha El Akkari, the BYUHSA president, was serving in the food line. He said, “Wherever there is opportunity to serve, we’ll be there. BYUHSA loves to help and serve students.”