COURTESY OF ALLISON WILLIAMS Nicole Kajiyama was valedictorian for her class at Brigham Young University-Hawaii's graduation ceremony Saturday.

BYUH valedictorian aims
to give back in Mormon mission

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By Treena Shapiro
tshapiro@starbulletin.com

As the daughter of a Hiroshima survivor, Nicole Kajiyama said she has always been aware of international politics and her place in the world.

A self-described human rights activist who has worked with a nongovernmental organization on U.N. policies affecting families, Kajiyama has also been involved in national politics, interning for U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink.

On Saturday, Kajiyama, 21, of Laie, was valedictorian at her graduation from Brigham Young University-Hawaii, with a 3.99 grade-point average. She missed a perfect GPA with an A- in astronomy, an experience she described as "frustrating" and "humbling."

Kajiyama was one of 188 students who received baccalaureate degrees Saturday, the largest winter graduation ceremony BYUH has had.

Now Kajiyama feels it is time to give back. Instead of heading straight into her next pursuit -- law school -- Kajiyama has decided to spend the next 18 months on a mission for the Mormon Church in Hong Kong.

"In college I feel like I've been really centered on myself," she said. "I just really feel like now I have to give back because I've really been given so much."

While in Hong Kong, Kajiyama expects to teach people about the Mormon Church, perform a lot of service and teach English.

"I do see myself as doing something to make it better," she said. "I've been given so much and I've had so many opportunities, if I don't give back ... I've really not lived a worthwhile life."