Graduation is Honor Roll Time for Young Unificationists in the South

Mie Turegano, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Psychology. The young Unificationists in the Southeast – encompassing Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana – worked hard to excel in their studies. This is an exciting time of year as young people prepare to move from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school, from high school to college, to Special Task Force (STF), to Oceana Leadership Training (OLT), to the military, and to graduate school. There is good news about the educational accomplishments of the young Unificationists in the South. In addition, there have been several weddings and births among our young people (also called Blessed-Children).

F. D. received her Doctorate Degree in Medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine. Jayce Doose earned a master’s Degree from Cornell University. Mari Curry earned a master’s Degree from Cheong Shim Seminary. Patrick Yamane earned an undergraduate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology Mie Turegano, and Naomi Parks graduated Magna Cum Laude from their respective universities: the University of Louisiana and the University of Central Florida.

Several high-school students graduated with top honors, and many of our young people are in the top percentiles of their schools.

Jayce Kazuto Doose, standing with a professor at left, graduated from Cornell University with a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Special Task Force Graduations (STF)

 Hideyuki Belfort from Miami, Florida. (He won $1,000 at the Charity Slot Tournament in Las Vegas on May 21, 2011.)  Inez deOliveira from Melbourne Beach, Florida  Klein Gauthier (third-year S.T.F.) His father’s home is St. Simons, Georgia.  Yoshika Hayashi from Miami, Florida  Valerie Ida will begin studies at Florida Atlanta University. Her home is Coral Springs, Florida.  Yasatake Ishida (tecond-year STF) from Miami, Florida  Shin Young Llopiz from Southwest Ranches, Florida  Aileen Rotondo from Bayou la Batre, Alabama  Tadamasa Usui from Miami, Florida.

Oceana Leadership Training Graduations (OLT)

 Seiya Miyazaki finished six months service on OLT in Australia and the Solomon Islands. He found three spiritual children and had many incredible, life-changing experiences. Following OLT, he attended 40-day training at Cheong Pyeong International Training Center in South Korea, where he fully immersed himself as a drummer and western team leader. Next year, he will attend the graduate program at the University of Bridgeport in their competitive, teacher-internship program. His home is Coral Springs, Florida.

 Jacob Bates graduated from STF (second year) several years ago. He was recently accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. There were 17,000 applicants this year, and Jacob was among the 1,250 accepted.  Brian Cutts graduated in October 2010 from the U.S. Navy’s two-year E.O.D. (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) training. He is now stationed in San Diego, California.

 Alexander LaBrooy graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Finance (Accounting) degree. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and will continue his training as a finance officer. He and his wife, Julika, are from Columbia, South Carolina

Doctorate Degree

 F. N. D., was awarded her Medical Degree (M.D.), from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine. Her home is LaPlace, Louisiana. Master’s Degrees

 Danny Aguilar (first generation) earned an Executive Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Tampa. He completed the two-year program in 1.5 years. He is now working for Johnson and Johnson as a Senior Quality Engineer. Formerly of Tampa, Florida, he and his wife are now living in Dallas, Texas with their three children.  Mari Miyazaki Curry completed the two-year course, “True Parents Studies,” at Cheongshim Seminary in Korea. She is finishing her thesis on “Raising Second Generation Children to Receive the Blessing” and will receive her master’s degree in July. Mari and her husband, Richard, live with their newborn son in Coral Springs, Florida.  Jayce Kazuto Doose graduated from Cornell University with a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering. His home is Charleston, South Carolina.  Noriko Masuyama earned a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Florida Atlantic University in May. Her home is Coral Springs, Florida.  Mrs. Mitsuko Poletti, (first generation) earned a Master’s of Education Degree with specialty in Curriculum and Instruction of Mathematics from Florida Atlantic University. She and her husband, and two daughters, live in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida  Helenita Thomas (first generation) earned a Master’s of Science degree in Psychology, University of Phoenix, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She and her husband live with their children in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Undergraduate Degrees

 Tadamitsu Byrne graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. His home is Miami, Florida.  Se-Gil Feldsott graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. He has been hired as a software developer for a company in Wisconsin. His home is Columbia, South Carolina.  Nan Joo Hong will graduate this summer from New World School of Art (Graphic Design). Her home is Miami, Florida.  Francesco LaRocca graduated with Departmental Distinction in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering. His home is Columbia, South Carolina.  Tadao Masuyama graduated from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale with a major in Game Art and Design. His home is Coral Springs, Florida  Jonnie Meyer graduated with Highest Honors from the Enterprise Technical Institute (Aviation Mechanics). His home is Bayou La Batre, Alabama  Yuri Miyazaki is graduating from the University of Central Florida in June 2011with a degree in Criminal Justice. She plans to attend graduate school for a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice at Florida International University. Her home is Coral Springs, Florida

 Megumi Ojeda (first generation) graduated from Winter Park TECH School with a Facial Specialist / Esthetician degree. She and her husband live with their children in Orlando, Florida  Naomi Parks (May 7, 2011) graduated Magna Cum Laude and received the Founders’ Award for Exceptional Ability and Performance in a Particular Area of Study from the University of Central Florida. She was honored with a speech of recognition from Dean Elliot Virtes (Interim Vice-Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies). The Founders’ Award is presented to one student from each of the 10 Colleges within the UCF University out of the 50,000 + students that attend these 10 Colleges. In addition, she received a $500 scholarship with the Founder’s Award. Her home is Orlando, Florida  Lillian Poletti will graduate from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality and Administration. Her home is Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  Catty Pette graduates from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. She has the highest GPA in her department. Catty’s motto is “Our ultimate purpose is to return joy to God in whatever we do.” Her home is Miami, Florida.  Sara Rezynak, Troy State University (Psychology) Troy, Alabama). Her home is Bayou La Batre, Alabama.  Daniel Roppoli, graduated last year (2010) Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree of Architecture, Auburn University, Alabama. He is now working at TVS Design in Atlanta. Daniel’s motto is “Don’t sit around and wait for something to happen, make something happen.”  Seijin Tranberg is a BTA (2007) graduate and STF graduate (Second Year - 2009). He is attending Georgia Gwinnet College. This year he was elected the President of the Student Body. He was on the President’s list (3.95 GPA) and placed Second in Academics for the 2011 National CARP Scholarship Competition. When asked about his accomplishments and activities, Seijin answered, “All I have done is follow in True Parent’s and True Family’s footsteps to the best of my ability. All the glory and honor should be returned to them. What I’ve done pales in comparison to all they have done for us. I have sought to provide an example to all of my brothers and sisters in my local community through the life I live. I love God, and I love our True Parents.”  Mie Turegano, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Psychology. She has been accepted into a Master’s program in Community Counseling at LSU. Her home is Kenner, Louisiana.  Patrick Yamane graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His home is Bayou La Batre, Alabama.

Atombo Cutts (middle) together with his parents Tom and Angelika at his High School graduation in Marietta, Georgia.

High School Graduates

 Atombo Cutts graduated with High Honors (over 4.0 GPA), National Honor Society, Beta Club, German National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society, International Baccalaureate Diploma, Marietta High School. Atombo also received his Eagle Scout Award from his Boy Scout troop. He will join OLT in Australia in September. His home is Marietta, Georgia.  O. D., St. Mary’s Dominican Catholic High School, New Orleans, Louisiana. Her home is La Place, Louisiana.  Nathan Freystaetter graduated with High Honors (over 4.0 GPA). He played lacrosse and football in school. Nathan will attend Brigham Young University in the fall. His home is Miramar, Florida.  Erica Inamori graduated in the top 10 percent of her class at Tucker High School. Her home is Stone Mountain, Georgia.  Sungkwang Jones graduated from Bryant High School. Sungkwang will join STF. His home is Bayou La Batre, Alabama.  SungKook Kimura from Ellenwood, Georgia.  Motonari Matsuda from Miami, Florida.  Masumi Palhof from Crystal River, Florida.  Hitomi Saito graduated among the top 10 students in her class, from Spring Valley High School. She will attend Clemson University this fall. Her home is Columbia, South Carolina.  Justine Spicciani graduated from Bryant High School. Justine will join STF. Her home is Bayou La Batre, Alabama.  Oceana Zanker graduated as the Valedictorian from Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Florida. She was also elected Queen of the Senior Prom. She will attend Eckerd College in the fall. Her home is St. Petersburg, Florida.

Middle School Graduates

 Kensu Bates from Doral, Florida  Rebekah Cutts received an all “A’s and B’s” certificate, a Science Award, and recognition of her accelerated studies. She plays bassoon and flute. Her home is Marietta, Georgia.  Valerie Chidester was selected by her teachers as top in her school for Science, Advanced Math, Advanced Social Studies, Music/Band, Art and received the top score in her standardized FCAT test for writing, Miami, Florida.  Tembo Da Cruz from Miami, Florida  Micah Iversen from Palm Coast, Florida  Elton Ojeda from Orlando, Florida.  Jacob Reeves graduated from Carolina Springs Middle School, Columbia, South Carolina. He was an Honor Roll Student, and received the President’s Outstanding Academic Excellence Award. His home is Columbia, South Carolina.  Jin Hun Segovia from Miami, Florida

Elementary School Graduates

 Joo-Young Gonzalez received 100 percent in math and 95 percent in reading on the Florida standardized tests. She is in the top 5 percent of her school, and is enrolled in the Duke University Talent Search Program. Her home is Tampa, Florida.  Shoichi Hayashi, graduated from Camp Creek Elementary School, Lilburn, GA, and received all A’s 5th grade, a President’s Education Award in recognition of Outstanding Academic Excellence, a Certificate of National Junior Beta Club, and a Certificate of Perfect Attendance. His home is Lilburn, Georgia  Iyeon Llopiz from Southwest Ranches, Florida.  Hitomi Ozama was on the Principal’s Honor Roll and received a certificate from The National Junior Beta Club. Her home is Stone Mountain, Georgia.  Danny Rugema, Howe Hall AIMS (Arts Infused Magnet School), received an Honor Roll Achievement Citation from the House of Representatives state of SC, citizenship award, fairness and cooperation award. He was recommended to be in accelerated math and in the gifted and talented program next school year at Marrington Middle School (Magnet School of Arts). His home is Charleston, South Carolina.  Tatsuma Sato from Miami, Florida.

 Phoenix LaBrooy to Ryan and Tiffany LaBrooy (April 2010). Their home is Columbia, South Carolina.  S. G. Baer to G. and N. Y. H. Baer (April 2011). N. Y.’s parents are Dr. Dae Hee Hong and Mrs. Hyoja Hong. Dr. Hong is the former Regional Director of Florida. The Baer home is in Maryland.  William Tacatomi Curry to Richard and Mari Curry (March 22, 2011). Their home is Coral Springs, Florida

 Kenboon and Shinae Coluccio Inamori,New Jersey (May 28, 2011).  Jayce and Agnes Doose, Charleston, South Carolina, (June 11, 2011) Contributed by Rev. Tom Cutts, the District Pastor of the Unification Church in District Five.