The Details: Wooching Is Family's First Graduate
June 09, 2016 | Football, General, Student-Athlete Academic Services
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Psalm Wooching couldn't sleep. It was Sunday night, and the outside linebacker was a mixed mess of emotions.
Anxious. Excited. Nervous. He was feeling the force of an impending moment as monumental as anything he's accomplished as a football player.
He was only a few hours away from his last final of the school year. He had one exam to pass before becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college.
"It was all four years leading up to one last day," he said. "I was just in awe."
As he walked to the test, he called his parents, Luki and Shannon.
"They were so happy," the anthropology major said.Β
After finishing the exam, he shook his professor's hand. He let the moment wash over him, before leaping in the air and shouting, "Hey, I'm done!"Β
"It's like if you were to walk into the stadium on your birthday, not knowing anything was happening and the whole stadium lights up, 'Hey, happy birthday! You did it!'" he said, describing his emotions after realizing he was a college graduate. "It's just crazy, all the emotions."
Wooching's entire academic career culminated in one final exam, a moment he will celebrate Saturday with the rest of the 2016 graduating class during Washington's commencement at Husky Stadium.Β
He got an early head start commemorating the occasion. As soon as he finished his final exam, he headed straight for Lake Washington, traded what he wore to school for a pair of board shorts. He jumped in.Β
As he crashed into the crisp water on a warm day, he "felt awesome." It was something to savor, an experience he will share with Luki and Shannon when they arrive later this week.Β
"In the islands, it's not so typical for kids to leave home and go to an awesome university like this," Wooching said. "For me to do that it makes my family proud and I'm happy from that accomplishment."Β
Luki and Shannon didn't have the opportunity to attend college.Β
"My dad is one of 14," Wooching said. "For him, growing up in western Samoa, family is the No. 1 thing, taking care of your family is the job of the kids. That's what you do. You grow up and you help your family."
When Shannon finished high school, she joined Mercy Ships, working with doctors that perform cataract surgeries.
"She taught me that, if you can move and nothing is broken, get back to work," Wooching said talking about a lesson learned from his mother. "She's my head coach of life, teaching me to move forward, push forward in everything I do."
Growing up, Wooching's parents emphasized education, teaching their son about the value of hard work along the way.Β
"My dad has always told me, since I was a kid, sports can only take you so far, but education will stay with you forever, because knowledge is power," Wooching said.Β
So here he is, a college graduate. When he first agreed to join Washington's football program, he appreciated the family feeling he felt when he was around the Huskies. That family has helped him get to this point.Β
He has grown both on the field and in the classroom.Β
With one more year of eligibility left, his education will continue as he works to figure out his future. He has had several law enforcement internships, viewing the profession as something he plans to pursue in the future.
When Wooching was in high school, he decided he wanted to experience life outside of Hawaii. As a thank you to everyone who was a part of his childhood, he felt compelled to pursue something special.Β
"I just realized I didn't want to stay on the islands my whole life, sit on the beach and surf all day," he said. "I want to do something with my life."Β
That is exactly what he's done. Now he is a graduate, the first in his family, and that is something to celebrate.Β
