BYU–Hawaii Students Represent RFHD at 2026 Religious Liberty Fellowship

Three BYU–Hawaii students represented the Religious Freedom and Human Dignity Initiative at the 2026 J. Reuben Clark Law Society Religious Liberty Fellowship, held June 1–5 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The fellowship brought students into conversation with constitutional scholars, attorneys, judges, law professors, graduate students, and religious liberty professionals from across the United States.

The 2026 fellowship directly supported RFHD’s mission to prepare future leaders who promote religious freedom, defend human dignity, and contribute to peaceful societies. According to the post-conference report, all participating students reported increased confidence in pursuing careers related to law, religious freedom, public service, or peacebuilding. All three also described the experience as strengthening or clarifying their plans for graduate education.

Students built professional relationships with leaders connected to the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Becket, the International Center for Law and Religion Studies, BYU Law, and the University of Texas School of Law. These connections provided mentorship in law school preparation, graduate education, religious liberty research, international legal work, and public service.

Student Growth and Reflections

For John Andrew Quizana, the fellowship reshaped how he viewed the law. He reflected that the experience shifted his perspective from seeing law only through adversarial litigation to understanding it as “a vehicle for structural peacebuilding, community accommodation, and the defense of human dignity.” He also described feeling a responsibility to represent BYU–Hawaii in discussions with experienced legal professionals.

William Luke Vatikani said the fellowship strengthened his desire to attend law school and use his legal education to defend faith and religious freedom. He shared that stepping outside his comfort zone helped him connect with mentors, including Professor Steve Collis, and gave him greater confidence in his future path. “I realized that staying inside my comfort zone would never allow me to grow,” he wrote.

For Wade Utai, the experience brought clarity and purpose. “This conference helped solidify my decision on law school,” he reflected. He also expressed gratitude for the support that made the opportunity possible, writing that it connected him to “a future full of purpose, service, and love for others.”

Bringing the Experience Back to BYU–Hawaii

The impact of the fellowship did not end in Valley Forge. Students returned to BYU–Hawaii with strengthened academic goals, expanded professional networks, and a renewed commitment to serve their communities. They also expressed a desire to share what they learned through mentoring, research, classroom discussions, and continued involvement with RFHD.

The fellows contributed perspectives rooted in Oceania and the Asian Rim while engaging in national conversations about constitutional law and religious freedom. Their participation reflects RFHD’s broader purpose: preparing students to become principled leaders who promote appreciation, tolerance, esteem, religious freedom, and human dignity throughout the Pacific, Asia, and beyond.

Looking Ahead

Through donor support and RFHD’s investment in experiential learning, the 2026 Religious Liberty Fellowship helped students clarify career goals, deepen their understanding of religious freedom, and build relationships that may shape their future education and service.

As these fellows continue their academic and professional journeys, they carry forward the mission of RFHD: to build peaceful societies grounded in religious freedom, mutual respect, and the inherent dignity of every person.