LEOs at the Ronald McDonald House of Hawaii

On Sunday April 26th, LEO Club members from Sacred Hearts Academy, Kaimuki High School, and Kalani High School assisted families currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House Hawaii facility. Ronald McDonald House helps to keep families together when their children are undergoing medical procedures. 
Volunteers helped to clean up the living area, prepared lunch and snacks, and interacted with the families staying there. This project was organized and led by Academy senior and current Vice-President Alyssa Kwan, '15. Alyssa coordinated with Ronald McDonald House and the other LEO clubs to get this project off the ground. 

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Academy Students Sweep Speech Festival

Congratulations to the Academy Lower School Speech Club who won Highest Number of Superiors and Best Percentage of Superiors at the Punahou School​ Speech Festival held on April 25th. 
With the help of one talented seventh grader, twenty-two 5th-6th graders matched talents with teams that had mostly 7th-8th graders from nine other schools that included Punahou, Maryknoll, Iolani, and Kamehameha. 

Academy teacher and Speech Club mentor, Susan Phillips shares, "Thank you to the many teachers who allowed the girls to practice delivering their speeches in front of other classes; the opportunity really boosted the girls' confidence for competition." 

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99th JROTC 5K Run

On April 25th Academy JROTC cadets in conjunction with the Saint Louis JROTC and other cadets around the world celebrated their 99th JROTC Anniversary by setting records or the largest American 5K and the largest Military 5K run. To put their efforts into perspective, with 28,144 runners participating, they were just short of breaking the Guinness World Record for most participants in a 5K worldwide group run at the same time in different locations.  They hope to try to beat the record next year for their 100th Anniversary!

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Readers Receive Gold Medal

Academy 3rd Graders Sabrina Kopf and Keira Iwamoto are just two of the 91 students in JK-6th grade that participated in the monthly reading challenge this school year. They earned Pizza Hut Book It coupons and a Gold Reading Medal from the Lower School Library for reaching their monthly goals every month.  Congratulations to Mrs. Wanda Pila's class, who had 100% class participation every month! They earned an ice cream party.  Students are excited for the next reading challenge which is the Summer Reading Scavenger Hunt.

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Third Graders Meet the Authors

Earlier this year, the Academy third graders embarked on a learning journey to “Meet the Author,” a multi-faceted biography project.

Each student chose a published book author and researched their lives, accomplishments and societal impact. Using their findings, the students created a timeline of the author’s key life events, used the Chatterpix app to explain his or her impact on the world and created a biography presentation.

The students also designed a commemorative stamp which the United States Postal Service might use and a character from one of the author’s books using a two-liter bottle.

             

The culminating event of the project was on April 24 when the students, donned in a poster board “body” of their chosen author and presented their findings to parents, teachers and other Lower School students.

Some of the authors sighted were Tori Spelling, Ronald Dahl and Dr. Seuss.

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4th Grade Art Show

Lower School Art teacher Malia Urie staged an art show featuring work done by artists from the fourth grade. On April 24, students viewed the work during a morning session, and parents visited the show in the Student Center in the evening. 
One of the highlights of this year’s show was the display of large sculptures, created by teams of four to five fourth graders. Using cardboard tubes, paper towels, wrapping paper, paint and other varied decorating material, the groups created these large creations, utilizing engineering skills as well, over the course of about eight class sessions.

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When Life Gives You Lemons

"When life gives you lemons..."

The Academy's Senior Class women learned to complete this phrase as they spent their final overnight retreat at St. Anthony Retreat Center on April 23 to 24.  The 120 young women enjoyed quality time with one another thanking God for the blessings of the past years, rejoicing in the present and looking forward to the adventures beyond high school.  

Senior advisor, Leilani Asuncion Tagupa, '91 and the retreat team led by Sr. Katherine Francis Miller, '57, prepared a memorable slate of activities to assure each young woman of her special place in the hearts and minds of her peers, her teachers, and all who shared life with her at the Academy.  The blessings of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary be on each one!

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A Night of Choices at Mamiya Theatre

Sacred Hearts Academy is pleased to present a special  FREE performance of  "A Night of Choices”  at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 3 at Mamiya Theater as a part of the Academy's Directors Internship Program. Students are mentored by Mr. Kyle Kakuno, Theatre Manager at Saint Louis Center for the Arts. These one act plays, directed by student directors,  bring two stories together. 

"Why?" is a story of a how tobacco and alcohol are serious problems with tragic consequences as told through the eyes of a young child. "True Friends" tells a tale of two girls who grow close, then apart as one succumbs to peer pressure. Both stories are great for students in grades 3-8, but  are suitable for younger and older audiences.

These plays feature  actors Maya Waldrep, '16, Alana Glaser, '18, Alexiz Hicks, '18, Celine Isabelle Arnobit, '18, Jade Spallina, '18 and Shannon Domingsil, '16.

The student directors are Maya Mathur, '16, Kaysey Siobal, '17, Taylor Mackenzie, '18 and Jenelle Ho, '18.

For ticket information, please email tnormand@sacredhearts.org.

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Space Structures at Sacred Hearts Academy

Mr. Joseph Lyons’ Astronomy students spent the last few class sessions simulating the elements of a space structure. Needing to be strong and light to exist and be used in space, the students built their own “space structure,” made only of straws, paper, string, glue and tape. 

These were tested for strength and construction integrity using textbooks, which were stacked on the structure – and, the current record stands as withstanding SEVEN books! 

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Thirty-Seven Students Inducted Into Society

On April 21, 37 students were inducted into the Academy’s National Honor Society (NHS) during a morning ceremony in the Chapel. Approximately 60 proud parents and family members attended.

These new members were elected to the Society based on their outstanding academic, leadership and community service achievements.

These sophomores, juniors and seniors join the 57 NHS Members already in the cohort, under the direction of Dr. Kira Krend and Joseph Lyons, the advisors.

As part of their Society responsibilities, members provide peer tutoring in the High School Library twice a week, complete 20 additional hours of service, assist at school events, attend visiting speaker discussions, maintain high scholastic standing and strong character, and enhance their leadership abilities both on campus and beyond.

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Success at the 5th Annual Red Carpet Event

The Digital Media Club held its 5th Annual Red Carpet Event in the auditorium on Friday, April 17. The Digital Media Club is an after school club for students in grades 4-6.  At the Red Carpet Event students showcased their top 20 videos that they produced this school year, including four videos that received statewide recognition in video competitions among 1000 other entries.  

The goal of Digital Media Club is to produce movies to help make our community a better place.   About 150 attendees enjoyed family fun at the photobooth, free popcorn, and never-before-seen student movie premieres. At the end, guests voted for their favorite movie, and the winner of the People’s Choice Award was 4th Grader Samantha Europa’s music video titled “Gold.”  

To see more of their movies, visit their website at http://digitalmediaclubhawaii.blogspot.com/

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Digital Media Club Members Roll Out Red Carpet

The Lower School’s Digital Media Club (DMC), an afterschool activity for students in grades four to six, hosted the fifth annual Red Carpet Event on April 17 in the Auditorium.

About 150 attendees enjoyed using the photo booth, eating popcorn and seeing the premieres of student-produced movies.

The 16 club members showcased the 20 best videos they produced this school year, including four that received statewide recognition in competition.

At the end of the night, guests voted for their favorite movie, with the “People’s Choice Award” going to fourth grader Samantha Europa for her music video titled “Gold.”

The goal of the DMC, advised by Laurel Oshiro, is to create movies and videos to help make the community a better place, and the Club’s productions can be viewed at http://digitalmediaclubhawaii.blogspot.com.

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Academy Choir Performs at Lōkahi 2015 Choral Festival

The Sacred Hearts Academy Concert Choir and Select Choir performed at the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus "HYOC" Lōkahi 2015 Choral Festival at Kawaihao Church on April 15th, 2015. The festival, hosted by the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus "HYOC" Gioventu Musicale Ensemble, featured participating choirs from Sacred Hearts Academy, Kahuku High & Intermediate, Hawaii Education of the ARTS, Kapolei High School, and Leilehua High School.‪

The judges rated ‪#‎SacredHeartsAcademy ‬very highly, giving the Concert Choir a combined score of 56 out of 60 for their performance of "Liebst du um Schönheit" by Clara Schumann, and the Select Choir a score of 59 out of 60 for their song "Samson" by Regina Spektor. 

Choir Director, Dr. Alec Schumacker was very proud of the way the ladies sang and performed. The Academy extends a very special mahalo to Charlie Pang, father of Jennifer Pang, '15, for the beautiful photos!
Watch the ladies of Sacred Hearts Academy Concert Choir and Select Choir performances courtesy of HYOC.

Sacred Hearts Academy Select Choir
"Samson" by Regina Spektor
https://youtu.be/YIl8QFWHPHo

Sacred Hearts Academy Concert Choir

"Liebst du um Schönheit" by Clara Schumann
https://youtu.be/i5t_uvu_eo8

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Academy Students to Study in China

After a highly competitive selection process, Sacred Hearts Academy congratulates Victoria Lee, '15 and Theresa Ginter, '16 as recipients of 2015-2016 NSLI for Youth Scholarship Award for the Summer Chinese in China program. Applicants have to provide their official school grade transcript, teacher recommendations, language assessments, essays, and go through interviews conducted by NSLI-Y.

Victoria Lee, '15 is in AP Chinese class and Theresa Ginter, '16 is in Chinese III class this school year. This Summer, they will travel to and study in China for 6- 8 weeks with all expenses paid! It will take place in five cities: Changchun, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Xi’an, China. They will be assigned to one of the cities and homestay with a local Chinese family.

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College Courses Are Coming to the Academy!

Students have enrolled in “History 151-World History” this coming semester, marking the beginning of a bold program to offer college credit courses.  Courses are taught by LCC college professors and administered through LCC – all on our Sacred Hearts Academy campus. 

Our students will be better prepared for college, earn college credits at a fraction of regular college fees, enjoy  additional curricular offerings, bolster college applications and start accumulating college credits, helping them graduate college on time or even early.

Counselors are working with students and their families to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. 

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Artists Work to Ensure No Bowls Are Empty

This year, Academy students, under the guidance of Kaycie Baltunado, participated in the 2015 Empty Bowl Project, hosted by the Hawai’i Potters Guild and Hawai’i Meals on Wheels and aimed at fighting hunger in the community.

Professional artists and students from Iolani School, Mid-Pacific Institute, Punahou School and the Academy, including Baltunado’s Ceramics II students who contributed over 200 pieces, made ceramic bowls which were donated to the Project.

On April 11 at Our Kaka’ako, the donated bowls were sold and, then, filled with soup provided by restaurants across Oahu, including Side Street Inn and Mariposa at Neiman Marcus.

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The Force was strong at prestigious Nene Award Ceremony

The Academy’s students in grades four to six excitedly welcomed about 350 of their counterparts from eight other schools to campus for the annual Nene Award Ceremony on April 9 in the Auditorium.

During the ceremony, the students got to “hangout” via Google with author Tom Angleberger, who penned the 2014 Nene Award-winning book, “The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda.”

And, in honor of Angleberger’s focus on Yoda, an iconic character from the Star Wars universe, a cast of Stormtroopers, a Sand Person and even Darth Vader surprised student emcees Emma Kauhane and Prudence Eddy on-stage to assist with the awards presentation!

Leading up to the Awards Ceremony, students across the Islands engage in activities and contests aimed at promoting reading and related to the Nene Suggested Reading List.

This year, the Academy’s winners included sixth grader Carolei Edra – who filled in as Yoda – in the Persuasive Digital Media category, Award; sixth grader Kelly Thieu for her Interpretive Essay; and sixth grader Emma Kauhane in the Interpretive Digital Media category.

Earning Honorable Mention honors for their Persuasive Poster designs were sixth graders Ayla Hakikawa, Annika Lindberg and Rachel Huang.

Darth Vader had the honor of announcing the 2015 Nene Award winning book – “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio.

While the highlights of the Ceremony were discovering which book won and which are nominated for next year’s award, the students were also thrilled to take photos with the Star Wars cast from the Pacific Outpost of the 501st Legion after the event.

The Nene Awards are sponsored and supported by the Hawai’i Association of School Librarians, the Hawai’i Library Association, the State Department of Education, the Hawai’i State Public Library System, Perma-Bound Books, Scholastic Book Fairs ad Follett Library Resources.

Visit www.nene.k12.hi.us for more information about the Nene Award and its related programs.

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