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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2nd Grade Malls Raise $1,515.57 For Charitable Foundations

The Sacred Hearts Academy 2^nd Grade Malls opened for business  for two hours on the morning of Wednesday, March 25th, 2015. Students, family, friends and faculty were invited to visit and shop at "The Great Mall of Aloha" and the "'Ohana Mall" which featured a Keiki Bakery. 

The 2nd Grade Mall project is a hands on way of learning about developing and running a successful business.  Based on what they learned in their Social Studies class students created a business, interviewed shopkeepers at Kahala Mall, came up with a business plan, did an oral presentation, and set up physical actual store.  In the "Great Mall of Aloha" and "'Ohana Mall" there was a book store, snack shop, boutique, school supply store, and salon. 

Through the generous donations of parents, teachers, and friends, the stores were well stocked and ready for business.  The students did an excellent job receiving customers ranging from SK to 6^th grade, parents, faculty and staff.  All customers left with a smile of satisfaction on their faces.

The 2nd graders as a unit were able to raise an amazing amount of $1,515. 57!  Students will be voting next week as to which local foundation they would like to donate to.  The 2nd Grade classes are extremely grateful for all of the love and support shown by all of the Sacred Hearts Academy families, friends, teachers, and students!

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Academy Junior Travels to Hiroshima

Over spring break Academy junior, Jessica Wehrman, '16 traveled to Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima through an opportunity with the Pacific Asian Affairs Council (PAAC). 

Jessica primarily visited cultural locations such as the Hiroshima Peace Park, and temples such as Kiyomizudera, and the Golden Pavilion, and Kinkakuji. The program also provided ample interaction with Japanese students and opportunities to learn about the local culture and history. Jessica toured two high schools, one in central and one in northern Hiroshima, participating in various activities with the students enrolled. 

Jessica particularly enjoyed the home-stay portion of her trip; during which she visited the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima. She shares, "It provided me with incredible opportunities to learn about Japanese culture and improve my language skills. Our visit to the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima was one of the most memorable. It is an important part of the history of the world, and as a Japanese descendant, I felt drawn to learn and understand the huge effects of the atomic bomb on Japan. Overall, I think the program did a wonderful job on providing me and its other participants with opportunities to learn about Japanese culture, and interact in a hands-on way with people. The trip was a blend of old and new, traditional and modern, and I loved it. I feel I have gained incredible respect for the Japanese, and I feel blessed to have been able to visit, and definitely plan to do so again. "

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East Coast Travels & West Coast Exchanges

The Sacred Hearts Academy Choir and Band programs, accompanied by Dr. Alec Shumacker, Choral Director, and Keith Higaki, Band Director traveled to Washington D.C. and New York City over spring break.  The purpose of the trip was primarily exploratory rather than performance-based.  In just one short week, the two programs visited the US Captiol Building, toured the White House, toured the Smithsonian Museums, saw the Statue of Liberty, watched the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, and visited the Lincoln and Kennedy Centers.  

Even though the Sacred Hearts Academy Choir just returned from their East Coast trip, they are on to their next exciting exchange.  On Tuesday March 24th, a show choir from Mayfair High School in California visited the Sacred Hearts Beginning and Select Choirs.  


Mayfair High School's "Showtime" choir is one of the California's highly regarded high school show choirs. Mayfair has one of the largest public-school performing arts programs in all of California.  Mayfair's choir participated in a choral exchange with the Academy's Select Choir; performing for the 7th grade choir prior to the exchange choral concert with the Select Choir. The two choirs gathered together in the Academy chapel to do a multitude of group warm-ups; followed by a few pieces performed by each choir for each other to enjoy. The choirs performed five songs each; the Academy choir preformed Jerusalem by Michael McGlynn, Dear John, a tongue-in-cheek love song by Stephen Hopkins, Samson by Regina Spektor, No Ka Beauty o Honokohau by Herb Mahelona, and Verde Mar de Navegar by Cristian Grases.  The Mayfair choir performed a pop medley that contained hits by Aretha Franklin, Madonna, and others.


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Sophomore Seuss-Inspired Week

The Sacred Hearts Academy Class of 2017 kicked off their week long celebration of 'Sophomore Week' today. Throughout the week students will participate in activities inspired by the popular books of author Dr. Seuss; culminating with the Sophomore Class of 2017 Retreat on Friday.

Monday marked the start of the week long extravaganza with "Malasadas on Mulberry Street Monday". Poi doughnuts were available for students in the Performing Arts Center courtyard directly after morning flag raising. During the distribution a donut eating contest was held with representatives from each homeroom - the winning homeroom won a future 'donut party'!

On Tuesday, "The Cat in the Tackiest Hat" arrives on campus as sophomore students are encouraged to show their spirit through colorful accessories. The more colorful and loud the accessory, the better! Hats, scarves, gloves, crowns, sunglasses, socks, hair accessories, necklaces, and leis are just a few items that can be anticipated! Students will get a chance to win a gift card to Forever21 by entering a "Tacky Threads Tournament" fashion show at lunch.

Wednesday marks the arrival of "Horton hears a... What is it Wednesday?" mystery box homeroom relay race in the newly renovated gymnasium. Students will compete as a homeroom for the coveted "Pizza Party" prize. 

Rounding off the week is the "Sophomore Class of 2017 Retreat", held off-campus at St. Anthony's Retreat Center in Kalihi Valley. 

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