A School Magazine Volume Fifteen | 2015 MIND • BODY • SPIRIT TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume Fifteen | 2015 The Spirit of Saint Francis Magazine is published annually by the Development Office and the Technology Department of Saint Francis School. It is distributed free of charge to alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of Saint Francis School. To obtain additional copies of the Spirit Magazine, please contact the Development Office at (808) 988-4111 Ext.723 or email to:[email protected]. 04 06 Our School Profile Founded: 1924 by the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Neumann Communities Campus: 11 acres at 2707 Pamoa Road in Manoa Valley Enrollment: 532 students, coed preschool through twelfth grade Faculty and Staff: 76 School year: Year round, beginning in August Phone: 808-988-4111 | Fax: 808-988-5497 09 Website: www.stfrancis-oahu.org Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Western Catholic Educational Association and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. Memberships: National Catholic Educational Association, National Association of Independent Schools, National Middle School Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Association of Secondary School Principals and Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. 10 15 Selective Admissions All religious and socio-economic groups are represented among approximately 26 ethnic and religious combinations. Students come from Hawaii, Continental U.S., Samoa, Fiji, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and China. No student will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed or national origin. Tuition assistance is available. ADMISSIONS: Contact Fayth Paekukui, Admissions Director, 988-4111 ext. 712. 18 24 Board of Directors President Directors Sister Joan of Arc Souza, SOSF ‘61 Shawn Ching Byron Gangnes Chairperson Ashley Marie Monroy Gundaker ‘01 Martha Camacho Richard Haru James Haruki Secretary/Treasurer Sister Mary Edward Sugioka, SOSF ‘48 Melinda Agbayani Zisko ‘77 Dr. Shirley A. Tamoria ‘73 27 28 Gail Kumashiro Wong ‘55 Randall M.L. Yee “Quality Catholic Education in a Spirit of Joy!” Our mission is to provide youth of diverse ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds with knowledge and wisdom that can be obtained through a liberal arts education with a Catholic atmosphere. 36 02 TABLE OF CONTENTS SISTER JOAN OF ARC SOUZA ‘61 MARTHA CAMACHO HEAD OF SCHOOL CHAIRPERSON Dear Parents, Guardians, Alumni, and Friends, Dear Friends, After so many major advances at Saint Francis School these past few It is hard to believe that another school year is coming to years, it is not unwelcome that 2014-2015 was a bit less dramatic. It has an end, but with so many positive and exciting things been a year to consolidate the gains we’ve made in the recent past, finish taking place, time just flies. This is an opportune time for off some important projects, and look ahead and prepare for the next set each of us to reflect on our personal accomplishments of challenges and opportunities the future holds. and contributions to our beloved Saint Francis School. One of the most welcome developments of the past year was the Personally, I am in awe at the changes and growth that impressive response of Saint Francis alumni in setting up their class have taken place since I joined the Board in 2006. The endowments. A significant number of classes now have $10,000 named Board was on the cusp of a major change in direction endowments, which means we can now help more students financially. with its most difficult decision – to go co-ed or not. I feel The financial aid made possible by these named endowments will help to so blessed and honored to have been a part of this total keep Saint Francis affordable for many of our students. transformation with all its challenges and successes. Another way we keep Saint Francis affordable is by keeping our costs It is because of the successes that the board members down. This year, we finished installing photovoltaic power cells at the continuously work to ensure the spirit of Saint Francis is convent, Marianne Hall, and the new gym. This means we will save 30 embodied in every aspect of the school, from the tuition per cent on our electricity bills for these three buildings. It’s another review process to the sports programs. The five-year avenue for keeping tuition affordable, as well as for doing our part to strategic plan is an integral part of the Board’s major look after the aina. The high school went solar back in 2010, so all major tasks and responsibilities. We will work diligently to buildings on campus are now green. complete the process and produce a plan that will aid the administration, staff, students, and future board Looking to the future, Saint Francis School has retained N&K CPAs to members in continuing the school’s mission to provide a help develop a strategic plan for the school over the next five years. quality Catholic education in a spirit of joy. We will also Under the direction of Dennis Higashiguchi, focus groups with parents endeavor to incorporate training of total mind, body and and students were held to gather input regarding where we want to see spirit in all aspects of a Saint Francis School education. Saint Francis School five years from now. The information gathered will This requires a concerted effort by all involved. be invaluable as we decide how to deal with increasing demand for enrollment versus the space limitations we face. To all who took part, Peace and Blessings to All, thank you for your time, your love for this school, and your ideas. I remember when Saint Francis School was the best kept secret in Manoa. If you said, “Saint Francis”, people thought you were talking about the hospital. That has changed. The word is out that Saint Francis Martha Camacho is a special place that offers a quality Catholic education in a spirit of joy, Chairperson and we are near capacity due to the demand for an education that trains the mind, the body, and the spirit. May God Continue to Bless Us All, Sister Joan of Arc Souza ‘61 Head of School SISTER JOAN OF ARC SOUZA ‘61 • MARTHA CAMACHO 03 SAINT FRANCIS BOYS JOIN ALOHA SHOW COURT Carlyle Cameron Perhaps “change” is something that we can always count on. Over recent years, Saint Francis has continued to evolve into the co-educational school that we know today. And as boys continue to integrate into activities outside of the classroom, this year, we welcomed boys into the Aloha Show Court. Over the years, the Aloha Show has enjoyed the participation of many female This year’s Aloha Show students. This year, however, the young ladies were escorted to the stage by male “ was a new experience students as their prince counterparts. What we saw as spectators was a Court for students because it represented the that was now complete. inclusion of male students into another Teuila Tauaese, a former Aloha Show Queen, and now Co-Director of the Aloha school tradition. Show responsible for preparations, shares her thoughts on the new addition. - Kahale Ibuos ‘15 “This officially closes a chapter in Saint Francis history for good,” Tauaese says. ” “We now get to create new memories and a new legacy.” As our rst Prince for the Island of Moloka’i, Senior Kahale Ibuos said, “This year’s Aloha Show was a new experience for students because it represented the inclusion of male students into another school tradition.” And yet another new tradition was added to the Aloha Show this year with the traditional Tongan “Taulunga” performed by Saint Francis’ Tongan students. “I think it was important for the younger kids to see us perform,” says Junior Mapuana Maka. “It shows everyone that we take pride in our culture.” And as Saint Francis continues to evolve, the Aloha Show will continue to evolve along with it. 04 ALOHA SHOW 2014 Welcoming Oli: Oli Aloha Conch Shells: Justin Main, Queen: Briana Nagasawa King: Eislee Nakamasu by Charlyn “Lehua” Mckee Quinn Szanyi, Andrew Nishitomi Attendants: Kayla Ann Hall-Santiago and Jacqueline Bassett Narrators: Jennifer Lum and Welcoming Pule: Justin Choi Kahili Bearers: Kyle Savellano, Viliami Pua, Kapu Stick: Sean Fernandez Malia Luis-Mateo Lualala Fietonu, Robert Chesbro (Missing) HAWAI’I MAUI O’AHU KAUA’I Princess: Danielle Antolin Princess: Rasela Vili Princess: Antonia Gary Princess: Taylor Kondo Prince: Kawika Cameron Prince: Janson Kupau Prince: Victor Uyechi Prince: Evan Trias Attendant: Kiana Tacgere Attendant: No'eau Kaohi Attendant: Tatienne Tugade-Sua Attendant: Sierra Esperas MOLOKA’I LANA’I NI’IHAU KAHO’OLAWE Princess: Talia Higgins Princess: Torylynn Vicari Princess: Kaitlin Santos Princess: Lacey Satele Prince: Devan Kahale Ibuos Prince: Leo Ortega Jr. Prince: Maika Teal Prince: Blaze Umiamaka Attendant: Michel Gary Attendant: Tianna Johnson Attendant: Korrie Matsumura Attendant: Dayna Romero ALOHA SHOW 2014 05 FEAST DAY 2014 Teuila Tauaese ‘08 Our school is named for Saint Francis of Assisi, and our culture and mission are based upon the Franciscan Spirit that has inspired so many – including Saint Marianne Cope – to do so much good. The annual feast day of Saint Francis, therefore, is a major event in the life of Saint Francis School and a tradition that goes back to our earliest days. Every year, we begin our feast day celebration by giving thanks to God. We know that without God’s love and guidance we wouldn’t be able to do the things that make the world a brighter and better place. Given the fact that Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals, it is customary during his feast day celebration to have students from Pre-K to high school bring in their pets to be blessed by a priest.