FIRST QUARTER ISSUE Halloween Edition Photo Courtesy of DoubleMesh NEWS Freshman Days of Recollection 2016 > PAGE 2 KeDamien’s Student Newspaper Ali‘i1st Quarter Issue REFLECTIONS Volume 49, Issue 1 EDITORIALS The College Wes Porter: The Future Quest of Damien Memorial By Falynn Brickler > PAGE 3 Ke Ali’i Staff WELCOME BACK The future of Damien Me- morial School looks bright as Wes Porter takes charge as FEATURES President and CEO. Follow- ing his succession to former president, Bernard Ho, Porter Halloween looks to maintain many aspects of Damien life, focusing on pro- Essay Con- moting what makes it different from other schools. test “The plan is simple,” said Porter. “We are going to keep doing ex- actly what we have been doing > PAGES 4, 5 as far as the educational experi- ence.” FOOTBALL He relies on the previous sys- tem of “educating the whole child,” as he stresses the impor- PORTS tance of character, values, and S faith. Public perception of the school is vital to Porter, who wishes to Highlights of educate the population on the Fall Season changes occurring at Damien Memorial School. Porter em- Wes Porter, The new President of Damien Memorial School. phasizes that a lot of people are Photo courtesy of: Ronen Zibeman unaware of what makes Damien different from not only other tian Brothers’ school, ultimately to be in the early conversa- Porter commends the Christian Catholic schools, but other pri- showing that the public does tion when families are thinking Brothers’ educational system > PAGE 6 vate schools, as well. not quite understand what our about sending their kids to pri- because of the way they take on “A lot of people have a lot of school strives for in terms of our vate schools.” values and faith to help us in our Introducing great things to say about our mission. Porter looks to alter the As an alumni of a Christian education. school,” said Porter. “But some public perception by publicizing Brothers’ school himself, Porter Overall, the new president Monarch folks don’t know enough about what it is that we do here, hop- has firsthand knowledge about is ecstatic to return to a faith- us yet.” ing that our mission will draw in what makes Damien different based learning environment, Mania On countless occasions, Porter more prospective students. from other schools. especially because of the effect has heard the public inquiries “Prospective students and “High school was a transforma- it had on his own education. regarding our location, coedu- families open their eyes to us tional experience,” said Porter, “Faith guides all the decisions > PAGE 8 cational status, religious affilia- as one of their options,” Porter “because it is drastically differ- we make. Mission, faith, and tion, and our status as a Chris- continued. “I wish for Damien ent from public schools.” what is best for everyone.” Page 2 News 1st Quarter Issue Days of Reflection, Days To Remember EXPERIENCING FRESHMAN DAYS OF RECOLLECTION By: Caleb Burnett them may not always open Carter. and running the session,” grow and evaluate their own Ke Ali’i Co-Editor-in-Chief up to. Part of the day was Along with Carter, twelve said senior leader, Keila Lee. lives, helping them remem- Everyone needs time away spent in prayer, as well as seniors assisted as leaders “I remember looking up to ber their collective iden- from school once and while, building individual spiritual- on the retreat. Leaders were the seniors my freshman tity as a Catholic Christian especially if that time is ity. They were also able to able to interact with the year. It’s a privilege to give school. spent with close friends and relax and play games, while freshmen, and participated back and help the freshmen.” “I was thankful and encour- God. getting to know each other in the sessions, as well. At- Overall, Freshman Days aged by this class of fresh- Earlier this month, fresh- as a class. tending the retreat provided of Recollection provide an men, and how they take to man religion classes “Every retreat calls to mind a sense of nostalgia for these opportunity for refreshment, heart why we do retreats,” boarded the bus to Saint our own spirituality here at seniors who were here three by becoming closer to God said Carter. Anthony’s retreat center in Damien, strengthening our years before. and friends. Retreats con- Kalihi Valley for the annual relationship with God,” said “It was cool to be a leader tinue to allow participants to Freshman Days of Recol- lection. Despite facing large downpours, nothing stopped these freshmen from experiencing a day of reflection, and fun. “Overall it was a good ex- perience for me to open up and learn about God,” said participant, Zachary Valdez. “I was able to open up my thoughts on important topics.” The retreats were lead by Campus Minister, Jeremiah Carter. “Since it’s my second year, I had a chance to see the then 8th graders, now fresh- man, grow in maturity,” said Carter. “Their ability to bond has been really evident this year.” Freshmen were able to discuss topics that some of Damien Campus Minister, Jeremiah Carter, leads a groups “I remember looking up to the seniors discussion. The Freshman Days of recollection provided the my freshman year. It’s a privilege to give freshman with an oppurtunity to open up and share their back and help the freshman.” – Keila Lee, own stories, as well as grow in spirutiaulity. Class of 2017 1st Quarter Issue Editorials Page 3 The College Quest By Falynn Brickler University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Ke Ali’i Co-Editor-in-Chief Chaminade University, Hawaii Pacific University, and Univer- Each year, admissions officers sity of Hawai’i-West Oahu. from colleges and universities Students at Damien cher- all over the United States come ish the time that they have at to Damien Memorial School to college visits to learn more in speak with students interested depth knowledge about their in attending their schools fol- options. The individual atten- lowing high school graduation. tion received at these visits Bert Fujishige, college coun- leads students to feel safe as selor at Damien, stresses the they enter the new environ- importance of college visits ment of college. for students, because they Anna Harder, a senior at introduce them to many pieces Damien, says that the college of the college puzzle. visits have helped her experi- “College visits give students ence colleges that she didn’t exposure to the whole college- think she would have been able going process,” said Fujishige. “It to get to know on her own. may be difficult for students to “I appreciate the one to one in- fully comprehend life after high teraction with college represen- students and fac- Photo courtesy of school, and what college has in tatives,” said Harder. “They show ulty the richest.” store.” me what the school offers.” Finding Com- http://latuffcartoons.wordpress. com When students attend these Gaining a personal relation- mon Ground Just as at Damien, the con- visits, it is important to have all ship is vital to some students cept of “ohana” is always the example of Blessed Ed- of their questions and concerns entering the world of college practiced. Even though mund Rice, who lived a life of addressed before they leave. life. Sometimes, colleges and By Caleb Burnett faith and generosity. Blessed Ke Ali’i Co-Editor-in-Chief our school is no longer an “There are some vital ques- universities become impersonal all-boys school, the con- Edmund serves as a role tions that students might ask,” because of their mass advertise- model, that creates a bond Damien may have a lot cepts of both brother- said Fujishige. “These can be in ments on the internet, bro- hood, and sisterhood, are between both schools 5,000 regards to admissions criteria, chures, and other mailings. more in common with other miles apart. Dugue agrees. schools than one might think. implemented into school availability of financial aid and “College visits are more life. Everyone here contrib- scholarships, fields of study, personal because people get in- “Through our connec- Catholic Memorial School, utes their talents, whether student life, extracurriculars, formation from another person,” academically, athletically, tion with other Christian and athletics.” says Keila Lee, a senior. “It is not located in Boston, Massa- Brother schools, we can chusetts, is an Edmund Rice or spiritually, to make our Fujishige is cognizant of the just another pamphlet. It is a school a great environment. find common ground in fact that some Damien students real person to connect with.” Christian Brother School, our school communities.” just as Damien is. Although may wish to continue their edu- Students are urged not to wait With both schools under cation at a Catholic university too long to begin looking at an all-boys school, many of the same principles and the Edmund Rice Christian after graduation, or attend a colleges. College visits are vital Brothers’ network, the life school on the Mainland. for students searching for the qualities at Catholic are practiced at our own school. and work of Edmund Rice is “There are very good schools right fit. Fujishige encourages celebrated and recognized. in the Midwest and on the East students to, at the very least, Coast,” continued Fujishige, “for start thinking now. “At Catholic, brotherhood, looking out for one another, “The life of Edmund Rice is those that wish to learn in a “I hope students will begin as an inspiration for our jour- new environment.” early as sophomore year,” said and uniting as a school are all important to school life,” ney,” said Dugue.