Na Mea Hou The latest news from Parker School June - July 2012
Excellence - Integrity - Compassion Our Mission Parker School provides a college-preparatory experience in a small-school setting where students develop academically while exploring their individual talents.
Congratulations, Class of 2012!
Encouraging the Search for Knowledge
Stay informed by checking the Parker School Web site regularly at www.parkerschool.net. Na Mea Hou is published September through June by the Advancement Office of Parker School. Advancement Director: Jennifer Schack Marketing Associate: Katie Callender Please e-mail articles, photos, class notes or event notices to advancement@parkerschool.net. News about students and submissions from students are especially welcome. You may choose to receive Na Mea Hou by e-mail. Submit your request to advancement@parkerschool. net.
36th Graduating Class of Parker School
Waimea Town Market at Parker School Saturday mornings from 8 am to 12 pm Ahualoa Farm Alaska Wild Salmon* Baron von App Wood Art Big Island Fruitsicles Clarissa Passos Art Downes Grounds Coffee Farm Elemental Plants Hawaii White Mountain Farm Hawaiian B Natural Farms Hawaiian Homegrown Wool Healing Touch Massage Honomu Jams
Island Herbal Island Thyme** Islandwide Solar Kalakoa Kookies Kekela Farms Mai Bacon Manowaiopae Homestead Farm Mi Ranchito Ohana Pies Poppas’ Orchids R & R Gourmet Sandwich Isle Bread
Sunrise Farm Sweet Nuts Tabouli Tea Hawaii The Candy Man True Hawaiian Blue Whole Better Health Drinks Woods Catering * fishing until September ** second and fourth weeks of month
Class of 2012
Nicholas Abarcar Victoria Andrade-McKeehan Desire’e Ashley Thomas Baldwin Emily Boehm Helena Bohannan
Hayden Cross Gian Dominic DeAntonio Erika Hannon Kira Harada-Stone Cary Hoy Geoffrey Inaba
Kieran Najita, Salutatorian
Naheani Kauahi Shotaro Kume Thomas Long Caitlyn Mendes Anna Moritz Darcy Mulligan
Kieran Najita Tyler Saito Jesse Tarnas Marit Winborne
Jesse Tarnas, Valedictorian
Senior Awards Parker School Trustees’ Award, Kai Inaba Personal Achievement Award, Thomas Baldwin, Emily Boehm Richard Smart Award for Academic Excellence, Jesse Tarnas Longevity Award, Hayden Cross, Erika Hannon, Kira Harada-Stone, Kai Inaba, Shotaro Kume, Darcy Mulligan, Kieran Najita, Tyler Saito, Jesse Tarnas Headmaster’s Award, Marit Winborne
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Scholar Athlete Award, Jesse Tarnas, Marit Winborne Athlete of the Year Award, Shotaro Kume, Marit Winborne Career Achievement in the Performing Arts, Jesse Tarnas Career Achievement in the Visual Arts, Emily Boehm Valedictorian, Jesse Tarnas Salutatorian, Kieran Najita
Spaces still available: A Jeep Trip to Kealapu’ali, “Path of the Warrior” Saturday, September 15, 2012 • Cost: $100 per person (adults only please)
The trip will take you up the slope of Hualalai through the Palani Ranch lands of Kamalumalu, criss-crossing the path of the old Judd Trail, to Kealapu’ali (meaning “Path of the Warrior”). At an elevation of 4,500 feet, Kealapu’ali is a complex of old wooden structures thought to be the oldest wooden buildings on the island. Once an old sheep station, this location was visited by Isabella Bird during her stay in the Sandwich Isles in 1873. This spot’s fascinating history takes us through the years when Kealapu’ali became a very prosperous dairy for H.N. Greenwell. The knowledgeable and entertaining Maile Melrose, dressed in period clothing, will be your guide and historical interpreter. Refreshments and a hot BBQ lunch provided. Presented to you with aloha by the Craven, Greenwell and Melrose families in participation with the Kona Historical Society.
Contact Jennifer Schack at 808-885-8309 or jschack@parkerschool.net for tickets and information.
Parker School’s Yearbook Wins Publishing Awards Parker School’s 2011-2012 yearbook won three awards in the Herff Jones Publishing Hawaii yearbook contest. The high school yearbook staff was pleased to win the categories of Best Photography, Best Captions and Copy, and the Perfect Production Award (given to schools with no late deadlines). English teacher and yearbook supervisor, Gillian Culff said, “We had a staff of only nine students, and we work for just the first two trimesters of the school year (through the end of February), so this was quite an accomplishment for our team.”
Foundation for the Future Campaign Update The Foundation for the Future Campaign has been a success! The $500,000, twenty-month campaign has provided much needed updates to the campus. A regulation-sized soccer field, finished months before schedule, has hosted many soccer matches since November. Work is underway on both the First Hawaiian Bank Media Studio and the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation Center in honor of John C. Baldwin. The theatre upgrade will be completed in July. The campaign also funded the 2010-2011 and 20112012 Funds for Education, Parker’s Annual Fund. Mahalo to all our partners in the campaign; we couldn’t have done it without you. The new facilities will be celebrated with receptions in the fall. Please contact Jennifer Schack at 885-8309 for further information.
Speaker Series Hosts Alumni Panel
Parker School graduates, Mimi Kerley ’91, Darius Monsef ’99 and Ethan Tweedie ’85 visited the campus on May 3rd to talk with the junior and senior classes about what to expect after graduation. The three-person panel shared their individual experiences and offered tips to the students transitioning to college and beyond. The panel was the last installment of the Parker School Speaker Series for the 2011-2012 school year. The series, started by Rea Callender in September of 2005, has served as an excellent professional development opportunity for Parker students, bringing many well known artists, scientists, business people and entrepreneurs to the school’s stage to share their stories of success, determination, dedication and the importance of following one’s dream.
June - July, 2012
8th Grade Graduation - Class of 2016
Erika Kasberg, Salutatorian
Lorenzo Arnouts Dashiell Cotton Garrett Davis Garrison Davis Riley Decker
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Kevin Grace, Valedictorian
Kevin Grace Julie Gregg Carolyn Hiller Erika Kasberg Marlo C. B. Mundon
Sivan Najita Skyler Pleuss Harmony Ring No’eau Simeona Ryan Touchet
Kyra Vidosh Skye Waipa Kiana Ward Thea Woodward
5th Grade Graduation - Class of 2019 Class Speakers: Annika Berezney, Moving On Zoe Vann, My Parker School Experience
Trevor Bastien Annika Berezney Lindy Billhardt Conner Brown Gavin Cairns
Ku’uleialoha A. W. Ka’aukai Poeherenui Karsin Colin Klimt Jacob Mead Sara AB Mundon
Audrey Louise Nixon Masen Note Scout Paret Cloe Parks Marina Plock
William Touchet Zoe Vann
June - July, 2012
General Awards Book Awards
Elective Awards
Science Awards
Wellesley, Olivia Armandroff
Yoga, Marit Winborne
Life Science 6th/7th Grade, Owen Matsuda
Mt. Holyoke, Sarah Willey
Student Council, Tyler Saito
Earth Science 6th/7th Grade, Kawena Ching
University of Penn., Tyler McCullough
Student Council, Kai Inaba
Earth Science 6/7th Grade, Kirk Hubbard
Yale, Aidan Wharton
Yearbook Editor-in-Chief
Physical Science 8th Grade, Carrie Hiller
2012, Darcy Mulligan
Physical Science 8th Grade, Kevin Grace
Brown University, Paul Gregg
Yoga, Victoria Andrade-McKeehan
Life Science 6th/7th Grade, Jaipal Brar
Biology, Josh Yost
English Awards
English 6, Lucy Callender English 7, Sumika Helffrich English 7, Zoe Mercer
Biology, Aolani Peiper
History Awards
Honors Biology, Jaren Ashcraft Honors Biology, Maia Tarnas
History 6, Kirk Hubbard
Marine Science, Sarah Willey
English 7, Shelby Alligood
History 7, Sumika Helffrich
Marine Science, Darcy Mulligan
English 7, Julia Lee
History 7, Kyra Matsuda
Chemistry, Grant Nair
English 7, Kyra Matsuda
History 8, Carrie Hiller
Chemistry, Lysha Matsunobu
English 8, Kevin Grace
World Hist., Madyson Harper
AP Chemistry, Jesse Burns
Valedictorian-12th grade, Jesse Tarnas
English 9, Madyson Harper
World Hist., Mia Scibelli
AP Chemistry, Anastasiya Polishchuk
Salutatorian-12th grade, Kieran Najita
English 9 Honors, Maia Tarnas
Honors World Hist., Maia Tarnas
Project Physics, Kai Inaba
Valedictorian-8th grade, Kevin Grace
English 10, Keoni Beaton
Honors World Hist., Kosuke Kume
Project Physics, Stephanie Janovsky
Salutatorian-8th grade, Erika Kasberg
English 10, Emily Whitfield
Honors World Hist., Jaren Ashcraft
Honors Physics, Aidan Wharton
Mie Kim Najita Award, Brianna Dodds
English 10 Honors, Mia Davis
Western Civ. Honors, Kyley Nishimura
Honors Physics, Paul Gregg
The Richard Smart Junior Award
English 10 Honors, Lysha Matsunobu
Western Civ. Honors, Lysha Matsunobu
Anatomy & Physiology, Jesse Tarnas
for Excellence, Paul Gregg
English 11, Rin Zhou
Hawaiian Hist., Nohili Thompson
Anatomy & Physiology, Shotaro Kume
The Aviles and Stover Fund for Sci-
English 11, Briana Dodds
Hawaiian Hist., Lysha Matsunobu
ence, Tawny Bright
English 11, Lauren Sweere
AP European Hist., Kieran Najita
Irma Packard/Norman Scholship, Wyatt Mangel
English 12, Thomas Long
AP European Hist., Anastasiya Polishchuck
100 Hours Student Service Award,
English 12, Darcy Mulligan
U. S. Hist., Rin Zhou
Spanish A, Owen Matsuda
Anastasiya Polishchuk
AP Lang. & Comp., Jesse Tarnas
U. S. Hist., Caity Mendes
Spanish B, Julia Lee
Above and Beyond Student Tutor, Cody Brown
AP Lit. & Comp., Paul Gregg
U. S. Hist., Jesse Burns
Spanish B, Lucy Callender
History & English, Anastasiya Polishchuck
Spanish 2A, Kevin Grace
Visual Arts 6, Fanny Arnouts
Sociology, Darcy Mulligan
Spanish 2A, Julie Gregg
Visual Arts 6, Zach Kaufmann
Sociology, Shotaro Kume
Spanish 2A, Erika Kasberg
Leadership Award, Tyler Saito
Visual Arts 7, Julia Lee
Sociology, Kieran Najita
Spanish 1, Mia Scibelli
Leadership Award, Victo-
Visual Arts 7, Nate Biondi
Sociology, Kira Harada-Stone
Spanish 1, Aolani Peiper
ria Andrade-McKeehan
Visual Arts 8, Kevin Grace
Most Valuable Debater, Jesse Tarnas
Visual Arts 8, Kyra Vidosh
Most Valuable Debater, Emilie Skladzien
Performing Arts 6, Sophia Kauffman
Most Valuable Debater, Elliott Jacobson Top Debater-Middle School, Kevin Grace
Special Awards
Above and Beyond Student Tutor, Lysha Matsunobu Fine Arts Awards
Debate Awards
Math
Spanish Awards
Spanish A, Hunter Weigle
Spanish 2, Mitchell Hijirida Spanish 2, Wyatt Mangel
Math Skills, Kieran Wiese-Gibson
Spanish 2, Larissa Bolstad-Urquhart
Performing Arts 7, Bethany Trusel
Math Skills, Lucy Callender
Spanish 2B, Maia Tarnas
Performing Arts 8, Julie Gregg
Math Foundations, Alissa Mullin
Spanish 2B, Anastasiya Polishcuk
Dance, Madyson Harper
Math Foundations, Fanny Arnouts
Spanish 3, Kyley Nishimura
Journalism/Podcast, Kieran Najita
Pre-Algebra, Bethany Trussel
Spanish 3, Lysha Matsunobu
P.E. Grade 6, Jaipal Brar
Journalism/Podcast, Anna Moritz
Pre-Algebra, Kirk Hubbard
Spanish 4, Lauren Sweere
P.E. Grade 6, Finn Simmersbach
Creative Writing, Megan Yost
Algebra 1, Larissa Bolstad-Urquhart
Spanish 4, Jesse Burns
P.E. Grade 7, Taylor Doherty
Pottery, Sam Keliihoomalu
Algebra 1, Erika Kasberg
Spanish 5, Jesse Tarnas
P.E. Grade 7, Ben Miller
2-Dimensional Art, Shotaro Kume
Geometry, Ryan Touchet
Spanish 5, Marit Winborne
P.E. Grade 8, Skyler Pleuss
AP 2-D Art, Emily Boehm
Geometry, Mia Scibelli
P.E. Grade 8, Riley Decker
3-D Art, Jaren Ashcraft
Algebra 2, Tawny Bright
Conditioning, Luke Potter
3-D Art, Kyley Nishimura
Algebra 2 & Trig, Rachel Dunn
Conditioning, Kosuke Kume
AP 3-D Art, Nondi Lampkin
Algebra 2 & Trig, Maia Tarnas
AP Drawing, Gian DeAntonio
Pre-Calculus, Grant Nair
Rock Band, Nya Rose Phillips
Pre-Calculus, Lysha Matsunobu
Rock Band, Alex Guske
AP Calculus AB, Paul Gregg
Rock Band, Kyley Nishimura
AP Calculus AB, Anastasiya Polishchuk
Physical Education Awards
Songwriting, Rachel Dunn
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Arts Gala Night Awards Visual Arts
Performing Arts
The David Hockney Award for best in drawing, Gian DeAntonio
Career Achievement in Performing Arts, Jesse Tarnas
The Kandinsky Award for best in imaginative work, Rachel Dunn The Ansel Adams Award for best in nature photography, Emily Whitfield
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN
The Vincent Van Gogh Award for the best use of color to express emotion, Emily Boehm
DWARFS OF THE BLACK FOREST
The Creative Visionary Photography Award, Brieanah Gouveia
Best Supporting Actor, Nick Abarcar
The Michelangelo Award for best in figurative sculpture, Nondi Lampkin
Best Supporting Actress, Kawena Ching
The Maria Montoya Martinez Award for best clay vessel, Allen Bond
Best Actor, Jesse Tarnas
The Magdalena Abakanowics Award for best conceptual art, Kai Inaba
Best Actress, Olivia Armandroff
The Judy Chicago Award for best use of art as a political weapon for social change, Thomas Baldwin
Best Technician, Tawny Bright
The Francis Bacon Existentialism Art Award, Lauren Sweere
Director’s Award, Sean Dunnington
The Frida Kahlo Award for best use of self narrative in art, Lila Alligood
MVP, Maia Tarnas
The Annie Leibowitz Award for best in portrait photography, Erika Hannon Graphic Design Award, Kira Harada-Stone
GUYS AND DOLLS
Best Short Film Award, Kyley Nishimura
Best Supporting Actor, Paul Gregg
Senior Career Artist Award, Emily Boehm
Best Supporting Actress, Desiree Ashley
Mazie Hirono Congressional Arts Award, Mariko Langevin
Best Actor, Thomas Baldwin Best Actress, Helena Bohannan Best Vocalist (male or female), Helena Bohannan Best Dancer, Lorenzo Arnouts Best Technician, Rachel Dunn and Maia Tarnas Director’s Award, Aidan Wharton MVP, Maia Tarnas
Dramatiques Present Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls, which ran from April 20-29, was the 16th Parker School Dramatiques production under the direction of the school’s Fine Arts Director Maren Oom. There were over 60 students between the 6th and 12th grade involved in this production. Dramatiques, Parker’s after-school drama program, was founded in 2004 by a passionate group of middle and high school students who wanted the performing arts to flourish outside of the regular curriculum. Students traditionally select two productions a year through a voting process. Recent productions have been Snow White and Seven Dwarfs of the Black Forest, Les Miserables, The Odyssey and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
June - July, 2012
Lower School Happenings Field Day On Friday, May 18, Parker Lower School held its annual end of the year Field Day. PE teacher Nicole Vedelli coordinated the event, and many faculty and parent volunteers worked the various race and activity stations.
4th & 5th Grades’ Solar Grand Prix
On Monday, May 21, the sun cooperated and the Parker School fourth and fifth graders got to race the solar cars they designed and constructed in science class. Students lined their vehicle creations up on the school’s basketball court, and at their teacher’s flag signal, they let their cars go. Several of the cars made it to the finish line in record speed.
EggHunt!
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3rd, 4th Grades at Dolphin Quest
Middle & Upper School Life
Pie-in-the-face
NHS Students Place Third, Raise Funds in Relay for Life
Middle School Spring Formal
by Olivia Armandroff The fifteen members of Parker School’s National Honor Society participated in Waimea’s Relay for Life on April 28. Led by their captain, Mariko Langevin, the team was well prepared. In anticipation of the event, the team raised $2268 for the American Cancer Society, surpassing its goal of $1000 and placing third amongst all the teams. The group gathered in the park and celebrated the event for the duration of Saturday night. The night was full of energy as team members raced around the track, with one member, Luke Potter, running a total of 26 miles. After the team’s hard work on the field, the award for the most total laps went to Parker. Students flooded the field when it was time for Zumba, dancing for more than an hour. When it came time to pack up and leave the field, the Parker School team was not just tired but fulfilled as well.
On & Off Campus... Visiting the Makali’i
Helping with the Lower School Egg Hunt
The Class of 2012 after their Senior Breakfast
June - July, 2012
Annual May Day Celebration & Luau Parker School held its annual May Day celebration and luau on Friday, April 27. The Lower School program featured the kindergarten through 5th grade students performing their class hula and chants, for which they had been preparing since January with visiting kumu Liana Aveiro and Pua Garmon. After the performance, the lower schoolers rotated through various stations of Makahiki games. The middle and upper school students enjoyed a day of May Day activities, including Makahiki games, and four upper school students performed hula at the all school ‘ohana luau that evening.
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June - July, 2012
A Great Season for Parker School Debate
State Championships
Tarnas, McCullough Compete in Nationals
Recent Parker graduate Jesse Tarnas and soon to be senior Tyler McCullough traveled to compete in the National Forensic League National Tournament June 11-15 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tarnas and McCullough both made it through six rounds in the Lincoln-Douglas Category, Tarnas through six rounds in Supplemental Debate, and McCullough through three rounds of Supplemental Debate.
Parker School’s debate team shone at the State Forensic Championship at Kamehameha and Punahou Schools on Oahu in April where eighteen schools competed. Parker senior Jesse Tarnas earned 1st place and therefore is state champion in the Championship Lincoln-Douglas debate category. Parker senior Kieran Najita came in second, and Parker junior Tyler McCullough earned third place in this same category. Parker juniors Emilie Skladzien and Elliott Jacobson were the state champions in the Beginning Public Forum debate category. Because Lincoln-Douglas is an advanced category, the top Lincoln-Douglas debaters go on to compete at the National Forensic League National Tournament June 10-16 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Due to a prior commitment, Najita will be unable to make the trip, so McCullough, also a finalist, accompanied Tarnas to compete in Najita’s place.
Debate coach and headmaster Carl Sturges, who accompanied the two students to the nationals, said, “I’m really excited about how competitive our kids were against the best debaters in the nation. It was a great experience for my junior so that he can come back next year and really have a leg up on the season, and it was great for my senior who intends to do debate in college. So all in all it was a great trip. I learned a lot from the rounds that I judged and it was nice to be back. I hadn’t been to a national tournament in 24 years so it was nice to be able to go back.”
“The trip was very fun and made me realize how special the debate team at Parker school really is,” said Tarnas. “I feel very lucky to have been part of a team that is so comfortable and supportive of each other, both of which are qualities abnormal of the average debate team but essential for happiness and success in the real world.”
“Winning states was the absolute best way to cap this awesome year with my debate team,” said Tarnas. “The team this year was amazing… Debate has had such a great hand in shaping me as an individual. Doc (Dr. Carl Sturges, Parker debate coach and headmaster) has helped me become controlled in my communication and confident in my speaking skills, which will serve me well for the rest of my life.” Twenty-one Parker debate students qualified for the state tournament. Tarnas and Najita are the first-ever national qualifiers (though not the first champions) for the school. The school was also pleased that two Parker alumni living on Oahu, Rachel Soma and Sanford Loo, volunteered for the judging pool at the competition. Sturges said, “State championships in two categories is a great finish to our debate season. I can’t wait to participate in the national tournament with our two Lincoln-Douglas debaters!”
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Tyler McCullough (left) and Jesse Tarnas (right) with Dr. Sturges at the National Forensic League National Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Student Council Raises Funds for Charities Parker School’s student council raised nearly $1200 this year for three different charities. $850 of those dollars were generated from this year’s third annual Parker LoveFest.
LoveFest is the brainchild of Nathalie Whitfield, graduate of the class of 2011 and former Student Council Vice President. “She came up with the idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day for an entire week, as a week of love, reaching out to our own community and the larger world,” said Parker English teacher and Student Council Advisor Gillian Culff. “We have raised money each year for different charities through spirited food sales at lunch (such as pink cupcakes, etc.), LoveFest tee-shirt sales and a benefit concert. This year, our two (LoveFest) charities were Friends of the Children’s Justice Center and Japan tsunami relief.” Tim Ashcraft, President of the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, visited the Parker School Campus to accept the $425 check for his organization, which helps children in West Hawaii who have been traumatized by witnessing a violent crime. The organization provides
therapeutic rehabilitation to help those kids heal from emotional trauma. The remaining $425 LoveFest funds will go to School Building Fund, Rikuzentakata City, Japan to aid in the rebuilding of schools damaged/ destroyed in the tsunami of March, 2011, in memory of Monty Dickson. Dickson, an uncle of former Parker students Merrin and Pearl Dickson, was teaching English there when he died in the tsunami. The student council organized additional smaller events—such as Penny Wars, where each class raced to fill up jars with loose change, and Pie in the Face, where students got to throw pies at faculty members at lunchtime— throughout the school year. These efforts raised another $300 targeted for Smile Train, an organization that provides free cleft palate surgery to poor children in developing countries. The cost of one surgery is $250, so Parker’s donation will fund one child’s surgery and half the cost of another.
Parker Partners with the Blue Planet Foundation
The entire school participated in the Blue Planet Foundation’s C (conserve) F (fundraise) L (learn) Bulb Blitz. Incandescent bulbs were exchanged for new energy efficient compact fluorescents. Members of the PTSO, Lower School, Middle School, Upper School and Student Council swapped a total of 1,520 bulbs; each bulb exchanged raised $.50 for the school.
AP Art student Rachel Dunn created a wearable art piece out of light bulbs and extension cord for the CFL Bulb Blitz event.
June - July, 2012
Poetry Slam Contest
Several Parker School students performed their original poems at a slam poetry contest at the school on April 30. Junior Megan Yost won the contest with a perfect score for her poem, Surfaces.
Parker English teacher Gillian Culff organized the event. Each year, as part of her sophomore class poetry unit, she teaches the students about slam poetry. Slam poetry was created in the 1980’s by Mark Smith, who Culff said, “wanted an event where people could not just read their original poems, but perform them, and where the audience would be directly involved, both through active response to the performances and as judges. It took off like gangbusters, and slam’s been a part of our culture ever since.” Last year, Culff had several students excited by the slam unit and the possibility of performing their own poetry, so she created an all-day poetry slam workshop, which was to be a part of the school’s ArtStart 2011. (ArtStart is a Parker tradition in which the students spend a full day working in various art forms with volunteer visiting artists). Unfortunately, last year’s ArtStart was canceled due to the tsunami. Culff said, “So by this year, I had some disappointed students who were hungry for a slam. I ran the workshop for ArtStart and had a very committed core group who shared their poems at the end of the day in an informal allPoetrySlam contestants: Isabella Robertson, Jourdan school meeting. The Evangelista, Megan Yost, Anastasiya Polishchuk, Nondi Lampkin, Sean Dunnington kids still wanted to do a real slam though. So we opened it up to the rest of the school.” A number of students stepped forward to perform their poems at the more formal contest on April 30. The winner, Yost, received exuberant applause after her performance. She is new to Parker this year, and in addition to being a poet, also danced in the school’s recent production of Guys and Dolls, and is an accomplished saxophone player and member of the Parker’s rock band class. Yost said, “The poetry slam was tons of fun, but I was so nervous. I was shaking on stage. Perfoming is amazing, I love it, but when you are sharing something personal that you wrote yourself it is much more intimidating. Especially when it’s a competition! You want the audience to enjoy your poem, and feel how much it means to you. You really put yourself out there. When the judges gave me a perfect score I was completely shocked. It was definitely a confidence booster.” Culff hopes the slam contest will attract even more participants next year, and plans to extend the opportunity to include middle schoolers as well.
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Surfaces
Slam Poem by Megan Yost You sit and stare at a blank gray wall, Thinking of everything and nothing At the same time. A small thought crosses your mind, A memory of how bright, how colorful your walls used to be, Before you came to this foreign place. Cheerful yellows, feisty reds, peaceful greens and blues. You wonder, why must this wall be gray? Winner, Megan Yost It should be painted like the rainbow, It should reflect all the vibrancy of life. But the thought goes no further. You keep sitting and staring at the blank gray wall. Eventually the day comes when you finally go out and buy brushes, to paint that blank gray wall. But they never leave the grocery bag, tossed in the corner, As you return to your place, still staring. A week or so passes. You work up the energy to pick a few colors, And several days after that, you actually buy the paints. But they join the brushes in the dusty corner, And you stare at the blank gray wall. People visit occasionally; they compliment your tidy, clean wall. You are shocked out of your stupor. You realize all the people around you believe you love that blank gray wall. You blink, for the first time in what seems like months. You notice how much your shoulders ache from keeping your colors, your life and energy, Curled up inside. You open those buckets of paint and let them spill over that blank gray wall, giving the dull expanse color. Emotion. Now everyone who had passed by you and your blank gray wall before, Stops and stares, Shocked, because you have revealed something they never knew existed. They had you in a box, a blank gray box. Until you popped open that lid on that bucket of paint, Until you opened up yourself, and showed the art of your soul, The rainbow of your living heart. For you are that wall.
Foreign Student Anastasiya Polishchuk Wins Presidential National Service Award Between classes, homework, learning a new language, debate, drama and other activities, how does a busy high school senior find the time to clock over 100 hours of community service in a school year? Somehow, Parker School senior Anastasiya Polishchuk, a visiting student from Ukraine, did it. Polishchuk came to Parker through the Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI), “a non-profit international educational exchange organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development, environmental consciousness and world peace.” CCI requires its students to complete at least 30 hours of community service, and students in the program who reach 100 hours receive a National Service Award conferred by the US President. To achieve her community service goal, Polishchuk said, “…mostly on Saturdays and days off I went to volunteer. Sometimes I just did that several hours after school when I did not have any activities.” And she dove in to a number of different opportunities. “I tried not to miss any possibility to volunteer at school. On Global Youth Day my friend Rin and I volunteered at Waimea Outdoor Circle. Yet, most of times I participated in community service in Thelma Parker Library. Thelma Parker Library has nice volunteer team and Carol Buck, who leads volunteers, teaches people not only to do their job but some details and interesting facts about library. Because of good and pleasant staff, it was a joy to volunteer in the library.”
admission director and international student coordinator Ann Renick. Polishchuk’s history and English teacher Ruth Sturges said, “Anastasiya represents the best the foreign exchange program has to offer in bringing dedicated and gifted students into Parker School. She helped to raise the bar of excellence in every class she attended. Anastasiya continually pushed herself to be the very best student she could be and to learn everything she could learn. She would not allow herself to waste a moment of her time. She threw herself into her courses with a whole-heart, and her level of preparedness challenged her classmates to greater academic commitment.” Polishchuk said of her award, “I am here as exchange student who never used to volunteer before. For me, the best award for my volunteering is ‘thank you’ and smiles of people around. To be honest, of course, it’s pleasant to get an award, which symbolizes strong cooperation between government and people even on international level.”
“When a brilliant mind is coupled with such determination, the results are truly awesome.”
Polishchuk’s teachers and those who have worked with her at Parker School are amazed she was able to accomplish 100 hours of service, and cannot say enough positive things about her as a student and person. Parker headmaster and Polishchuk’s debate coach, Carl Sturges, said, “When a brilliant mind is coupled with such determination, the results are truly awesome. We’ve really appreciated having Anastasiya this year.” “Ana’s achievement in earning this presidential award was remarkable, and was aided in large part by the cooperation of her host family, Walter and Deanna Zivalic, and her local coordinator, Yvette Gonzalez,” said Parker
Once back in Ukraine, Polishchuk will finish high school and take several tests to earn her diploma, then plans to attend university. Of her year at Parker School, she said, “Parker School is amazing and friendly. Parker students are really nice and welcoming as well as teachers who help to adjust and succeed. Thank you, Parker School, for such a wonderful and unforgettable year!... I (also) really want to thank my host family, which welcomed me in Hawaii. To host an exchange student is a great responsibility and risk. I love Zivalic family so much! And a person who managed my year here and helped in difficult situations is Yvette Gonzalez. Thank you so much for your help. Well, and I want to say ‘Thank you’ to everyone who I met here. Waimea has this unbelievable ‘ohana spirit, which is so great. Thank you!”
June - July, 2012
Project Physics Students Build Giant Camera Obscura
It’s a STEMpede... Patricia Kassis’ Project Physics class temporarily converted Parker School’s library into an enormous camera obscura. They began the project the first week in April and it continued to be a campus attraction through May. The term “camera obscura” comes from the Latin meaning “darkened chamber or room.” It is a device that has been used for thousands of years, and is designed
whose foil covering had the small hole to let in the beam of light. The first trial run of the camera was exciting. Kassis said, “Finally, after we turned the lights out, and even though we all knew intellectually what to expect, we were so excited to see the image come into view. We were cheering out loud. The image takes a few minutes to come into view because it is dim. It’s also not
“The camera obscura is a great example of the hands on course work that the newly created Project Physics class takes on.” to channel and project a small beam of light through a small hole in one side of the chamber to reproduce an image (usually flipped) from outside onto a wall inside. The pinhole camera is the bestknown example of a camera obscura. “For years, I’ve had students make a handheld version of this using a cereal box,” said Kassis. But this year she went big. “This year, we’re offering a new physics class with more of an engineering perspective. It allowed me to allocate several days to the project, and really get the kids involved in every aspect.” The students covered the windows in aluminum foil to block the light, and a large sheet was hung as a projection screen opposite the one window
Na Mea Hou
as brightly colored as we’d hoped. That’s a biological phenomenon having to do with rods and cones (in our eyes), making dim images appear black and white.” Kassis’ physics class then opened up their creation to visitors. The school’s life science classes, physical science classes, and art classes were all able to integrate the experience of sitting within the camera obscura into their curriculum. Project Physics student Kai Inaba said, “The camera obscura is a great example of the hands on course work that the newly created Project Physics class takes on. Working together on such a large scale project epitomizes the work ethic and culture that the Parker School students and teachers embody.”
On April 27th, Parker School hosted STEMpede, an afternoon dedicated to exposing students to an array of professional possibilities in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields.
“It’s been a goal of mine to expose our students to STEM careers, especially engineering,” said Parker math and science teacher Patricia Kassis. “So when this opportunity arose, I was happy to plan the event. I think some professions are always visible to students, and I’m delighted that other professions see it as part of their job description to share their work with students, and this gave the students a chance to learn about the other technical fields – the exciting careers that are usually invisible to students.” Over eighteen presenters, most from Waimea, visited Parker to share about their particular professions, and included: dentist and Parker parent Brian Kubo; orthopedic surgeon and Parker parent Diane Payne; astronomers Jim Lyke, Marc Kassis (also a Parker parent), and Jim Stockton; midwife and Parker parent Robin Ramsay; sleep researcher Gail Nielsen; ocean engineer Eric Brager; structural engineer Lori Kindervader; physical therapists Kelly Hoyle (also a Parker parent) and Sarah Davis; mechanical engineer Ean James; and flight nurse and Parker parent Kim Bastien. The guests presented
individually and also took part in panels, which allowed more time to take student questions.
Kassis was “astounded at how easily I recruited volunteers –most said yes immediately, without reservation. Many of the students expressed their gratitude for the opportunity, and the presenters have also sought me out to thank the school for the opportunity we provided them… We produced this great event that benefited everyone.” In creating the STEMpede event, Parker School joins the nationwide effort to encourage US students to explore and pursue futures in STEM careers.
Instrumental Music Program Recital
The Parker School Instrumental Music Program hosted its end of the year recital on May 15. The after school program was created in partnership with the Orchestra of the Hawaiian Islands and provides private lessons for Parker students. The program featured works by Liszt, Beethoven, Gliere and Mancini performed by both students and instructors.
Zachariah Kaufmann
Maxwell Tramontin
J. P. Thoma, Maxwell Tramontin, Annu Shoko Shionoya, Anna Leonard, Owen Leonard, Aimee Paret
Owen Leonard
Anna Leonard
2011-2012 Third Trimester Headmaster’s List and Honor Roll
Parker School congratulates the students who made the Headmaster’s List andHonor Roll during the third trimester of the 2011-2012 school year. Students on the Headmaster’s List earned GPA’s of 3.75 or higher. Honor Roll students earned GPA’s of 3.5 or higher. Headmaster’s List-Upper School Olivia Armandroff, Jaren Ashcraft, Larissa Bolstad-Urquhart, Cody Brown, Jesse Burns, Bailey Calciolari, Carly Cappagli, Rachel Dunn, Paul Gregg, Kira Harada-Stone, Madyson Harper, Stephanie Janovsky, Kosuke Kume, Shotaro Kume, Mariko Langevin, Lysha Matsunobu, Tyler McCullough, Anna Moritz, Grant Nair, Kyley Nishimura, Tyler Saito, Mia Scibelli, Lauren Sweere, Jesse Tarnas, Maia Tarnas, Aidan Wharton, Sarah Willey, Marit Winborne, Megan Yost, Hongjin Zhou Honor Roll-Upper School Tawny Bright, Alex Guske, Marie Jobes, Evan Kasbeg, Nondi Lampkin, Darcy Mulligan, Michael Note, Aolani Peiper, Luke Potter, Keala Prietto, Isabella Robertson, Joshua Yost
Headmaster’s List-Middle School Shelby Alligood, Fanny Arnouts, Lorenzo Arnouts, Nate Biondi, Jaipal Brar, Lucy Callender, Kawena Ching, Riley Decker, Taylor Doherty, Kieran Wiese Gibson, Kevin Grace, Carolyn Hiller, Kirk Hubbard, Erika Kasberg, Julia Lee, Kyra Matsuda, Owen Matsuda, Ben Miller, Alissa Mullin, Marlo Mundon, Sivan Najita, Harmony Ring, Bethany Trusel, Skye Waipa Honor Roll-Middle School Dashiell Cotton, Garrett Davis, Julie Gregg, Sophia Kaufmann, Zoe Mercer, Kiana Nakamura, No’eau Simeona, Rachel Thompson, Ryan Touchet, Thea Woodward
June - July, 2012
Jesse Tarnas Wins NSLI for Youth Scholarship to Study Language Abroad Senior Jesse Tarnas has been awarded one of over 600 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarships for 2012-2013. The NSLI-Y program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students to learn less commonly-taught languages in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs. The NSLI-Y scholarship enables Tarnas to study Arabic in Morocco for the summer. The scholarship covers all program costs for participants including domestic and international travel; tuition and related academic preparation; language testing; educational and cultural activities focused on language learning; orientations; meals; and accommodations, commonly with a host family. Launched as part of a U.S. Government initiative in 2006, NSLI-Y seeks to increase Americans’ capacity to engage with native speakers of critical languages by providing formal and informal language learning and practice and by promoting mutual understanding through educational and cultural activities. NSLI-Y offers overseas study opportunities to high school students for summer and academic-year language learning in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, and Turkish. The goals of the NSLI-Y program include sparking a life-long interest in foreign languages and cultures, and developing a corps of young Americans with the skills necessary to advance international dialogue in the private, academic or government sectors, building upon the foundations developed through person-to-person relationships while abroad. Through his participation in the program, Tarnas will be in the vanguard of international communication and will develop the
skills necessary to be a leader in the global community. NSLI-Y is administered by American Councils for International Education in cooperation with AFS-USA, American Cultural Exchange Service, Americans Promoting Study Abroad, AMIDEAST, iEARNUSA, Legacy International, Russian American Foundation and the University of Delaware. Applications for 2013-2014 NSLI-Y programs will be available at www.nsliforyouth.org in the early fall. Tarnas said, “I’m really interested in Arabic because Islamic culture is incredibly intriguing and, frankly, doesn’t get enough kudos for the role it played in the development of the modern westernized psyche. Furthermore, my mom spent her childhood in Beirut, Lebanon, so I have some roots in the Muslim world. My aunt pointed this program out to me. I’m not sure how she found it, but I’m sure glad she did!”
Alumni Corner Ian Watts, class of ‘78 and his family visited the campus in April. He has been a firefighter in Monterey, California since 1984. Peter Martin, class of ’97, is a member of Third Coast Percussion Ensemble. For more information visit http://www.moderecords.com/catalog/243_cage.html. Annie Sturges, class of ’11 organized the Alpha Delta Pi, Psi Chapter at University of California Berkeley’s first Daddy Daughter Day on March 17 (see left). The event created an opportunity to incorporate fathers into their daughters’ lives at college and support Cal athletics.
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Athletics News by Athletic Director Ceri Whitfield Parker School Athletics has had a very successful 2011-2012 year. Cross country boys Jesse Tarnas, Paul Gregg and Tyler McCullough went to States. The girls’ volleyball team and both boys’ and girls’ soccer teams went to playoffs. Mariko Langevin, Cody Brown, Aidan Wharton, Charlie Charbonneau, Sarah Willey and Emily Whitfield from the mixed varsity paddling team placed at States. The tennis team qualified at BIIFS with our very own Emilie Skladzien going to States as the number four seed for the Big Island. The newly established boys’ volleyball team had a great start to the season and an even better finish, playing exceptionally competitive games. Evan Kasberg placed 13th on the Big Island for boys’ golf. Congratulations to you all! I am so very proud to be your Athletics Director.
The Parker Bulls Soccer Club has just finished its first HYSA season and boasted many more wins than defeats. We look forward to starting the soccer club again in August for the HYSA fall season. Thank you to all the dedicated and committed coaches for all your hard work with our students, and to all the parents for encouraging your children to participate in sports and stay fit and healthy. Thank you to the students who have put the past behind them and are determined to come back fighting and show that we at Parker School are as good as the next. And finally, a bittersweet farewell to all our seniors - thank you for your commitment to Parker School Athletics. Good luck in your future endeavors, and come back and see us!
Thank you to all for your wonderful support of Parker School Athletics. I look forward to another great year here with the students. Have a fantastic summer!
HYSA player Zane Willman
Third Trimester Athletic Awards
Boys’ Volleyball Coaches Award, Leo Yao MVP, Jesse Burns Most Improved, Brian Toubman
PTSO News
Girls’ Tennis Coaches Award, Lauren Sweere, Marit Winborne
Boys’ Tennis Coaches Award, Shotaro Kume
MVP, Emilie Skladzien Most Improved, Nya Phillips, Rin Zhou
MVP, Kai Inaba Most Improved, Thomas Baldwin
by PTSO President Robin Mullin
PTSO enjoyed another busy and productive year supporting the Parker School ‘ohana. The new mini grant program for promoting innovation in the classroom was a highlight. Seven $500 mini grants were awarded including one for a document camera for the lower school and another for training for new iPads in the upper school. Our funds helped with the new multipurpose athletic court and new rugs for lower school classrooms. As always, PTSO supported school programs including the Fall BBQ, ArtStart and Luau. Teachers and staff enjoyed tasty treats each month and lunch at the Parent Teacher Conferences. The annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon is always a favorite. This year it was a collaboration with the Student Council, parent volunteers, local farmers and bakers, and Maria Peterson Catering. We couldn’t have done this without and energy and ideas from parents and students. Mahalo nui loa from PTSO!
Faculty and staff enjoyed every bite of PTSO’s Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Thank you, PTSO!
Outgoing Executive Committee members deserve a thanks as well: Carol Langevin, Ernie Plock and Sally Kaufmann. At the end of each year the PTSO
General Membership elects a new Executive Committee. Please welcome: President: Robin Mullin Vice President: Jude McAnesby Secretary: Cheryl Kubo Treasurer: Kendall DiDonato Upper School Representative: Tony Prietto Middle School Representatives: Geoffrey Mundon and Marie Fellenstein Hale Lower School Representatives: Chrissie Tramontin and Ann DiLoreto
Join in and collaborate with your fellow Parker parents to create another successful year of Parker School PTSO. Whether it’s deciding on next fall’s mini grants or plans for a fundraising event or speakers forum, don’t miss out on the fun. Mark your calendars for Fridays at 8:15am: 8/31, 9/ 28, 10/26, 11/30, 1/18, 2/22, 3/29, 4//26 and 5/17. Find us on Facebook: facebook. com/ParkerSchoolPTSO, and in the weekly WebFLASH to stay current with our activities and news, and feel free to contact me anytime at PTSO@parkerschool.net. We are looking forward to seeing you when school starts again. Have a wonderful summer!
June - July, 2012
Parker School 65-1224 Lindsey Road Kamuela, HI 96743 Address Service Requested
Dates to Remember August 4 • Alumni Reunion August 9 • Lower School Social Event • Upper/Middle Student Orientation and Social • PTSO Reception August 13 • First Day of School August 17 • Statehood Day - NO SCHOOL August 23-24 • Upper/Middle School Camp Out August 29 • Upper/Middle Back to School / Athletics Meeting For details check the Parker School calendar and announcements at www.parkerschool.net
Note: In preparing this publication we diligently try to avoid errors and omissions. Please accept our apologies and notify the Advancement Office if any are discovered.
Announcements Parker School Summer Camp Still Enrolling Summer Camp 2012 at Parker School continues with its last session, Science and Fine Arts, July 16-27 from 9 am to 4 pm, with teachers Christian Ingalls & Maren Oom. Age groups are: 5-6, 7-9, & 10-14. $200 per week includes snacks and camp t-shirt. Multi-week and sibling discounts are available. Please visit www.parkerschool.net to download a registration form and waiver or contact the Parker School Business Office at 808-885-6803.
Birthdays Happy Birthday Faculty & Staff!
Class of 2012
June: Kiyoshi Najita, Emily Pagliaro July: Carl Sturges, Jennifer Schack