Issue 5 2011-2012 by Trojan Times

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Issue 5 Volume XXXIX

www.trojantimes.org

February 9, 2012

Best in the nation JV and Varsity cheerleaders earn title

Photo courtesy of Universal Event Photography

Caitlin Kelly | Trojan Times

Senior Kayla Leong Edra wowed the crowd with her rendition of Adele’s “Turning Tables” at the Brown Bags to Stardom fundraiser, which earned her first place in the vocal category.

IT’S SHOWTIME Brown Bags to Stardom transformed into fundraiser By April-Joy McCann a.mccann@trojantimes.org

ourteen groups of students worked their way up to stardom in the first annual Brown Bags to Stardom fundraiser event held on Saturday, Jan. 28. The Brown Bags competition, which is usually held soon after the school day ends, was transformed into a more elaborate event in the gymnasium as a way to raise money for this year’s Senior Prom. “I think that Brown Bags was really successful. Usually it’s held after school for students to see, but this time all of their families could come out so it’s good

Caitlin Kelly | Trojan Times

Sophomores Melissa Suan and Christian Pinera took the top spot in the dance category with their hip-hop routine. that they can have that kind of support because it’s very nerve-wracking out there,” Senior Class adviser Katrina Abes explained. Pre-sale tickets were

sold for $13 and included admission and a luau plate. Tickets were also sold at the door, where admission CONTINUED ON

History in the making: Elementary students introduced to NHD By Jessica Fontenot j.fontenot@trojantimes.org Although National History Day (NHD) has come and gone at MHS, students were able to repeat the process with fourth and fifth grade students of Mililani Ike and Kipapa Elemen-

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tary School three times a week leading up to the Youth District competition for elementary students. The collaboration between the schools led to the making of History Heroes, which gave elementary students a bigger perspective of history. “One thing that I really

wanted to have happen in our complex is a wider understanding of (NHD) and a constructive response to history in general,” stated Social Studies teacher Amy Perruso. Perruso had previously been presented with the CONTINUED ON

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The JV and Varsity cheer teams competed against squads from across the nation in the American Grand Championship. By Jacquelyn Perreira j.perreira@trojantimes.org The MHS JV and Varsity cheerleading squads ended their year victoriously with 2011 American Grand Championship titles. Held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev., the competition took place on Dec. 17 to 18, and tested not only the teams’ athletic skills but their ability to work as a team and perform under pressure. “They said, ‘You know what coach, we’re going to do what we got to do.’ And they stepped up to the plate and they did it,” recalled Head Coach Renesha Kierstedt of a time when the teams pulled together. The competition consisted of various categories for teams to enter in. The JV team was in the School Cheer category, in which they were the only team competing. However, that did not

mean it would be an easy win. “If you’re in a division by yourself, they don’t just give national championships out like it’s candy,” explained Kierstedt. The team would have to score higher than 50 out of 100 percent. They scored a total of 63.25 percent. The Varsity team was a part of the School Cheer category, in which four

“It’s a moment that we’ll always remember.” Head Coach Renesha Kierstedt

teams were competing. A day prior to day one of competition, Varsity cheerleader Sophomore Meredith Sandridge fell ill, meaning Sophomore JV member Breanna Carey was to fill her spot and learn the Varsity routine within a few hours. Another challenge was presented when Varsity CONTINUED ON

FROM BOOK TO NOOK >>>>>>>> 3 The MHS Library acquires 12 new electronic readers, now available for students and teachers to borrow.

SCHOLASTICS UNLOCKED >>>>> 7 Three student artists earn six sought-after keys in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing competition.

PROM SURVIVAL GUIDE >>>>>>>

Everything you need to know to make it out of prom season with your wallet alive.

Index News...........................................2 Trojan Life...............................4 Chosen Trojans.......................6 Feature........................................8

Sports........................................10 Editorial....................................13 Information..............................14 Interactive................................15

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Brown Bags Continued from Page 1

was $5 and luau plates were $12. In addition, a bake sale was held outside in order to raise additional funds. “The senior prom, being at Ihilani Hotel, is going to be really expensive and what we tried to do this year is keep the bid cost down, and most seniors don’t know that (it) only covers your meal. So everything we have to pay for, we didn’t have much money for that so this (fundraiser) is going to offset that a big deal,” said fundraising adviser Gerlynn Silva. Not only was this an opportunity for the senior class to raise money, but it allowed students to show off their own talents. “For the (students) who want to express themselves creatively, this is the perfect way to do it. For them, it’s a way to shine and they did,” said Abes. In the competition there were two categories: dance and vocal. In the dance category, Sophomores Melissa Suan and Christian Pinera placed first. Senior Kayla Leong Edra won first place in the vocal category, which had more participants than the dance portion. “I wasn’t (expecting to win) because there were a lot of good people out there and I was very overwhelmed,” Leong Edra shared. Despite it being the first

time it’s been hosted as an event fundraiser, the audience was large. “I didn’t know how much turnout we would get so I was really happy that a lot of students came out to see their friends,” Silva shared, continuing, “I was really shocked to see a lot of the parents come out so it was good on that part.” Parents like Wendy Jones, mother of Senior Masey Jones who competed in the dance category, were glad to be able to come out and watch their children perform. “It’s really awesome; I love to come and see (Masey Jones) dance and perform, and just to see her perform really brings joy to my heart and I’m really proud.” Overall, the organizers believe that Brown Bags to Stardom was a success. “I hope that this continues on every year, it’s a really good turnout. A lot of people were very supportive, the audience participated, we had really great performers and it just goes to show that (MHS) is really wellrounded,” Abes said. Brown Bags to Stardom was aired on OC-16 on Wednesday, Feb. 1. The top three from both categories will move on to the state competition, where contestants in the vocal category will have to write their own song and create a music video, and dancers will have to create an entirely new routine. The venue has yet to be announced.

Brown Bags Participants

Check out Brown Bags to Stardom video highlights >>>>>>

www.trojantimes.org VOCALISTS: Lauren Ajimura Genevieve Castaneda Sidney Fowler Kayla Leong Edra Taylor del Mar Kiana Norville Andrea Thayne Caitlin Kelly | Trojan Times

Seniors Masey Jones (above) and Nastasha Merced performed a contemporary dance to a mix that included the song “Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perri.

Daniel Bayot & Savannah Wilmarth Erin & Lauren Kim & Leina Lunasco Sarah LeGalley & Keaomelemele McClay Jonathon-Michael & Brandon Palompo Local Groove (Joshua Acfalle, Daniel Fernandez, Kalawai a Kami, Kevin Lokits, Corey Ogata, Peter Pia, Bentin Sheran, Kadriah Silva & Jayson Tambaoan) DANCERS:

Caitlin Kelly | Trojan Times

Second place vocalist winner Senior Sidney Fowler (above) was one of three contestants that performed a song by Adele. The song she chose to sing was “Someone Like You.”

Masey Jones & Nastasha Merced Melissa Suan & Christian Pinera

Turning a new leaf with introduction of AP Environmental Science

Cyanne Ito | Trojan Times

Current Environmental Science teacher Sandra Webb will be the instructor for the new AP Environmental Science class. By Cyanne Ito c.ito@trojantimes.org With the prevalent issue of global warming, many people are looking to “go green” and become more

environmentally conscious. Reflecting this change in mindset, a new course is being offered at MHS next year, Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science. “I want to learn more

about the environment because a lot of people just say ‘Oh recycling’s good and I do that all the time’ or whatever, and I ... think the class would go into more of the specifics and what you could actually do (to help the environment),” said Junior Lisa Grandinetti, who has already enrolled in the course. Being that this is the first time this course has been offered at MHS, AP Environmental Science teacher Sandra Webb is faced with the difficulties of setting up the curriculum. “I’m actually planning (the class out) now, so that’s the first challenge ... I’m gathering all my resources right now,” said Webb. Regular Environmental Science has been offered as

an elective before, but the new AP Environmental Science class will go into more depth than the regular, in addition to offering college credit. “I wanted to take environmental science as a harder course, which AP Environmental offers,” said Grandinetti. The AP Environmental Science class that will be offered is a college semester course spread out over a year. “It’s a little bit different than (AP Physics, Chemistry and Biology) that are year college classes, so it’s not easier content, but it’s a shorter duration college class,” explained Webb. Students are especially anticipating field trips that will help them learn more about the environment. “(I’m hoping for) lots of field trips, I think it’ll be really

interesting because it directly relates to everything that’s happening ... so it’ll help us understand things,” said Junior Victoria Roybal, who has enrolled in the course. These factors helped to draw students in, causing the turnout for the enrollment in AP Environmental Science next year to be about 40 students. “It’s awesome, there have been years where there were only six or 12 kids for AP science classes like AP Chemistry. I think 40 for my first year is pretty good,” said Webb. While the class is still in the planning stages, Webb is already looking forward to learning how to be a better Environmental Science teacher for her students in the upcoming year.

Thursday, Feburary 9, 2012

Looking toward the future:

Students plan ahead during College Awareness Week By Reagan Paz r.paz@trojantimes.org Representatives from various colleges visited the MHS campus from Jan. 23 to 27 for the second annual College Awareness Week. A total of 15 colleges came to recruit students. Much like a college fair, students could start the application process or just simply be aware of their options in the future. “It’s very similar to a college fair that we’re having throughout the whole week … it’s a good opportunity for students to have that exposure,” explained College and Career counselor Denise Yamamoto. In addition to in-state schools like Chaminade University, Leeward Community College and Hawaii Pacific University, colleges like Grand Canyon University, Hamilton College and Barbizon Performing Arts School visited from the mainland. College Awareness Week was organized for the benefit of students of all grade levels. It allowed them to get what they needed without leaving the campus, which was very convenient. “It’s giving students an opportunity to find out more about the colleges without being taken out of class and without having to go somewhere else,” explained Yamamoto. Recruiters at the event encouraged students to start thinking about what they want to do. “(You should) get it in your day-to-day mind to think about different options, different majors, so that you can see. Potentially, maybe you may not have thought you’re interested in (something), and you didn’t know that we offer it in Hawaii,” said Chaminade University Assistant Director for Admissions Shauna Pimentel. Junior Haylie Honda added, “I just wanted to look to see the things I need to do so I’ll be able to do what I want in my life, so … in the future I know where I want to go.” With an approximate of 30 to 50 students going by to each school’s table to get information each day, Yamamoto hopes that more students will participate in College Awareness Week in the future.

Instead of a book try the Nook:

Twelve electronic readers upgrade MHS Library By Amanda Thomas a.thomas@trojantimes.org As a way to increase the number of books borrowed from the library, MHS librarians have recently added 12 Nooks, or electronic reading devices, to its inventory. Librarians Betty Arai and Rieko Goo are hoping that this handheld e-reader will help them with the task. “We had both thought about it, considering we both recently received ereaders and (we were) just looking at a different way to provide materials to a student,” said Goo. The librarians decided to have two sets of six; one set for teachers and faculty with titles appealing to adults and the second set geared toward students with titles that appeal to young adults. The total cost for the 12 new Nooks was roughly $1,680, and since that was within their annual budget, they had enough left over to purchase 35 e-books. “We bought them in sets because we found out speaking to Barnes

Photo courtesy of MHS Library

The MHS librarians are encouraging students and faculty to borrow Nooks which are loaded with new tittles. Senior Seanee Mokuau was the first student to borrow a Nook. and Noble that if we buy one e-book, Barnes and Noble is generous enough to allow us to load that e-book on six different devices … so instead of buying six different copies of a paper book we just buy one ebook and it’s on six different devices,” explained Arai. In order to borrow the Nook, students and their parents must read and sign a parent permission form with which states that if damages do occur they will be fined $140 to repair or replace the Nook. “I don’t want

to discourage students who want to borrow the Nook just because they have to get a permission form from their parents … but at the same time we need to make sure that nothing happens to (the Nooks) and be able to have them for other students’ pleasure reading,” stated Arai. The first faculty member to borrow the Nook was former librarian and current 12th grade English teacher Maricar Kawasaki. “What I like about it is that it’s 30-plus books to select from in one little tablet,” she said.

Kawasaki is now encouraging students to borrow one. Per Kawasaki’s recommendation Senior Seanee Mokuau was the first student to borrow the Nook. “I like that it’s different from borrowing other books, and (there are) multiple books on there. So once you’ve finished one you don’t have to go back to the library to get another one, you can just click and you’re there,” explained Mokuau. The librarians are encouraging both students and faculty borrow a Nook.

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The Priority Deadline for Admissions is March 1 Office of Admissions • ph:544-0238 • www.hpu.edu/scholarships Hawai‘i Pacific University admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status and disability.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Two power houses, one orchestra

MHS and Moanalua High School Orchestras form first ever Honor Orchestra

ASMHS President John Delos Reyes

By Nathan Park n.park@trojantimes.org MHS teamed up with its main musical competitor, Moanalua High School, to form the Honor Orchestra; an interscholastic music program made up of selected orchestra students. This elite music group has given talented string students a chance to excel and become publicly known. “It is a good opportunity for the students to ... further develop their skills with peers and also do something collaborative with a different school,” explained Fine Arts teacher Bryan Hirata. This is the first Honor Orchestra to be formed in the central district. In previous years, band groups had more publicity than orchestra groups. For the past 36 years, there was only an Honor Band group. “It’s about time string students got an opportunity to participate in something at a district-wide level,” commented Fine Arts teacher Curtis Hiyane. The program invited

Nathan Park | Trojan Times

The Honor Orchestra will meet four times before their performance. During their three-hour meetings, they practice their songs and improve their skills with guest coordinators and composers. students who showed musical talent and commitment to their school orchestra. “It’s a performance of students who were selected based on their ability on their instrument and their attitude,” said Hiyane. Each school selected their best musicians to audition for a rank in the orchestra. There are about 55 students in the group, 23 of which are from MHS. The Honor Orchestra has promoted more attention and educational opportunities to

string instrument students. “I really wanted to give an opportunity for the orchestra students to . . . participate in a group of peers who are equally skilled as they are,” said Hirata. According to Honor Orchestra member Sophomore Dean Leong, MHS’ music program could gain publicity from being a part of the Honor Orchestra. “It helps us become known because we are collaborating with a bigger school,” explained Le-

ong. They will be performing at a district-wide festival on Feb. 11 in the MHS gymnasium. At this festival, the central district’s Middle School Honor Orchestra will also be performing, including Mililani Middle, Moanalua Middle and Aiea Intermediate. The program has started off strong and will hopefully continue to grow. “I think it’s going to continue and it’s just the start of something great,” said Hiyane.

Four students chosen to be in Select, Honor Band Concert By Jessica Fontenot j.fontenot@trojantimes.org For the week of Jan. 17 to 20, Senior Melinda Sue Chinen, Juniors Marisa Stanley and Jason Burchette, and Sophomore Jocelyn Ebesu applied their musical knowledge by participating in either the Select or Honor Band. The annual Select and Honor Band concert, run by the Oahu Band Director’s Association, held on Jan. 21, was a culmination of the students’ practice. “The main goal of this is not the performance itself, but it’s the … information and learning experience they get that week (of practice),” said Fine Arts teacher Derek Ka apana. For band and orchestra students, auditions to join Select or Honor Band were held in December, where a panel of judges from around the island overlooked the performances. In these auditions, judges could pick from hundreds of students from many different schools such as Leilehua,

Pearl City and Castle High School. Judging was based on articulation, style, tone and expression displayed in the pieces prepared by students. Once chosen to be in either group, members then had a week with a clinician, a coordinator or music composer with a doctorate degree, from the mainland to practice the songs they would perform at the concert. Those with more advanced skills were put in Select Band, the higher of the two groups. Chinen was one of the few people to be chosen to join the Honor Band from MHS, and played the clarinet for the concert. “I was surprised (at first) because I didn’t think I would get in,” confessed Chinen, continuing, “I felt excited … because it’s my senior year and meeting new people from other schools was something I was looking forward to.” Aside from continuing to learn how to perform and play each of their own

Jessica Fontenot | Trojan Times

Band members, such as Junior Marisa Stanley (above), who plays the clarinet, are open to learning about many other instruments. instruments from the clinician’s instruction, students also had to learn how to adapt to their fellow members in a short amount of time. “At first … everyone didn’t really know each other but after a while of playing with each other, we got to know each other and become friends,” said clarinet player Burchette, who was the only student from MHS chosen to be in Select Band for the wind ensemble. Auditions to join Select

or Honor band were offered to MHS and many other high schools on Oahu in previous years. “The pros about participating in the Select and Honor Band is that you work with the top students on this island,” said Ka apana. Even though students were chosen to be in the band this year, they are not guaranteed that position again. If interested, they will have to audition in January of next year.

Greetings Trojans, I would like to welcome you into 2012. We are more than halfway through our school year. I know you are just as excited as I am to finish the year, so let’s finish it strong. But before we look onward, let’s take a look back at some events from the past month. In January, we had curriculum fair and AP nights on Jan. 11 and 12. These days were opportunities for teachers to exhibit the classes they had to offer, giving you a better understanding of what courses you planned on taking next year. From Jan. 23 to 27, various colleges came out to MHS and set up booths at the new lanai during recess and lunch. This was for College Awareness Week. Colleges had information about applying for their school. The senior class held a Brown Bags to Stardom fundraiser at our gym on Jan. 28. Here, contestants were able to showcase their talents in the spotlight for their family and friends. Congratulations to Kayla Leong Edra and runners-up Sidney Fowler, Savannah Wilmarth and Daniel Bayot on their performances. Also, congratulations to Melissa Suan, Christian Pinera and runners-up Masey Jones and Nastasha Merced on their performances in the dancing division. I would also like to congratulate the JV girls soccer team for winning OIAs. Until next time, goodbye Trojans and continue to work hard.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

History heroes Continued from Page 1

Educating the Heart Grant by the Hawaiian Counsel for Humanities to help support its programs for needy students. Receiving this grant, which works to give service learning credits to middle or high school students, led to the idea of introducing elementary students to NHD with the help of high school students. This exposed MHS students to service learning, or the methods of teaching by serving voluntarily, as well as helping children develop their reading and writing skills. When planning for the project, elementary students that were a part of the Gifted and Talented (GT) program were encouraged to participate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted to focus on a certain set of kids so we can have guinea pigs before we go bigger,â&#x20AC;? said Junior Lisa Grandinetti, who helped to put the project together by contacting the schools and planning out both a

program and a schedule for the project. After contacting teachers of Kipapa, students there could join the project by contacting their GT coordinators and filling out a permission form with their parents. Later, Mililani Ike joined the project when its GT coordinators were informed of the collaboration MHS had with Kipapa. This partnership would help add information to a pilot that would overview the project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just like an experiment,â&#x20AC;? explained Perruso, â&#x20AC;&#x153;So the outcomes will be evaluated by how the students feel about (the project).â&#x20AC;? When it was then decided that they would start the program, students from both the National History Club and Perrusoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advanced Placement U.S. History class volunteered to help the elementary students with their NHD projects. Both GT and nonGT students had signed up to join the production from both schools. Ten students signed up from Kipapa, while 15 students signed up

from Ike. Unlike other similar after-school programs, the project offered insight to elementary students that arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t found in a schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s criteria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Usually in elementary school, kids donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really have a huge background in history,â&#x20AC;? said Junior Kyle Yamada, who is a volunteer for the program, continuing, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll definitely support their history understanding in the future.â&#x20AC;? Volunteers who helped lead the elementary students also gained exposure to service learning from the program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re pretty much their teachers,â&#x20AC;? said Yamada, continuing, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We taught them what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re supposed to do and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re supposed to give them deadlines.â&#x20AC;? To work on their projects with the high school volunteers, students from Kipapa came to MHS every Tuesday and Thursday while the volunteers went to Ike every Friday after school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basically like one high school student for each project ... so having

Jessica Fontenot | Trojan Times

Junior Alohilani Nonies offers advice to fourth grader Serenity Jackson from Kipapa Elementary School on her NHD project. (the high schoolers) be able to address ... and answer all the questions, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really powerful,â&#x20AC;? said Perruso. This new program also taught an important lesson to elementary students: how to be self-motivated, which they learned while working on their projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They decided to research their own topics, they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go by the (topic) list,â&#x20AC;? said

Yamada. The projects both Ike and Kipapa students put time and effort into will be submitted to the Youth District competition for the fourth and fifth grade level, where the elementary students will present their finished projects. The competition will be held on Feb. 25 at MHS.

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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Greetings for the new year De Juan and Banaga win Japanese Nengajo By Jenny Park j.park@trojantimes.org

Junior Jared Banaga’s Nengajo card (above) placed third as “Most Artistic.” His design portrays the traditional oriental dragon, which was a design requirement. His card, along with De Juan’s (below), was featured in “The Hawaii Herald.”

Sophomore Stephanie Ann De Juan’s Nengajo card placed third in the category “Most Original” with a theme of the spinning top. De Juan’s card was recognized for its unique yet culturally connected theme.

Two Japanese Language students, Sophomore Stephanie Ann De Juan and Junior Jared Banaga had their “Nengajo” (Japanese new year cards) published in the first issue of the “Hawaii Herald.” Because hundreds of different cards and designs ranging from dragons to mochi were entered, De Juan and Banaga didn’t expect to win the contest. “It was meant to be a project for a grade and at first I took it as that. (But) as I started working on it, it became more fun. It allowed me to be creative and to think of a different way, a unique way, to show the dragon,” said De Juan. Banaga added, “I was all for it because I like to draw and it seemed like a fun idea … I didn’t care about winning, but mainly (participated) to just show my artistic side in some form.” These Nengajo cards are greetings that are made for friends as part of a tradition which includes new year cards instead

of Christmas cards. The Japanese Language students are required to participate in the Nengajo contest each year. “Part of (why we do) it is to meet the cultural standards. And (since) we don’t have as much time to do the so-called fun kind of things, we do (the cards),” said World Languages teacher JoAnn Kanda. While designing their Nengajo, the students were given guidelines as to what was needed to be put onto the cards. However, the students were on their own with the rest of the project. “It was pretty difficult because (one of the requirements) was a dragon, and I never draw dragons a lot. I had no reference, so it was all completely freehand,” explained Banaga. De Juan, on the other hand, researched the Japanese culture online. “I went on the web and just researched new years in Japan. While looking through the images, I found that they played with Japanese tops and I found this concept interesting,” she explained. Since this year marked the year of the dragon, the students were required

to include the oriental dragon on their cards. Because oriental dragons are different from traditional American dragons, they were difficult to draw. “For the students, the dragon is a hard animal to draw. And I know they’re not all artists, but we just mentioned to them that the oriental dragon looks more like a snake than how we depict the dragon to look like,” said Kanda. Unsure of what the contest had in store for them, De Juan and Banaga submitted their Nengajo. “(I was) pretty excited because I normally don’t win anything, so I was kind of surprised. It’s pretty awesome,” said Banaga. De Juan added, “I had a really hard time coming up with the design … (but) I felt like the effort that I put in my Nengajo card paid off. I was really happy to know that they picked my card and I’m honored that other people found my card to be creative,” said De Juan. The winners were published in the “Hawaii Herald” on Jan. 6, 2012.

Elizabethan era to modern times

Students bring Shakespeare’s works to life at MHS’ annual Shakespeare competition

Caitlin Kelly | Trojan Times

First place winner Maricella Gutierrez-Ramirez performed a monologue from “The Merchant of Venice,” a tragic comedy, as Portia. By Shan Yonamine s.yonamine@trojantimes.org Things got nitty gritty at MHS’ annual Shakespeare competition on Jan. 17 where new

requirements were put into place to ensure participant preparedness. It was this preparation that set first place winner Junior Maricella Gutierrez-Ramirez apart from the competition. “(Gutierrez-Ramirez) did great … she did fantastic, she didn’t do a really dramatic monologue either so which is why I think she won. She performed this monologue that wasn’t this over-the-top one but she still performed it really well,” stated fellow competitor and third place winner Junior KamuelaDawn Napoleon, who performed a monologue from Henry VI as Joan of Arc. Second place went to Sophomore Gabriella Munoz who performed a piece from Othello as Desdemona. Unlike past years, competitors had to meet new deadlines put in place by Fine Arts teacher Jamie

Stroud. “I ran it a little differently this time where there was a deadline a week beforehand to sign up to make sure that they would be memorized and ready to go,” stated Stroud. “I think that was a good choice … I would say this year we had the best entrants that we’ve had yet,” she continued. Napoleon, who has been participating in the Shakespeare competition for three years, also noticed a difference in the performances, saying, “A lot of times people will come in with their monologues and they’ll have someone read lines for them, but this year she decided that everyone has to have it memorized and you actually have to know your monologue beforehand so it actually shows; the performances were really well done this year.” Aside from the entrance

deadline, requirements for the competition were simple: students had to perform a 20-line monologue from any work of Shakespeare. “(The competition is) sponsored by the English-Speaking Union (of the United States), and they basically brought it about to show appreciation for the English language, and what better way to do that than with Shakespeare,” stated Stroud. Participants

“I would say this year we had the best entrants we’ve had yet.” Fine Arts teacher Jamie Stroud

were judged on their artistic expression, understanding and communication of the piece. Based on these requirements GutierrezRamirez chose a monologue from “The Merchant of Venice,” acting as Portia. “In

her monologue she’s acting as a lawyer and I’ve always thought about how powerful it would be to be a lawyer and stand up and say something to a group full of jurors,” she explained. However, deciding what to perform was only half the battle. “You go through (your monologue) line-byline, look at the syllables and such. Shakespeare’s language is pretty hard so it’s different from regular English; you really have to concentrate on how you really project how Shakespeare wanted it to be projected,” explained Gutierrez-Ramirez. This preparation will be valuable as GutierrezRamiriez advances to the state competition at the University of Hawaii at Manoa on Feb. 25, where she will perform her monologue and a newly memorized sonnet.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Ishikawa, Maikai, Olinger win big, earn six Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

By Ramil Lorenzo Gonzalez r.gonzalez@trojantimes.org A year of hard work paid off for three MHS art students, Junior Tori Ishikawa and Seniors Kayle Maikai and Amanda Rae Olinger, whose art pieces were recognized in the 49th Annual Hawaii Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Of these, two were awarded the coveted Gold Keys, enabling them to advance to the national competition: Ishikawa for her photograph “Staring Up” and Maikai for her drawing “Lithium.” “(Ishikawa’s) really good,” commented Photography teacher Francine Sandell, who had contributed to the contest since 1983, continuing, “Actually when I saw her stuff the first time I was like, ‘Oh wow,’ and I

automatically told her, ‘You need to enter.’” Ishikawa won two additional Silver Keys, local awards, for her pieces “Let her cry” and “Pinpricks of Light” despite this being her first year entering the competition. “I am so happy,” expressed Ishikawa, “I haven’t done my happy dance yet, I definitely should though,” she continued. Ishikawa has been interested in photography for around four years, and had worked constantly throughout the past year taking numerous photographs. “It’s a way that I can express myself … (and) capture beauty,” Ishikawa remarked, “To freeze a moment in time that you’ll never get back.” She and Sandell hope to build a strong portfolio to enter into next year’s competition. Olinger, who had been

Photo courtesy of Junior Tori Ishikawa

“Staring Up” was Junior Tori Ishikawa’s first photo to receive a Gold Key, despite this being her first year entering. Ishikawa also received two Silver Keys for her pieces “Let her cry” and “Pinpricks of Light.”

Photo courtesy of Photography teacher Francine Sandell

“Road to No Where” was one of two Silver Key-winning pieces by Senior Amanda Rae Olinger, a past Scholastic awardee.

>>See more online! For colored pictures of all the winning entries, visit:

www.trojantimes.org

Photo courtesy of Drawing and Painting teacher Ruth Ravina-Koethe

Senior Kayle Maikai’s pastel and colored pencil drawing “Lithium” was the only piece from Ruth Ravina-Koethe’s Drawing and Painting classes to be recognized in the contest. awarded a Silver Key last year for her picture “Bubbly Toes,” was recognized once more this year, receiving two Silver Keys for her pieces “Road to No Where” and “Mother, Nature.” She also submitted a portfolio of her work for a chance at scholarships presented by The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the organization behind the awards, but was not recognized for it. “She did most of the research and put her stuff together,” said Sandell, “I thought it was real original … and I liked it because she didn’t do it in digital, she actually did it in film.” Maikai’s drawing was

the only one out of 16 entries from the Drawing and Painting II, III and IV classes to be recognized; her winning art was actually started a few days before the entry deadline. “It was a drawing of a girl and she had all kinds of whimsical things in her hair,” explained Drawing and Painting teacher Ruth Ravina-Koethe, continuing, “It was very interesting.” Though less Drawing and Painting pieces won, Ravina-Koethe says that there are more important things. “(The) students always work toward good craftsmanship and personal artwork, and those kinds of

things are always standards to be kept,” she said, “Just because portraits always win, I’m not going to have my advanced students do a whole bunch of portraits.” Ishikawa, Maikai, and Olinger’s pieces will be displayed in a student exhibit in the Hawaii State Art Museum from Feb. 3 to March 30, open every day except Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ishikawa and Maikai’s works will now move on to the national competition, whose winners will be awarded in a special ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York.

P RO M B L E M S O for a single event like this can exceed ... $100. When people start to add up costs, the total seems like it may not be worth it to attend prom. So by cutting costs in as many ways as possible you can still attend prom and make it an affordable and memorable event,” said Senior Prom committee member Kellie Tomita. Senior Prom committee chairperson Marci Nakamura agreed, adding, “These the majority of us are Sense for your cents not wealthy, which makes prom season the By Jacquelyn Perreira equivalent to “rabbit j.perreira@trojantimes.org season” for Bugs Bunny. ress, $300. But it doesn’t have to Tux, $100. be so difficult. There are a ton of ways to Limo, $200. Prom lessen your expenses so that you can spend experience, more time enjoying priceless. However, prom and less time, much of what comes to mind when we think well, spending. “It’s important to cut of prom are dollar costs for prom because signs and the daunting question of, “How much all the little components that go into this one is this going to cost event add up. The cost me?” Let’s be honest,

gowns. Unfortunately, those dresses usually come equipped with celebrity prices. There are many different ways to get around those hefty price tags. As suggested by Nakamura, stores like Clothes Chick (located on Kapahulu Avenue) and the consignment store Pzazz (located upstairs at Kahala Mall, next to T-Mobile and Paris Station) provide affordable

now they can use their money to go towards their hotel room or their graduation parties coming up shortly.” Since prom is usually more anticipated by girls, let’s start with bargain tips for dresses. Every girl knows how important it is to have the “perfect dress.” Months of scouring the Internet help to build your dreams of celebrity-style

Nakamura agreed, saying, “Dresses (at consignment and thrift stores) are substantially cheaper and since you are only going to wear your prom dress once, it’s best to purchase it at a low price. (Also,) consignment stores always have updated inventory since people come by to sell their clothes, so don’t worry about the fashion not being ‘modern’.” The same goes for things like hair styles dress options. and shoes. Nakamura For something even cheaper, don’t be afraid suggests going online to www.tippr.com to to rummage through get Living Social thrift stores like Goodwill and Savers. coupons . “You can Or if you don’t want purchase a coupon to spend any money for $40 and only pay at all, borrow a friend $20 plus the additional or family member’s balance from the cost dress. “(Reusing it of your service,” she will) make better use explained. Tomita of a dress because it suggests reusing shoes won’t be wasted on just from past events. With one event. Friends are longer gowns, no one usually more than happy will pay attention to to do a friend a favor your shoes anyhow and let them borrow so essentially it won’t it. It never hurts to just matter if you reuse a ask,” explained Tomita. pair.

1. Cut

2. Support

methods benefit both parents and prom-goers because

Smarts and Crafts By Shan Yonamine s.yonamine@trojantimes.org

When it comes to prom, the biggest fuss tends to be over flowers. In fact, it’s such a big deal that people go out of their way ordering pricey custom arrangements up to weeks and months in advance. However, when it comes to flowers there is a sad truth that we all must face: they die. If you don’t want to stress over something so short lived, follow these steps to make your date a custom corsage. Reasonably priced bouquets can be found at florists and grocery stores for under $15. If you’re feeling even thriftier you can use flowers from your garden or borrow from someone. When choosing your flower, it’s important to do a little research. Choosing a sturdy flower, like the orchid (shown in photos) will ensure that your corsage won’t wilt before You will need: -cotton balls -floral wire with smallest diameter

-wire cutter -ribbon -corsage pins

-floral tape -chopstick

(All of these can be found at craft stores for under $10 each.) For bigger, colored pictures of the step-by-step process visit:

www.mhstrojantimes.tumblr.com

the flower stems to approximately 2 inches in length. Dampen a few cotton balls and thinly wrap them around the stem.

the flower’s delicate stem with an 8-inch piece of floral wire for each flower in your corsage, you can use as many as desired. Bend down 2 inches of the wire and line it up with the stem. Coil 4 inches around the stem and the 2-inch piece of wire leaving 2 inches of slack at the end.

LV E D As for hair and makeup, it can easily be taken care of by a friend or family member. You could even do it yourself with the help of YouTube tutorials. It will also give you the chance to spend some quality time with your friends. “Having a friend do your hair and makeup doesn’t only cut costs but it is also a fun bonding experience,” said Tomita. Don’t worry guys, we haven’t forgotten about you. The website www.charityformals. org provides everything you’ll need: tux,

shoes, etc., all for about $70.

It’s even possible to borrow a friend or family member’s outfit. Corsages and bouquets can also be done yourself. “Making your own bouquet can be fun. It allows a person to be creative and add their own personal touches to it,” explained Tomita. An easy tutorial

containing step-by-step pictures can be found at www.save-on-crafts.com/ cormakbas.html. Though outfits can be expensive, one of the biggest unnecessary splurges when it comes to prom is the limo. Yes, it makes sense to want to ride there with all your friends. But really, it’s usually just a 30-minute car ride to the venue, so you don’t get to spend a lot of time in the limo that you all chipped in for. To save that extra $50 you could drive yourselves there or carpool. “Carpooling to prom is great because it saves gas since you are going to the same destination and you won’t have to purchase two parking tickets,” said Nakamura. With these tips under your belt, you leave a lot more room to enjoy yourself and think of prom as the fun event it’s intended to be.

When asking someone to prom ...

Don’t ≠Take someone you barely know.

+Take a friend.

This way, it’s easier to gauge your chances of the person saying yes, and you’re already comfortable with each other so having fun will come effortlessly.

Things could get awkward when you run out of things to talk about, and it’ll be difficult to make sure they’re having a good time.

+Ask in person.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there; you’ll look brave and your potential date will most likely admire it.

+Put some thought into how you’ll ask.

Asking your potential date in a way that is personal to them will show that you care.

It will make you seem more confident. Looking nervous and sweaty will not help in persuading your potential date.

+Stay calm.

≠Ask via social networking sites or have someone ask for you.

It’ll look like you’re too scared to ask in person.

≠Ask too lavishly.

Although prom is an exciting event, there’s no need to take it too seriously by purchasing thousands of flowers or gifts. The last thing you want to do is embarrass your potential date.

≠Vandalize property.

Not only is it illegal, but it’ll also be embarrassing for the both of you (and all your friends) to see a reminder of an asking gone wrong.

Check out our tumblr every week for a post by our Editorial Staff. Editor-In-Chief Caitlin Kelly’s column,

“Oishisou,”

focuses on good food at reasonable prices. Assistant Editor Shan Yonamine’s column,

3. Coil

the floral tape tightly around each flower until the end of the slack wire is reached.

4. Arrange

them and wrap the flowers together in floral tape again. All the flowers you want to be included in your corsage should be joined with tape.

5. Create

a bow with your ribbon. String a 4-inch piece of floral wire wrapped in floral tape into the middle of your bow, twisting it in the back, then attach it to the focal point of your flowers by twisting the wire around its stem. Then, curl all the excess wire at the bottom around a chopstick. Add a corsage pin to the excess floral tape in the back.

“Smarts and crafts,” focuses on

do-it-yourself projects. Design Editor Jacquelyn Perreira’s column,

“Sense for your cents,” focuses on fashion tips.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

GOAL! By April-Joy McCann a.mccann@trojantimes.org The JV girls soccer team earned the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) Red Division Championship for the 12th time in a row by winning against Pearl City High School on Jan. 21 at the Hugh Yoshida Stadium. The Lady Trojans took the game with a score of 1-0 after going overtime against the only team they lost to in their regular season. “From our goal keeper, to our forwards, to everyone in-between, they just played fantastic,” said Head Coach Natalie Hirata. Both teams were neck and neck the entire game, forcing the Lady Trojans to extend their game time when neither team had scored. “I knew it was going to be a tight game. Every time we play them … it’s always a close game. I don’t think it’s ever been more than a twogoal difference,” Hirata said, continuing, “I really didn’t want to take it to overtime, but (Pearl City) had managed that.” However, this didn’t hinder the Lady Trojan’s performance. “We were all super pumped and ready. (We) just wanted to show Pearl City that we were the better team,” explained Sophomore

12 years running: Girls JV soccer OIA Red Division Champs once again

co-captain Malia Moscatello, who played stopper. After losing to Pearl City once this season, players were more than prepared to challenge them a second time. “I was really confident that we could beat them because I feel that if we lose to them we have a better chance of winning to them the next time,” expressed Freshman Taylor Love Cadiz, the center-mid who scored the winning goal. Going against Pearl City in the championship not only meant winning against the only team they lost to, but upholding the team’s legacy as well. “(MHS) has not lost in 11 years, and you don’t want to be that team that breaks (the) strike,” Moscatello explained. Overall, the team was thrilled about their achievement even though they had less time together as tryouts were held later than usual. “They’ve been together for such a small amount of time, two and a half months; I think it means a lot more and to continue that legacy the previous teams have built … it’s a good accomplishment,” Hirata added. With this 12th consecutive win, the Lady Trojans hope to continue their legacy in years to come.

JV Baseball steps up to the plate takes OIA title second season in a row

Jo Anna Antonio | Na Mana o Poina ole

In the fifth inning of the OIA Championship game, the team began to pick up momentum and surpassed the Waianae Seariders.

April-Joy McCann | Trojan Times

Above, Co-captain Sophomore Malia Moscatello begins the game by encouraging team members through a group prayer. “I try to make the girls feel confident and comfortable, feel good about the game,” she explained.

Left, Sophomore Mazi

April-Joy McCann | Trojan Times

of our players couldn’t make it to the game,” explained Sophomore Trevor Inouye, who plays short stop and For the second time in pitcher for the team. Kim a row, MHS won the Oahu added, “I felt bad for the Interscholastic Association players who couldn’t make it (OIA) JV Baseball Championships on Jan. 21 with a fi- because they missed out on nal score of 10-8 against the a great experience.” After each inning, coach Waianae Seariders. Though the team was behind for the Gainor Nitta gave pep talks better part of the game, they to keep the team’s spirits up as the first half of the game stepped up to the plate and passed with no runs. “I was took the win. getting a little scared, but “The team excelled in never giving up. Even though I knew that our team was good enough to come back,” we were down early in the said Kim. game, the whole team never During the fifth inning, lost hope … This game the team started scoring runs meant the world to us,” said and continued to score until Sophomore first baseman the very end of the game. Jensen Kim. In the season leading up “When we were up, I knew that we still had to score to the championship game, runs because the other team the team had been through countless hours of weightlift- could also come back … It took a whole team effort to ing, running and practicing pull off that win,” said Kim. that kept them strong when As the team recovered, difficulties arose. the hard times they had “Before the game, one

By Jenny Park j.park@trojantimes.org

Lucas, who plays left back, fights against a Pearl City player for possession of the ball as she tries to take it to the goal. The Lady Trojans had several shots at the goal because they aimed to keep the ball in possession.

faced earlier in the day were put behind them. The team stuck together and encouraged each other with their common goal always in mind. Inouye said, “We wanted to prove everyone wrong (because) there was so many people who didn’t believe that we could pull this off.” Nitta added “They earned this championship. The team played with a lot of heart, and I was very impressed how they overcame the adversity they faced.” Now that the season is over and the title won, many players are already making plans to return next year in hopes of another great season. “The returnees, we did this last year and we wanted to repeat so we can build a dynasty out of Mililani baseball,” said Kim. The players prepare for seasons to come with high hopes of maintaining the title of OIA champions.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Best of the West: Varsity girls basketball named OIA West Champions By Reagan Paz r.paz@trojantimes.org On Jan. 11, the MHS Varsity girls basketball team closed the regular season with a game against Leilehua High School. The Lady Trojans dribbled past the Mules, swishing the score to 54-46, marking their 10th consecutive win and an undefeated season. With a 10-0 league record, the girls were put at the top of the ranks and named Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) West Champions. “I feel happy for the girls. I think they put a lot of hard work in from last spring, to the summer, until now. They deserve to be the champions this year, they earned it,” Head Coach Patrick Basilio expressed. “It feels good. People look down on us a lot … other teams don’t like us, so it feels good to get the title and probably win some respect from other teams,” said forward Junior Nayla Long. What aided the Lady Trojans in their success this season was their bond with each other. “Our team this year has good chemistry,

we’re all friends. We’re pretty much a family, unlike all the other years there’s always separation between the teams, different cliques and stuff,” explained Long. “It’s not just the relationship we have on the court, it’s also how close we are off the court that makes us have that chemistry,” added forward Junior Reiko Naniole. Defense was another

“It feels good. People look down on us a lot … other teams don’t like us, so it feels good to get the title and probably win some respect from other teams.” Junior Nayla Long, forward

important aspect of the team’s success. “Defense was our main key … (When) we played good defense, we had more opportunities on offense,” said Long. Winning the title was not something that came without challenges. The girls faced a near loss during their league season when they played Kapolei High School in December. In the fourth quarter, they were

Reagan Paz | Trojan Times

Guard and forward Junior Kapilialohaokekai Amamalin (above) scored a total of 148 points in the league season, contributing to the Lady Trojans’ eligiblity for the state championship title.

down by a few points but pulled through at the end of the game, finishing with a final score of 38-34. When the girls began the playoff season on Jan. 20, the team faced one of their biggest setbacks – a loss. They played against Roosevelt High School and finished the game with a score of 44-49. “Our shots

weren’t going in and our defense wasn’t as good as it usually is,” Long expressed. However, Basilio believed they could overcome it. “I feel good about these girls chances … I think they’ll be ready for any of the challenges that are presented to them … When all is said and done, I just hope that the rest of the state respects

this team as much as the west does,” he said. Earning the title of OIA West Champions was an accomplishment that didn’t come easily for the girls. Through their determination and practice, they earned the respect from other teams that they felt they deserved.

MHS vs. Kaiser: 1-0 loss lands girls Varsity soccer team in fourth place islandwide Junior Tierra Reyno and the rest of the team fiercely fought Kaiser for the third place spot. They battled out a tie until Kaiser overtook them with a score of 1-0.

Ramil Lorenzo Gonzalez | Trojan Times

By Ramil Lorenzo Gonzalez r.gonzalez@trojantimes.org The season ended with mixed feelings for the girls Varsity soccer team after a 1-0 loss against Kaiser High School at Pearl City High School’s Edwin “Bino” Neves Stadium on Jan. 27, which landed the team in

fourth place in the Red Division Oahu Interscholastic Association soccer playoffs. “Luck wasn’t on our side,” said Senior Kristen Fujinaga, “Coming from a big loss ... it really hurt us, but I think we all came back together and I know we really wanted it.” After a 1-0 win against Campbell

High School on Jan. 25, the team was met with a disappointing result on the 26th, when they suffered a 1-0 loss against Moanalua High School. MHS and Kaiser battled to a scoreless tie the majority of Friday’s game, with several close calls and missed goals, but

Kaiser secured a goal and a win later into the second half. “We just had some real unfortunate (turns) of events that didn’t go in our favor, (but) it was good for our character building,” commented Head Coach Ray Akiona, “I think the weakness is that … we share too much when we should be taking the lead.” Despite the less-thanideal outcome, the girls remained positive. “We played as one team,” said Junior Tierra Reyno, “We got each other’s back.” Fujinaga added, “We have our ups and downs but I think all in all we did our best,” continuing, “There (are) things that we need to work on but I’m proud of them.” Next season’s prospects

also seem bright, with a large number of returnees. “We got a huge, huge junior class that should be coming back,” said Akiona, continuing, “(And) everybody that comes off the bench is equally talented.” Even though this season was a bumpy one, it was the team’s character and attitude that mattered. “I want them to always … keep the team positive, no matter what happens on the field,” expressed Fujinaga, this being her last year on the team after four years, continuing, “I just want them to do really good.” “We had a really good season,” remarked Akiona, “They played well, … represented their school well (and) represented their community well.” Even with a fourth place finish, the team still advanced to the state championships. The team remains optimistic, and hopes for a more successful season next winter.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

‘Big John’ continues to contribute to MHS athletics: scholarships in his name offered through benefit golf tournament

Photo courtesy Florentino Tamongdong

Former Athletic Director John Kauinana July 16, 1946 - June 5, 2011 By Shan Yonamine s.yonamine@trojantimes.org In memory of MHS’ first athletic director, the late John Kauinana, the third annual Trojan Athletics Golf Tournament on Jan. 27 has, for the first time, funded more than school athletics programs. Proceeds from the event as well as donations

Cheer Nationals Continued from Page 1 member Senior Chantasia Tote Bode dislocated and sprained her knee while the team was warming up on the second day of competition. This meant that Carey had to fill in yet again. “I was very angry, sad and upset at myself. I felt like I let my team down … It was frustrating to just sit there wanting to go on (stage),” Tote Bode commented. During this time, the team’s mindset began to falter. “I (looked) at the cheerleaders and they were beginning to break down. So … we explained to them that, they’ve been together this whole year … (and) they have always had obstacles. Something has always come in front of us to the point that we had to overcome. And this is what was put in front of us to see if we’re able to take all those skills, all the time, all the teamwork and stuff like that, we have to put it together to overcome this. This is their test, basically,” said Kierstedt. The team had to revise their routine in a mere matter of minutes. “The final day was a big day. And so we had … to redo the entire routine, which meant

from the community will fund two $1,000 scholarships for student athletes at MHS as well as the Athletic Booster Club. “Everyone wants to see his name perpetuated throughout the school and what better way to do that then with an athletic scholarship,” stated John Kauinana’s wife, Sharon Kauinana. The event consisted of approximately 48 teams, 144 golfers in total. Tickets to the event were $450 per person. If individuals wished to donate more they could sponsor a hole on the golf course and would be considered a bronze, silver or gold donor depending on the contribution amount. Although much of the tournament was composed of MHS teachers and staff as well as the friends and family of John Kauinana, the event was open to the pub-

lic. Anyone who wanted to donate to MHS athletics was able to participate. Social Studies teacher and longtime friend of John Kauinana, Florentino Tamongdong stated, “I think (the golf tournament is) a good thing … this is something that I hope will keep on going. This is the first (time scholarships will be offered) so I hope it just keeps on going year after year.” It is the dream of the participants that by annually holding this event it will help carry on John Kauinana’s generous legacy. “He kind of looked out (for us) wherever monies were needed; he was creative enough to get (some) for everybody,” explained Tamongdong, continuing, “When you talk to people … the thing that really stands out (is that) … he had such a big heart.”

To reflect John Kauinana’s philanthropic nature, two scholarships will be awarded to a male and female athlete based on the principles of John Kauinana. “Because (John Kauinana) was always someone who wanted to help athletes that were good students, not the best students, go the next level. So we’re not really looking for the 4.0 students,” stated MHS Athletic Director Glenn Nitta adding, “We’re not going to be sending out applications. We’re just going to select a male and female athlete that we think sometimes wouldn’t be considered for scholarships.” MHS teachers, staff and friends and family of John Kauinana hope that funds raised this year will be able to provide scholarships in years to come and that John Kauinana will not soon be forgotten.

people who had never based before, or been in certain positions, jumped into that position. So that was when the teamwork really came … and they stepped up to the plate and they did it,” explained Kierstedt. Varsity ended up taking the title with a 74.50 percent, which was a .03 percent point difference from another Hawaii team, Pac 5, who came in second. “Knowing that what happened, you know, with the crying, the tearing … everybody’s trying to cheer for us … even our chaperones … it’s a moment that we

can’t even explain … We ran so fast up to our girls,” Kierstedt expressed, adding, “And even the rest of the arena, they (were giving a) standing ovation. Words can’t even express it. It’s a moment that we’ll always remember.” This excitement was shared by the team as well. “It felt great. It was like I had really helped the teams make a big accomplishment that would be remembered with all the obstacles encountered,” said Carey. The squad was even paid a visit by the competition’s judges. “They came

down personally, they don’t do this normally, but they wanted to come down and let (MHS’) JV and Varsity teams know that they represented the full, overall cheerleading program … So after the judges said that, the girls kind of had that idea in their head that ‘we’re good, we did this.’ And so that was a really good ending of the season,” explained Kierstedt. With this rewarding season in mind, both teams hope to rise to the same level of achievement in upcoming years.

Reagan Paz | Trojan Times

By Kara Nitta k.nitta@trojantimes.org For the MHS Varsity girls basketball team, guard and forward Junior Kapilialohaokekai Amamalin has played a key part in their successful record this season. “I think she’s a great team player … she’s one of those players who makes everyone around her better,” said girls Varsity basketball Head Coach Patrick Basilio, who has worked with Amamalin since her freshman year. Before high school, Amamalin had little experience with basketball. “I kind of just jumped into (basketball) in ninth grade, I didn’t really play before that,” she explained. During this season she was instrumental to their success, averaging 12.8 points per game and scoring 20 of the 58 points in the OIA West Championship game. “(Amamalin is) our lead scorer so she’s doing really good this season,” said forward Junior Nayla Long. Amamalin explained, “I’m really competitive, I hate to lose … I try to push my teammates as hard as I can.” Despite the fact that she has the skill to play for a college team, it is not her main goal. “I want to be in the FBI BAU, that’s the Behavioral Analysis Unit,” said Amamalin, continuing, “I’d play if it pays for my education but for anything higher than college probably not.” She looks forward to joining next year, and hopes to help carry MHS to victory.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Trojan Times The mission of the Trojan Times is to publicize events, share in the successes of students, promote the hard work of the faculty and capture the dedication of organizations.

Editor-in-Chief Caitlin Kelly Assistant Editor Shan Yonamine Design Editor Jacquelyn Perreira Business Manager Jessica Antonio Copy Managers Ramil Lorenzo Gonzalez Cyanne Ito April-Joy McCann Adviser Mr. Christopher Sato Principal Dr. John Brummel Staff Jessica Fontenot Kara Nitta Jenny Park Nathan Park Reagan Paz Amanda Thomas Kimberly Yamaguchi The Trojan Times is a monthly production of the Newswriting staff of Mililani High School 95-1200 Meheula Pkwy., Mililani, HI 96789 To voice an opinion or any concerns, feel free to submit a letter to L205 or to c.kelly@ trojantimes.org. The Trojan Times reserves the right to edit letters as they see fit. Please type your letter and clearly state your name, grade level and period one class.

SparkNotes cheats students of creativity, critical thinking skills By Caitlin Kelly c.kelly@trojantimes.org SparkNotes, which is best known for its heavy database of summaries and analyses, is often supported when used in moderation. However, since it is so easily accessible, students often become dependent on it and that reliance is detrimental to one’s ability to think outside of the box. Most students have been in a situation where it’s getting late on a school night and there is still a complex piece of literature left to read with a lengthy essay due the next morning; that’s where the magic of this site usually comes in. The website’s slogan, “When your books don’t make sense, we do,” and editors who are “graduates of top schools” and have “advanced degrees galore” make it sound rather promising. SparkNotes also makes it clear that its guides are not meant to be replacements

for actual books through this statement: “We’re here to help you learn, not to help you cheat. Our literature guides are meant to be read along with the books they analyze. They are not intended to be copied on tests or papers (a.k.a. plagiarized).” The constant reassurances that the use of SparkNotes doesn’t automatically count as cheating can lull students into a sense of security. After all, looking over summaries written by a credible source after reading a book could be equated to looking over a study guide. Although SparkNotes may seem like an asset for students, it can very easily have the opposite effect. Teachers assign challenging novels so that students will learn how to think critically and pick apart a book as they’re reading; not so they can read on the surface level and rely on someone else to give them the answers to the most thought-provoking questions.

Because in-depth analyses of characters, themes and symbols are also included in addition to summaries, SparkNotes is often used as more than a simple refresher. When students are crunched for time, which is not an unusual occurrence, it is easier to have editors at sites like SparkNotes do the thinking for them. However, SparkNotes will not be around to come up with answers when students are faced with performance based tests like the Advanced Placement English Literature exam. Building a dependency on it will only cripple students when it comes time to think on their own. Even more concerning than the detrimental effect on test performance is the way that these study guides can serve as a means of instant gratification, which only ends up cheating students of their creativity in the end. When one is trying to decipher a challenging piece, it may feel

like a relief at the moment to type the name of the novel into SparkNotes and have everything explained in a matter of minutes. But when one actually reflects on the work they’ve done later on, it is hard to feel proud of an idea that they didn’t even come up with themselves in the first place. In this day in age, the phenomenon of obtaining information quickly is prevalent. After all, people skim the headlines of newspapers for the stories that interest them and type unfamiliar words into the Google search bar instead of looking at a dictionary. The change in times is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean that students should abuse the seemingly infinite amounts of information at their fingertips. Relying on SparkNotes may give students enough information to scrape by in a class, but it is at the cost of their creativity.

Hawai‘i Pacific University

MUSIC PROGRAM AUDITIONS Saturday, February 18 • Scholarships Available!

Auditions by Appointment: International Vocal Ensemble contact Dr. Esther Yoo • 544-1127 • eyoo@hpu.edu Sea Warrior Band contact Dr. Patrick Hennessey • 544-0891 • phennessey@hpu.edu Chamber Orchestra contact Dr. Teresa McCreary • 544-0887 • tmccreary@hpu.edu

www.hpu.edu/auditions

Thursday, February 9, 2012

ASACS

C&CC

THE ASACS CORNER

Senior Announcements:

Youth at risk: CYBERBULLLYING

Applications: If you have not turned in any applications yet, please see Mrs. Yamamoto or Ms. Kato as soon as possible. There are still opportunities available for you. Procrastination will narrow your options, so come in and see one of us today.

What is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is using the Internet to bully someone. It might be name-calling or creating fake profiles. Going online is a part of our everyday lives. Bullying people online affects their self-esteem, status and even safety. The cyberbully’s motivation is to intimidate, frighten or stress you out. Handling the bully: Ignore it and report it Ignore it: A cyberbully wants a reaction. Don’t give one. If you don’t know who the bully is, don’t show anyone that it’s bothering you. If you do, they win, and they’ll keep doing it. Talk about the harassment with your trusted friends and adults. Report it: Cyberbullies think they are anonymous but they are wrong. Everything that happens online is traceable. Cyberbullies can easily be identified. You should not let the bullying get you down but you should tell the authorities what’s happening. Tell your parents, teachers, counselors, coaches or any adult you trust. Prevent Cyberbullying: Be safe on the internet 1. Don’t share personal information on the internet. 2. Protect your passwords; don’t give them out. 3. Review your privacy settings. 4. Ignore messages from unknown senders. Resources: Stop Cyberbullying: http://www.stopcyberbullying.org Facts and research on Cyberbullying: http://www.cyberbullying.us Compiled by ASACS counselor Mary Schwing

Submit Scholarship/ Award Letters to C&CC: If you have received a scholarship or financial award from a school or organization, forward a copy of it to C&CC whether you are accepting it or not. We will add the information to our year end report, and you will be recognized in the graduation program. Selective Service, all males 18 years of age must register: In order to qualify for federal student loans & grants, job training and employment, males 18 years of age must register with Selective Service. Go to www.sss.gov for more information. Scholarships Posted on Edline: Check Edline or our bulletin board for the latest scholarship listing. Any scholarship that you receive means less money out of your pocket. Watch your deadlines!

May 1 - Reply to Colleges: May 1 is the universal reply date to colleges. This is not a postmarked deadline, so schools need to receive your enrollment plans by that date. Most schools will request for a final transcript as well, so don’t forget to submit your transcript request in a timely manner. FAFSA - Financial Aid: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides the foundation for the college financial aid process. Colleges, including community colleges, and many scholarship foundations use the report generated by the FAFSA to evaluate an applicant’s financial need. You must file the FAFSA even if you seek only grants or subsidized loans. Request for forms or complete the form online at www.fafsa.gov. Filing your FAFSA online results in quicker need evaluations. Each college has a deadline and most aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so file your FAFSA today! Don’t Forget Thank Yous: As this year is quickly coming to an end, don’t forget to send a thank you note to the teachers and/or counselors who helped you submit letters of recommendation, school report forms and transcripts during the college application process.

BOOK CLUB “A Great and Terrible Beauty” by bestselling author Libba Bray is an electrifying and riveting story that pulls readers into the magical world of London during the 1800s. The story follows four young women on their journey to find themselves among the stark reality of society. Born with high expectations, each girl is sent to a lavish finishing school to learn essentials of surviving as a woman, however it seems all four are unhappy with their situations. Led by cunning girls, Gemma Doyle begins to question London society herself. Having been born in India to English parents, Gemma

constantly dreamed about London, however at her new finishing school she realizes the pressures of society are too difficult to handle. Everything changes when Gemma discovers a secret door and upon crossing finds gardens filled with magic. Seeing this as an escape, the four consider staying in the garden permanently, but with the threat of a magical villain named Circe and a cult trying to steal her powers, young Gemma must make the biggest decision of her life, because although the garden seems innocent, with all that is good comes a little bad. Compiled by Junior Meghran Ballio-Yamaguchi

Other Announcements: Junior English Class Visits: Mrs. Yamamoto is done visiting Junior English classes. College planning, course planning, college entrance tests, resume/essay writing, NCAA, etc. were covered. If you were absent on that day, please see Mrs. Yamamoto in C&CC to get the information shared. Students and/or their parents are encouraged to make an appointment if they have any questions or concerns. SAT/ACT College Entrance Exams: Underclassmen, especially juniors, should sign up now for the SAT or ACT. Sites fill up very quickly, so plan accordingly. Go to www. collegeboard.org or www. actstudent.org to sign up for the appropriate test. Our school’s CEEB code is 120-197. SAT Prep Class: Spring Break 2012 SAT Prep Classes will be held at MHS from March 12 to 16. Cost is $120. Applications have been mailed home, or are available at the attendance office or C&CC. Visit www.test-prepHi.com to register online. ASVAB Testing - Grades 10 to 12 only - Feb. 15: We will be offering the ASVAB on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 1:00 p.m. It’s an excellent assessment tool even if you don’t plan to join the military.

Running Start: The Running Start program is a unique partnership between the DOE and the UH system. It allows public high school juniors and seniors to attend college classes while earning both high school and college credits. Students must have a 3.0 minimum GPA to apply. Come to C&CC for more information, or visit www.hawaii.edu/runningstart. College Planning Appointments: Be proactive and make an appointment to discuss post-high school plans. Appointments can be scheduled during the school day, before school or after school. Contact Mrs. Denise Yamamoto to schedule a student and/or parent appointment. Fee Waivers Available: Students on free or reduced lunch are available for SAT, ACT and NCAA Clearinghouse fee waivers. See Mrs. Yamamoto, and pick up your fee waiver today. College Fair: The National College Fair will be held on Thursday, April 12 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet with representatives. For more information, visit: http://www.nacacnet.org. Compiled by College and Career counselor Denise Yamamoto

Thursday, February 9, 2012

HOROSCOPES Aries (March 21- April 19) You’re a very busy person; take some time to relax and have fun. Go to the beach with your friends after school every day this week.

Taurus (April 20- May 20) Be careful not to lose your freedom while completing your numerous responsibilities; have a party. Don’t get too wild, but feel free to rent a pony. Gemini (May 21- June 21) You feel anxious. Don’t let that overwhelm you. Take some time to go to a concert or to a sporting event. You deserve it! Cancer (June 22- July 22) If you find you’ve been playing video games too much lately, change it up. Go outside. Just don’t go swimming this month, the narwhals might get you. Leo (July 23- Aug. 22) You have a lot of energy and you’re not sure how to use it. Try going to the movies with friends you haven’t seen in a while. Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22) Creativity and intelligence are gifts. Use them to start a project you’ve been meaning to do or dye your hair an extremely bright color.

Libra (Sept. 23- Oct. 22) There’s so much responsibility and you’re eager to prove yourself. Don’t work too hard; if you’re tired you won’t be helpful to anyone. Get some sleep. Scorpio (Oct. 23- Nov. 21) Projects are building up. There are a lot of deadlines but not much time. It will take much out of you mentally and physically. Relax and get some ice cream.

HELP MR. KING FISH: Mr. King Fish wants to woo a potential Mrs. Queen Fish with extravagant Valentine’s Day gifts, but the delivery men made 11 mistakes. Can you spot them all? By Ramil Lorenzo Gonzalez

Sagittarius (Nov. 22- Dec. 21) Don’t eat potatoes this month. They’ll bring you bad juju. Try something new and weird, like frog legs or monkey brain. Capricorn (Dec. 22- Jan. 19) As a natural born leader you enjoy helping others. Volunteer your extra time at a soup kitchen, then reward yourself by doing something fun and crazy. Aquarius (Jan. 20- Feb. 18) Family and friends are very important to you. Take some time for yourself and go out to a fancy restaurant for dinner. Pisces (Feb. 19- March 20) There’s a lot to do, and you feel that it’s too much. Take a break. Treat yourself to your favorite Starbucks drink.

Dividing By Zero By Ramil Lorenzo Gonzalez

Compiled by Kimberly Yamaguchi

k.yamaguchi@trojantimes.org

Answers to Puzzle:

Life According to the Internet By Cyanne Ito