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december 12, 2019
Happy Holidays
TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT? Popeyes’ chicken sandwich is sparking chaos across the nation. Check out our editorials on the chicken debate.
MORE STORIES AT MILILANITIMES.COM Illustrated by Tai Phaniphon
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INDEX
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Design Editor
Online Editor
Community Editor
Director of Sales
Joie Agoo
Jacob Nakasone
Chanelle Camero
Hope Ishizaka
Editor-in-Chief
Copy Editor
Head Photographer
Head Videographer
Photo Stylist
Chloe Kitsu
Maya Hirano
Genevieve Mumma
Tatiana Ala
Reese Yamamoto
Adviser Christopher Sato
Director of Arts
Opinions & Blogs Editor
Feature Editor
Hospitality Manager
Jenna Lee Bundalian
Sasha Numazu-Fisher
Daisy Ann Hipolito
Rain Hashimoto
december 12, 2019
december 12, 2019
Mililani Times’ mission is to inform the community of news, people and issues of concern.
Discover. Understanding. Together.
Head Illustrator Tai Phaniphon
Social Media Coordinator Distribution Manager Alina Fujinaka
Maintenance Manager
Emma Lee
Mikal Reese
Staff
Times Sta
Madison Kelly
Leigh Berry Kasandra Morse Lauren Ramos Trey Yamamoto
Bryson Ohtani-Quartero Samuel Sameshima Emily Zimmerman
McGwire Ishikawa Colbi Ohira Meagan Tamashiro
Madison Kelly Alexander Ozawa Kosmo Wojack
Faustine Miura Mina Pecoraro Danean Wurlitzer
03 McGwire Ishikawa
STARTING OFF ON A POSITIVE NOTE
STARTING OFF ON A POSITIVE NOTE
Participants of the event also had the option to post their messages on a board inside the library.
T
he smallest reminder can go a long way in improving someone’s emotional state. As a way to promote positive well-being, the Student Alliance for Mental Health and Wellness Club (SAMHW) hosted a lunch activity on Nov. 27 called “Give One, Take One.” The event started off with club members writing inspirational quotes and daily reminders on flash cards. Students and teachers could then take a message for themselves and also write one to place back into the booth for others to take. “This project is mainly to share words of encouragement to students and staff around campus. I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed with school work and other activities, so as a club, we wanted to offer a place for students to de-stress,” said SAMHW president Senior Megan Ogasawara. In September, SAMHW participated in the “Out of the Darkness” walk for suicide prevention. One booth had their own version of the project, which inspired the club to bring it back and share it with the school. “We know it’s a smaller scale ‘cause it’s a Wednesday, but we’re hoping to do things like this on a larger scale to promote mental health,” said AP Psychology teacher and SAMHW club adviser Douglas Muraoka. “We knew that this being the start of a long weekend, we weren’t going to see a big crowd. So definitely a bit more pre-planning and a little more set up beforehand, it’ll improve the next event.” “Give One, Take One” allowed some members to interact with other students within the school. To improve school participation next time, the club plans to host the event during both lunches. “I’m glad that students are so receptive to it, they respond well to the call, and they’re responding well to the activity,” said Muraoka. “As long as people know that there’s people to talk to, it goes a long way to promoting a good mental well-being. Feeling that you are closed off and feeling that you’re unable to talk to people leads to really negative thoughts and possibly negative outcomes.” Aside from spreading positive messages, another goal of the project was to promote the club and help people understand what it is about. The main intention behind SAMHW is to allow people to be aware of and improve their own thoughts and feelings. “I feel like some people think that the SAMHW club isn’t for them because they aren’t going through any serious problem. But I want to share that the club isn’t always about getting support, but also giving to others who might be going through a hard time,” said Ogasawara. Vice President Senior Phoebe Kwan added, “I think it’s just a really good place to go to for mental support and to help others understand their (own) mental health and bringing our school community together and improving its mental health.”
Various positive messages from the event included, “Just keep swimming!” and “You can do it!”
Faustine Miura
NEWS
Alina Fujinaka
Members in this club are able to give support to their peers and gain support from others. They are also able to gain more understanding of mental health. “Through being a part of this club and going through the training, I practically became more (knowledgeable) about mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and depression. The class also taught me to be more compassionate towards others,” said Ogasawara. Muraoka added, “Ultimately, we want to create a safe place for students to share and express their feelings in a nice, safe environment (that’s) non-judgemental (and) non-critical — especially how and why the club was formed.” SAMHW will continue to sponsor activities in the upcoming school year. These include a “candy cane giveaway” for Christmas, as well as a collaboration with Red Cross Club during second semester.
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SPORTS NEWS
Maya Hirano
Reese Yamamoto
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ach year, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ranks the top female high school volleyball players from across the state. In the past five years, only two players from MHS have made the all-state “Fab 15” list — Seniors Falanika Danielson and Aysia Miller, who this year ranked third and ninth, respectively. “Personally for me, it was such an amazing feeling. Knowing that I am ranked third in the state among one of the best players on the island, meant so much,” said Danielson. Miller added, “It made me feel like I was part of some of the best girls in the state. It was kind of like an honor, kind of fulfilling that.” Both Danielson and Miller had also made the list in 2018. Danielson had ranked seventh and Miller ranked tenth; each girl succeeded in bumping up their ranking this past season. “I actually was hoping a little bit — the girls last year that were on Fab 15, there were a lot of seniors so I was hoping maybe I was a little higher,” said Miller. Danielson added, “Of course I wanted to be ranked higher than the year before, it just meant I had to work harder for my senior season and to make a name for myself as well as a name for my school.” Each year, Star-Advertiser’s Fab 15 selection is heavily dominated by girls from Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) schools such as Kamehameha, Iolani and Punahou. Danielson and Miller were able to be a part of the five girls representing public high schools in the 2019 rankings, with the other three coming from Kahuku and Moanalua. “As a public school, you never expect them (to be) like, ‘Oh, a public school’s gonna win,’” said Miller. “And its just a good feeling when you know public school can do as much as private school can, and especially Mililani High School where we have — there’s very high standards for not only volleyball, but all the sports. And just being able to step on a court wearing Mililani on your back is just a good and fun, awesome experience.” Danielson added, “I believe that there is so much talent in the OIA (Oahu Interscholastic Association) and to be ranked with those from ILH says a lot. It felt great to represent my school and to show how much talent we have as a program.” The two girls have both been playing on the MHS’ varsity volleyball team since their freshman year. This year they shared the title, designated by ScoringLive, of “Co-Player of the Year,” and Miller won the Impact Player Award for the OIA
Danielson ended her season with 251 kills, 160 digs and 14 aces. Miller ended her season with 76 kills, 122 digs and 441 assists.
Colbi Ohira
championship game. “It was just an amazing experience being able to represent my school, represent myself, my team, everyone around me and everyone who supported me and playing my heart out one last time for my school,” said Miller. Danielson added, “This past high school (season) meant so much to me. Knowing that it was my last year, I wanted to leave this school with something to remember and to end this last high school season off on a good note.” Both girls have had a stable support system for their volleyball career. For both club and high school volleyball, family has played a key role in encouragement. “My biggest supporters are my parents and my two sisters. My parents have always been proud supporters of me and push me to be the best I can be,” said Danielson. Miller added, “My parents push me every single day to be a better person, not only on the court but off the court as well.” Alongside family and friends, coaches and teammates have also had an impact on their volleyball careers. Volleyball created opportunities for the girls to connect with a broader range of people. “It takes more than skill and hard work to be an athlete. The love and support from all around us is what shapes an athlete and with that, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Danielson. Miller added, “It was a fun experience, being with different girls from our school and representing our school — being able to have the bond that we had, and just fighting to the end (and) winning the OIA championship. And it was just amazing, I love every single one of them.” With this being their senior year, Danielson and Miller both plan to continue their volleyball career in college. Miller is committed to University of Maryland, Baltimore County, while Danielson has not yet committed to a college.
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SPORTS NEWS
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FEATURE
Pum
Americ
With the win swarming one’s all that is requir sweet and crun Thanksgiving o such a delightfu holiday season. Sasha Numazu-Fisher
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Lauren Ramos Genevieve Mumma
Jenna Lee Bundalian
he holidays are a time filled with joy, family, friends, gatherings and, most importantly, food. No matter where you are from or what you believe in, the power that a delicious dessert brings is like no other; not only does it satisfy people, but it also brings them together. There is a certain level of personality that goes into any good homemade dessert, which is why food is so personal and unique to each person and culture. When enjoying Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s or any other holiday tradition, it is clear that food truly does set the tone and can warm the hearts of anyone. Eating is the world’s universal language. Although the traditions that everyone celebrates may not be the same, the enjoyment that comes from eating a tasty treat with your loved ones is a feeling known to everyone.
Haupia (how-p-ahh)
Hawaiian The highlight of any holiday Hawaiian luau is haupia. It is the finishing touch and lasting dessert that completes any party or holiday gathering. When prepared traditionally, the dish has a fairly simple recipe to follow. Its soft and light flavors can be complemented with the addition of a crunchy crust, macadamia nuts and coconut shavings. Ingredients Instructions 2 cups of coconut milk 1. Combine ingredients in 1 & ½ cups of water saucepan and cook over low ½ cup of sugar heat, stirring frequently. 2 tablespoons sugar 2. Cook until mixture thickens and ½ cup cornstarch comes to a full boil. A pinch of salt 3. Pour into an 8 inch square pan. 4. Chill until firm. 5. Cut into 9 squares. Sprinkle with coconut when serving.
Lokma
(lohk-mah)
Jewish
During Hanukkah, the sweet and tasty treat, lokma, is a necessity at the table. This Turkish fried sweet dough covered in syrup is served as a dessert during the Jewish holiday season. The deep-fried puffs represent the cakes that the Maccabees ate and are specifically made during Hanukkah since the dish is cooked with oil. Dough Ingredients 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1 teaspoon sugar 1 & ¼ cup water (warm) 2 cups allpurpose flour (plus 2 tablespoons) 1 teaspoon salt vegetable oil Syrup Ingredients 3 cups sugar 1 & ⅓ cups water 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions 1. Mix sugar and water in a pot then bring it to a boil. Let it boil for about 15 minutes until it gets a little stick 2. Add lemon juice and boil for 5 minutes longer. 3. Let it cool. 4. Mix lukewarm water, sugar an 5. Sift flour in a large bowl. 6. Pour yeast mixture in it and m 7. Cover the bowl and wait for a 8. Heat oil in a deep pot until bo 9. Take some dough in your han thumb and forefinger. 10. Dip a teaspoon into a little o 11. Fry it until golden for about 12. Repeat the same steps until 13. Transfer fried dough balls im as long as you want. 14. Take them from syrup when
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umpkin Pie
FEATURE
rican
he winter spirit in the air and savory smells one’s senses, the classic pumpkin pie is required of an American holiday feast. The d crunchy pie is always the grand finale to any ing or holiday dinner, and the presence of ightful dessert is the epitome of the American ason.
Twisted Anpan Japanese
Anpan is an azuki bean bread that is enjoyed year-round, but is a must-have in any Japanese holiday feast. The warm and sweet roll is most commonly filled with red bean paste, and is one of the easiest breads to make at home. Its satisfying flavors are light yet filling; it is a perfect dessert to enjoy during the winter season.
.
sticky. l for 5
gar and yeast in a cup.
and mix with an electric mixer. Then add egg and salt and mix t for about an hour until it doubles in size. ntil boiling point. r hand and squeeze it so that you see a small amount between your
ittle oil and use it to drop that rounded bit of dough into boiling oil. bout a minute. until you finish the dough. alls immediately into cold syrup and leave them in it
when they absorb enough of it and serve warm.
(ahn-pahn)
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Ingredients 250 grams bread flour 25 grams unsalted butter grams salt
25 grams sugar 3 grams dry yeast 90 ml milk 90 ml water 150 grams koshi-an
Instructions 1. Put all ingredients for the dough in a bread machine. Put the yeast in the yeast compartment and start the bread machine. 2. Divide the koshi-an into 10 portions. Bring egg to room temperature and beat it. 3. When the dough is ready, gently press the air out with your hands. Divide the dough into 10 portions using a card. Shape the dough in a round shape and then cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. 4. Roll out the dough to about 10 to 11 cm square. Spread koshi-an on the
dough leaving some space around the edges. 5. Fold the dough into thirds. Press gently with your hands and blend the dough and koshi-an blend. Roll out the dough a little at a time using a rolling pin. 6. After rolling the dough out to about 15 cm long, make 2 cuts vertically leaving about 1 cm space on the sides. 7. Twist the dough into a rope and shape the dough into a spiral shape. 8. Let the dough sit for the second proofing in a warm place for about 30 minutes until the bread doubles in size. 9. Brush beaten egg on the dough and bake in an oven preheated to 180 °C for 15 minutes. 10. When done baking, let the bread cool.
Mexican Hot Chocolate mexican
With the winter season creeping up and the cold winds whisking past us, it is clear that the holiday season has arrived. There is no better way to welcome a true Mexican Christmas than a classic, bittersweet Mexican hot chocolate. The drink is best served during the holidays or during the Mexican celebration Las Posadas, which commemorates Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay before the birth of Jesus.
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FEATURE
Photo Courtesy Miles Anderson
Sailing to Success 09
FEATURE
Mumma Secures Sportsmanship Trophy Leigh Berry Mililani Times Staff
O
MadisonTimes KellyStaff Mililani
n Nov. 16, Waikiki Yacht Club (WYC) held their annual awards ceremony where the club recognized members for any outstanding achievements made over the course of the season. Of all the awards, WYC considers the Sportsmanship Trophy to be one of the most important as the trophy signifies the most honorable traditions of sailing. The award is given to honor members who demonstrate exemplary teamwork, respect and encouragement towards their fellow club members and coaches throughout the sailing season. This year, WYC awarded the Sportsmanship Trophy to Senior Genevieve Mumma. “I believe that this award is mainly based on attitude rather than performance. I have been with this club for so long that everyone really is a family to me. What began as a way to get more practice for what I was lacking by not having high school sailing, turned into a regular routine of teaching younger sailors,” said Mumma. “My coach told a story of one instance of my sportsmanship when during a race I had collided with two other boats from WYC. Though none of us could tell who was in the wrong, we all did circles (which is what you do when you foul someone).” MHS has no sailing team and Mumma sails exclusively with WYC. She has been a member of the yacht club for six years, joining just one year after she began sailing at ten years old. “I started with a summer program because my mom thought my sister and I might be interested in the activity and I never thought of it as an intense sport, just a summer activity,” said Mumma. “Waikiki Yacht Club is almost like a second home to me. I’m there every weekend and sometimes more. In the mornings I teach the younger sailors and in the afternoon I train. During the summer we sail everyday of the week, with occasional events on the weekends. The environment there is so welcoming and I truly believe we have the best team. We get to sail year round and I love every person that I’ve met there.” For Mumma, sailing is not without its obstacles. One of the largest challenges is a lack of additional support from a high school sailing team. A high school team guarantees sailors more time on the water, more attention from coaches and more opportunities to grow in sailing ability — experience that is difficult to make up for when sailing solely with a club. “I definitely face challenges as a result of not having sailing in high school. Almost everyone at Waikiki Yacht Club and in the sport in general goes to a private school with a high school sailing team,” said Mumma. “Last year I was able to practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays but being so far, but it is an additional cost and very difficult with a busy schedule. It’s hard seeing others around me improve during the season but it definitely encourages me to work harder.” Her hard work and dedication to the sport allowed Mumma to become a skipper, also known as a shipmaster, after only two years of sailing and has continued to earn her titles and awards for her accomplishments in everything from local races to national competitions. Throughout the years, Mumma has continued to grow and develop her sailing skills, competing in at least 10 races per season and practicing all throughout the year to improve her technique and test the limits of what she can do. “My coach, Guy Fleming, has taught me not to focus on results but actual improvement because in sailing,
Madison Kelly
Genevieve Mumma credits her coach, Guy Fleming, with teaching her much more than just sailing, including how to keep calm, how to teach others, especially the little kids and how to change a tire.
if everyone is individually improving it becomes hard to see improvement in yourself,” said Mumma. “My favorite part of sailing this past season was single handing a 420 (a bigger, double-handed boat) from the trapeze (a wire attaching to the mast). When you sail a 420, typically your crew wears a harness and straps into a wire that helps keep the boat from heeling and makes you go faster. This summer I was able to do that while also sailing and holding the main sheet, which is something I would not have been able to do just a year ago.” For the past seven years, Mumma has been on the water almost every weekend and sometimes weekdays as well. Sailing has become a significant part of her life on the island and as a senior, the 2020 sailing season could be Mumma’s last season in Hawai‘i if she chooses to attend college off island. “To me, sailing is a challenge and that’s why I love it so much. It’s such a mental game at times. Also, everything you do in a race is on you. Your failures and your success is because you called the right or wrong windshift,” said Mumma. “I’m still sailing. I’m basically always sailing. Right now we are in the season of clinics which are basically just fine tuning practice races to get prepared for the upcoming year. I’m sad it will be my last full time sailing in Hawai‘i because here we have perfect conditions, but I know I’ll be back for breaks and it’s possible I will continue the sport in college.” Mumma’s next race will be in February 2020 at the beginning of the new sailing season.
Along side Genevive Mumma, Zachary Brennan also won the sportsmanship award.
Photo Courtesy Kenneth Fitzgerald-Case
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COMMENTARY
OPINION:
the popeyes chicken sandwich Kosmo Wojack Emily Zimmerman
Genevieve Mumma
Rain Hashimoto
NOt Worth it
WoRth it
S
ince its Hawai’i re-release on Nov. 17, the Popeyes chicken sandwich has ignited a wildfire. The restaurant has been filled to the brim with hungry customers waiting for their orders. The fast-food frenzy doesn’t stop there, with an endless drive-through line sprawling for more than 15 cars. Is this attention warranted? Could something as simple as a chicken sandwich be worth up to an hour wait in line? My answer is no, but yes. For logic’s sake, waiting more than 20 minutes for fast food is impractical and essentially defeats its purpose. However, the Popeyes chicken sandwich’s undeniable quality gives its consumer traffic reason to be. In August 2019, Popeyes released their chicken sandwich to the world and received uproarious approval. To say it struck a chord with customers would be an understatement, as their entire stock sold out within two weeks. More than two months later, on Oct. 28, the official Popeyes Twitter account announced the re-release of their beloved sandwich, garnering much attention and excitement from fans online, greatly contributing to its success upon release. Amidst recent criticism of the beloved fast-food chain and chicken joint competitor, Chick-fil-A, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen stands as the lone challenger for the throne of fast food chicken king of America. The latter’s take on the American classic is a strong competitor, boasting a thicker, juicer serving of chicken compared to Chick-fil-A. However, in Hawai’i — a state living in the absence of the mighty Chick-fil-A — the comparisons are irrelevant. When pitted against Hawai’i fast food providers, there is no contest. While the McDonald’s McChicken is an undisputed classic, its small size and general lack of quality ingredients and flavor are especially emphasized when compared to its Popeyes cousin. Jack in the Box, Wendy’s and Burger King’s sandwiches — although their meat has a decent crunch, it feels cheap and lousy, especially after experiencing the authentic crispy goodness of Popeyes fried chicken. Now let’s observe the individual components of the sandwich that make it such a success. First, the start and end of all sandwiches — the bread. Its crispy brioche bun provides a delightful salty-sweet taste that gets the mouth watering. When taking a bite, the next thing you will likely experience is the satisfying crunch of Popeyes’ signature fried chicken. The fried batter contrasts the soft bun, adding a uniformed balance to the bite. After breaking past the exterior, the chicken inside is tender and juicy. The thick sliced pickles add a pungent but pleasant sour element into the mix. Add a small touch of mayonnaise that doesn’t overpower the chicken and you have the talk of the country. Balance is a recurring motif when describing the sandwich’s qualities; nothing overpowers the other flavors and each can be individually pointed out while simultaneously working together in harmony. This tranquility can best be put into words by pop-culture icon, Thanos. “Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.” Wise words that perfectly characterize the Popeyes chicken sandwich. While it may not be worth the long waits to some, it certainly is a quality sandwich, especially at a price point of only $6. Standing in line isn’t necessarily about the sandwich, it’s about the camarderie: being a part of the bizarre social event. People don’t need to take themselves too seriously — mass support of randomness is just plain fun. If you have the time, are hungry and with some friends, why not join in on this cultural phenomenon and sink your teeth into some of the best that fast food has to offer?
P ‘Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.’ Wise words that perfectly characterize the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich.”
A man was stabbed to death after cutting in line at a Popeyes in Maryland.
icture this: utter chaos. People fighting, arguing, screaming. Tensions are rising and the crowd becomes angrier. Shoving, pushing and yelling become more intense. The police have to intervene. Someone is killed. All for what, you may ask? The answer: a chicken sandwich. It is no secret that Popeyes has re-released their chicken sandwich. In fact, if you don’t live under a rock, chances are you’ve heard about this sandwich. The sandwich came out in August of this year and as soon as it was released, chaos spread across the nation. People have been going to extreme lengths, such as waiting in line for hours upon end to get a hand on this “magical creation.” Drive-through lines have wrapped around and stretched out of the parking lot. The line inside is just as bad but instead of sitting in the comfort of your car, you’re forced to stand. Even customers who aren’t interested in ordering the sandwich are forced to stand in the long line. The disorganization is unsettling and you would think that having this sandwich out for months there would be more of a “game plan.” Yes, there was a major gap in production of the product because it sold out, but the sandwich has still been something the company could have discussed and had a plan of action to keep the chaos in the restaurant to a minimum. Why everyone is so worked up over this sandwich, I will never know. A man cut in line at a Popeyes in Maryland and was stabbed to death when confronted. He literally died over a sandwich. Honestly, it’s not even close to being “to die for.” It is a piece of fried chicken between a bun with some mayonnaise and pickles. I waited in line for over an hour — which I know is nothing compared to what others went through — to get my hands on this sandwich. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. It was lackluster, basic and plain. Shall I continue? All of this hype, all of this chaos for a sandwich. I’m not saying it’s a bad sandwich. It’s a perfectly fine sandwich. It just has nothing special about it. In fact, it is almost identical to the sandwich made by Chick-fil-A (Which is strange since Popeyes has been working on it for nearly two years. You would think they could come up with something more original). While in Hawai’i it’s understandable that people would go crazy for a chicken sandwich since we don’t have Chick-fil-A on island, it doesn’t explain the mayhem occuring on the mainland. So, why did this sandwich get so much hype? It blew up on social media. It has racked up around $65 million in media value. I don’t understand why this was such a big deal. A company that is known for its fried chicken releases a fried chicken sandwich. This isn’t a groundbreaking idea. There is so much else going on in the world that we should be focusing on instead of a sandwich. More than 37 million people in America alone are hungry. In Hawai’i, there are 161,270 people struggling with hunger. Meanwhile, we’re out here, angry that we can’t get our hands on a sandwich. It is important to remember these less fortunate people, especially since the holiday season is upon wus. Instead of getting caught up in the Popeyes’ fiasco, spend your hours volunteering. Take a step back from what you’re doing and think about what is truly important in the world.
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Trey Yamamoto
Lauren Ramos
Colbi Ohira
E
very year, members of Congress nominates a set of individuals to the four United States Service Academies. No one sought an application to the Merchant Marine Academy and applicants were nominated to three colleges; the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. and the Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.. On Nov. 19, Congressman Ed Case released his nominees to the three academies, with Seniors Kaylee Jones and Noah Nappi both being nominated to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs (USAFA). “I’ve always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and by becoming an officer, I can accomplish that. One only gets what they put in and even though the academy is a challenging and rigorous experience, I feel that’s what makes it such an effective school,” said Nappi. For both Jones and Nappi, the nomination process consisted of the submission of application documents along with an in-person interview. The nominations themselves were just a small part of the overall process, as they do not guarantee a spot at the academy. “It’s very similar to applying to a college; one must submit three letters of recommendation from a counselor, teacher and advisor or other teacher and submit test scores and transcripts. There is usually an essay question or a few short responses — they usually ask for a resume as well and a questionnaire,” said Nappi. Jones added, “The nomination is only a small piece of the puzzle. They will be sending out letters in March, letting us know if we have been accepted or not.” For the in-person interview portion of the nomination process, Congressman Case personally met with the nominees. There were 31 potential nominees interviewed throughout the decision-making process. “Although I was nervous, I thought the interview went really well and appreciated the fact that Congressman Ed Case himself interviewed me,” said Jones. Nappi added, “Being able to interview with Ed Case directly was a great experience. It wasn’t very long, but we discussed my reasons for wanting to attend a service academy and my plans for the future.” By attending the Air Force Academy, both Jones and Nappi would be following in their fathers’ footsteps to enlist in the military. The experiences and exposure they had to these military programs inspired the seniors to join a military academy. “I first heard about the academy in Civil Air Patrol back in eighth grade and after visiting the campus last spring, it’s greatly inspiring. I have always loved aerospace and science and being able to serve as an officer along with that is unmatchable,” said Nappi. Jones added, “From a young age, I knew that I wanted to serve. I wanted to pursue a career as a pilot and USAFA seemed like the perfect fit for me.” Aside from completing the application forms and in-person interview, Jones and Nappi needed to prepare academically for this opportunity. There were many class requirements that needed to be completed as prerequisites before
NEWS
Nappi plans to pursue a degree in Computer and Electrical Engineering.
Jones has always wanted to pursue a career as a pilot.
applying to the academy. “I took advanced courses at school and have been doing my best to maintain a high GPA,” said Jones. Nappi added, “(The requirements include) four years of each subject, two years foreign language and recommended one year of computer science course(s).” The classes and opportunities provided at MHS helped Jones and Nappi prepare for the application process. These classes pushed them to excel as high school students and made them stronger candidates for the nomination process. “I have taken AP classes and made sure to challenge myself throughout high school. Besides classes, a lot of my teachers and counselors have done a great job to prepare me; Mrs. Schrock and Mr. Enomoto have helped me with many parts of the application process,” said Jones. Nappi added, “The courses at MHS most notably my time in marching band, have been able to prepare me for some aspects of the environment at USAFA. Our band’s disciplined and tradition heavy training is reminiscent of the structure at the academy. From our leadership structure to the mentality and four-year learning process, band has been able to prepare me for many of the expectations and challenges at a service academy.” If she is accepted to USAFA, Jones plans to become a pilot and make it a life-long career to serve her country as an Air Force officer. As for Nappi, if he is accepted, he will likely be attending the academy for basic training in July for six weeks and starting classes in August.
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FEATURE
Chanelle Camero
Lauren Ramos
D
istinguished Young Women (DYW) is a national program that offers teenage women the chance to win scholarships and learn skills through their Life Skills program and competitions. Seniors Kimie Fujioka and Amelie Valenzuela took part in the Distinguished Young Women of Hawai’i competition and placed third runner-up and second runner-up, respectively. “My favorite part about Distinguished Young Women is the rewarding feeling of being able to improve myself and acquire new skills that can be utilized throughout the rest of my life. I believe this program has shaped me in a new way in which I’ve matured and grown in positive ways,” said Valenzuela. Fujioka found out about the competition through her friends who have previously participated in the competition. Valenzuela found out through her mom who pushed her to apply. “I’d never heard of the program until then, but I was so glad to have been introduced to it through my mom,” said Valenzuela. Fujioka added, “It was a great scholarship opportunity and it seemed like an easy way to earn some money for college and meet new people.” On their website, DYW has a free online application to enter. It asks the applicant a series of questions on current societal issues and how they would solve them. “From there, someone associated with the program will give you information on how to apply for the state program. The application is fairly quick and easy and I encourage future senior girls to apply,” said Valenzuela. Over the course of two months, the girls rehearsed for the final competition. Their practices were typically on the weekends and lasted three to four hours. “We had a lot of mock practices to help us prepare for the ‘On Stage’ competition but more specifically, the interview. Whenever they were offered, I would try my best to go to them because I knew that I was going to have a hard time answering some of the questions — especially the political and current event questions without knowing much about those topics,” said Fujioka. Valenzuela added, “In addition, we held mock interviews as well as individual sessions to get help on things we feel could be improved.” There were a total of five categories in the competition. The categories were scholastics, fitness, talent, self-expression and the interview. “For fitness, we were taught this six minute routine that challenged our physical capabilities. Talent was the portion in which we were able to do one of our passions or something that displays our unique skills. For my talent, I sang a song called ‘Times Are Hard for Dreamers’ from the musical ‘Amelie,’” said Valenzuela. “The self expression part of the competition consisted of contestants being asked a question a few hours before the competition and answering it later on.” Both Valenzuela and Fujioka won $750 for the talent category. Like Valenzuela, Fujioka also sang a song on stage. “I sang a song called ‘Everything I Know’ from the musical ‘In the Heights’ which talks about thanking those who have supported you to where you are in your life today,” said Fujioka. The interview allowed the contestants to have one on one time with the judges. The judges asked questions based on the biographies contestants were required to write. “As for other components of the competition, the day before the ‘On Stage’ competition, we had an interview, which was in a private room with the judges where they had 10 minutes to ask us questions about ourselves
I believe this program has shaped me in a new way in which I’ve matured and grown in positive ways,”
-Senior Amelie Valenzuela
The competition consisted of five categories: 1. Scholastics 2. Fitness 3. Talent 4. Self-Expression 5. Interview
Joie Agoo
or current events or even politics and how we would make this world a better place as well as how to empower women and the next generation,” said Fujioka. “When I got interviewed, they asked me questions about how to solve the issue with people living paycheck to paycheck and student debt as well as integrating the Arts into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Questions like these are things that I am not used to having to answer so it really made me think about how I would solve these problems and the mock interviews really helped prepare me for getting asked questions like these.” For both of the girls, the interview was the most challenging process. However, in the end they were able to work on their public speaking skills. “Not only is the interview itself very nerve-racking, but having to figure out and word what you want to say about you to the judges was hard. This is especially hard for me because I oftentimes get so nervous that it is hard for me to formulate well-worded and sharp answers to questions. In addition, being prompted with controversial questions was a difficult task because you don’t want to answer in ways that will offend someone else,” said Valenzuela. Fujioka added, “I think the most challenging part was definitely the interview, because like I said, it was hard to prepare not knowing what questions the judges might ask. But at the same time, it made it very rewarding when I was able to finish the interview and leave that room knowing that I was able to gain a very valuable skill of thinking on your feet and answering questions about current situations that I am not totally familiar with.” The competition was not just about winning scholarship money for the girls. It also served as a way to meet and connect with other girls from various schools. “I learned a lot about different people and personalities as well as the idea of ‘empowering women.’ We had this one day where a bunch of women came in to talk to us about their lives and how what they do for a living changes people’s lives. It was really inspiring to listen to them and made me realize that I want to help make a difference in society,” said Fujioka. Valenzuela added, “I believe that meeting all the girls from other schools and the mentors that helped us along the way was the most rewarding part of the experience because it gave me a chance to expand my horizons and meet people with different views and backgrounds. I learned so much from my mentors and fellow competitors which is something I’ll treasure for a long time.” From this experience, Valenzuela and Fujioka took away many life skills. Some of these skills include public speaking, interview strategies and leadership skills. “This program taught me the essential skills needed for college and beyond and with all of these skills, I can put it to use in the world and, in the future, my everyday job. I’m more comfortable, prepared and willing to speak my mind in front of others and I’ve gained a new outlook on what it means to be a leader,” said Valenzuela. Fujioka added, “As much as I want to say it was the scholarship money, I think the best part was the skills I was able to take away from the program, like going through an interview and even the fitness routine and self expression — it was all so rewarding and I was so humbled to be able to receive the awards that I did.” Fujioka won $500 each in the fitness and self-expression category. For placing third runner-up, she won $1,500 as well as a $12,000 scholarship to Hawai’i Pacific University. For placing second runner-up, Valenzuela won a $2,500 cash scholarship as well as a $12,000 tuition scholarship to Hawai’i Pacific University. For more information or to apply, you can visit DYW’s website at http://distinguishedyw.org/.
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r e t n i s k r a p s g h n i m d in Wel 14
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undalian
B Jenna Lee
amoto
Daisy Ann
Hipolito
Reese Yam
Leonard describes two welding techniques he uses: a C pattern and a figure eight pattern.
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hough welding may not be a common hobby amongst MHS students, it is not overlooked by a select few who follow the practice of state and national welders alike. Welding is defined as the process of uniting or mending together multiple pieces of material (metal, thermoplastic, wood, etc.) through the application of heat and pressure. This process can be used to make a variety of creations such as tables, stands, chairs and other usable pieces of furniture or equipment. At MHS, students taking automotive technology (auto tech) are given the opportunity to begin welding and advance their skills if interested. Senior Matthew Leonard was one of the few students to take this opportunity and now considers welding to be a unique and intriguing hobby. “If you’re not consistent with working then you’re never going to get anywhere. It’s just about consistent practice, getting out there, grinding your stuff and then practicing other things,” said Leonard. Similar to other high school welders, Leonard’s interest was sparked in auto tech. Auto tech is a class that allows students to learn the basics of automotive repair and maintenance, while also being able to work interactively with automotive equipment and electronics. “They have this little section that you can weld in, it has this little welding table and we’re currently trying to build a stand where we can hang sheets off of so that people can look in and see (the) welding so that we don’t have to worry as much,” said Leonard. Students in auto tech who are interested in welding learn about the process, steps and techniques that go into a quality weld. From there, the students are able to use their own knowledge to create projects of their own. “The first thing is you want to make sure the metal is nice and clean and then from there it’s just making sure everything lines up and then from there you just want to have good technique,” said Leonard. Welding can be used in a variety of situations. While hobby welders usually work on smaller projects such as furniture and sculptures, more seasoned and professional welders work on grander scale projects, such as pipelines, bridges, power plants, refineries, cars or ships. “The first major project I did was — well we’ve done things on an axel, for like a trailer, and we’ve also done a grill where I kind of just welded some stuff to
If you’re not consistent with working then you’re never going to get anywhere. It’s just about consistent practice, getting out there, grinding your stuff and then practicing other things.”
- Matthew Leonard
hold it together,” said Leonard. “I definitely have something that’s going to be there for a while. The stand I just made, that’s probably going to be there for who knows how long. So you get to contribute actively to the shop.” Welding results in more than just a self-made product; welders have gained many values and applicable life lessons through the process and practice. These lessons and skills can be used both in and outside of a welding environment. “I think with anything it’s more like work ethic, and you gotta stick with the project. If you aren’t consistent, then that’s something you can transfer into life, anywhere. If you’re not consistent with working then you’re never going to get anywhere,” said Leonard. Aside from Leonard, only a few other students at MHS weld as a hobby, and those who do understand that welding is not for everyone. However, that does not stop them from encouraging those who are intrigued by the activity to give it a try. “I think it’s because they think it’s (welding) tedious. We’ve given people the chance to weld and they’ll kinda just go and they kinda just play with it for a little bit, but to actually get good at it is a tedious process,” said Leonard. There are many benefits to taking welding up as a serious profession or side hobby. According to TopWelders.com, welding is currently one of the highest-paid labor jobs in the U.S., with a yearly salary of around $50,000 to $185,000, or $160,000 to $2,000,000 for military support welders in the United Arab Emirates. “I know in college I’m potentially thinking about getting a welder. So, depending on when I can use it, I can just go to different job sites and as I get better people can just pay me and I can go do small projects. It’s just another source of income,” said Leonard. If you are interested in welding, you can look into MHS’ auto tech class or research local welding teaching companies.
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t its current demand, the u.s. will need
372,664
welding professionals by the year 2026.
Welders
do not need college degrees to practice their trade, making welding one of the highest paying jobs without a higher education. They do, however, need to be certified and licensed.
t s e r
s t n e d u t s s h m
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Tai Phaniphon
Samuel Sameshima
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very year, the UFC gym, with locations all over the United States, holds the Ultimate Fitness Challenge, a competition dedicated to testing strength, stamina, power and endurance. There are three levels of competition, starting at local UFC gyms where only one female and one male winner progresses to the Regional and National events. On Oct. 12, Trigonometry and Algebra 1 math teacher Marcie Waki participated at the Mililani UFC gym, where she achieved victory and gained experience; later continuing her journey to Regionals where she placed second. “What inspired me was my daughter, my middle daughter Mia — she wrote me a letter. Because I always instill don’t ever give up, you can do it, build your confidence and she actually did that for me. So it was kind of heart warming, she was the one who kind of inspired me, ‘Okay I gotta do it,’” said Waki. The night before the UFC Mililani competition, Waki was sick with a fever and chills. However, she was keen on participating and overcoming the task at hand. “So this is kind of a me time. I was kind of in a rut and was like ‘I just need to get back in shape.’ This forced me to do it; I get into the modes where I set goals for myself and I just want to chase after them,” said Waki. In preparation for the Ultimate Fitness Challenge, Waki began intense training two months prior. All participating athletes received three personal training sessions with a Challenge Coach to help them prepare for the competition, as well as attending a weekly challenge class. However, what gave Waki the most strength was her kids. “Especially for my kids to show them if you put your mind to it, you practice hard, you focus, you have that drive and determination and if you can model that for your kids then that’s even better. It was like ‘See, mommy can do it, so can you.’ Even though I’m almost 40, you can do it,” said Waki. Although Waki won the local UFC challenge, she had to quickly move onto the next stage: Regionals. Within the two weeks between the Mililani competition and Regionals, Waki had to acknowledge her weaknesses in order to improve. “It was more competitive. In terms of my mindset I had to focus more on what my weaknesses were — the cardio part I was fine so I wasn’t too concerned with that. I was more concerned with the upper body exercises because I am not as built as other competitors” said Waki. “I had to think positive. I wanted to kind of doubt myself but I had to change that.”
Math teacher Marcie Waki has been teaching at MHS for 16 years.
Colbi Ohira
One of the many opportunities the Ultimate Fitness Challenge provides is not only experience, but a camaraderie among fellow athletes. This and the importance of a positive mindset proved to be one of Waki’s favorite takeaways. “(I enjoyed) competing with other people and making new friends. Knowing that if you set your mind to something and you can achieve that is inspiring not only for myself but other people,” said Waki. “If you set your heart and your mind to it you can do it. No matter how old you are or where you are in life.” Due to Waki’s busy schedule, her normal workout regimen consists of waking up early before school to go to the gym. Her schedule includes UFC’s daily ultimate training classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, then on Tuesdays and Thursdays either cardio or weight lifting. This athletic lifestyle was instilled in Waki at a young age. “So I would always train 6:00 in the morning. My grandma would walk around the track in Maui, so I would lift weights and run around and do laps before school,” said Waki. For Waki, working out is a stress reliever and a means of personal time, becoming an essential part of her everyday lifestyle. In all, early workouts set her up for a positive and productive day. “And to start it in the morning, you go through your day feeling good and thinking, ‘I already accomplished a goal, I worked out for one hour, now I can go about my day,’” said Waki. With the Ultimate Fitness Challenge, Waki recognizes the importance of working out. She acknowledges the many health benefits it provides, especially in the youth and hopes to set an example for her students. “Get out, even if it’s 15, 20 minutes, normally it’s 30 minutes. I think it’s good for your body just to exercise whether its walking, whether it’s riding a bike, whether its lifting weights. It doesn’t have to be strenuous but at least do some kind of exercise because its good for your mind, good for your body,” said Waki. “And sometimes it’s sad because it takes something bad to make you wake up and change your whole lifestyle. It doesn’t have to be drastic but I think if you just do a little at a time and gradually build on it, you will see that it is daily, (and)it’s part of your life.” In the future, Waki plans to enter the partner UFC competition as well as continue her fitness lifestyle to stay in shape. She would also like to get back into running, starting off with half-marathons and eventually a marathon.
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THE COMPETITION
Coding Team Places First at HACC Jacob Nakasone
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lthough it’s not recognized as an official club, the Mililani coding team has experienced great success within its past few years. Over the course of two weeks, the coding team worked to create a web application for the Hawai’i Annual Coding Competition (HACC). After finishing the application, they presented their project at Hawai’i Pacific University and placed first in the high school division. “Quite honestly, I think my favorite thing about HACC is just when you get to kind of see the students start and they’re kind of worried about if they can do this task or not and then you kind of just see each of them really grow in terms of not only just their coding skill, but their people skills — you know, your soft skills, dealing with each other’s personalities and learning to understand that some people have other commitments,” said coding team coach Blaise Hanagami. Every year, the theme and guidelines of HACC changes. This year’s theme focused on sustainability in Hawai’i. “So for the HACC, we created a meter checker. Basically, we grabbed the data that we got from Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and then we try checking for anomalies in the data to see if a station was down for their car chargers or for their electrical vehicles. And we also were able to create predictive data with it and be able to predict when congestion was going to occur. And we also developed a way so they (HECO) can view all this data as well,” said Senior Kobe Uyeda. Junior Shane Parslow added, “So they (HECO) wanted us to make a program for them that will detect when certain parts of it are broken and we can tell them, ‘The credit card readers broken,’ and they can just see it on the program — they can easily see the part (that) is broken.” Normally in HACC, coding teams are often composed of very few students. However, for this year’s MHS coding team, there were 10 students in comparison to last year’s seven. This allowed the students to improve the quality of their project. “One of the things that we kind of noticed after we took a step back and looking at our team of 10 was that even though the team was large, the more veteran members who were a part of last year’s HACC — they made a priority to make sure that anybody and everybody who was interested in working on a real world project that dealt with coding, no matter what their experience was, had an opportunity to participate,” said Hanagami. “It was also important — the number of people that we had. (With) the extra people that we had, I think we really dedicated people to tasks really efficiently. So we definitely made use of the extra members that we had this year,” said Parslow Throughout the process of developing the meter checker, the team ran into various challenges. However, with communication and teamwork, the group was able to resolve them. “We had trouble deciding how we would store the data that they gave us — we had a few options. But we ended up going with using an SQL (Structured Query Language) server because it works well with the framework that we’re using,” said Parslow. Hanagami added, “I think (one of) the challenges that we ran into was definitely time constraints. We were here (at MHS) all hours of the day — all the way from the morning (and) some days we’re here to maybe like 11 at night. And also trying to align schedules. That was difficult.”
The students really enjoyed the experience of kind of being under the gun and working on a real world project.” -Blaise Hanagami
The coding team was able to create predictive data for the Hawaiian Electric Company.
Lauren Ramos
Rain Hashimoto
One particular aspect of HACC is its connections to real world problems. For this year’s competition, the MHS coding team utilized a database often used in the coding industry. “The fact that we used an SQL database as our format was very interesting, because it’s not something that I think any of us had worked with before. And it’s something that’s used very often in industry,” said Parslow. For some of the team members, this was their second time competing at HACC. The returnees utilized their experience to help the team with this year’s project. “So last year, we competed for the HACC too and we created another system for (the University of Hawai’i at) Manoa to check their meter usage of electricity at there — on their campus to see which building is drawing the most energy than the other buildings,” said Uyeda. Parslow added, “This year, we had a lot of less experienced people. So it’s definitely a learning experience for them. It was really nice to be able to train them and help them learn a lot more about programming.” Competing at HACC helped many of the students expand their knowledge of programming. Aside from the educational aspect, students were also able to improve their communication and teamwork skills. “I’ve definitely learned a lot more about programming from this club. Before, I didn’t know too much about programming, but I’ve learned a whole lot from this. And as students, it really helped me learn to manage my time because we stayed late quite a few times — we stayed until 10 (at night) sometimes,” said Parslow. Uyeda added, “When I was able to be here, I made sure I used my time very wisely instead of just goofing off. But it also taught me more than — it taught me that to be a good manager, you actually have to make sure everyone’s still doing the job that they were supposed to do. And that way, you make sure that you’re going to still be on task in the end.” In the future, the coding team hopes to compete in other programming competitions. Although HACC takes place only once a year, the team has plans to routinely meet to continue improving their skills. “So a couple of things that we’re looking at is that the students really enjoyed the experience of kind of being under the gun and working on a real world project. So we’re currently trying to look for different online hackathons that we can enter into,” said Hanagami. Parslow added, “We are also trying to set up a way for us to do another hack(athon) but on a local level for Hawai’i. That’s still being worked out, but that’s what we’re trying to get to.” As a result of placing first, the coding team was awarded a check of $500. The prize is to be given to the school for future use. For the full timeline of the coding team’s project, visit https://devpost.com/software/shc.
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This is the second competitive year of the MHS coding team placing first in HACC
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer Programmers had a median salary of $84,280 a year.
This is the fourth annual HACC competition, but this is the second year of having an official High School Division. Before this change, high schools competed with collegiate and professional teams.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer Programmers typically have a Bachelor’s degree
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THE MOST
TIME OF THE YEAR EmmaEmma Lee Lee
Genevieve Genevieve Mumma Mumma
Alina Fujinaka Alina Fujinaka
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tudents sigh as they calculate first semester grades before cursing the heat and turning on the AC. Although the holidays in Hawai’i are without snow, scarves or sleds, MHS students have found their own ways of enjoying the yuletide season.
Q: What do you like most about the holidays? “I like how it’s very, I don’t know, happy during this time because a lot of people are going through stress, but when you start seeing all the Christmas lights and stuff, it makes me happy.” Leilani Hernandez Grade 11
Q: Do you prefer the night of Christmas Eve or the dawn of Christmas morning? “I prefer the night (of Christmas Eve) because there’s this sense of musical whimsy that I don’t feel in the morning. To add on, I’m also not a morning person.”
Jada Hoopii Grade 9
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Q: What’s one thing that gets you in the holiday mood? “Right now, I listen to Christmas music 24/7 ‘cause I’m so excited. In period three, me and my friend Myriam, we’re just jamming to Christmas music.”
Oilau Lee-Hang Grade 11
Q: How do you decide who you’re getting gifts for? “Due to my lack of income, I don’t really have a large budget, so I only really get gifts for just my family.” Shadrack Nabea Grade 12
Q: What gift do you give when you have no idea what the other person wants? “Some treats like food, because who doesn’t like food?“ Ty Araki Grade 9
Q: How do you celebrate the holidays? “I spend a lot of time with my family listening to Christmas music to get into the holiday spirit.” Caden Chang Grade 10
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Danean Wurlitzer
Faustine Miura
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rom Nov. 7 to Nov. 17, the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium held the 39th annual Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF). Among the nine short films showcased throughout the festival, the film “Other People” directed by Color Guard Director Bryson Chun, made its debut. Four MHS color guard members were contacted to appear in the nine-minute short film, along with members of the Kamehameha Schools Kapalama (KS Kapalama) color guard. “This experience has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and participate in a project outside of marching band, as well as perform for a completely different audience. As a result, I grew more comfortable as a performer and l learned to be open to new opportunities,” said Junior Isabella Gismundo-Hook. Along with Gismundo-Hook, Junior Maria Bongiorno and Seniors Madeline Partin and Kaitlyn Yamaguchi were invited to perform in the background of the short film. This was their first time performing in a short production. “The filming process was such a neat experience because a lot of us had never done anything like that before and we got to see firsthand how a movie is directed and filmed,” said Yamaguchi. “Other People” follows a couple as they argue their way through a mall, but abruptly stop to dance when music begins to play. Chun wanted to emphasize the discovery of a relationship and how the joys of music can strengthen a connection between two people, no matter their race, gender or any identity otherwise. “It’s like LGBTQ almost, so I really like that the film talks about how much they disagree, but at the same time dance is the one thing that keeps them together. I think that theme is really special,” said Bongiorno. Prior to filming, the guard members from MHS and KS Kapalama had a practice for flag work choreography, taught by KS Kapalama color guard director Christian Luke. This led up to the second practice at the filming location, where they practiced how the actual filming process would go. “That practice was for staging and so we were doing the flag work there with the camera and everything and the director and everyone else,” said Partin. Filming took place on Aug. 11 at Windward Mall, with the cast and crew there for roughly six hours to shoot the entirety of the short film. With multiple takes and a limited amount of time, the process was both a challenge and a fun experience for the guard members. “Since
This experience has affected me because I would have never imagined being in a short film and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it with my friends.” -Kaitlyn Yamaguchi
“Other People” was Bryson Chun’s second film debuted at the Hawai’i International Film Festival.
Joie Agoo
we had to film after Windward Mall closed, the filming process ended at around 12:00 a.m. This was a struggle since most of the color guard performers had school the day after filming,” said Gismundo-Hook. Bongiorno added, “The film wasn’t multiple takes; the whole film was one shot, so we had to do the whole thing in one go. That’s why it took a lot of takes to get it right.” The filming process didn’t consist of only reshoots and rehearsals, however. Guard members, as well as the rest of the crew, got to enjoy their time after hours at Windward Mall. “This is gonna sound weird, but my favorite memory was the downtime. When they were rehearsing the parts we weren’t in, the color guard people were sitting in the food court and they provided us with really good pizza and there were snacks and everything,” said Partin. “Other People” premiered on the second day of HIFF and the guard members who performed in the short film were able to attend. There, they to experience the short production for the first time as an actual film, rather than a project that they worked on. “This short film was important because the director worked so hard on this project to premier it at the Hawai’i International Film Festival,” said Yamaguchi. “It was cool seeing the director’s ideas come to life on the big screen.” For the MHS guard members, participating in the short film was an opportunity to broaden their horizons as performers. Since the film revolves around dance and music, the guard members had the chance to not only perform, but also to enjoy themselves through the process. “It’s definitely made me want to perform more and get myself out there, especially because I’m in marching band,” said Bongiorno. “So I think performing and doing something you like is really important.” The MHS marching band and color guard completed their competitive season in the fall with their show “Paradise Lost.” In 2020 the Mililani Open Guard will be traveling to Ohio to compete at Winter Guard International.
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(Pictured L-R) Junior Maria Bongiorno, Senior Kaitlyn Yamaguchi, Junior Isabella GismundoHook and Senior Madeline Partin
The film also incorporated salsa and square dancers in addition to the color guard members.
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Mina Pecoraro
Mina Pecoraro
Mina Pecoraro Genevieve Mumma
Genevieve Mumma
Candy/Food Whether you choose to go the more savory route or appeal to your loved one’s sweet tooth, a delicious, edible gift is sure to be appreciated. Many sweets shops sell holiday-themed candies and chocolate and often feature cute winter-themed packaging and decorations. This adds an extra layer of class and will make the gift appear more elegant. Starbucks changes their coffee packaging for the holidays as well, featuring coffee blends called “Holiday Blend” and “Christmas Blend.” These coffees are crafted to pair well with traditional holiday foods. For example, the Holiday Blend has herbal and maple notes which are said to pair nicely with fruit danishes. A food gift is an easy way to instantly lift someone’s mood and provide them with delicious snacks for the holiday season.
Kakimochi/Arare Coffee Baked Sweets
Just because a gift is small doesn’t mean it has to be generic. Make a gift basket the highlight of your loved one’s holidays with some fun and thoughtful presents. Quirky gifts like trinkets and brain teasers are unique and lots of fun. Self-care gifts are a great way to encourage your loved ones to take some time for themselves and relax. Eco-friendly products are not only trendy, but are a great way to support the sustainability movement and encourage your loved one to do their part in reducing their plastic usage. Things like metal straws and reusable shopping bags are practical for everyday usage. On the topic of practical usage, gifts like jewelry and mugs are a nice way to boost holiday spirit and can be used year-round.
of holiday shoppers will pay more for sustainable products Bath bombs Face masks/skincare/lotion Card games and puzzles Sustainable gifts (metal straws/reusable grocery bags)
Joie Agoo
MOST POPULAR GIFT CARDS Gift cards are the perfect small addition to a holiday basket. They are convenient, easy to package and allow your loved ones to pick out the gift they truly want. Although gift cards are extremely easy to get and don’t require much thought, they’re almost guaranteed to be appreciated. A simple, cute way to customize a gift card is to write a message or doodle something on the gift card holder, such as a greeting or an inside joke.
Chocolate Candy Cookies
Joie Agoo Genevieve Mumma
Cute socks/scrunchies Small jewelry Electronics (chargers, etc.) Travel mugs with hot chocolate or tea
Amazon playstation, steam or xbox starbucks or other local coffee shops boba shops/cafes restaurant or fast food apple store or google play
restaurants department stores prepaid cards coffee shops Entertainment