2023 March Spike Nite Issue

V O L U M E 3 7 , N U M B E R 3

HAWAII BAPTIST ACADEMY

MAR 10, 2023

IN THIS ISSUE: Editorial: “How to Love School Again” Pg.1 New Students Reflect on School Year Pg.3 Behind the Curtain: Randie Lueder & Hannah Cheng Pg.5

Profile: Maxwell Lee Pg.7 SPIKE NITE SECTION Pg.10-14 Photo Essay: Lion Dance Pg. 15

How to Love School Again → By Cameron Pien (‘23) EDITORIAL

P

eople between the ages of twelve and eighteen are vastly different in a variety of ways. However, there’s one topic I’m certain they’ll all enthusiastically discuss, commiserate, and possibly be driven to breakdowns over: The boredom, irrationality, and stress of school. A 2020 survey conducted by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence revealed that 75% of high schoolers had negative rather than positive impressions about school, and another report from NYU revealed that about 50% of students feel a great amount of stress on a daily basis.

1

I’ve seen this disillusionment on display in myself and my peers. As my senior year has progressed, the number of exasperated exclamations of “I’m so done” that I’ve heard from my sleep-deprived, Starbucks-sustained classmates has skyrocketed. I certainly sympathize with this sentiment: I’m going to graduate in three months, and it’s been especially tempting to gaze aimlessly out the window during my classes and question exactly why I’m sitting there in a plastic chair instead of being free to live out my fantasies of strolling around art museums in Europe. Lately, I’ve been considering the source of this pervasive cynicism and apathy towards the system that has dominated the last thirteen years of my life.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines school as “an organization that provides instruction.” Often, we perhaps rightfully dislike the ways education is accomplished, but I think it’s dangerous to allow this anger to transform into indifference towards learning itself. Students at HBA may chafe against the rules in the handbook, the fickle nature of AP Classroom, and the mundanity of homework, but ultimately, every school day offers us an opportunity to pursue wonder and curiosity. If we have concerns about educational methods, we should research and address them; after all, institutional policies and practices should encourage us to love learning, but in the process, we shouldn’t misdirect our frustration towards the larger goal they’re intended to help us achieve. We can decide to view school as either a cause of or a cure for cynicism.

When I paused and brushed away the fog of disillusionment and disinterest that too often obscured my view, I saw that I was surrounded by a decadent feast of opportunities, and it would be negligent and ungrateful to refrain from partaking in them. There are a few ways I’ve attempted to stifle weariness and give life to curiosity. For example, at the beginning of the semester, I set a challenge for myself: For every one of my classes, I had to identify at least one aspect of the subject that fascinated me. Instead of mindlessly grumbling about writing essays, I asked myself to appreciate the invention of language and how it empowers everyone to have a singular voice. Rather than bemoaning the abstruse difficulty of math, I looked for the strange, mysterious beauty found in numerical patterns and the way that geometric concepts are interwoven throughout nature: Apparently, snowflakes are actually shaped like hexagons! I began to see academic knowledge as a fluid framework for the world. Math and science provide a complex structure for our physical surroundings, while the humanities enrich and enliven our social and inner mental realms. Additionally, I realized that school offers opportunities to grow not just in intellect but in practical wisdom. I made a resolution this year to have lunch with a different teacher every week in order to get to know them better and glean any advice they had to offer. I laughed with Mrs. Mitchell as she told me entertaining anecdotes about her daughter and Continued on page 21 shared what parenting has taught her, and I gained

Hawaii Baptist Academy’s Eagle Eye is a student-run and student-centered publication.

Hawaii Baptist Academy 2429 Pali Highway Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Cameron Pien (‘23)

SPRING SEMESTER STAFF Brendan Aoki (‘24) Noah Camacho (‘23) Dilan Chock-Makiya (‘23) Noah Hu (‘23) Olivia Kim (‘26) Megan Lee (‘23) Natali Nomura (‘25) Trislyn Maeda (‘23) Taylor Malinger (‘24) Calla Pien (‘26) Jeremiah Seng (‘23) Brielle Sumida (‘26) Marissa Watanabe (‘23)

ADVISOR Eunice Sim

Follow us @hbaeagleeye on Instagram www.hbaeagleeye.com

Listen our podcast, THE PERCH, on Spotify.

Latest episode: After a series of bad haircuts, senior Joel Tanoue decided to learn how to cut his own hair. Once he gained some confidence, he started to cut his friends’ hair...in school. Our host Cameron Pien catches up with Tanoue and his in-school “clients” to find out more about his growing oncampus “barbershop,” a service he’s been providing to students and teachers for free this school year.

There’s a TikTok for That “I learned fraction hacks.”

NYSSA YOSHIKO (26’)

“I like watching videos of cute cats.”

ABBIE KATO (25’)

The video creating app “Tik-Tok” launched in September 2016 has grown rapidly popular over the past few years. With over 1 billion active users, 138 million of those from the United States, Tik Tok has become the most downloaded app globally and in the U.S. The trademark of the app is the “for you” page, which shows videos to users based on past interactions like searches, likes, shares, watch times, etc. Based on a user’s interests, the for you page pushes out videos with similar sounds and hashtags.

Originally, the app gained popularity as a platform similar to the app “Musical.ly” which was used to lip sync to songs.

The aspect that made it different from “Musical.ly” was when creators started to create dances rather than lip sync to the songs. As the app gained more followers, it also gathered a wider range of interest groups. Now, the app is used for recommending books, making edits of characters, makeup tutorials, creating awareness for many issues, promoting music for small creators, and much more.

“I like learning how to do niche makeup looks.”

RANDIE LUEDER (25’)

“This is my favorite TikTok because my heart belongs to flowers .”

MIYA EVELAND (26’)

“I learned to tear gaff tape by folding it back on itself at a 90 degree angle. It leaves a tab on the tape the next time you want to use it. I use this trick in chapel to tape the seating signs to the bleachers.”

MR. CHARLES POORE

“I learned that dogs can sit like this” KIMBER RYAN (25’)

2

→ By Natali Nomura (‘25) FEATURE

New Students Reflect On School Year Thus Far → By Calla Pien (‘26) FEATURE

With half the school year behind them, HBA freshmen have mostly settled into school life.

Among them are students who were not just new to the high school but new to HBA. The Eagle Eye checked in with these students to find out how they’ve adjusted to the school year.

recalled of his first few months at school. The rigor of freshman year compared to middle school is often challenging for students, new and old, but Higgins is thankful for the support of his teachers. “I was very surprised at just how helpful and caring the teachers were. They are always willing to help you through your work…it just seems like they actually care, which is a huge refresher compared to my previous schools,” he explained.

However, these freshmen aren’t the only new students at HBA. New junior Tommy Tan remembered his first day of school as not only being exciting, but also encouraging as he felt acknowledged and welcomed by his peers. “It was the first time I would interact with my grade, but I didn’t think I would meet people who I felt respected by and appreciated my presence. One person in particular I got to know and sit down with was Nathan Brock, who was also a new junior, and someone I didn’t realize I would be able to connect with on various levels. My transition into HBA wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, especially because Tyler Higa, my host, had introduced me to many people, one specifically being [fellow junior] Jadynn Wong,” he said.

3

Not only does transitioning to a new school provide new students with opportunities to get to know their fellow classmates, but it also means new activities and events to participate in. For Kim, Freshman Camp was a memorable moment that allowed her to bond with friends. “At my old school, we never really did many trips or field trips like that, so [Freshman Camp] was a really fun experience to do with my friends,” she said. Similarly, Zulueta-Imai mentioned enjoying Spike Nite, Homecoming, Freshman Camp, (Below) Freshman Collin Higgins catches up with a friend during lunch.

Photograph by Calla Pien (26’)

(Above) Freshman Seraphina Zulueta-Imai prepares for an upcoming geometry test. Photograph by Calla Pien (26’) While the first day of school back in August 2022 feels like a long time ago, the emotions surrounding that day are fresh in students’ memories. Freshman Olivia Kim recalled, “I remember being really nervous because I haven’t been to a new school in a while and I didn’t really know the people at HBA.” Classmate Seraphina Zulueta-Imai also commented, “I just remember feeling super lost because I didn’t know the campus at all. I was super nervous.” The freshmen in particular had the most nerves and butterflies coming back to school, because of the transition from middle school to high school, as well as adapting to a new campus, work expectations, and getting used to being, once again, the lowest grade on campus Freshman Collin Higgins is from a military family, and moved to Hawaii from Germany just last year. “To be honest, I didn’t expect HBA to be as challenging as it was. I have been to many schools in my life, but HBA is by far the most demanding of them all,” he

WORDS OF ADVICE “Be open minded and do what you want to do, not just what others want you to do, and to make as many good friends as you can.”

Olivia Kim (‘26)

and Spirit Week, which Tan described as “the most impressive and school engaging concept...bringing out the best of our school spirit!”

Additionally, this 2022-23 school year’s Spirit Week wasn’t only a remarkable experience for new students, but it was also the first full-scale Spirit Week held since Covid-19 restrictions were put in place in 2021 and 2022. The event was a memorable experience for many students, who engaged and participated in activities such as tug-of-war, themed dress-up days, decorating themselves with glow-in-the-dark paint, table surfing, and Pepper Squad performances.

In Higgins’ previous schools, “Spirit Week would usually come down to a single assembly with some school chants and maybe a relay race, so it is safe to say that my expectations were not high when Spirit Week was first announced at HBA…but I was proven severely wrong. Spirit Week was a blast. It was wonderful to see all the grades intermixed, playing exciting games and showing massive amounts of school spirit,” he said. As for Tan, Spirit Week gave him a chance to participate behind the scenes. “I had worked as sound that week during the assemblies, like managing emcee mics, music, and Pepper Squad audios,” he described.

Another unique experience for these new students is learning in a Christian context. There are mandatory weekly chapels, Bible courses, and an annual Christian Emphasis Week (CEW). “I was looking forward to HBA being a Christian school because my middle school was a public school, so I didn’t really have any Christian friends there,” Kim said. Tan added, “I felt that HBA has led me back towards the pathway of God, and I’m very grateful for that.”

As for Zulueta-Imai, she said, “My old school was a Catholic school, so [the Christian learning environment] is not that big of a difference.”

Higgins too has felt encouraged in his faith this year. “HBA has helped me grow immensely in my faith with the Lord, by means of planned activities such as camp, CEW Week, and the weekly chapel services. I am ever so grateful for the Christian ministry leaders who help many students, like myself, grow in their faith every day,” he said.

“Take advantage of the experiences that you’re given, and prioritize homework.”

Seraphina ZuluetaImai (‘26) “Do not be afraid to ask questions. Asking questions can really help you understand the topic that is being taught, which is much better than just trying to memorize everything and teach yourself.”

Collin Higgins (‘26) “Just be yourself honestly.

You’ll realize that the people who appreciate you for the way you are are the ones who you should stick with.

However, keep in mind that you should be respectful, supportive, and encouraging to others...you don’t know their whole story.”

Tommy Tan (‘24)

4

(Above) Freshman Olivia Kim heads to her News Production class, one of the electives she’s taking this year. Photograph by Calla Pien (26’)

→ By Megan Lee (‘23) FEATURE

(Above) Hannah Cheng (left) as Finch in Newsies.

Photograph courtesy of Cheng.

5

Sophomore Randie Lueder was six when she watched a production of Aladdin. It was in that theater where the magic of a genie lamp and flying carpet transported her beyond the desert kingdom of Agrabah to a dream of becoming a performer herself.

That same year, Lueder joined the musical theater program at Pas De Deux Hawaii, a local performing arts school where she was already taking dance lessons. Since then, Lueder has performed in shows like Hairspray Jr., Legally Blonde Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., Moana Jr., and In the Heights and is currently involved with the Performing Arts Center of Kapolei.

Lueder’s favorite part about being a performer is embodying a unique story through each role. “To be a good actor you need to have a reason for everything. Acting is reacting and if you don’t find a purpose then it falls apart, so I love digging into my creative side and getting to explore my character,” she said. “Once you get into your mode, you kind of become that character. It’s really fun to be someone that you’re not.” In Seussical Jr., Lueder portrayed the antagonist Sour Kangaroo. She especially enjoyed the character’s brassy, judgemental attitude, which allowed her to do a lot of eyebrow raises and add riffs to her songs.

Like Lueder, junior Hannah Cheng also does theater outside of school.

She is part of two local performing arts organizations, Ohana Arts and Shooting Stars. Cheng and Lueder both started theater with a dance background and sing together in the Soldiers of Light, HBA’s select high school choir. Theater allows them to bring their three passions—dancing, singing, and acting—onto one stage.

Some of the biggest challenges of performing that these actors face are the many lines, gestures, and movements that they need to memorize and perform. Stage fright, or performance anxiety, is a common experience in theater. Lueder encounters difficulty when hitting an “acting block,” her coined term for overthinking about the portrayal of one’s character. “You need to have a purpose and be intentional, but you can’t think about the way you’re going to say it or else it falls apart. When you’re playing your character, you are the character, so you shouldn’t be thinking about what you’re doing. It just comes naturally,” she explained. Lueder copes with the “preshow jitters” by praying and talking to her castmates, while Cheng finds comfort in practicing different breathing exercises.

Among the regular rehearsals and performances each year, Lueder and Cheng both cherish the tight-knit bond with their castmates,

whom they tackle the stress and nervousness with. Lueder’s favorite memory includes her program’s “senior circle” that takes place during the last show of the season. The tradition seeks to celebrate the graduating seniors, who reminisce on their experiences, impart wisdom, and bid their farewells to the rest of the cast. Similar to Lueder, Cheng also enjoys gathering with her castmates before every performance to share their feelings and offer encouragement towards each other. “It’s just a very special moment because our directors are always reminding us, you’re never going to have the same experience. You may do this musical again, but the people are going to be different, and the experience is going to be different,” she said.

Lueder, on the other hand, greatly appreciates the artistic craft and the personal connection that come with theater. “Acting has taught me that human emotion is beautiful. Being able to portray it is a gift from God and getting to experience the realness of our emotions is extremely humbling. I get so emotional when someone has an amazing performance just because it’s so real and it touches a part of you that you didn’t realize was there,” she said.

Both Lueder and Cheng share a similar sentiment of encouragement towards those who have never done theater.

Lueder said, “The stage fright is a small part of it. It’s more worth it to have the opportunity to be with your cast.

It’s more gratifying than people think it is. Just try to have a little more fun with it.” Cheng added, “You get to try different things and step outside your comfort zone. Especially if it’s not something you’ve done before, it can be really nerve-wracking, but you should try something new, even if you think you’re not going to be good at it.”

(Above) Randie Lueder (center) as a lioness and Young Simba’s understudy in Lion King Jr. (Right) Six-year-old Lueder in her first production, Hairspray Jr. Photographs courtesy of Lueder.

6

Throughout her nine years of performing, Cheng has seen herself grow as both an actress and mentor. She stated, “As you get more experienced, your voice and your range grows. I also feel like since I’ve been doing it for a long time, the perspective grows. When you’re little, you see all the older kids, and you look up to them. As you get older, you take on more of a role model position, helping out with the younger kids. It’s still a similar experience but through a different lens.” Cheng hopes to work this summer at the theater program that she usually participates in.

Cheng also believes that theater has taught her how to quickly adapt to unexpected situations. “There is going to be stuff that goes wrong, and you have to either improvise with it or make it part of the scene. [I’m] learning to go with the flow more. Someone’s going to trip and fall or drop something—because I know I’ve done that—and you just have to go with it,” she said.

7

Maxwell Lee holds up the three fingered salute used when pledging the Scout’s Oath.

Photograph by Taylor Malinger (‘24)

READY FOR ANYTHING On January 13, 2018, Hawaii residents flew into a frenzy at the incoming-ballistic-missile warning that had appeared on devices all over the island.

Some individuals hunkered down in their homes, hoping for safety in their panicked haze, while others resigned themselves to their fate, serenely going about their day in spite of the threat looming over their heads. Maxwell Lee, a seventh grader at the time, was part of the former group. “I was just kind of panicking. I didn’t know what to do,” Lee remembers. However, his fear prompted him to reconsider some things. “I thought to myself, ‘What could I do to better myself if something happened like this again?’” Lee said. “I wanted to be prepared. I didn’t want to just give up.”

As a result, when his neighbor suggested they join Boy Scouts together, Lee heartily agreed.

Though his decision to join was made on a whim in response to a drastic event, it became much more than a preventative measure for disaster.

To Lee, it became an opportunity for personal growth and a smooth transition into the world of adulthood as he learned to fulfill the iconic Boy Scout motto: “Be Prepared.”

One of Lee’s most thrilling moments as a Boy Scout was when he attended a summer camp with his troop, and they had an unexpected visitor. Their campsite had been vacant for a while due to Covid-19 closures, so the landscape was overrun with vegetation, and wild pigs frequented the site. During the night, the troop was awakened by a racket. “It turns out there was a pig that kind of jumped on the back of a truck and was running through our food,” Lee recalled. “The next day, our leaders were just like, setting up traps for the pigs. And it didn’t work. But towards the end of the camp, [the other scouts and I] started making spears to hunt the pigs, and we actually got one, and we had a luau. That was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen,” Lee remarked.

Since his decision, Lee has invested both time and effort into scouting.

When not at school, Lee has spent many hours learning how to tie knots, build fires, and administer first aid. Even now, as he prepares for life beyond high school, Lee continues to serve his community through the Boy Scouts and is working his way towards the rank of Eagle Scout, forging not only strong credentials but also a strong character that sets an example for other teens finding their way to adulthood.

Even though scouting has been a fun extracurricular activity for Lee, it still required him to work hard and fight the urge to procrastinate. “[As a Boy Scout], you need to do things to rank up,” Lee explained. “I thought I had so much time from seventh grade till now, because when you’re 12 or 13, you have no idea how fast time flies, so I think I just kind of fooled around. And then COVID came and that didn’t help.”

At one point, Lee even considered leaving the Boy Scouts. “During quarantine, I wanted to quit scouting because I felt like I wasn’t going anywhere,” Lee said. “So I slacked off, and my desire to continue scouting just continued on a downward spiral. I was able to reconsider my decision thanks to the help of Kai Moriyama’s dad, a scout leader in my troop. I was really surprised that he showed genuine concern for me when I said I wanted to quit. It showed me just how much I meant to the troop and that I would lose a lot of opportunities if I just hung up my hat. I’m grateful for what he did because if he hadn’t taken me under his wing, I would’ve quit scouting in a heartbeat.”

His current involvement includes participation in weekly meetings, attendance of educational classes, and leadership of the younger scouts. Lee, as a senior scout, also has more opportunities to oversee troop activities. “Our troop has like this thing where we have something that’s called PLC, which is a patrol leader conference, and we just kind of discuss what kind of things we’ll be doing at the next meeting,” Lee said.

This select group of scouts generally meets once a month to establish expectations and set an agenda for upcoming projects. Lee also teaches classes to some of the younger scouts to share his knowledge with them and help them advance in their ranking.

When asked what the biggest misconception about being a Boy Scout is, Lee responded, “We don’t sell cookies.” “I think a big one is also like being able to make fire with just two sticks,” Lee added. “There is another way to make it. It just requires a lot more effort than sticks.”

Lee also brought up the topic of Boy Scout badges, which are earned by carrying out certain tasks or meeting specified requirements. ”Have you seen pictures where people have a lot of badges on their sash?”

Lee asked. “I don’t know what they’ve been doing. There’s a news story about a guy that had like 200 or more, and I don’t think it’s humanly possible unless they cut corners.”

Merit badges are typically earned over a span of a week to three months.

“There’s one called personal management,” Lee said. “You just have to like, record your spendings, your earnings, and just keep a log of what you did for like three months.” Another merit badge is Personal Fitness for which scouts must take a fitness test every month for three months to track their physical progress. Other badges include hiking, emergency preparedness, salesmanship, and a variety of other educational tasks.

As a result of these activities, scouts are able to explore a variety of subjects and apply them to their lives.

Learning time management has also played a big role in Lee’s journey

8

MAXWELL LEE’S JOURNEY AS A BOY SCOUT → By Taylor Malinger (‘24) PHOTO ESSAY

9

as a Boy Scout. “It was really difficult for me to balance school and scouting because both compete for my time. During junior year, I often found myself skipping scouting events due to the monstrous amount of homework I had from AP Chem, not to mention my other classes,” Lee explained. This challenge has only grown as he navigates his senior year. “It has been difficult to balance scouting with preparing for college and graduation because I have a lot of ‘late work’ I should have done during junior year,” Lee said.

As of right now, Lee is in progress to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank of scouting. To reach this distinguished position, Lee must fulfill several criteria, which include reaching a certain time requirement as a Life Scout, the rank preceding Eagle and managing a leadership position. “[We also] have to earn 23 merit badges. There are 13 Eagle required ones and then the rest can just be whatever. And we have to do a big service project,” Lee said. “It’s a lot of paperwork for that project because you report… your experience, what you learned from it, what you did wrong or could’ve done better,” Lee added.

This demanding process has added to Lee’s substantial workload.

“What complicates things is having to plan and carry out my Eagle Project before June 7th (because that’s when I turn 18 and also near graduation). There isn’t a lot of time left to finish my Eagle project, but I also have to maintain my grades,” Lee expressed. In spite of this stress, Lee still believes that “it’s totally worth it.”

In fact, the title of Eagle Scout could come in handy as Lee applies to colleges and jobs down the road. Lee recalled that his Eagle Scout friends were favored by employers over the other applicants when they applied for jobs. “People just view [Eagle Scouts] with a higher standard,” Lee said. With this advantage in mind, Lee is eager to advance his career aspirations: “I want to go into aviation.

I want to be a pilot like my grandpa. I want to fly commercial or commercially. My dad says it’s best to go get a college degree first, just in case, and I agree with him.” Regardless of where Lee’s path leads, he hopes his scouting experience will give him a leg up.

As Lee reflects on his time as a Boy Scout, he declares it to be the “best decision I made in my life.” On one hand, scouting has granted Lee a new perspective on growing up. “When you’re with a bunch of people that have different age gaps, I guess you kind of get to know where you have been and what you’ve seen as a younger scout and kind of reflect on how you’ve kind of become an older scout.” In addition, scouting has enabled Lee to build a stronger sense of confidence in himself, preparedness for the unknown, and perseverance for the sake of success. Timothy Shimizu, Lee’s classmate and friend, has had the privilege of watching Lee grow over the last three and a half years. “I’ve seen him, for example, take much more initiative and responsibility for not only his present concerns, but also his future, too,” Shimizu said. “Not only that, but he’s become a much more caring, humble, sincere, and overall mature person, all while still retaining his characteristic ‘abrasive’ sense of humor and playfulness.” Lee is determined to share his experiences with other scouts. Lee explained, “The whole point of scouting is to give back because you take so much experience from it. I feel like it’s not fair to just leave with all that, and not pass it down to the young ones.”

(Top) Senior Maxwell Lee practices tying lashings for a tripod on a Skill Day. (Bottom) Lee (second from right) and his troop worked as night shift security guards for the Annual Special Olympics.

Photographs courtesy of Lee.

SPIKE NITE 2023 HAWAII BAPTIST ACADEMY SCHEDULE 5:00 p.m 6:15 p.m.

HBA Varsity 1 vs. Le Jardin HBA Varsity 2 vs. Iolani

A BIG MAHALO

to our Athletic Booster Club sponsors

10

Tonight’s mini bentos, snacks and drinks are brought to you by the Hawaii Baptist Academy Athletic Booster Club.

22 - VOLLEYBALL 23 HAWAII BAPTIST ACADEMY BOYS VARSIT Y

“My most memorable moment was the Punahou game because it was a great win for the team, and it was my first ever varsity game.”

“I want to thank my parents for getting me to practice, also my coaches for club and school for helping me improve every day. And thanks to Joseph Giles for being the best American citizen ever. Thank you America.”

TANNER HANKEY Freshman • OH • 5’ 9” “My most memorable moment was when we beat Punahou last week...it felt amazing, knowing that all of our hard work paid off. ” “I’d like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for his amazing love and for always being with me through all the ups and downs. I am grateful to Coach Teoni for challenging me and my parents for supporting me and taking me to all of my practices.

I thank Matt for teaching me cool things like “the griddy.”

JOSEPH GILES Junior • MB • 6’0”

“My most memorable moment was when I finally hit the ball well and inside the court, and Coach Teoni yelled, ‘YES KENSHIN’” “I am grateful for Coach Finn because he was my first coach, taught me the very basics of volleyball, and got me hooked onto volleyball.”

KENSHIN CASIMINA Sophomore • OH • 5’ 10”

“My most memorable moment was getting beamed in the face twice in two days by Jared and Jordan. Half my face was left completely red and I may need to wear a helmet to practices now. ” “I would like to thank my club coach, Coach Darryl, for helping me improve for the past two years and making the sport I love more enjoyable.”

COLE SAKAI Sophomore • DS • 5’ 7”

“My most memorable moment was when we beat Punahou at Punahou.”

“I would like to thank Coach Teoni for giving me the confidence to play at the the level that I play at. I would like to thank my family, especially my mom for always being my #1 supporter. Also to my brother, thanks for being a person I can talk to after having a bad practice day or game. To all my friends thanks for your constant support regardless of our results.”

SKYLAR TAKEUCHI Senior • Setter • 5’ 6” “My most memorable moments come from our car rides to games. Everyone is getting focused but at the same time we’re singing songs on the radio together and just having a great time together. We all know we’re gonna have to work hard but in the moment we are just thinking about each other.”

“I’m thankful to my family for taking time out of their day to support me by taking me to practices and coming to games all these years.”

BRENDAN AOKI Junior • DS • 5’ 10”

“My most memorable moment was when the Eagle’s Nest came to support us on the road.”

“I’m grateful for my parents for everything that they did for me. I’m also grateful for Coach Teoni. ”

JORDON QIN Senior • OPP • 5’ 11”

“My most memorable moment was playing in last year’s Spike Nite in front of the big crowd. The energy and atmosphere was unbeatable.”

“I would like to thank Coach Teoni, Coach Danford, and Coach Austen for constantly pushing us to be better. I would also like to thank my mom, dad, sister, and Kylie for being my number 1 supporters.”

CALEB NISHIMURA Senior • Libero • 6’0”

“My most memorable moment was when we beat Punahou...I’ve never seen Coach Teoni so excited over a win. We’re going to change the culture of HBA, playing D1 against some of the best players in the nation.”

“My most memorable moment was when we won our first game of the season.”

“I am grateful to my coaches and teammates for pushing me to put more effort into everything.”

SAM MOKAN Freshman • OPP • 5’ 10” “My most memorable moment is my first Spike Night. Coming out of Covid, it was our first game with spectators. I remember the thrill of seeing all my peers filling the stands...the start of the Eagle’s Nest.”

“I am so thankful for my friends for having my back and supporting us. I am grateful to Coach Teoni for believing in me and pushing me to be the best.

And I am forever thankful for my family, for always cheering me on no matter where they are.”

JARED CRUZ Senior • OH • 6’ 3”

“My most memorable moment was when Joe first learned how to griddy… it was amazing.”

“I want to thank the Nest for showing their support and constantly cheering at our games; their energy helps us on the court. ”

MATTHEW MOKAN Senior • OH • 6’ 2”

“I am grateful for my family for investing a lot of time and money into me playing volleyball. I really appreciate my teammates for being like a second family to me. Another big part of this team is the student section who comes to all our games to support. I want to thank Coach Teoni and the other coaches for pushing me hard and believing in me.”

PRESLEY LONGFELLOW Junior • Middle• 6’4”

“My most memorable moment was when I played for JV during my freshmen year because that’s when I got into volleyball.”

“I’m grateful for all my coaches because every single one of them pushed me to become a better player/ person.”

REO FURUTA Sophomore • OPP/Middle • 5’ 11”

“My most memorable moment was playing Punahou in the playoffs last year when I had to go in because Jackson hurt his ankle. I was only in for like 5 points but it was very nerve-wracking and I almost pissed my pants.”

“I’m grateful for Coach Teoni because he showed me how to view volleyball from a different way, pointing out how my actions could be considered selfish and how to be a better teammate.”

KAMDEN KANESHIRO-TAKEUCHI Sophomore • Setter • 5’10”

“My most memorable moment was just recently when we beat Punahou for our first game in their own gym.”

“My most memorable moment was the game when we beat Punahou.” “i wanted to thank my mom, dad, and sister for all their continued support throughout my volleyball career.”

JACKSON LINCOLN Senior • Setter • 6’ 1”

“I give all my thanks to Coach Teoni for inspiring me to grow and become better eventually leading up to me being able to compete as a varsity volleyball player. I also appreciate my teammates for being the best fans out there who always look out for one another.”

PRESTON GONZALEZ Junior • Middle • 6’2”

2023 BOYS VARSITY 1 VOLLEYBALL

FRONT (L-R): Jordon Qin, Sam Mokan, Tanner Hankey, Skylar Takeuchi, Cole Sakai, Brendan Aoki, Kamden Kaneshiro-Takeuchi, Kenshin Casamina

BACK (L-R): Joseph Giles, Reo Furuta, Jackson Lincoln, Preston Gonzalez, Presley Longfellow, Jared Cruz, Matthew Mokan, Caleb Nishimura

13

2023 BOYS VARSITY 2 VOLLEYBALL

Not pictured: Samuel Cheng, Noah Curammeng

14

FRONT (L-R): Sean Skaaning, Andrew Young, Nainoa Nakamura, Shane Kimura, Ethan Nakata, Jake Nitta

BACK (L-R): Ethan Soares, Tate Coulter, Caleb Lau, Azure Wasson, Jeremiah Seng, Tyler Higa, Trey Muranaka

Lion Dancing

15

→ By Dilan Chock-Makiya (‘23) PHOTO ESSAY

(Above) My uncle Jason’s lion dance club performed at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown this February.

I remember wandering around Chinatown when I was little with my mini hand-made Chinese lion puppet on a string, admiring its contrasting neon and pastel colors. I would ask my dad to carry me on the top of his shoulders so that I could see the different dances being performed by the life-sized “lions”—performers dancing underneath ornate lion costumes. I would admire the performers’ bravery when they came face to face with the firecrackers being set off amidst their dance moves. Black and gray smoke would fill the air, making it hard to see anything except the fiery sparks at the end of the firecracker ropes. Sometimes the loud sounds would scare me, so I would put on my dad’s noise-canceling headphones. Over time I became more comfortable with the deafening drums and explosive firecrackers that would throw gravel at my legs. While he enjoyed celebrating our Chinese heritage, my dad never forced me to keep going to Chinatown during the Lunar New Year season as I got older. However, something kept on drawing me back to the festive Chinatown streets every year.

16

Lion dancing is more than a visual spectacle; the dance is only performed with a Chinese drum and cymbals, as if the loudness is necessary to bring the lion to life. During the Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown, firecrackers are often set off during the dance, adding to the cacophony of sounds. Photograph by Dilan Chock-Makiya (‘23).

17

Lion Dancing is a traditional dance that is performed in Chinese and other Asian cultures to welcome good luck and fortune to a new year and other important events. The performance is an athletic showcase, where two people go inside of a lion costume, and make it come to life in a dance driven by the beats of a percussion ensemble comprising a large Chinese drum and cymbals.

The performers would demonstrate their athletic abilities by showing different movements such as an acrobatic style of dancing, going on top of the other person’s shoulders to reach for the money at the top of the firecracker rope, and matching every movement that they make with the beat of the drum. On Oahu, the biggest gathering of lion dance groups takes place annually in Chinatown in Honolulu during the Lunar New Year celebrations in the spring. Organized as a club, each lion dance group—an entourage of dancers and musicians— makes their way through the streets of Chinatown, visiting businesses to bring good luck for the new year, while onlookers gather to celebrate with fireworks, feast on dim sum, and give money to their favorite lions.

My uncle Jason Chong is a member of the Lung Kong Physical Culture Club and every year, we would join his club as they make their way through Chinatown. They have been participating in Lunar New Year events since 1958. Uncle Jason has had a passion for lion dancing and Chinese martial arts since he was three years old, banging on his mother’s pots and pans. At five years old, he began taking kung fu. Now, besides enjoying the physical challenges of lion dancing, he takes pride in putting on a good show. “The enjoyment is knowing that the performance we produce for the clients brings them joy and satisfaction,” he said. Uncle Jason is also invested in continuing an important cultural tradition. “There is a very significant cultural aspect to this art. Knowing the things I have learned from the people that came before me, I now need to uphold the traditions and pass them to the next generation; [it] is extremely important. There are many symbolic meanings to the protocols of lion dancing that took time to learn and understand”.

There are many aspects of lion dancing that take dancers months or even years of practice. One of these are tricks. One of the most difficult moves that my uncle has had to master over the years is called the “standing shoulder stack.” The person playing the head of the lion stands on the shoulders of a tail player. “I was the person stacked in my younger, lighter days and later [I became] the

(Above) My uncle Jason Chong strikes a pose in between a performance. Photograph by Dilan Chock-Makiya (‘23)

18

Lion dance clubs gather at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza in Chinatown every year to kick off the annual Lunar New Year celebrations. Here, my uncle’s club is on the move to the other businesses in the area after completing a performance at the plaza. The performers under the lion costiume are being guided by another performer as they make their way.

The lion dance club walks the streets of Chinatown to perform for businesses along the way. As the sun sets, the costumes light up, adding to the dramatic persona of the lion. Photographs by Dilan Chock-Makiya (‘23)

base as I got bigger and stronger.”

This year, my dad told me to bring my camera to Chinatown as I’d been taking a photography course at school. He told my Uncle Jason about it, and figured I could put my skills to the test. When taking pictures out on the street, I viewed lion dancing from a very different perspective than I normally would. Taking pictures from the sideline, and being able to go up with the lions while they perform their ceremonies was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The process taking the photos was challenging, because I had rocks flying at my camera lens, firecrackers popping two inches away from me, and I was trying to get the best shot without interfering with the lion dance routine. However, I look back at this opportunity fondly, because while it was a tough job, it made me have more respect for the performers as I got to see up close what they had to do to put on a good show. My camera drew my eyes to all the facial expressions of the performers, each of their faces telling a different story and emotion. Some were excited by the beating of the drums, others were nervous about the firecrackers, a few were mad because someone was not doing their job, and others were happy because they were having fun. I feel like I saw a side of my community that I’d never seen before and I will definitely be going back for more.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL → By Marissa Watanabe (‘23) FEATURE

19

All our lives, we have been told to take care of our bodies. And, growing up, the notion of exercising and eating our greens felt more like a grudging obligation rather than an enjoyment. However, in the past year, as COVID restrictions have lifted, more and more students have been enticed to try new things. Whether it be subscribing to gym memberships, dieting, or playing a sport, many students have ultimately turned health into a hobby. By this, the high school campus is filled with students who lead healthy lifestyles and take pride in their fitness with hopes of changing themselves for the better.

For the past year, senior Jak Kim has been powerlifting at the gym four days a week, three to four hours a day. “Everyone has different goals going into the gym,” he said. “Some people go to get healthier, others go because they want to look better. Personally, I just want to get stronger.” Kim initially began weightlifting because he enjoyed working out for sports and desired to grow physically stronger. However, as he continued going to the gym and began powerlifting, Kim fell in love with the sport, enjoying “the competitive aspect of it,” as it constantly challenged him to “better [himself], get stronger, and beat old PRs (personal records).”

Kim trains for powerlifting meets two to three times a year. “At these meets, you have three attempts to put up the heaviest weight you can on each of the three main lifts, squat, bench, and deadlift,” he said.

However, similar to wrestling and boxing, powerlifting is divided into different weight classes, and Kim currently finds himself stuck between two classes. Because of this, his powerlifting coach has advised him to gain weight in order to compete in the class above him, requiring Kim to make dramatic changes to his diet. “I essentially have to force myself to eat more than I am comfortable with, so I can be as strong as possible in my division,” he said.

Because powerlifting demands him to push himself beyond his limits and commit to things outside of his comfort zone, Kim finds that “motivation is by far the hardest thing to maintain when it comes to the gym.” On days when he feels unmotivated, Kim tries to regain determination by reminding himself of the progress he’s made and his genuine love for the sport. “I’ve found that it’s easiest to stay motivated when you love what you’re doing, rather than just focusing on the outcome,” he remarked.

In addition to discovering his love for powerlifting, Kim has also found community at the gym. “I’ve met people who have been there for me at my lowest and highest moments. They push me to not only be the strongest I can physically be, but also mentally and emotionally,” he said.

Jak Kim (‘23) powerlifts at the YMCA. Photo courtesy of Kim.

With each challenge he faces at the gym, Kim discovers something new about himself. “I’ve learned about my limits, mentally and physically, and how to motivate myself when I don’t feel confident in my strength,” he reflected. Furthermore, Kim has also realized the importance of patience for progression, saying that his “progression has been principally dependent on the effort [he’s] put in and the commitment [he] has to the process.”

In addition to persevering through strenuous physical activity, many students chose to face the challenge of dieting in order to become healthier individuals. Senior Caley Chun, who initially started off as a vegan, has been on a vegetarian diet since June of 2020. Bored at home during the pandemic, Chun wanted to experiment with something new.

“I have a passion for baking and sometimes cooking, and I wanted to see if [altering my diet] would change my fitness for the better,” she said.

However, dieting proved to be more difficult than it seemed. By cutting out meat from her diet, Chun struggled to regulate her protein intake, which took a physical toll on her, especially since she is a varsity athlete. Even so, Chun persisted through this obstacle by researching meat substitutes, and finding whole foods like tofu, tempeh, quinoa, and soybeans. “Over time, my body began to adapt,” she said, “and knowing that I was eating a lot cleaner overall put me in a good mindset.”

One of the main concerns people have when it comes to dieting is whether it is good or bad to have “cheat days,” a day where one can loosen their belt, stray from their set diet, and eat whatever their heart desires. Although vegetarianism proves to be a tough routine to keep, Chun doesn’t necessarily believe in cheat days. Instead, she believes that “every day should be a good balance of nutritious and delicious foods.” In order to keep this balance, Chun follows the 80/20 rule, “where you eat whole and nutrient dense foods for 80% of the time and whatever food you want for 20% of the time.”

Committing to restrictive diets and demanding exercise plans takes determination and a willingness to change one’s mental and physical

20

Instead of having “cheat days,” Caley Chun (‘23) follows the 80/20 rule which helps her balance nutritious foods with “fun” foods.

Infographic by Marissa Watanabe (‘23)

health for the better. However, oftentimes, people, especially adolescents and young adults, go into these diets and exercise regimens with only the desire to lose weight or improve their body image. In this way, beginning a diet or new workout plan with the mere expectation to “look better” can often result in unhealthy eating habits. Physical Education teacher Austen Roumbos states that these unhealthy eating habits can lead to low body fat levels and that “for good health and normal functioning, [our bodies] must maintain a certain amount of body fat.” In order to circumvent unhealthy habits, Roumbos recommends one to do what makes them the most comfortable and practice a good balance between exercising and eating well. “The only safe and effective way to reduce body fat and lose weight is to combine physical activity with eating fewer calories,” he said.

in judo, wrestling, and jujitsu, but when the pandemic placed contact sports on hiatus in his eighth grade year, he decided to take up cross country. In the beginning, Djou faced some mental obstacles, struggling to “push [himself] to [run] harder, not give up, go all out, and build confidence and consistency.”

So, how much exercise should a person practice each week? According to Roumbos, this amount varies case by case; however, he says that “individuals should participate in moderate physical activity at least 60 minutes every day and vigorous physical activity at least three days a week.” Examples of moderate physical activity include lifestyle activities like housework and yard work and moderate sports like bowling and biclying. Forms of vigorous physical activity include fast swimming, bicycling, and running.

In addition to becoming a faster runner, Djou also noticed physical changes in his body as well, saying that he “got bigger legs and lost a lot of weight.” These breakthroughs in his athleticism and physical health affected the sophomore mentally as well, showing him that he can accomplish big things and conquer the impossible. “I can kind of ask myself, ‘Oh, what else can I do if I can overcome, say, being overweight,” he remarked.

For six days a week and months on end, sophomore Dylan Djou achieves well over the necessary amount of vigorous physical activity, running both cross country and track. Previous to running, Djou participated

In order to become a faster runner, Djou had to discipline himself both physically and mentally. “It’s mainly the days that you don’t want to go out and you don’t want to run–that’s when you have to go out. It’s hard, but you just have to keep going and keep pushing,” he said.

After three seasons of cross country, Djou has worked his way to become one of the fastest boys on the team and led the boys varsity team to take the HHSAA D2 Championship last October. “I’ve improved a lot,” he said. “All the work you put in–it just shows.”

For Djou, the ultimate goal in his athletic journey is to become the best version of himself. And for many student athletes, powerlifters, and vegetarians alike, the desire to become healthier individuals not only reaps physical benefits but mental ones as well. Roumbos finds that “a

21

big correlation between mental health and living a healthy lifestyle comes down to an individual’s mindfulness, one’s state of being characterized by a focus on the present moment.” For Kim, the improvements he makes in the gym allows him the opportunity to “leave [his] life behind and focus on something totally separate.” “Through powerlifting,” he said, “I find enjoyment in staying healthy.”

Sophomore Dylan Djou tries to stay ahead of the pack at a Cross Country race.

Photograph by Brendan Aoki (‘24)

an insightful view on the difference between a job and a career from Mrs. Ustare. I’ve received an abundance of information about college, the professional world, and relationships, and I’ve been inspired to keep asking questions wherever I go.

In some ways, school is a microcosm of life. Both journeys center around growth, and along the road, we can achieve greatly, fail miserably, and relentlessly pursue knowledge. Of course, the comparison is limited. Classes and grades can suggest that we are able to reach the pinnacle of a subject, that a perfect and comprehensive grasp of knowledge is attainable. However, one of the most liberating and exhilarating revelations I’ve experienced is the fact that I will never know everything, but I get to spend the remainder of my existence turning onto unexplored roads and unearthing latent wisdom. Once, the impossibility of crossing a clearly marked finish line would have intimidated or frustrated me, but unlike in school, the point of life is not to reach completion, but to stroll down an infinite path, pausing to peer closer at the surrounding scenery.

A sense of breathless wonder towards the world has also augmented my desire to learn more about the people and possible experiences around me. Of course, there are days when excitement and optimism seem distant and faded, but instead of complacently accepting this worldview, I’m slowly attempting to cleanse it from my being, one thoughtful conversation, stimulating class period, or captivating discovery at a time. The ability to grow and expand our understanding of the world and ourselves is a gift. When we dare to be curious instead of complacent, adventurous instead of apathetic, we can become lifelong learners. High school is perhaps the only period in our lives when we’re more or less completely free and encouraged to learn; generally, we don’t need to work or worry about providing basic necessities for ourselves. Unfortunately, instead of opening our eyes and recognizing this four-year stretch as a time for exploration, we aimlessly sleepwalk and stumble through it, allowing cynicism to corrupt us. We should stop seeing the school campus as a prison and start viewing it as the home of boundless opportunities. A love for learning shouldn’t be confined to the classroom, but it can start there.

EDITORIAL “How to Love School Again” Continued from page 2

I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHAMPION

We live in a society where the busy life is the right life, where money, success, and accomplishment are the goals of our life’s pursuits. As students, we all crave achievement, and we know what it looks like too. Sometimes this success comes in the form of a report card; for athletes it’s that and a trophy. But I believe we’ve got it all wrong. The culture we live in has conditioned us to believe that in obtaining tangible success we will gain happiness.

And thus we chase achievement in an endeavor to feel complete. However, what happens when we fail or things don’t turn out the way we want even despite our best efforts? Does it mean we will never be happy?

This year I set my mind on becoming a state champion as a varsity basketball athlete. I’ve been playing basketball since I was eight years old. From the beginning, I always loved the sport, the adrenaline rush, the competition, and the way the game challenges one to think beyond personal fitness and skill. However, in my junior season, I didn’t play as much as I had hoped, and my lack of contribution on the court made me feel distant from the team’s successes. We had won the state championship that year, and though I was proud of my teammates and what they accomplished, I felt empty inside. I did not have a sense of personal achievement, and the victory did not feel like it was mine to share. And so, the Monday after that championship night, I got to work; I committed to becoming the best version of myself that I could possibly be for my senior season. I wanted to make an impact. I wanted to feel like a champion.

Senior year came around and my efforts carried me into a starting role on the varsity team and earned me the honor of being the team captain. I always knew that a team captain’s responsibility was to put their teammates’ needs before their own. But now that I was in that position, it oddly seemed more difficult to do; even though I wanted to be a good

As one of the players on the team that won the 2022 D2 HHSAA Girls’ Basketball State Championship, I got to cut down the net used in the game. This is a tradition that all winning teams and players get to do after their championship match. teammate, I also wanted to be a good player. If I became one thing, it felt as though I was giving up the other. I wanted to give my heart and soul to everyone on my team. However, I learned from the last season that being a team player can sometimes take away from one’s focus and aspirations for themselves, and this year I was aiming for the reward of selfaccomplishment. Still, I understood that if I focused entirely on my own ambitions, I would be losing sight of what had always mattered to me most: being a leader. If everything was about me, I would be no leader at all.

Throughout the season, I wrestled to find a balance between these two roles. I didn’t always do a good job of that. However, our team did well, gaining momentum after each game. We became conference champions and took the first seed in the Division 2 HHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament. We were within reach of the championship title. Everything that I’d worked for felt right around the corner. We made it past the first game of the tournament and headed to the semi-finals ready to take on the fourth-ranked team, Kapaa. We were one game away from having all our hard work pay off, one game away from being champions, and then we lost.

We trailed 23 to 8 until the end of the third quarter. With

22

→ By Trislyn Maeda (‘23) AN ESSAY

ESSAY “I Know What It Means to Be A Champion” Continued from previous page two minutes left in the game, we made a comeback to close the lead within 28 to 24, but unfortunately, time just wasn’t in our favor. The final buzzer went off, and while Kapaa ran to their bench in well-deserved glee and relief, we walked back to ours, stunned. At first, it didn’t feel real. I was still holding onto the hope that maybe there was another quarter left to play, a second chance to win. But then as I was getting in line to high-five the other team, the realization that we had actually lost hit me.

I went into the locker room crying. As we sat there in silence and bewilderment of what had just occurred, I held my head down, trying to figure out why out of all outcomes this was ours. Everyone felt the impact of this loss, though the only cries that I could distinctly pick out were the ones of my fellow seniors. This was our last run, and the result was not equal to our dedication and our level of belief in this team.

STEPPING UP ON MORE TIME After we all left the locker room, my head coach came up to me, noticing my still lingering grief. He reassured me that I should feel proud of what I did. “You’ve stepped up all year, time and time again. But your team is hurting right now, and you’re the team captain. So sorry, but you have to step up one more time,” he said. Though it was hard to admit, I knew he was right.

I gathered my team outside for a talk. As I stood looking in on the circle we naturally formed, I observed my teammates’ faces of disappointment. Some of them held their heads down, while the others simply stared at me, waiting for me to explain why I brought them out there. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to say. However, I knew that my words could make a difference.

But as I was about to speak, one of my teammates to my right burst out in a combination of laughter and tears. The heads that were down now turned up to look at her, and though confused by her outburst of emotion, we all could not help but join in. It was only after a few minutes of this that I could finally get a word in.

A CONFESSION I had no speech prepared—especially a losing speech— and the only thing I could say was a confession. I told them that I was determined to win it all this season. I wanted it to be written down that I was a state champion, player of the year, or for it to be shown statistically or simply recorded that I was more than enough to play this sport. I wanted to be able to point to that trophy or gold medal and say look at what I did and check the stats sheet because my name will be up there first.

Society’s version of a champion will trap us into an unquenchable longing for gratification that can only be chased and not caught.

And so, when we lost tonight’s game, I didn’t understand how a team like ours could fall short because if this was our result, then what was everything we gave all for?

I had much more to say, but then my teammate again broke out in a loud sob, making everyone equally hysterical. It was then that I realized there was nothing more I needed to say. The feeling in the atmosphere was a relieving joy as we took in the vulnerability of the occasion and shared an unspoken and unexpected sense of satisfaction. We just lost the biggest game of our entire season, and we were out in this parking lot laughing. I looked around once more in awe of what I just realized and exclaimed to my team, “Do you guys see this? Do you feel it? This is what it was all for. We just lost our most important game of the year. Yet, we’re out here, smiling and embracing what we just experienced together.”

It wasn’t that the result of the game did not matter to us but it was rather that what we created together came at a greater joy than anything we could have ever worked for. We won the prize of contentment, and that’s something that cannot be written down on a piece of paper or etched into a trophy.

Society’s version of a champion will trap us into an unquenchable longing for gratification that can only be chased and not caught. While it is easy to fall into this pursuit of misleading ambition, I’ve learned that we are not doomed. To combat our longings for achievement, we must start redefining what it truly means to be a champion.

A champion knows what it’s like to lose everything they’ve worked for and is still determined to get up the next day and work harder. A champion is one that feels accomplished regardless of the outcome because the people and experiences they come across are more important than the result. A champion holds a trophy written in their hearts and carries it to the trials and adventures they embark on next, impacting everyone they meet.