Features
May 24, 2013
Page 15
Katase ‘13 snares international honors
A Girl’ theme.” The competition did not come without its difficulties. Katase said, “The hardest part was definitely the timing. Playing with a recording is really hard because if you are slightly off, it is really noticeable. My timing was definitely not spot on even in the recording that I used.” Her mistakes were hardly noticeable in the video. Another problem was that she lacked the appropriate equipment to record the cover of the song. She said, “Many girls had mics on each drum so that the sound in the recording was very clear. Many also had professional mixing done on their videos. I did not because I don’t Photo courtesy of Elise Kaneshiro have that equipment and studio Taylor Ann Katase ‘13 won second place in the international “Hit Like a Girl” contest earlier this mixing is very expensive.” spring in the under-18 category. She will be attending the University of Texas at Arlington this fall. Despite the lack of equipment, Katase accumulated over The contest was based on- Jess Bowen, Elaine Bradley, By Ashley Mizuo line so that anyone could visit and Meytal Cohen chose the fi- 13,000 votes. She was first runner-up in the under-18 category. Many of us have seen her the “Hit Like a Girl” website nal winners. rocking out with Stage Band 3 and listen to the different conFor her entry, Katase per- From this she won a sizable or playing the drums for ‘Iolani testants’ drum covers. After lis- formed a cover of the Beyoncé drum package with a Yamaha Talent Show winners No Intro, tening, a person could vote for song, “End of Time.” In an DTX 450 drum kit as well as but Taylor Ann Katase ‘13 does their favorite drummer once email, she says that she chose cymbals, a snare drum head, 12 not stop there. This spring, she per day. The 10 entries with the the song because not only is drumsticks, a cymbal bag, and a entered an international drum most votes as well as up to five Beyoncé one of her favorite art- drum tuner. However, the physical prizes competition called “Hit Like a drummers chosen by the spon- ists, but “her band is composed Girl.” Not only did she enter, sor representatives could ad- of amazing musicians, and they were not the biggest win for but she achieved second place vance to the finals. From there, are all women [. . .] a song by her. She says, “I got exposure, in the competition as well. judges and renowned drummers Beyoncé really fit the ‘Hit Like which is definitely way more
important! I got noticed and now I have a name for myself.” Next fall, Katase will be attending the University of Texas at Arlington School of Music. Although she was initially unsure if music could be a possible career path for her, after entering the “Hit Like a Girl” contest and playing with musicians such as Henry Kapono and David Choi, she decided to pursue it. She is eager to begin studying at UTA, and remarked, “I think the most exciting thing for me will be playing music all day! My homework will be to practice, and honestly, that’s not homework at all. Of course I’m going to be challenged by the rigorous material, but I’ll know that it only makes me a better musician.” Like every musician, her biggest fear upon entering the field of music is not succeeding. She says, “Music nowadays is a very different scene from say, 20 years ago. Live music is slowly disappearing, and even the appreciation for live music is disappearing. [. . .] Most of the bands today don’t even record with their own band. It’s really sad and I hope I can make a difference.”
Prayers carry alum through ordeal By Cassie Busekrus Many of us have heard about Summer Kozai in chapel or have even filled out colorful cards for her, complete with glitter glue and encouraging words. Few, however, know the true bravery of the relentless ‘Iolani alumna. Graduating from ‘Iolani in 2000, Kozai had few plans for her future other than attending a good college and have exciting adventures as young adult. She never expected to contract bacterial meningitis nine years after her high school graduation, which changed the course of her life forever. In April 2009, Kozai was working overseas when she began to feel as if she were catching a cold. On a flight back to Honolulu the cold symptoms rapidly progressed. Kozai checked into the emergency room as soon as the plane landed. What she thought was merely the flu turned out to be bacterial meningitis, which would later claim portions of all four of her limbs. Seemingly just one day after going to the hospital, Kozai woke up to realize that she had been in a medically-induced coma for a month. As she recovered from the shock, her parents told her
that she would have to undergo amputations. Despite her daunting struggle, Kozai chose to look at her situation with a grateful heart. She said in an email, “Luckily, I knew exactly what bacterial meningitis was, so it was a shock to realize that I had survived it.” Initially, Kozai was worried as to how the amputations would affect her physically: “I was concerned that I’d never be independent again. That was the hardest part. Being able to use the bathroom by yourself is a huge deal. Losing your independence in performing daily tasks is disheartening.” Although the disease took much from her, Kozai mentioned how fortunate she was to have no brain damage, and that she knew the amputations were necessary in preventing the spread of the meningitis. Despite trials that tested her physically and emotionally, Kozai has found the strength to maintain a life of joy. “My secret to optimism is surrounding myself with good people. My family and friends are everything to me.” Kozai also mentioned a Bible verse that has given her a courageous spirit: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know
that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). Kozai further noted that prayer has played a large role in helping to keep her head high. “There has been a lot of praying during this experience. Mostly I prayed that my family and friends wouldn’t worry about me. I prayed that they would find peace [in this] unimaginable situation. I think a representative from every religious order that the hospital had come in to pray for me. I found peace with all of them. We’re all headed for the same destination. Some people just choose a different airline,” said Kozai. Although Kozai’s health struggle has limited her physical capabilities, she is still able to find enjoyment through spending time with friends and checking out local eateries in her home in Portland. Her guard dog Trooper also gives her joy, especially when they go for “walks” around the neighborhood. Learning how to resume daily activities was a struggle at first, but with extremely supportive parents, friends, and coworkers, Kozai has learned not only to walk again, but also to
Photo courtesy of Summer Kozai ‘00 Summer Kozai ‘00 poses with her dog, Trooper, who she goes on walks with and who has helped her recover from her illness. drive again. “I was terrified at first, but I was on the freeway by the third day. I’ve realized that there is always a way to do something if you can think of alternative methods,” said Kozai. Kozai expressed her gratitude for ‘Iolani’s support throughout her fight against
bacterial meningitis. “I’d like to say thank you for your words of comfort and encouragement. Thank you for your prayers! It has been a humbling experience to see how ‘Iolani has supported me throughout this ordeal. I am so proud to tell people I meet how wonderful my ‘Iolani family is.