VOYAGER ISLAND SCHOOL EST. 1977 spring edition 2021-2022
Our Mission: Educating the mind, inspiring the heart. Preparing Kauaʻi’s youth to lead lives of significance Administration Kate Conway, Head of School Sean Magoun, Director of Institutional Advancement Brian Pearson, Business Manager Alice Pajela, Executive Assistant & Registrar Nathaniel Evslin, High School Division Director Stephanie Achuara, Middle School Division Director Cristy Peeren Elementary School Division Director Sue Macklin, Early Education Division Director Dr. Jeff Kozak, Academic Director Jerry Jona, Athletic Director
Development Jamie Prem, Development Director Genevieve Foster, Development & Communications Associate Katie Corbell, Development Associate
Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools (HAIS), and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
What’s Inside 4. Head of School Address 5. Letter from Interim Head of School Vince Durnan 6. Giving Tuesday 2022 7. Island School’s Voyager Fund 8. Ways to Give 10. Young Artists of Hawaiʻi Exhibit 12. Class of 2022 22. Senior Capstones Celebrating Hands-On Learning 25. Island School Varsity Athletics A Record-Breaking Year 26. Capital Campaign Update 28. Alumni Catch-Up
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Board of Directors
Parents Association
Katherine G. Richardson President
Matt Hall President
Lisa Macko Hospitality
David W. Pratt Vice President
Darlene Brosamer Vice President
Laura Cushnie Vice President
Corey Dobashi Treasurer
Communications Network: Nathaniel Evslin, Staff/Admin Rep
Samuel W. Pratt Treasurer Charles G. King Assistant Treasurer Sonia Topenio Secretary Christine Ing Assistant Secretary Members
Colby Ayonon Wade Lord Debra Blachowiak Janet Mayfield Tanya Gamby Alan King Teri Peers James Guerber Laura Ryan Jed Gushman Will Summerhays Cynthia Hannah-White Marc Ventura
Jamie Prem Elementary Rep
Catherine Harrison Secretary
Booster Club Glenn Ebesu Anthony Valentino Stephanie Valentino Pepe Trask Lisa Berry Michelle Jona Milo Spindt To become a sponsor of Voyager Athletics, or to become a member of the Booster CLub, contact Athletic Director, Jerry Jona at jerry@ischool.org
Directors Emeritus Lindsay Kamm David W. Proudfoot Ex-Officio Kate Conway, Head of School
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Aloha Island School ‘Ohana, We started the year with high hopes of being able to drop masks and distancing, and return to all of our “normal” activities within a few weeks, or certainly by second semester. In fact, it was a year in which we truly had to dig into our ho’omau - persistence, as well as our lokahi - teamwork. Through the disappointment of rising Covid cases, we found ways to remain connected, to collaborate, and to create and learn together. We proved that we can keep going, especially when we lean on one another when we need support, and lift each other up when we have some extra strength. Even though we had to keep or return to many of our Covid mitigation measures, we remained open and active. Our enrollment was the highest ever, and our re-enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is even higher. We have maintained continued excellence in academics while increasing our social emotional learning initiatives and support. Our college admissions list and Senior Capstone Projects speak to this excellence as well as the kulia i ka nu’u - pursuit of personal excellence - of our seniors. Our younger students showed this value through their work and activities in many ways. Our students participated in a wide variety of Learning Voyages in February, both on and off campus. The theater program produced three plays, the last of which - middle school- was performed in front of live audiences for the first time in over two years. Our students placed highly at History Day, worked tirelessly in Mock Trial, showed their strong presence in Model UN, reignited the Robotics team, and participated in a variety of community service opportunities, especially after a student-led community service fair on campus. We deepened our connection to place by collaborating with island 4 Voyager
organizations and learning how to kilo - observe with a purpose of understanding - in a variety of classes. Our athletics rose to incredible heights, with 8 KIF championships. As a community, we celebrated Island School’s 45th birthday all together outside, with 6 of the 7 Founding Mothers in attendance. We continued our partnership with Kamehameha Schools, providing scholarships for native Hawaiians to attend Island School, and with KCC for our Na Pua Keiki program. We furthered our relationship with a number of community organizations, such as multiple days of work with Mālama Hulē’ia at the Alekoko fishpond. We have also grown in tangible ways. We broke ground on the David W. Pratt Hall, laid the groundwork for a baseball field, and continued to improve campus buildings. We have doubled our Voyager Fund since 2019 and in April, we had our most successful Gala Auction in the history of Island School. The continued growth of our fundraising is essential as we improve support for financial aid, our campus, faculty, and program. It is with a heavy heart that I step down from my role as Head of School. The Island School ‘ohana will be in the capable hands of Vince Durnan as he guides and stewards the school on its course while gathering input and information to chart the best course. I look forward to seeing the continued evolution of the school as it educates the mind, inspires the heart, and prepares Kauaʻi’s youth to lead lives of significance. Mahalo,
Dear Island School Community, Greetings from Nashville, TN, where I’m still a little amazed by the opportunity that has appeared for me. After twenty-two years in the role of Director here at University School, in the middle of the Vanderbilt campus, it will be my great honor to join you as interim head of school for the next academic year. You must be wondering, at least a little, how this all happened and what it will mean in the months ahead. First, it is an absolute fact that I was not looking for a school head role for next year. My time here in Nashville has been fulfilling beyond anything I could have imagined, and since my announcement more than a year ago, it just seemed that the right next step would be something perhaps connected to education but not as a head. Then the phone rang, with some familiar names and memories on the other end, and it was impossible not to imagine being on Kaua’i. The quick interview trip to campus in April confirmed several things—the generosity of spirit so abundant in students, faculty, staff, and Board members; the singular beauty of the school’s setting and extra interesting neighbor status adjoining the community college; the warmth of the welcome and excitement about what’s happening in programs K-12; and the interest in making something happen at Island School that would simply not be possible elsewhere. You may have heard that in the late 1980’s and early 90’s I taught, coached, and did whatever came my way at Hawai’i Preparatory Academy on the Big Island. Those short years left lasting impressions, and that’s a treasured time in my life. There’s much that I’ve missed about the people and culture over the years thereafter, which for me put this situation in a category of one. I know just enough to appreciate what a powerful experience this can be.
What I can offer is a new set of eyes to help celebrate daily life at Island School and a perspective based on being a working part of a range of schools, in a range of settings, across a range of years. Rest assured I’m not arriving thinking that I have a ready-made set of answers, but there’s probably help I can offer in framing the right questions. If this goes well and according to plan, there will be lots of time for me to listen and learn, to be visible at all the moments that help build and strengthen community, and to assist in setting the stage for the next long-serving head of school. My commitment to being useful in preparing that ground is deep and heartfelt—finding just the right person will be a process we can share and celebrate in due time. For the moment, it’s back to getting ready for graduation here, for our closing faculty meetings, and for being ready when the Matson container arrives in the front yard. Hoping for a mid-July landing on Kaua’i to begin saying thank you in person for making real this once in a lifetime chance to do something I would have hardly thought possible. Enjoy the waning days of this school year and don’t hesitate to reach out in advance if you like. Stay well and see you soon, Vince
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When we work together, anything is possible! This year on Giving Tuesday, all of our students participated, including our youngest Voyagers The entire Island School elementary student body and all Na Pua Keiki participated in a coin drive this year, to teach our keiki about the importance of giving, community, and working together. Each class was given a jar and was challenged to fill it with any loose coins they could find around their homes by the end of the week. Each class went above and beyond what was expected of them. Brad Haugh’s fourth grade class filled and refilled their coin jar multiple times throughout the week, and challenged themselves to fill their jar as many times as possible. Janet Powell’s second grade class spent time talking about why it’s important to give to Island School, what they love most about Island School, and how a gift to the Voyager Fund can make a difference. Janet helped her students make a poster listing all of their favorite things about Island School to hang above their Giving Tuesday jar. Some of their favorite things included art, Hawaiian Studies, books and, of course, Ms. Janet! Middle and high school got involved and excited as well! Middle school had a competition by advisory to donate the most amount in a single day. Their advisors taught them about why it is important to give, what Giving Tuesday means, and the importance of supporting Island School. The middle school advisory class who raised the most money at the end of the day was rewarded with a dozen donuts at the end of the week! Sticking with the donut theme, our high school students celebrated Giving Tuesday by hosting a donut eating competition. Students, in addition to donating throughout the day, also donated money in their advisories to grant them participation in a donut eating competition, in which they were able to challenge Dr. Jeff Kozak, David Reynolds, and their fellow peers, to see who could eat a donut the fasatest as it was suspended from a string. The spirit of competition was enough to get our Voyagers to donate and participate in Giving Tuesday! We could not do this alone, each donation matters, and we are proud of our Voyagers for all they do as they lead lives of significance.
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Island School’s Voyager Fund
We wish to extend a warm mahalo to all who have made a donation to the Voyager Fund this year. In order to keep the cost of tuition down, almost 20% of Island School’s budget depends on donations and grants from generous supporters like you. Gifts to the Voyager Fund go towards hiring quality teachers, maintaining and improving our classroom spaces, funding field trips and Learning Voyages, and so much more. At the beginning of the year, we set a goal to raise $110,000 in the Voyager Fund. We are calling on as many parents, alumni, grandparents and friends as possible to achieve this goal, and make our Voyagers’ education the best it can be. Your one gift, when combined with hundreds of others, has the power to change the lives of the students here at Island School. To make a gift, please visit www.ischool.org/support-us If you have already made a gift, please accept our sincere gratitude. 7 Spring Edition
You have the power to make a difference How You Can Give
There are many ways to give to Island School. Gifts fall into two main categories: Outright Giving and Planned Giving.
as weddings, birthdays, or graduations. Providing the school with contact information for the person or family to whom you’ve chosen to pay tribute will allow Island School to send an advisory note of your gift.
Outright Gifts
Life Insurance Policies
Cash or cash equivalents
Gifts In-Kind
The majority of gifts to Island School are made in cash, or cash equivalents, as outright gifts to meet the school’s immediate financial needs. The following gifts can be donated outright or incorporated into an estate plan:
Transactions are simple and afford immediate and direct tax benefits. Cash, checks, and credit card gifts may be sent to the school. Credit cards may be used for quick and convenient online giving at www. ischool.org/support-us or may be called into the Development Office at (808) 246-0233.
Securities
Gifts of appreciated securities or bonds allow you to make donations to the school with tax benefits that include market value tax deductions and avoidance of capital gains’ liabilities. For transfer instructions, call the Business Office at (808) 2460233.
Matching Gifts
Paid-up whole life insurance policies that you may no longer need can offer an immediate tax deduction for you while providing significant benefit to the school. Your gift credit would be the cash surrender value of the policy upon transfer.
These gifts include property, other than cash or securities, ranging from real estate to classroom supplies. Donors are required to determine the fair market value of their donation for tax purposes. Island School will issue an acknowledgment letter with a description of the donated property and recognize donors without referencing a specific dollar amount.
Crypto Currency
We can accept larger donations in widely recognized and marketable crypto currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Planned Gifts
Planned gifts often allow you to make larger gifts to the Many companies support their employees’ donations by school than would otherwise be possible, adding to Island matching the funds donated to charities of an employee’s School’s long-term financial strength and meeting your choosing. Please check with your company to see if there philanthropic goal. Gifts could be made during your lifetime or through estate planning and can range from a simple is a matching program that can increase the impact of bequest to a deferred or gift annuity. Your donation can also your gift. be designated through a charitable remainder trust or lead trust naming the school as a beneficiary. Please contact your Tribute Gifts legal and tax advisors to begin your planning. Once you have Gifts may be made in honor or memory of a family decided to include Island School in your estate plans, please member, alumni, classmate, teacher or loved one. Gifts call the Development Office at (808) 246-0233 to advise of are sometimes made to recognize life’s milestones such your gift intentions. 8 Voyager
Where You Can Give
There are four basic areas where you can direct your giving: the Voyager Fund, Financial Aid, the Endowment, or Special Project Funds.
Voyager Fund
Unrestricted giving to the Voyager Fund supports our most pressing needs. Success of the Voyager Fund is crucial to limiting tuition increases and is directly applied to the operating budget to support teacher salaries, professional development, course development, classroom instructional materials, facility maintenance, and more.
Financial Aid
A donation to our financial aid fund provides tuition assistance directly to our students and families. Many of the families in our Island School ‘ohana are facing unexpected change and challenges. Currently 53% of our Voyagers receive financial aid. Help us ensure that 100% of our Voyagers can continue their Island School education!
Endowment
Endowment gifts remain intact in perpetuity and are invested to grow and secure the financial future of the school. Endowment earnings create steady streams of income for the school. Named, commemorative endowments can be established for gifts of $10,000 or greater to honor individuals and create legacies for them at Island School.
Restricted Endowments are established to benefit financial assistance or specific program or facility needs that are of interest to you. Earnings are only spent for designated purposes. Unrestricted Endowments provide income into the future for Island School to be used in areas of greatest need as determined by the Board of Directors.
Special Projects Funds
Gifts may also be restricted for special purposes that meet school needs. From clubs and travel opportunities, to capital improvements, restricted gifts that are not endowed are expended on the designated purpose until fully exhausted.
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Young Artists of Hawaiʻi Exhibit
Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, Honolulu 2022 Young Artists of Hawaiʻi is an annual student art competition and exhibition. Presented by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, and the Native Imaginative, this program recognizes creative excellence among Hawaiʻi’s prublic and private school students, kindergarten through sixth grade. The theme of this year’s Young Artists of Hawaiʻi statewide art competition was “What does good leadership look like?” With seventeen selected works, Island School made up for almost twenty percent of the overall exhibit!
Wainohia Cobb-Adams, First Grade
Sophia Kua, Fifth Grade
Tavale Harris, Fifth Grade
Leiana Dabin-Green, Second Grade
Kulea Karratti, First Grade
Karson Feutz, Fourth Grade
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Jazmine Pedersen, Sixth Grade
Griffin Bowers, Fifth Grade
Declan Meyers, Fifth Grade
Kaelin Mentzer, Fifth Grade
Alexandra Tzeng, Second Grade
Damie Haumea, Kindergarten
Aylin Gulari, Kindergarten
Alia Evslin, Second Grade Pictured right: elementary and middle school art teacher, Kara Swink with her students at the Young Artists of Hawaiʻi Exhibit on Oʻahu
Gemma Kirkcaldie, Third Grade
Aylwen Fife, Fifth Grade
Kahanohaweo Cobb-Adams, Third Grade
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Class of 2022
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Ava Anderton Cornell University Francesca Bivens Vanderbilt University Reed Brown Portland State University Samantha Brown Pepperdine University Christian Carrington Colorado State University Sophie Carswell The New School’s Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts Dylan Date University of Puget Sound Dominica DeTrolio University of Nevada, Reno Joshua Dobashi University of Notre Dame Ema-Lani Ebesu University of California, Berkeley Andrew James “AJ” Galiza Arizona State University Zeke Gamby Northern Arizona University Cassidy Hubbard Clark University Chance Jacobson California Maritime Academy Zooey Johnson University of Portland School of Nursing Chevy Kalima George Mason University Kalei Kanehe Santa Barbara City College Max King Bates College Jesslynn Kanaiokalei Koko University of Hawaiʻi, West Oʻahu Carlos Lang Merritt Community College Tane Macko Whitman College Cody Manibog Arizona State University Alyssa Mueller Kauaʻi Community College Jenevive Netto Santa Barbara City College Ella Offley University of California Los Angeles Maiya Oshima San Diego State University Lilly Otto University of Colorado Boulder Michael Perales Milwaukee School of Engineering Taylor Raco San Diego State University Haven Sadler Dickinson College Richard Silliman University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Avinash Srikanth University of California, Berkeley Ryan Stevens California State Polytechnic University, Humbolt Spencer Summerhays Brigham Young University Makani Trask Kauaʻi Community College Hiʻilani Ventura University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa Malina Ventura University of Notre Dame Braden Viohl University of Idaho Roxy Wang University of the Pacific Hanalei Wann-Keliʻihoʻomalu University of Oregon Canaan Washburn University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa
Class Profile
• This year our seniors received 195 acceptance letters to 116 different schools across 35 states across the country • Our seniors are interested in a variety of majors, ranging from Marine Transportation, Forestry, and Electronics Technology to Professional Flight, Astronomy, and many different types of Engineering. • Our seniors will continue their educational journey across the nation, heading to California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, New York, Tennessee, Nevada, Indiana, Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and even all the way to Maine. • Even in the years of COVID, the Class of 2022 found time to perform over 3,000 hours of community service over the last four years.
• This class was the 17th class at Island School to complete senior capstone projects. Presentation topics ranged from Designing or Building a Robot, a Golf Course, a Lo’i, a Knife, a Bodyboard, and a Stormwater Management System to Creating Fashion Illustrations, Composing Hawaiian Music, and Interning with a Midwife. • In total, this senior class was offered well over $1,000,000 in scholarships and grant money per year from all of their schools of acceptance, including 4 nearly full ride offers and awards. • 2 National Merit Commended Scholars • GPA: 3.43 • SAT Average: 1223 • SAT Reading: 616 • SAT Math: 607
Island School Graduation Awards Board of Directors Award
Head of School Award
Founders’ Spirit Award
Voyager Artist Award
Scholar Athlete Award
Ava Anderton Joshua Dobashi Spencer Summerhays
Avinash Srikanth Francesca Bivens Zooey Johnson
Melina Ventura Maiya Oshima Makani Trask Tane Macko Canaan Washburn Haven Sadler
Hiʻilani Ventura Hanalei WannKeliʻihoʻoomalu
Ella Offley Ema-Lani Ebesu Cody Manibog
Sons and Daughters Award Joshua Dobashi, Ema-Lani Ebesu, Max King, Cody Manibog, Ryan Stevens, Spencer Summerhays, Makani Trask
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AVA ANDERTON is the daughter of Jon and Elena Anderton of Līhuʻe. She has attended Island School for six years. Throughout her high school career, Ava has been a part of National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Interact Club, Aloha Ambassadors, and the Hula Hālau. She has also participated on the tennis team, where she competed in girls singles. Ava has tutored pre-algebra and algebra 1 students after school since her sophomore year, and enjoys taking part in opportunities that serve the community. Ava has had a lifelong love for piano and recognizes its solace and inspiration throughout life. Ava will be attending Cornell University in Ithaca, New York to study hotel management.
FRANCESCA BIVENS is the daughter of Marie and Alexander Bivens of Waipakē. She has attended Island School for six years. Francesca has a love for horses and has competed in island-wide rodeos for the past 10 years. She has played for the Island School tennis and air riflery teams. Francesca also participated in Mock Trial throughout her high school years and competed in the state championship competitions twice. She enjoys singing in chorus and taking part in the National Honors Society. She will be attending Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee to study human organization and development.
REED BROWN is the son of Adam Brown and Erin Rose. He currently resides in Wailua. He has been attending Island School since the seventh grade. He engages in many sports and hobbies some of which include: basketball, tennis and volleyball. He also loves to spend time doing anything involving the ocean. He will attend Portland State University.
DYLAN DATE is the son of Daryl and Kimberly Date of Līhuʻe. He has been attending Island School for four years. He’s participated in volleyball, basketball, and cross country and is a member of Aloha Ambassadors. Dylan is planning to study business administration at the University of Puget Sound.
DOMINICA DETROLIO is the daughter of Teri and Matt Peers of Princeville. She has been attending Island school for six years. She has participated in mock trial and air riflery and has played soccer and ran track. Dominica plans on majoring in political science with a minor in international relations with hopes to become a lawyer one day. She will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno in the Fall of 2022.
JOSHUA DOBASHI is the son of Debra DeBusca and Corey Dobashi and brother of Matthew Dobashi of Wailua and Līhuʻe. Josh has attended Island School for 15 years and has partaken in air riflery, basketball, and volleyball. Josh has als participated in theater productions, chorus, national honor society, Science Olympiad, robotics, and student government as junior class president and high school Student Body President. He plans on studying civil engineering at Notre Dame.
SAMANTHA BROWN is the daughter of Adam Brown and Erin Rose of Wailua. She has attended Island School for five years. Throughout her high school years, Samantha has participated in soccer, tennis, and volleyball, in which she was named KIF Allstar during her senior season. She has also competed academically in Science Olympiad and National History Day competitions. Samantha plans to major in psychology at Pepperdine University and hopes to eventually study abroad.
CHRISTIAN CARRINGTON is the son of Erin Carrington and Warren Sparks of Kalāheo. Christian was born in Oregon and attended Island School for three years. He has competed in cross country and went to States two years in a row as a KIF Champion. He has also participated in track and field. throughout high school, Christian has performed with the Kauaʻi All-Island Band playing the saxophone and piano. Christian enjoys traveling as well as spending time with friends. Christian will be attending Colorado State University and is interested in studying engineering.
SOPHIE CARSWELL is the daughter of Jackie and Chris Carswell of Kīlauea. She has attended Island School for six years. Sophie has loved soccer since she was young, and continued to play throughout high school with hopes of playing in college. She joined the swim team, played junior varsity volleyball and track and field at Island School. Sophie has participated in Model UN, Mock Trial, and Aloha Ambassadors finding an interest in communications and debate. Sophie plans on continuing her academic journey in New York City at The New School’s Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing and minoring in fashion design.
EMA-LANI EBESU is the daughter of Linda and Glenn Ebesu of Kapaʻa. She has attended Island School since kindergarten. Ema has competed in golf tournaments, took part in Island School’s National Honors Society, and played on the junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams during her high school career. She was awarded MVP for the golf team every year of participation and was granted the MVP and Captain’s award for volleyball her senior year. Ema plans to further her academic career at University of California, Berkeley.
ANDREW JAMES “AJ” GALIZA is the son of Jimmy and Dollie Galiza of Wailua. AJ has been a student at Island School for 4 years. Over those years he participated in cross country, track and field, paddling, baseball, and soccer. Outside of school, he cow wrestles. AJ will be attending Arizona State University and majoring in construction management.
ZEKE GAMBY is the son of Tanya and Chris Gamby of Kapahi. During his senior year of high school, he joined the paddling team, where he steered the men’s varsity and mixed varsity to two KIF Titles, and to States. He is planning on going to college at Northern Arizona University, where he will be studying computer science.
CHANCE CASSIDY JACOBSON is HUBBARD is the daughter of Scott the son of Eric and Nancy Jacobson and Leanne Hubbard of Hāʻena. He has of Kalāheo. Cassidy attended island has attended Island school since his School for seven years. As a student freshman year and plans to attend athlete, she was named a KIF Allstar her freshman and California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, California. senior year in varsity soccer as well as earning the MVP award. She was also awarded the Coaches Award for her time as a junior varsity volleyball captain. Cassidy has participated in student government and Mock Trial during her time at Island School. She plans to pursue biology at Clark University.
JESSLYNN KANANIOKALEI KOKO is the daughter of Jerlytte Koko and Jerome Koko, Jr. of Oʻahu. She has attended Island School for four years. Jesslynn has been a member of the Island School halau since coming to the school, and has taken part in various cultural activities. She was also a participant in the National Honors Society and Shanti Alliance. Jesslynn enjoyed traveling to the outer islands and spending time with family and friends. After school she intends to study the Hawaiian practice of music as it is her passion.
CARLOS LANG is the son of Lissa Lang and Martin Steinhaus and brother of Marlena Lang of Kalāheo. He has attended Island School for 4 years. In those 4 years, Carlos played varsity soccer and ran track for Island School. He will forever cherish the memories he has made with his fellow soccer teammates and his coaches. His greatest accomplishment at Island School was winning their first ever KIF title for Island School’s soccer team. Carlos will be attending Merritt College in Oakland California where he will be playing soccer and majoring in business.
ZOOEY JOHNSON is the daughter of Yukiko and Kristopher Johnson of Kalāheo. She has attended Island School for four years, and has participated in the National Honors Society, Science Olympiad, tennis, and tutoring during her high school years. She will be attending the University of Portland School of Nursing. She is planning on pursuing nursing to become a nurse midwife.
TANE MACKO is the son of Lisa Kahn Macko and Keoni Macko of Wailua. He has attended Island School since second grade, but was seen hanging around the little kids’ climbing net for many years prior. Tane has enjoyed chorus since the fourth grade and his highlight was attending the All State Choral Festivals. He participated in Science Olympiad, cross country, and competed in volleyball for three years. He enjoyed traveling to Italy with his schoolmates eating as much gelato as possible! He was also a member of the National Honor Society during his senior year. Tane will continue his education at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.
CHEVY KALIMA is the daughter of Heston Kalima of Wailua Homesteads and Sachiko Kaiwi of Anahola where she also resides with her sister Moani Kalima. She has attended Island School for two years and prior to that, she attended Kapaʻa High School. Throughout high school she has worked during the summer to enhance and improve the campus as well as Lūʻau Kalamakū at Kilohana throughout the year. Chevy is interested in pursuing medicine and plans to major in Biology at George Mason University in Virginia.
KALEI KANEHE is the son of Deanna and Kevin Kanehe of Kīlauea. Kalei Kanehe has been at Island School for nine years. Kalei participated in varsity soccer for all four years, and participated in cross ountry his freshman year. Kalei also enjoys surfing on the north shore and skateboarding with friends during his free time. Kalei will be attending Santa Barbara City College and is interested in studying business and media arts.
MAX KING is the son of Alan and Monica King of Kalāheo. Max has attended Island School for thirteen years. In high school, Max represented his class as President and Vice President for three years. He was a member of the varsity men’s soccer team and the varsity men’s cross country team. He is also a member of the National Honor Society. Max is an avid hiker and looks forward to exploring new trails when he attends Bates College next fall.
CODY MANIBOG is the son of Eugemar Manibog and Shantelle Shimogawa and the brother of Salina, Sydney, and Colten Manibog of Līhuʻe. He has attended Island School for fifteen years. Cody has shot for the air riflery team, played varsity soccer and baseball, and ran track in his four years of high school. Cody was the fastest runner in the 100 meter dash for KIF. Cody plans to continue his academic career by pursuing aviation at Arizona State University in hopes of becoming a commercial airline pilot. Cody plans to work on the mainland earning his hours, then returning to Kauaʻi to work for a local airline and continue to do the activities he loves most.
ALYSSA MUELLER is the daughter of Johnny and Stephenie Mueller, and sister to John Paul Mueller. She has attended Island School for four years. Throughout her high school years she has participated in paddling and tennis. She loves going to the beach and hanging out with family and friends. After high school, Alyssa plans to attend Kauaʻi Community College, where she intends to study nursing.
JENEVIVE NETTO is the daughter of Janet and Orlando Netto, and sister to Stefanie Netto. Throughout her four years of high school, Jenevive played soccer. She loves going to the beach, surfing and hanging out with friends and family. She is crazy about traveling, and enjoys the experience as well as all the different people she gets to meet on her travels. After high school, Jenevive wants to study business at Santa Barbara City College and one day own her own company. She can’t wait to graduate and see what the future holds.
MAIYA OSHIMA is the daughter of Kyle Oshima and Kari Yamashiro of Līhuʻe. Maiya has attended Island School for six years. Throughout high school, she has participated in soccer, cross country, tennis, and air riflery. Maiya has been a member of the Interact Club, Aloha Ambassadors Club, National Honors Society, mock trial, and Operation RAD. Maiya plans to continue her education at San Diego State University with studies in biochemistry.
LILLYAN OTTO is the daughter of Ginger and Travis Otto of Wailua Homesteads. She has been attending Island School for four years. Her freshman year, she was selected to advance to the Statewide National History Day competition on Oʻahu. Lillyan played junior varsity volleyball during her freshman and sophomore years of high school, and tennis in the spring of her senior year. She plans to continue her education in the fall at University of Colorado Boulder where she plans to major in psychology with the hopes of being in the medical field someday.
AVINASH RICHARD SRIKANTH is the SILLIMAN is the son son of Srikanth of Dean Silliman and Sridharan and resides on the east Sujatha Ramaraju side of Kauaʻi. He of Puhi. Avi has has attended Island attended Island School for two years School for seven and played varsity years. He has run soccer. Richard will be attending the cross country and track all four University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. years of high school, and played on the basketball team. Avi earned 5th place in the KIF Championship Race and finished in 17 minutes and 58 seconds, qualifying for the State Championships. He was a member of student government for the past three years, NHS the past two, and the robotics team this past year. Through NHS, he organized a community service fair for the school. He will be attending the University of California, Berkeley to study mechanical engineering.
RYAN STEVENS is the son of Richard and Jennifer Stevens, and brother of Rebecca Stevens (Class of 2017) of Wailua. Ryan has attended Island School for fifteen years. He has participated in cross country, soccer, and track. Running is his favorite sport and Coach Eric Wortman has inspired him. Ryan loves the sciences and is especially interested in biology. He will be attending California Polytechnic University in Humboldt, California in the fall.
ELLA OFFLEY is the daughter of Josh and Sharon Offley and the sister of Aidan and Anais Offley of Kapahi. She has attended Island School for six years. Throughout her time there she has pursued her love for athletics by participating in soccer, track, and volleyball. Ella expanded her interests by joining clubs such as Interact, Model UN, National Honors Society, and Aloha Ambassadors. She plans to continue her academic career at UCLA in the fall, where she will major in biology with hopes of later attending medical school.
MICHAEL PERALES is the son of Jennifer Winn of Kalāheo and Marc Perales of Wailua. Michael has attended Island School for seven years. He has participated in cross country for three years and track & field for two years. He plans to continue his education at the Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Here he plans to study mechanical engineering.
TAYLOR RACO is the daughter of Alicia and Caven Raco of Līhuʻe. Taylor has attended Island School since the fourth grade. She has participated in soccer and track & field throughout high school. She plans on attending San Diego State University to study economics or business.
HAVEN SADLER is the daughter of Anne and Chris Sadler, and resides on the north shore in Kīlauea. Haven has been at Island School for four years. Throughout her high school years she has played soccer, tennis, and paddling, and won the Voyager Award and Top Competitor Award for soccer, and Most Valuable Player for tennis. Haven hopes to play soccer, tennis, and basketball in college as a part of her academic career. She has been a part of the Alaka’i chorus for her freshman and sophomore year, and hopes to continue singing and playing music in college. Haven will be attending Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in the fall of 2022, and will be majoring in psychology to learn more about human behavior, disorders, and happiness.
SPENCER SUMMERHAYS is the son of Will and Karen Summerhays of Kalāheo. He has attended Island School for 14 years. Throughout high school, he has participated in cross country, soccer, and golf each year they were available. He also participated in theater productions, chorus, National Honors Society, and Science Olympiad throughout his time at Island School. Spencer plans to continue his education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and plans to study mechanical engineering.
MAKANIMANAIAOKALANI TRASK is the son of Arthur and Claudia Trask of Anahola. He has been attending Island School for thirteen years. He has played soccer, ran cross country, and participated in paddling throughout his years at Island school. He will be attending Kauaʻi Community College, where he will study the electrical trade.
HIʻILANI VENTURA is the daughter of Kurt and Mahina Ventura of Kīlauea. She has attended Island School for six years, and has grown very close to the voyager community over those six years. She has devoted four years to the Island School Hula Hālau, performing for countless events under the direction of Kumu Sabra Kauka. Hiʻilani has also spent two years paddling, receiving an athletic award in her freshman year and traveling to O’ahu for states with the mixed crew during senior year. Some of her fondest memories at Island School include the 2020 Na Leo Hou Chorus trip to Oʻahu, hālau excursions to Kokeʻe, and the absolutely epic water gun battle of 2021. She carries a strong love for Hawaiʻi, and plans to attend University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a major in astronomy.
MELINA VENTURA is the daughter of Marc and Audrey Ventura and the sister of Maya, Maylen, and Mika Ventura of Wailua. She has gone to Island School for four years. Melina has participated in volleyball, tennis, theater, chorus, and hula over the course of her Island School career. She plans to attend Notre Dame where she will study structural engineering, so she can one day return to Kauaʻi to be a structural engineer.
BRADEN VIOHL is the son of Jack and Hilary Viohl of Kapaʻa. He has attended Island school for seven years. Braden has participated in basketball, track, cross country, and air riflery. He is also a talented drummer. He will be attending University of Idaho and will major in forestry.
ROXY WANG is the daughter of Erica Li of Kōloa. This is her first year at Island School. She spent her first three years of high school in Irvine, California. Roxy is an artist who won multiple awards and publications in her high school career. Since she moved to Kauaʻi, she found herself resonating with nature. She draws inspiration from the Jurassic jungles and the lively waves. For her future career, Roxy plans to attend University of the Pacific pursuing a degree in dentistry.
HANALEI WANNKELIʻIHOʻOMALU is the son of Lei Wann from Hāʻena and Primo Keliʻihoʻomalu from Kalapana Hawaiʻi, and older brother of Holei WannKeliʻihoʻomalu. His first language was Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, and he started his education at a Hawaiian preschool, Pūnana Leo. He attended two years at Pūnana Leo, then transferred over to its neighboring school, Kawaikini. He stayed at Kawaikini until seventh grade, and transitioned to Island School in the eighth grade. He will be attending the University of Oregon to study marine biology.
CANAAN WASHBURN is the son of Ryan and Anuenue Washburn of Kapaʻa. He has gone to Island School for four years where he paddled. Outside of school, he enjoys surfing and going on adventures with friends and family. He will be attending University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Senior Capstones Celebrating Hands-On Learning This year’s Senior Class was the 17th class at Island School to complete Senior Capstones which is a graduation requirement for every Island School senior. This process is completely student-centered from beginning to end: students choose their own topics -- which range greatly -- conduct their own research, and present their findings to a group of their peers, staff and faculty members. Students this year presented on a variety of topics ranging from sports medicine and how to build a golf course, to fashion illustration and the feminization of veterinary medicine. Students are given the choice between writing a traditional thesis paper and presenting their findings, doing an internship on Kauaʻi, or completing a project. This year, several students chose to do internships on Kauaʻi or complete projects within Island School to fulfill their Senior Capstone requirement. We sat down with six students to talk about their projects, which included designing a theoretical Student Center to be built on Island School’s campus, presenting to a class on eating disorders and the effects of social media on body image, building a robot, building a loʻi (taro field) on Island School’s campus, designing a model for sustainable housing, and studying limu (seaweed) across each ‘Ahupuaʻa on Kauaʻi. The project approach to Senior Capstones is a much more hands-on experience, allows students to create something outside of themselves, and cultivates involvement with the larger Island School and Kauaʻi community. Here are just some of the projects from this year:
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AJ Galiza AJ Galiza designed a Student Center at Island School for his senior project. He began by taking surveys of his peers and interviewed Nathaniel Evslin about what they would like to see in a future Student Center. He then based his design on the feedback he received. He worked with Nick Clark, a construction manager at Layton Construction Company, to create a project budget and proposed timeline for the Student Center. After his collaborative
work, Galiza digitally designed the building using AutoCAD, a design software application. He presented his design to teachers and peers upon completion. Galiza found the project method of Capstone completion the perfect way to execute his ideas. He wants to study architecture in college, and found that this process - getting to collaborate with professionals in the construction business and design the building himself - gave him real world experience in this field.
Ella Offley During her senior year at Island School, Ella Offley spent her Independent Study researching mental health, social media, body image, and eating disorders. During her first semester, she created a presentation on eating disorders that she gave to the 10th grade class. She says that she was extremely happy to hear how grateful and appreciative students were to take in the knowledge she shared. During her second semester, Offley dedicated her senior project to the same topic, narrowing her research to the effect that social media has on eating
Avinash Srikanth
disorders. She worked with Nathaniel Evslin and Renate McMullen to begin planning a schoolwide curriculum built on these topics, and interviewed a professional psychologist on Kauaʻi, Dr. Tanya Gamby. “Throughout this process, I realized that in school we are not educated enough about our mental health, and I think that is a big fault in our education system,” Offley says. Through this process, Offley was able to present her research to a wide audience, and an audience that was especially receptive to what she had to say. She hopes to see a future where the dangers of social media are taught to students in school.
Rose, technology teacher at Island School. Mr. Rose was present to help if students Avinash Srikanth chose to build and program found themselves up against a wall, but were challenged to work hard and work together a robot for his senior project. As part of to get themselves out of tricky situations on this project, he nearly single-handedly their own. re-initiated the Island School Robotics This project allowed Srikanth to team. Srikanth built a robot that could work and build this robot with a tangible solve a First Tech Challenge (FTC) game. goal in mind, which he found challenging FTC is a robotics competition for students and rewarding. “Overall, it was really fun from seventh to twelfth grade, in which to take this opportunity to explore robotics students compete by building, designing, and programming a robot to challenge those with the help of Island School. I am glad I did it because it allowed me to see what built by other students. “This project was student led,” says engineering is like before I pursue it in Srikanth. He and the Island School robotics college next year.” team worked under the guidance of Teddy
Hiʻilani Ventura Hiʻilani Ventura completed her senior capstone by building a wetland loʻi (taro patch) by the Frear Center on campus. Wetland loʻi provide a rich wetland ecosystem that supports native plants and animals. Ventura built this loʻi on campus with the help of Lei Wann, the Director of Limahuli Garden and Preserve at the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauaʻi. Ventura learned about wetland loʻi through research she conducted as part of her capstone project, but was able to learn so much of the real-world
importance of wetland loʻi by creating one herself. Getting in the mud and working with her hands to create this loʻi taught her things that can only be learned through action, which was, Ventura says, the most impactful part of her senior capstone project. Ventura has been a student at Island School for six years, and wanted to use her senior capstone opportunity to give back to Island School, the place she says has given her so much throughout her life. Ventura also says that she wanted to create something that would last and be impactful for students to come, and found this the perfect avenue.
Melina Ventura
in charge of this project from start to finish - from choosing her own subject of study, conducting her own research, Melina Ventura built physical and digital and building these models from scratch models of future sustainable housing - showed Ventura what her future could options. Ventura conducted research on hold in the field of engineering. Melina sustainable housing and, with the help of Ventura is committed to the University her architect father, built these physical and of Notre Dame to study structural digital models. engineering in the fall. She hopes to be Ventura had an interest in able to give back to Kauaʻi by returning structural engineering before beginning home to become a structural engineer on her senior project, and says that the biggest island after college. takeaway from this project was realizing structural engineering is something she does wants to pursue in college. Being
Hanalei WannKeliʻihoʻomalu
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Hanalei Wann Keliʻihoʻomalu surveyed limu (seaweed) in each ahupuaʻa (subdivision) on Kauaʻi. Wann found seaweed in freshwater rivers by the ocean, and surveyed and gathered data with the help of Mālama Māhāʻulepū, an organization devoted to land preservation on Kauaʻi. Surveying limu is important, Wann says, because the quality of the seaweed tells surveyors about what is going on in the land above, and what is being washed into the rivers. Wann chose this topic because he
grew up around this type of work - his mother is the director of Limahuli Gardens at the National Tropical Botanical Garden - and because he wants to study marine biology in college. He felt that this topic would allow him to experience this field of study first hand before getting to college. Wann chose to use his senior capstone assignment to connect with place and people, as it allowed him to learn from experts about what we can do to take care of the land on which we reside. The biggest takeaway from this project, for Wann, was being able to take tangible action in preserving our environment and putting action behind what he has learned from the experts he interviewed.
Island School Varsity Athletics 2021-2022: A Record-Breaking Year memorable game, and the boys’ excitement was felt all the way from Oʻahu. Our individual and mixed paddling teams both had standout seasons this year. Both teams won KIF titles, traveling to Oʻahu to race at states. Once at states, the Voyagers weren’t going to go down without a fight. They paddled hard, earning the Voyagers mixed team the seventh spot in the State of Hawaiʻi. This year, Island School athletes had record-breaking, history-making athletic seasons throughout the year! To start things off strong in November, our boys cross country team scored their fourth straight Kauaʻi Interscholastic Federation (KIF) championship title after an undefeated season, sending the team to Oʻahu to compete in the state Cross Country meet. The senior boys on the team this year, Christian Carrington, Ryan Stevens, Avinash Srikanth, Spencer Summerhays, Max King and Michael Perales, have helped to score four consecutive KIF championships throughout their high school career. One girl on our mighty team of three, Skylar Stewart, finished in the top 12 at KIF Championships, securing a spot at States as well. In March, our boys varsity soccer team made Island School history by winning the KIF championships and traveling to Oʻahu for the state meet. At states, Island School’s team played against the best teams from the other islands. The Voyagers made it all the way to the championship round, only losing to Kamehameha Hawaiʻi Island by one point scored with just over a minute left in double overtime. Students, staff and faculty at home were cheering for the boys during this heartbreaking game - watching it live on phones and computer screens. Boys varsity volleyball also made history this year by winning KIF Championships and traveling to Oʻahu for states. Although they did not end up winning, it was a
Just as our cross country team won the title of KIF champs with an undefeated season, so did our boys golf team. In May, KIF Golf Individual Championships were held at Wailua Golf Course. Senior Ema-Lani Ebesu won for the girls, a first for Island School. Voyager Spencer Summerhays also took home the KIF Championship title for boys, taking the team to Maui for states. Another first in Island School history, our girls track team won the title of KIF champions with a landslide win of 175 points. Voyagers took home the top spots in the 100 and 200 meter races (Ella Offley), the 400m (Sophie Carswell), 4x100 (Liko Edwards, Lily Keller, Kianalei Kamalani, Offley), 4x400 (Carswell, Mia Laver, Keller, Liliana DeSouza), and the high jump (Noemie Sanchez). This has been our best sports season ever, with 8 KIF team titles, and 3 individual titles. The success of our athletics program has greatly increased school spirit across every division, and is due to the dedication of our hardworking student-athletes and dedicated coaches.
David W. Pratt Hall
Capital Campaign Update This winter, Island School launched Phase II of the plan to build, and announced the name of our new classroom building. Construction of David W. Pratt Hall will officially begin in June of 2022, with an estimated completion date of April 2023. The two story building, with six classrooms and a maker space, will be open and ready for students by August of 2023. This is a big step in fulfilling a long-term development plan for Island School’s Puhi campus that calls to serve 500 students. Construction of the building will add 10,488 square feet of learning space to the campus. Island School has selected Layton Construction Company, Inc. to complete the work for the New Classroom Building Project. Construction of the New Classroom Building will enable Island School to quickly implement all the coursework priorities set in 2016 including: (1) add engineering classes; (2) expand the technology curriculum; (3) add to a set of certified advanced placement classes for high school students; and (4) offer several “deeper learning” opportunities where students can explore, solve, discover, and innovate.
Phase I
In June of 2020, Island School began Phase I of the New Building Project with a blessing of the construction site. During Phase I, we accomplished the following: • Construction of the road • Grading the land • Installing electrical wires and emergency lines
Phase II
In January of 2022, Island School launched Phase II of the New Building Project. During Phase II, the following is to be accomplished:
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• Official naming of the New Building, The David W. Pratt Hall • Construction of the building will officially begin in June of 2022, and will be conducted by Layton Construction Company. • Outfitting rooms with equpment and supplies • Landscaping • Roofing • Framing
On Friday January 21st 2022, the Board of Directors and Founding Mothers came together to launch Phase II of the New Building Project, which ended in the announcement of the building name, the David W. Pratt Hall, after Vice President of the Board, David W. Pratt. David joined the board in 1987, and acted as Board President from 1997-2009. He worked to move Island School from Kealia to Līhuʻe by soliciting funds and getting the master plan approved by the County of Kauaʻi. David almost single-handedly raised funds for the Wilcox Gym and the Frear Center, and has helped to secure more than 4 million of the 5.8 million needed to build this new building. Needless to say, Island School would not be what it is today without the generous support from David Pratt.
Naming Opportunities We have created naming opportunities for benefactor gifts to The David W. Pratt Hall. Each gift will be recognized with a plaque that fits with Island School’s design practices. $500,000 benefactor gift for the naming of the First or Second Story of the David W. Pratt Hall. Two distinctive opportunities. Each floor has 3 classrooms that can be reconfigured for large and small groups. The benefactor will be recognized with a naming plaque installed in the middle of the covered walkway or lanai on that floor. $200,000 Finishing and Outfitting a Classroom. Five Opportunities. A gift at this level will be recognized with a prominently displayed plaque that will be inscribed with the name of the benefactor.
Island School Alumni Where are they now? 6 Alumni share their stories of life after Island School
We want to hear from you! Submit your stories and photos to alumni@ischool.org Join us for our Alumni Reunions on July 15, 2022, and December 30, 2022
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Leila Breen, 2016 I went to Island School from middle school through high school. The level of comfort and familiarity we enjoyed in a class that had known each other since adolescence-and in some cases since kindergartenwas something I took for granted. After having lived on the east coast for the past 5 years, I am finally beginning to seek out people with whom I can connect over a shared cultural experience, whether that be having grown up in Hawaiʻi or even just being raised in a community as small and tightly-knit as Island School. I think back fondly on eating lunch in Mrs. Wortmann’s classroom, collective rebellions against dress code, and the support our class offered each other in the moments before performing at May Day. Some of my favorite memories from that time are strangely set on the hour-long bus commute that the North Shore kids would make each morning. There was something special about shuttling through the dawn and witnessing the sunrise with a bunch of sleepy kids. After graduating from Island School in 2016, I moved to the mainland to study at Haverford College where I majored in a program called “The Growth and Structure of Cities.” Having lived my whole life on Kauaʻi, urban systems were fascinating to me. A really important moment in my undergraduate studies was my introduction to the concept of landscape urbanism. This theory suggests that we think about cities not as a collection of vertical forms (buildings), but rather as a convergence of horizontal systems across a landscape. In this way, we can begin to design cities that consider humans as part of the ecological system that a landscape sustains. This past fall, I moved to Cambridge, MA and began the Masters of Landscape Architecture program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. I now spend most of my days in the studio drafting designs and creating models. As a designer, my goal is to create landscapes that mediate the human/ non-human relationship in the context of rapid urbanization and the climate crisis. I can thank my upbringing at Island School for both my environmental sensitivity, and for my deep curiosity about what lies beyond our small community. I think Island School kids go out into the world with wide eyes, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Amber Hopkins, 2015 I graduated from Island School in 2015. Then I moved to Orange County, California to attend Chapman University, where I received BAs in Psychology and Philosophy. After undergraduate, I worked as a research assistant in a computational neuroscience lab for two years. Now I am working towards a PhD in Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience emphasis) at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). When I am not in class or in the lab, I surf, cook, and spend time with my friends. Once I finish graduate school, I want to become a teacher. I was lucky to have many teachers that encouraged my growth and helped me realize my interests, from Island School to now. I want to pass this forward. Island School provided me many special experiences, including classes that set me on my current path, love and support from faculty, and lifelong friendships. Some of my favorite Island School memories include chatting with Ms. Wortmann as I grew up, learning Chinese with Dr. Barale in high school, and spending time with friends, but there are many others. My time at Island School impacted both my personal life and academic trajectories. A psychology class I took with Mr. Bray introduced me to neuroanatomy and philosophy of mind, motivating my choice of undergraduate majors and ultimately leading me to where I am now in my academic journey. In addition, I met many of my best friends at Island School. We dispersed after graduation, but we have stayed in each other’s lives. I live close to some now in LA and see them regularly.
Ashley Larkin, 2015
I graduated from Island School in 2015. I attended the University of Colorado Boulder where I majored in history and minored in sociology. After graduating, I began working for an engineering company in Colorado as a buyer. I have been at the company for almost 3 years and I am currently working for them remotely in Oregon. My husband and I moved here with our dogs to be closer to family and to hopefully get to visit Hawaii more often. It has been almost 7 years since I graduated from Island School, but I still think about my time there often. I made the best friends I could ever ask for and even met my husband there. Some of my favorite memories of Island School are being in Chorus, playing on the tennis team, and going to prom with my (now) husband. These are a few of the highlights, but I genuinely had fun every single day I was there. I loved all of my teachers and had all of my classes with my best friends. Island School had a significant impact on me. I went to a very small elementary school in Kīlauea from pre-K through sixth grade. The average class size there was about ten people and my sixth grade class had four students in the whole grade. Island School felt huge and very intimidating in comparison! I was extremely shy when I first started. I was forced to meet tons of new people and start all over. This ended up being the best thing that could have happened to me. I gained a confidence that I never had before and learned how to be comfortable meeting new people, making friends, and pushing through challenging situations. The opportunities to play sports, join clubs, take art classes, and be in Chorus all helped me discover interests I did not know I had. The teachers and classes I had taught me to love learning, challenged me, and gave me a foundation to be successful in college and my career. I thoroughly loved my time at Island School and would not change a single thing about my time there!
Kellan Wortmann, 2014 I graduated from Island School in 2014. Island school was a great experience, even looking at the daily, mundane activities. I loved how the school was open and we could look at the mountains between classes and bump into friends and family from different grades. Because my mom, dad, grandma, aunt, brother, sister, and cousin all were working, attending, or volunteering at different times, I have more memories of seeing them than I can count. If I had to pick specific memories, May Day and Fall Round Up were always exciting, and showcased the great community we had at Island School. I loved going to practice and games for soccer and volleyball and races/meets for cross country and track. I was very proud of Island School and took representing them in those sports seriously. The list goes on and on. Asking Ashley Larkin to be my girlfriend in tenth grade was a big moment! Only trumped by getting married to her in 2020! After graduating from Island School, and having had success in math & science there, I majored in applied computational mathematics at Virginia Tech (shout out to Dr. Kozak and all the other Island School/VT Alumni). I currently work as a Data Scientist at a software company called Gusto, and live in Oregon with my wife, Ashley (also an Island School alumna!) and two dogs. Island School taught me to work hard and with purpose regardless of outcome. The teachers and coaches I was exposed to consistently encouraged me and my peers to try our best and did a great job of giving us as much responsibility as we could handle. When I graduated and entered “the real world”, I realized that as long as I tried my hardest and focused on the process rather than the outcome, I would continue to grow and achieve.
Alyssa Medd, 2014 I attended Island School for four years and graduated in 2014. After Island School, I attended Biola University in La Mirada, California, where I studied elementary education with the intent to become a kindergarten teacher. After college, I remained in California to pursue many different creative projects and jobs. I am currently working as a Photographer and a Photo/Production Assistant in Los Angeles, California. I do freelance and commercial photography for different fashion, beauty, and wellness brands around Southern California. I love collaborating with other creatives and enjoy the energy on set. All throughout my time at Island School I was interested in the arts. From chorus with Mr. Steinbacher, to art classes with Miss Penny, I feel lucky to have been taught to express myself artistically while in school. While I was in college, I studied abroad in Italy and got to take a charcoal drawing class that I still look back on very fondly. I am thankful for the opportunity to let my creativity grow throughout high school and college, which has led me to the career I am in now. Some of my favorite memories from my time at Island School are from my spanish classes. I loved learning the language and studying culture, and made some of my closest friends through my high school spanish classes. I also loved traveling to Oʻahu with my chorus class each year, staying in hotels with my friends and singing with students from schools from across the state.
Daniel Braun, 2001
I attended Island School between 19992001. I very much value the friends and memories made over that time. My early career was in hospitality and I mainly worked at the Kauaʻi Beach Resort in the 2 years following high school. I then moved back to my hometown in Florida where I started to seriously study wine while trying to advance my career at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. I became a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2006 and also became a food & beverage manager for Hyatt during this time. I was able to gain experience working in and managing different types of food and beverage outlets including two of the top rated restaurants in the city. I also attended a Hyatt course for managers on how to train employees for consistent results across a large brand. I greatly missed Hawaiʻi and accepted a position at the Four Seasons Maui at 23 years old. As an assistant department head, I helped open a steak house concept called DUO. Shortly thereafter, I took over the wine program for the hotel. Missing Kauaʻi, I moved back in 2009. In the summer of 2009 I opened a wine store in Kapaʻa. The lease was short and when it expired I moved to the North Shore. In the summer of 2010, I opened a store called Princeville Wine Market. During this time I continued my wine studies, taking the Advanced Course through the Court of Master Sommeliers and becoming a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators. I have competed in sommelier competitions and have been a team leader for a national study group of professionals prepping for Advanced and Master level certifications with the Court of Master Sommeliers. Three employees have become Certified Sommeliers while working with me at the Princeville Wine Market. In 2018 I helped form the Kauaʻi chapter for the oldest gastronomic society in the world, Chaine des Rotisseurs. I currently serve as president for the chapter. My efforts to promote food and wine culture on Kauaʻi were recognized in 2019 when I was featured in Barron’s “Penta” magazine. My wife Tamara and I live in Princeville with our two cats. Many have seen or met Tamara only in costume as she has helped with entertainment for the Island School fundraiser for many years.
3-1875 Kaumualiʻi Hwy Lihue, HI 96766 (808)-246-0233 Any questions Email info@ischool.org Keep in touch! Email alumni@ischool.org to share your stories
Important dates for the Giving Calendar @IslandSchoolHI
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July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023 Annual Fund Campaign July 15, 2022 Summer Alumni Reunion November 29,2022 Giving Tuesday
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December 29, 2022 Winter Alumni Reunion Spring 2023 Annual Gala Auction May 27, 2023 Graduation