Knoller fall 2017

Commemorative edition

FALL 2017

Bringing

Noblesse Oblige to Life.

Nine Alumni who have taken Noblesse Oblige to Heart.

Read their stories inside.

Maryknoll School Board of Directors Ross Murakami Chair

Susan Chong Wong ’66 Secretary

Darryl P. Wong Treasurer

Mark Arimoto Father Gordian Carvalho Christopher T. Harrison Thomas Kosasa, M.D. Katherine M. MacNeil Perry Martin Mike Rockers Gordon Smith Cori Ching Weston Alfred M. K. Wong Darryll D. M. Wong ’68 Derrick Wong ’68 Stacey Wong Ed Yamamura

Board Emeritus Paul Chinen ’57 Alfred B. Fernandes, Jr. Robert Harrison Galen Ho ’63

Foundation Members Father Gordian Carvalho Chair

Robert Harrison Ross Murakami Bishop Larry Silva Alfred M. K. Wong

Administration

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Perry Martin

Editorial:

President

Shana Tong ’83 Vice President of Academic Affairs

Jill Takasaki Canfield Director of International Programs

Lori Carlos ’87 Director of Admission

Leonardo F. Delgado Director of Campus Ministry

Darcie Kawamura ’90 Director of Scheduling/registrar K-12

Keenan Kurihara ’10 Director of Marketing & Communications

Chris Mattos Loomis ’85 Grade School Principal

John Madriaga high School Principal

Pamela Maeda Director of Institutional Advancement

James Morris ’85 Director of Technology

Yvonne Morris ’63 Director of Alumni Relations & Development

Dan Nagami Director of Special Programs

Gail Nakamura Business Officer

Lester Oshiro Facilities Manager

Foundation Board of Directors

Christopher Ugale

Stacey Wong

Benjamin Valle ’84

President

Director of Athletics

Galen Ho ’63 Vice President

Cori Ching Weston Treasurer

Paul Chinen ’57 Secretary

Thomas Kosasa, M.D.

Director of Mx Scholar Programs

Keenan Kurihara ’10 Editor-in-Chief

Raude Nagaishi Copy editor

Design: Tamara Tom Gillia Creative Director & Designer

PhotographY: Michelle Corpus Tamara Tom Gillia Michael Horton Charlene Martin Kyle Roche ’18 Expressions IMF Visions ScoringLive 1013 Integrated Contributing writers: Lindsey Carlos Wendy M. Chang Leonardo F. Delgado Evan Eliason Stephanie Frank Austen Furutani ’20 Lorin Eleni Gill Hawai‘i Catholic Herald Rie Mizumura Liane Hu Okumura Jeremiah Quan ’20 Sarah Safranski Kristine Sato Dena Tomlinson Arnie Yew “ OUR MEMORABLE MILESTONES” Historical timeline Design: Brian Dumaslan Sun Hee Kim @maryknollschool The Knoller is published by Maryknoll School Marketing & Communications Department, 1526 Alexander Street, Honolulu, HI 96822. Tel: (808) 952-7315 Email: marketing@maryknollschool.org.

Copyright 2017 by Maryknoll School.

Issue 17. All rights reserved.

Ninety years is an achievement, in any context.

It’s a momentous milestone for Maryknoll School, so it’s only natural that we look back at the history, traditions, achievements and memories. But, it’s also an opportunity to take stock of how far we’ve come and what we’re doing as we continue to adapt and innovate to meet the challenges of a changing society. It’s been said that life is not a destination, but a journey, and as Maryknoll School students, educators, parents and alumni, we’ve been blessed to take this journey collectively as a family.

So, let’s take stock of what we’ve accomplished together and what we can work towards as we continue the journey. Because, the best is yet to come.

With that in mind, we proudly present the latest issue of The Knoller. In this issue, our theme is “Built on Tradition and Shaped by Innovation Since 1927.” As we look back fondly on past decades, let us also look forward to what’s being done to create lifelong learners, and beyond that, what we still need to do. It’s a journey that’s only made possible by our generous donors. To become a part of the legacy and to learn more about supporting Maryknoll School, please visit us online at maryknollschool.org/giving.

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A Celebration To Remember

A look back at our 90th Anniversary celebration and all-school Mass held on September 6th.

by Raude Nagaishi

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President’s Message

@maryknollpresident

In 2017, Maryknoll SCHOOL WILL BE celebrating 90 years of service to our community, diocese, and parish! The charism of the Maryknoll Sisters is very much alive and continues to permeate our faith, instruction, and school community every day. Our success has been built on the “shoulders” of you; alumni, community leaders, parents, teachers and students who worked tirelessly to meet the needs of our students and shape the vision for what our school is today.

In preparing for the next 90 years, we are fortifying our responsibility to teach formative ethical leadership, Christian values, and Catholic formation. We are developing academic partnerships with local businesses. We are planning with universities to offer dual college/high school credit. Mandarin Immersion will be new to our kindergarteners, and thematic electives in STEM & Aerospace, Medical Innovation, Business & Diplomacy, and Art & Expression will connect students to the “real world.”

We are very proud of Maryknoll School’s Mx Scholar Programs, offering courses that connect core education to fast-growing innovative jobs of the future.

We are carefully preparing our students for a fast-moving and complex society where strong problem-solvers will play a prominent leadership role in finding ethical and sustainable solutions to our state, country, and world.

As our world becomes increasingly integrated, how our students think, reason, and communicate with other cultures is of utmost importance. In September, we were excited to launch our very first Mandarin Immersion kindergarten program.

This type of language acquisition will create fully proficient bilingual children, who will maintain regular use of both English and Mandarin. Without question, this new program will produce students achieving at high levels of oral and written communication skills in English and Mandarin.

Our 90th anniversary represents a very important milestone full of opportunity.

I feel honored to lead such a great school.

I’m inspired by those who have come before me, each one contributing to what our school is today. I feel great pride and unity with the magnificent people who make connections with our students each and every day. Now is the time for us to come together to collaborate on how the next 90 years will be our gift to those who will receive the Maryknoll “Mantle” and continue to create opportunities for our future students.

Perry Martin President

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Bringing Noblesse Oblige to Life

The journey from a classroom desk to the anchor desk at Hawaii News Now. Stephanie Lum ’94, one of nine alumni profiles.

by Lorin Eleni Gill & Arnie Yew

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CONTENTS Features 8 A Celebration To Remember Dignitaries, special guests, alumni and students celebrated our 90th Anniversary with an all-school Mass and ceremony.

44 With Defiant Grace An essay on living and loving fearlessly and faithfully through the reflections of two Maryknoll Sisters.

10 Where Are The Kekumano Awardees Now? How has Dr. Jennifer Manuzak ’04, Jason Lau ’11, and Natalie Kamada ’15’s commitment to Noblesse Oblige manifested after graduation?

47 Come Learn, Live, and Share the Splendor of Truth A Catholic education is more than just intellectual growth, it’s the formation of the whole person, able to navigate the challenges of living in the 21st Century.

15 In Giving We Receive: 2017 Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano Award and Scholarship Dinner Kekumano honorees Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong ’68 and Kiana Arcayena ’18 exemplify Noblesse Oblige.

48 Our Memorable Milestones Take a trip down memory lane and see some of the events and people who helped shape Maryknoll School over the last 90 years.

50 Competing at the Highest Level From 1977 to 2017, Maryknoll School’s girls basketball has been ranked as one of the top teams in Hawai‘i.

16 Bringing Noblesse Oblige to Life No matter what path these nine alumni took, they’ve carried the Noblesse Oblige ideal with them. Delve a little into their memories on where life’s journey has taken them.

52 The Heart of Our Campus How the Maryknoll Community Center and Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium have transformed Spartan Athletics and more.

36 Common Threads: A Look Back at Maryknoll School Uniforms A fun look at how Maryknoll School uniforms have changed through the decades.

54 Doing Our Part Taking care of our island home is everyone’s responsibility. Learn how Maryknoll School is “Going Green” in a big way!

38 Maryknoll School Memories: Class of 1990 Reminisce and catch up with 1990 graduates – Jamesner Dumlao, Kimberly Fuller, and Terrence Keali‘ioko‘olau Torco.

55 “Ni hao!”: Maryknoll School Launches Chinese Immersion Program for Kindergarten Students New kindergarten Mandarin immersion program takes global learning to new level.

40 The Power of Participation Be a part of our historic milestone by participating in our 90th Anniversary AIM Annual Fund Campaign.

42 Moving Ahead with a Plan and a Vision Read more about the thought process behind Maryknoll School’s three-year strategic plan, including why it’s so important, what changes are going to be made, and how these changes will affect students, teachers, and parents.

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Our ILH Coaches of the Year

Maryknoll School alumnus and Boys Paddling Coach KJ Nagami ’12 was recently named an ILH Coach of the Year. Hear what he and five other coaches have to say about coaching at Maryknoll School.

by Sarah Safranski

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Campus Life 58 Spreading the Light The beautiful Class Night ceremony for juniors and seniors is steeped in tradition and inspiration.

60 Lights, Camera, Art! The inaugural Maryknoll School Dinner Theater and Art Show featured student dancers, musicians, poets, thespians, and visual artists.

64 Our ILH Coaches of the Year Get to know the Maryknoll School coaches who were recognized by their peers as the best in the ILH in their respective sports.

72 ILH All Star Accolades A listing of our student athletes who have been recognized as among the best in the ILH in their respective sports.

75 Top of the Class Meet the teachers who were voted as “top of the class” by students and parents for the 2016-2017 school year.

76 Commencement 2017 Look back at our Class of 2017 as we celebrate and recognize the 83rd graduating class of Maryknoll School.

79 Congratulations to the Class of 2017!

We salute our newest class of alumni and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

81 Opening Eyes and Hearts to Japan Two students share their experiences living in Japan and being immersed in the culture through the ENVOY Student Exchange Program.

Alumni NEWS 84 Alumni Class Notes Stay up-to-date with your classmates!

94 The Dunaway Team: Three Generations of Maryknoll ‘Ohana Maryknoll became family for three generations of Dunaway family members – led by father of nine Maryknoll students and forty-year Maryknoll basketball coach, Robert Rea Dunaway ’49.

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A Celebration To Remember

by Raude Nagaishi photography by Kyle Roche ’18 and 1013 Integrated On September 6th, we celebrated our 90th Anniversary with an all-school Mass and ceremony at the Maryknoll Community Center. Dignitaries, special guests, alumni and students filled the Center. The Mass was led by Monsignor Gary Secor, Vicar General of the Diocese of Honolulu and Class of 1969 alum, alongside Father Gordian Carvalho.

In the celebration that followed, Maryknoll School President Perry Martin and Vice President Shana Tong ’83 were presented with honorary certificates, proclamations and resolutions from government officials, recognizing our anniversary. September 6, 2017 will now be recognized as “Maryknoll School Day” by the State of Hawai‘i and “Maryknoll School 90th Anniversary Day” by the City and County of Honolulu!

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Kekumano

Awardees

Now

by Stephanie Frank

The Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano Scholarship was established in 1998 and is awarded annually to Maryknoll School students who demonstrate, among other things, the spirit of serving others and their community. We caught up with a few of the past Kekumano Scholarship recipients to see where their lives and careers have taken them since their days at Maryknoll School.

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Natalie Kamada ’15

Natalie Kamada ’15 spent this past summer researching pediatric oncology at the John A. Burns School of Medicine with Dr. Bruce Shiramizu as a recipient of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation summer research grant. “I decided to become a St. Baldrick’s Summer Fellow to further understand how cancers affect children and to aid in the early detection of cancer cells that could lead to relapse,” says Natalie. “I hope to identify the presence of cancer cells to help improve treatment types and the health of children.”

Over the summer, she also learned about HIV and AIDS as a part of the Hawaii Center for AIDS 2017 Summer Research Program.

Natalie, who currently is a biology major at the University of Hawai‘i at Ma-noa, is keeping her future career options open, but hopes to focus on pediatrics, oncology, or radiology.

“In a more personal sense, I hope to become a doctor who can understand the needs of her patients and can contribute back to her community,” says Natalie.

Just two short years after graduating from Maryknoll School, Natalie is already giving back what her Maryknoll education gave her. In her senior year at Maryknoll School, she received the Charles A. Kekumano scholarship, which she describes as, “It was a blessing in many ways. To know that I was awarded a scholarship in the honor of a man

It is not surprising Natalie continues to be involved while at the University of Hawai‘i. She volunteers at Blood Bank of Hawai‘i, an activity she has been doing since her Maryknoll School days, and also joined the Pre-Medicine Association, the Honors Student Organization, the Medical Mentorship Program, and other groups where, she says, “I get to meet fellow pre-med students and do service.”

She also managed fiscal budgets and developed a website as an assistant at the Department of Ethnic Studies.

Natalie has a passion for forming relationships and giving back to others – a passion she is sure to impart on many other lives as she progresses through her studies and career. But she always remembers the lessons she learned at Maryknoll School, particularly from her advisor, the late Bradley Koki ’71. “In the three years that he was my advisor, he showed me what selfless love really is,” says Natalie. “Mr. Koki always cheered me on behind the scenes and offered words of encouragement. He and so many others have been reminders of the importance of having a variety of friends and maintaining Noblesse Oblige.”

who served Hawai‘i so passionately was extremely humbling. It was a call for me to always remain grateful and to continue to serve my community. I desire to live up to the prestige of the scholarship and Monsignor Kekumano, so that I can also become an example for others.”

While striving to excel in her studies and beyond, Natalie continues to embrace Maryknoll’s School’s motto of Noblesse Oblige. “In high school, I had a lot of friends and faculty who supported me, and I was given numerous opportunities to serve and lead,” reflects Natalie.

“Consequently, I worked hard to fulfill these opportunities, not only for myself, but for everyone who had given me a chance. As I went on to college, I’ve learned that this motto never leaves you.

I must continue to work hard and be determined and selfless, so that I can serve others wholeheartedly and show how grateful I am.”

“My time at Maryknoll also showed me the importance of friendships with diverse groups of people,” says Natalie.

At Maryknoll School, Natalie led retreats and assisted school masses as a part of Campus Ministry. During high school, she also served as Class President, Senate Vice President, Prom Chair, and Environment Club President, in addition to being a member of the Korean Club, Japanese Club, National Honor Society, and Speech Team.

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Jason Lau ’11 still remembers the tingles of nervousness and excitement of the Charles A. Kekumano Dinner seven years ago.

“Receiving the Kekumano Scholarship Award was a prestigious honor,” recounts Jason. “It meant a lifelong commitment to serve others by using what I learned and encompassing it with my values.

It meant making the right decision to make a difference. Living up to the expectations of the award is a tough task, but it doesn’t mean to change the world in one day; it means to act with respect, integrity, and honor in day-to-day activities – no matter how difficult.”

Although Jason felt he “was not even qualified for the award because [he] was no different from [his] classmates; each and every one exemplified the true values of leadership and service,” his stellar academic performance and participation in a myriad of clubs – National Honor

Society, Yearbook, Robotics, Chinese Club, Student Council, Book Club, Hiking Club, Student Ambassadors, and French Club – undoubtedly demonstrate his worthiness.

In fact, Jason revived the Hiking Club and Book Club, both of which students enjoy today. “For Hiking Club, we planned, planted, and donated native plants at the Nature Center, and as for the Book Club, we went over to Shriner’s Hospital to read books to the children,” remembers Jason.

In addition, Jason’s leadership sparked the initial momentum of the Freshmen Orientation (Freshmen First Day). “I chose to lead the Freshmen Orientation with Mrs. Heidi McGivern and Mrs. Lori Carlos, because I wanted to create a lasting impression for all freshmen entering high school,” says Jason.

During his four years at Maryknoll High School, Jason also found time to volunteer at Kuakini Hospital. “I wanted to give back to the very same workers who took care of my grandmother before she passed away at Kuakini,” states Jason.

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As the Charles A. Kekumano Scholarship Awardee, Jason received his award alongside the Noblesse Oblige Award for Service recipient – another inspirational leader and alumnus, Mr. Galen Ho ’63, whom Jason had coincidentally previously contacted to serve as a mentor on his Robotics Club.

“Mrs. Yvonne Morris ’63 told me Mr. Ho was a huge STEM fan, and I asked Mrs. Morris to please invite Mr. Ho to speak with our team if he was ever in town.

That is exactly what Mr. Ho did.

He spoke about his work and gave us tips to work together as a team.

What inspired me about Mr. Ho was his humility, generosity, creativity, confidence, and passion. Mr. Ho’s values and initiative opened my eyes to catapult me to follow his in footsteps,” says Jason.

So, is Jason following in the footsteps of Mr. Galen Ho? With his initiative, humility, and dedication to service, Jason seems to be on his way.

After graduating from Maryknoll School, Jason earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of San Francisco in International Business and Hospitality Management and then returned to Hawai‘i to care for his parents.

“I started my first job at Kamehameha Schools, answering and directing phone calls, as well as greeting families and guests at the downtown office, Kawaiaha‘o Plaza,” describes Jason.

“I then was tasked by my managers to be a contract coordinator to monitor and ensure contracts from our vendors were appropriate for the needs of the school.

After about a year at Kamehameha, I was recruited to work at Hawai‘i Gas as the Sales Administration Coordinator for Oahu. At Hawai‘i Gas, I am in charge of issuing contracts, creating new gas accounts, and promoting clean renewable energy.”

In addition to his admirable business ventures, Jason still continues to serve the community by fundraising for causes, such as the March of Dimes and by volunteering at Special Olympics.

With his daily commitment to living Noblesse Oblige, Jason has already made a difference. And, the lasting legacy of Maryknoll School continues to give him inspiration, “Maryknoll provided me the foundation and roots to impact others and give back to the community,” he says.

Jason Lau ’11

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Dr. Jennifer Manuzak ’04 drudgingly stepped into her senior year biology course thinking she was going to hate it, which was understandable since she had struggled through every science class she had ever taken. But, that year was different. She took biology with Ms. Keao Loftus and her life was altered after a lesson on DNA replication.

“It was like a lightbulb went on,” Jennifer excitedly remembers. “I thought, ‘Biology makes sense to me. It’s cool.’

After that, I absolutely adored going to Ms. Loftus’s class. She was really enthusiastic about the topic, and it made me really enthusiastic, too.”

“I didn’t know it then, but my senior year at Maryknoll kind of changed my life and my whole trajectory,” Jennifer claims. After receiving the biology award in her senior year, Jennifer went on to study urban and environmental policy at Occidental College, but remembering her interest in high school biology, she took an introductory molecular biology course in her sophomore year that would reconfirm her passion. “Biology was still cool to me,” recollects Jennifer, “and after that class, I ended up deciding to major in biology and fell in love with cellular biology counsel.”

During Jennifer’s undergraduate career, she taught introductory molecular biology workshops to underclassmen and interned at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. After graduating from Occidental College, the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus’s Biomedical Sciences Program would

captivate her attention for the next five years. The graduate program allowed her to rotate in multiple labs, of which she would choose to join the immunology program and complete her doctorate thesis on HIV and the contribution of the host’s gut bacteria to HIV pathogenesis.

Jennifer then journeyed to Paris for two years to continue her HIV research and returned to the mainland, where she is now a Senior Fellow at the University of Washington, Department of Pharmaceutics and the Washington National Primate Research Center.

Several publications later, her current work ranges from examining how probiotics may improve the immune system to researching novel therapeutics and HIV vaccine strategies. She continues to seek for answers on her quest to study HIV and plans to extend her research to include determining how other endemic infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and malaria, which often concurrently affect those suffering from HIV, may impact HIV treatment and prevention strategies.

“I believe that even my small contributions to our understanding of the human immune system and infectious diseases can help aid those affected by debilitating diseases like HIV, and doing this work is my way of living Maryknoll’s motto, Noblesse Oblige,” says Jennifer.

Thirteen years of travelling, researching, collaborating, and discovering have passed since Jennifer graduated from Maryknoll School, yet she still vividly remembers the day when she was told she would receive the Kekumano Scholarship

Dr. Jennifer Manuzak ’04

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Award. “I am still super honored and grateful,” she says. “There were so many amazing people in my class, and when Principal Betsy Gunderson ’68 informed me I got it, I was thinking, ‘Are you sure you have the right person?’”

Witnessing what Jennifer has accomplished in her career thus far, it is no surprise she was a worthy recipient of the Kekumano Scholarship Award.

At Maryknoll School, in addition to having an excellent academic record, Jennifer participated on the speech team, paddling, and student ministry and was a student ambassador.

Dr. Jorge Camara, a dentist, received the Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano “Noblesse Oblige” Award for Service alongside Jennifer in 2003. “I was really honored that I was getting a scholarship next to someone who had helped so many people in his career,” remembers Jennifer.

“Dr. Camara had already done so much in his life. At that time, he inspired me to think about my future major, so I could hopefully help people, too.”

“Science is not an easy career,” Jennifer says. “On days when my experiments don’t work or when my paper gets rejected, I wonder if the frustration is worth it. But the idea of Noblesse Oblige that was instilled in me as a kid at Maryknoll continues to be a guiding philosophy. I want to use what I have learned and my research to help people live better lives. I want to be able to give back to the world.”

In Giving we receive 2017 Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano Award and Scholarship Dinner

by Kristine Sato photography by 1013 Integrated On Saturday, May 13, 2017, Major General Darryll D.M. Wong (’68) and Maryknoll School junior Kiana Arcayena (’18) were honored at the 2017 Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano Award & Scholarship Dinner in front of more than 500 of their friends, family and Maryknoll School supporters at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Attendees enjoyed the sounds of talented Maryknoll high school student musicians during cocktail hour while roaming through a variety of silent auction items. Inspired by Maj. Gen. Wong’s commitment to environmental sustainability, this year’s table decor included Maryknoll School students’ hand decorated pots, holding eco-friendly succulent plants for guests to take home.

A live auction, featuring amazing outdoor and luxury items, added excitement to the delicious three-course dinner.

Proceeds benefitted Maryknoll School’s Kekumano Endowment Fund.

community and alma mater. Though his resume boasts influential roles in organizations like the Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation, National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy and the Polynesian Voyaging Society, the former State Adjutant General remained humble in expressing his sincere acknowledgement to teachers, coaches and mentors who have positively influenced his life since his days at Maryknoll School. Maj. Gen. Wong currently serves on the Maryknoll School Board of Directors and was instrumental in launching the Mx Scholar Program for STEM & Aerospace at the high school.

Kiana Arcayena was selected as this year’s top recipient of the 2017 Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano Scholarship because, in addition to her solid academic record, she best exemplified the spirit of the Catholic faith in action. An active volunteer with New Hope Windward, Castle Medical Center and Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii, Arcayena is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Girls Varsity Softball team. In addition to the top award of $12,000, an additional 10 Kekumano scholarships were awarded to the following students for a total of $40,000 awarded: Taylor-Anne Atou ’19, Jesse Baker ’24, Justin Baker ’21, Jaylen Cain ’18, Kahokulani Canlas ’22, Liam Esteban ’20, Kehau Gilliland ’18, Gelsey Manipon ’18, Maia McNicoll ’18, and Kula Wheeler ’22.

Maj. Gen. Darryll D.M. Wong received the Noblesse Oblige Award for his lifetime of service to our country, state,

Photo above: (From left) Maryknoll School President Perry Martin, Noblesse Oblige Award recipient Maj. Gen. Darryll D.M. Wong, Kekumano Scholarship recipient Kiana Arcayena, Maryknoll School Board Chair Ross Murakami.

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Bringing

Noblesse Oblige to Life.

by Lorin Eleni Gill and Arnie Yew photography by Michael Horton

Nine alumni, nine stories of inspiration. Receiving a quality education at Maryknoll School goes without saying. However, there is one thing that sets Maryknoll School students apart. And, that’s “ Noblesse Oblige.” It’s part of our DNA, the cornerstone of our pride.

Here are nine alumni who have taken Noblesse Oblige to heart.

Each, in their own way, have not only achieved personal success, but have also done their part to help our community. In doing so, they’ve contributed to the greater whole, and inspired future generations to do the same.

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Life shouldn’t be spent on the sidelines so be a joiner.’ Join clubs, participate in activities and most of all, enjoy your classmates and teachers.”

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Dr. Livingston M.F. Wong ’48

MD, FACS, Professor Emeritus Dr. Livingston Wong might not be a name that’s instantly recognized, but he was the visionary who started Hawai‘i’s Organ Transplant Program, the Organ Donor Center of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i’s Statewide Emergency Medical Services Program. These are just a few of the milestones Dr. Wong has achieved in a long and illustrious career, and he attributes his success to the lessons he learned while attending Maryknoll School.

Dr. Wong graciously sat with The Knoller to share some of the wisdom and values that have been the foundation of his work.

Do you have any early memories from your time at Maryknoll School, and if there was any person that made an impact on you?

I remember the Sisters who taught me.

They were so kind and helpful and I think their love of teaching rubbed off on me, because it made me want to learn and study. I was particularly interested in math and the physical sciences, because they made it so interesting. In that way, my decision to go into medicine and surgery was influenced by them.

One career highlight would definitely have to be helping to start the Organ Donor Center of Hawai‘i. Another would be helping to pioneer both the kidney and bone marrow transplant services in Hawai‘i. In the 1970’s, there was a great need to improve Honolulu’s ambulance service. To address this, we applied for, and received, a $12 million Federal grant to upgrade our Emergency Medical Services System. In addition, I’ve lectured and demonstrated surgical techniques throughout my career and served on numerous hospital and State committees.

It’s been a truly rewarding career.

I remember Sister Edna (Sister St. Lawrence) fondly, for her enthusiasm of biology and physical sciences. I had the opportunity to visit her in a hospital over ten years ago. It was nice to be able to thank her for her dedication in instilling my work ethic and inspiring me to excel in my high school education and beyond.

What does Noblesse Oblige (to whom much is given, much is expected) mean to you and how has it impacted you at work and in life?

Maryknoll has been a great part of me, helping to mold my life values. The school taught me about respect and caring, which is why, whatever I’ve received in wisdom and training, I’ve tried to give back to others in the same way, through mentoring and teaching.

Were there any values or life lessons they imparted that you carried through life?

In a nutshell, I would say study hard, be honest, treat others with dignity and respect, and don’t forget to make time for play. I learned the value of hard work, that all things are possible if you just dedicate yourself to it. From my participation in sports and clubs at Maryknoll, I also learned the quality of leading my fellow students by example.

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What advice would you share with students that might prepare them for life after Maryknoll School?

Life shouldn’t be spent on the sidelines, so be a “joiner.” Join clubs, participate in activities and most of all, enjoy your classmates and teachers. Believe in yourself, dedicate yourself, and be kind to everyone.

You’ve had a long and illustrious career, what are some of the highlights that were rewarding to you on a personal level?

Even though I retired in 2004, my love has always been taking care of patients.

Through surgery, I can hopefully do my part to give them a better life. Surgery can be so gratifying, while being awesome and frightening at the same time, especially when it involves cutting edge stuff.

But, at the end of the day, it’s knowing that patients are receiving the best medical care possible.

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Nina Keali‘iwahamana Rodrigues Rapozo ’54 Recording Artist

Nina Rapozo attended Maryknoll School at a very pivotal period in the country’s history.

It was the 1940’s when she first walked onto campus. The attack on Pearl Harbor had just happened, America was at war and the mood in Hawai‘i was somber. However, it did not dampen Nina’s spirit, or her experience at Maryknoll. The Knoller was privileged to spend some time with her as she recalled memories and the life lessons she received from a Maryknoll School of a bygone era.

Are there any memorable moments you’d like to share from your long and distinguished singing career?

I’ve had two careers, one as an executive secretary and the other singing. While not glamorous, I’m proud of my work with some of Honolulu’s most prominent leaders before retiring.

Tell us a little about what it was like to attend Maryknoll School during the 40’s and 50’s?

I remember being so excited the night before my first day at school that I wanted to sleep in my school uniform!

Tuition was $25 a year, a lot of money in those days! I loved Maryknoll and learning has been a lifelong passion since.

I remember being awarded the honor pin at the end of my first grade. I still have it, to this day.

Singing has taken me around the world and back with so many great moments!

My sister, Lani, and brother, Boyce, performed on “Hawai‘i Calls” from 1957 to 1974. All my siblings were also part of two family albums in the 60’s, “Na Mele Ohana” and “Auntie Vickie Sings.”

I’ve performed with Danny Kaleikini on the Arthur Godfrey Show, and the Today Show with Barbara Walters. I’ve sung for Queen Elizabeth II and Emperor Hirohito on their Hawai‘i visits and at Carnegie Hall on four occasions. Two great careers, and it’s all because of Maryknoll School.

The 1940’s were a different time. It was wartime and I remember being issued gas masks and doing drills in case of another attack, but it didn’t dampen my excitement to learn. One thing to note, there was never any animosity toward different ethnic groups. From our standpoint as students, we were all local and equal in the eyes of God.

I loved Maryknoll and learning has been a lifelong passion since.

I remember being awarded the honor pin at the end of my first grade. I still have it to this day.”

Since most of the classes were taught by the Sisters back then, what was the classroom experience like? Were there any teachers who made a lasting impact on your life?

In our day, there was no talking in class, because “children were seen and not heard.” Unlike today, it was strictly teacher talking and students paying attention until we reached high school.

What does Noblesse Oblige mean to you and how has it impacted you at work and in life?

I live it everyday. I was given so much during my time at Maryknoll that I feel it’s natural that I give back. The Sisters taught me to have a giving heart.

So, whether I can share my knowledge, or teach, or help others in any way, I do my best to give back.

There were so many teachers who made an impact on my life. I’m fortunate to have had such caring, nurturing spirits.

Even though I come from a family of musicians, I owe a lot to Sister Eugenia Therese and Sister Mary Gregory in choir, who identified and nurtured my talent. Even at a young age, they had me singing at mass, weddings and funerals.

Outside of choir, Sister Rose Eileen in typing and Josephine Kohler in shorthand (yes, those were real classes back then!) were instrumental in my decision to attend Woodbury College where I earned a degree in Business Administration.

Whatever you’re given to fulfill your dreams, figure out how to give back.

What advice would you share with students that might prepare them for life after Maryknoll School?

Hold your “Maryknoll Experience” close to your heart, for you will find yourself reflecting upon these precious years and the values learned throughout your lifetime.

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Maryknoll taught me about obligation to help my fellow man and to make the world a better place.

I find that’s true with many of the Maryknoll graduates I’ve come across over the years.”

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Stella M.Q. Wong ’68 Vice President of Programs, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i

Stella Wong has come full circle with her position as Vice President of Programs at Catholic Charities Hawai‘i. Prior to Catholic Charities, she had a great job that paid well, but the opportunity to work for a non-profit appealed to her because of the values that had been instilled in her while still a student at Maryknoll School. The Knoller spent some time with Stella at her job to learn a little more about her life beyond Maryknoll School and her role in helping those in need.

What’s your earliest memory of Maryknoll School and who was the one person who made the biggest impact on your life?

My family is Taoist, so seeing nuns in habits and thick black shoes on my first day was quite an eye-opener. One of the best teachers I had was Sister Adrianne.

I still have the card she wrote, exhorting to me, “Find your dream and Go For It.” She made me feel special and that meant a lot to me. Another, was Sister Thomas Moore, who constantly encouraged me to speak out. Because of her, I learned to find my voice, and also that my opinion mattered.

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i has thirty-four programs. We give “voice to the voiceless” by helping everyone from all walks of life, from child foster care to abused women to seniors to disabled people and immigrants. We help everyone from “womb to tomb.” Obviously, I can’t do it alone. I rely on my team and, from Maryknoll, I’ve learned to trust in the people around me, build strong bonds with my fellow workers and inspire them, like the nuns who inspired me.

What does Noblesse Oblige mean to you and how has it impacted you at work and in life?

Where I am today is because of Noblesse Oblige. I could’ve stayed in the private sector, but I’d already accomplished personal success, so it was my time to do something meaningful, to give back to the community. Maryknoll taught me about my obligation to help my fellow man and to make the world a better place. I find that’s true with many of the Maryknoll graduates I’ve come across over the years.

What was school life like in your day and what life lessons did you learn that you’ve carried through life?

It was a small school, so everyone knew each other, from underclassmen to seniors. That allowed us to make really close friends. On top of that, our class was very close and we’ve remained lifetime friends. After sixty years, we still meet for meals and to socialize.

Through my social interactions with them in school, I knew I wanted to work in a field that dealt with people, which is why I pursued a degree in Human Development at the University of Hawai‘i.

What advice would you share with students that might prepare them for life after Maryknoll School?

Remember to value what you’ve been taught, fostered, and find a way to give back, because life’s journey will take you full circle. Take the encouragement you’ve received from those who believe in you and go from there to make the world a better place.

Tell us a little about your work and how your Maryknoll School experience influenced your career choice?

With my degree, I had hoped to become a counselor, but life had a way of putting me on its own path. I ended up teaching at UH, then working in the home care industry before accepting this position at Catholic Charities. Interesting story, my first office was at the old convent on Nuuanu (Catholic Charities was founded by the Maryknoll sisters). As I walked in, I could distinctly hear Sister Adrianne’s voice telling me, “You’re where you’re supposed to be.” I had come full circle.

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Debbie NakaneluaRichards ’76 Director of Community Relations, Hawaiian Airlines

For Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, Maryknoll School was a family affair. Not only was she a student for 13 years, but her mother, brother and cousin attended as well. Today, she serves as Director of Community Relations for Hawaiian Airlines, where she first began as a hula dancer and promotional sales team member in 1978. Nearly 40 years later, she’s part of one of the most prominent companies in the state. Debbie reflected on her journey and shared with The Knoller her memories from campus.

How did your time at Maryknoll School shape you as a person and how does that reflect in your job?

I have so much appreciation for having been able to go to Maryknoll. I came from a humble family, and the sacrifice on their part was huge. At Maryknoll, I felt like how I felt at home. It was stable and safe. The attention for me as a student was like the attention at home as a child. It made me always curious to know the full story of things.

You really get to know everyone, so that’s another advantage. When I came to Hawaiian Airlines, I had that same opportunity. I got to know and understand everyone as people on a larger scale. It’s not just “that’s a pilot,” or “that’s an accountant.”

At Maryknoll, I felt like how I felt at home.

It was stable and safe. The attention for me as a student was like the attention at home as a child.

It made me always curious to know the full story of things.”

music and Hawaiian culture in middle school. She changed my perception of Hawaiian history, language and culture and showed that it was academic.

She began working on May Day and Aloha Week celebrations. It got to the point where we had evening productions with lights, sound, and stage settings.

We told stories of Pele and Hi‘iaka — epic stories about being Hawaiian.

At that time, you didn’t see as many male dancers, but at school what the girls learned the guys learned as well. So it was kind of cutting-edge. We had things you wouldn’t normally see at a May Day production. It was quite memorable.

How has Maryknoll School evolved since you were a student, and what do you hope to see over the next 90 years?

More students have enrolled, which is a great advancement. Their footprint has expanded to include the community center. It’s a brilliant partnership. It’s not just a gym for students, but a center that embraces the whole community.

Then, there’s Maryknoll’s neighbors, including Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children, Shriners Hospital for Children, and Arcadia, the kupuna senior living center. It’s going to involve all of us to make Hawai‘i a better place to live, grow, and learn. The fact that Maryknoll is in its 90th year speaks volumes to the teachers, administration, and leadership. Maryknoll has to keep innovating itself. The STEM program that Hawaiian Airlines was fortunate to collaborate on is a huge advancement for the students. Who knows who will be the next astronaut? It’s exciting.

What values did you take away from Maryknoll School that you still use in everyday life?

Respect for others. And the respect of faith, no matter what faith you have.

That was embraced at Maryknoll.

What’s a typical day like for you?

It’s never a dull moment. I like to leave the end of one day knowing what I’m doing the next day. The opportunities to have collaborative interaction with the people that work here is inspiring.

At Hawaiian Airlines, we have an open office concept, so it simplifies that kind of interaction. Maryknoll prepared me for that collaborative environment, without a doubt. It was like an extended family.

Hawaiian Airlines is also my extended family. It’s more than work. It’s this extension of family, which kind of makes whatever task you have achievable.

Any advice for current students?

You shouldn’t limit yourself to what you can be, what you can do, or how you can contribute.

What are some of your favorite memories from Maryknoll School?

One of my favorite teachers was Ms. Sharon Ocalvey. We had her for

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“

Being a success in life has to do with finding your passion, and how to apply it in your role in society.

Spend time to find it, cultivate it and life will do the rest.

Maryknoll’s the perfect school to do this.”

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Michael Robinson ’86 Vice President, Government Relations & Community Affairs, Hawai‘i Pacific Health

For Mike Robinson, life has always been measured differently. He attributes this to the values instilled while at Maryknoll School, from kindergarten through graduation where he was a part of the Class of ’86. Michael sat with The Knoller to chat about how Maryknoll School has played a part in his career choice.

What stands out as your most indelible memory of Maryknoll School?

Eighth grade was a time of serious intellectual curiosity for me. I was interested and devoured everything I could get my hands on from Sartre to Kerouac. I was fortunate enough to have Frank DeRego as a teacher. He made himself available to engage and cultivate my curiosity.

He provided a contemporary, intellectual Christian perspective that helped to put what I was reading and experiencing in perspective. He was genuinely interested in his students, making time for me, in and out of the classroom. He set me on the path to being a lifelong learner.

everything in between. Many of the collaborations we engage in may not be immediately identified to improving health, but are related to the social determinants of health – infrastructure, education and access to basic needs – which actually have a far greater effect on a person’s well-being. My work involves collaborating with community partners to bridge those gaps so that Hawai’i Pacific Health is aware and able to respond to community needs in line with the scope of our mission and capabilities. What I love is that the job engages my brain and all my core beliefs, it syncs perfectly with the core values I learned at Maryknoll.

How did your school environment help to shape your life?

Every strand of local society is represented on campus at Maryknoll. But, there were none of these class distinctions you sometimes find in other school environments.

Perhaps because of the school uniforms and Christian values, it was an egalitarian environment where a student was judged on his character and contributions. In that way, it shaped my view of life and what I wanted to do. The thought of doing things purely for monetary profit never appealed to me. My passion was to be involved and to stay connected to my community. For me, making a contributing to community would give my work meaning . That perspective can be attributed to Maryknoll.

What does Noblesse Oblige mean to you and how has it impacted your life?

For me, it translates to, “Understand what it means to be blessed.” It gave me a perspective on life, about understanding the sanctity and value of life and an obligation to doing the right thing.

At work, I’ve learned to approach every issue with humility and compassion.

And, if I have the wherewithal to help others, I’d gladly do what I can to make a positive impact in the community, to the best of my ability.

What advice would you share with students to prepare them for life after Maryknoll School?

Being a success in life has to do with finding your passion, and how to apply it in your role in society. Spend time to find it, cultivate it and life will do the rest.

Maryknoll’s the perfect school to do this.

How did that lead to your current career at Hawai‘i Pacific Health?

I honestly never anticipated working in health care, but it’s been a rewarding, albeit circuitous, journey that led me to Hawai‘i Pacific Health. Our mission is to “Create a Healthier Hawai‘i.”

It’s broad, expansive and touches everyone in Hawaii. My current role is to engage and collaborate with others who are involved and motivated by a similar mission. That means interacting with government, community and

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Stephanie Lum ’94 Anchor, Hawaii News Now

You know her as the calm and poised “Hawaii News Now” Anchor. Stephanie Lum is also a mother of three boys: Dylan, who turns four soon, and two-year-old twins Dustin and Daxton. She calls it a “roller coaster ride,” but Lum manages to juggle her career and motherhood. Read on to learn how, and the role Maryknoll School played in her decision to pursue broadcast news.

I believe all of the skills that I learned and gained from Maryknoll and the faith and confidence the teachers had in me, gave me the motivation and courage to not be afraid to pursue my career goals.”

How did Maryknoll School influence your outlook on life and career?

Maryknoll School definitely played a big role in influencing my outlook on my life and career. I was so blessed to have so many teachers who went out of their way to encourage me to be my very best. I had taken an interest in journalism early on, had a natural curiosity, enjoyed reading the newspaper and wrote my own newsletters that I would hand out at family gatherings. In seventh grade, Ms. Jane Romjue saw that I enjoyed speaking in front of an audience and encouraged me to enter speech festivals. In high school, I learned how to fine-tune my writing from Ms. Diane Pike-Bourne. I was also elected Communications Commissioner.

I believe all of the skills that I learned and gained from Maryknoll and the faith and confidence the teachers had in me, gave me the motivation and courage to not be afraid to pursue my career goals.

What’s a typical day like for you?

I come home late from work, get up early the next morning to get the kids ready, drop them off at school, then pick them up, get myself ready and go to work.

It’s challenging and I don’t get as much sleep but my husband and I wouldn’t be able to do it without our parents’ support and help. The boys are our pride and joy. Being able to witness their many milestones are what keeps us going.

Where would you like to see Maryknoll School in the next 90 years?

Exciting things are already happening at Maryknoll. We now have a new state of the art gym. I’ve seen big changes in the class structure with the introduction of the Mx program which to my understanding is designed to not only help prepare students for college but to give them an edge in a possible career with knowledge in various industrial fields. In 90 years, I envision the school having state of the art high tech classrooms to keep up with the fast pace of ever-changing technology. With that said, I hope we don’t lose some of the activities and programs that have enhanced meaningful real-life student experiences and relationships such as student assemblies, pep rallies, a school-wide mass, student spiritual retreats, student exchanges and study abroad programs.

Tell us about the last time you were on campus.

I had the opportunity to speak to students for career day. It’s funny because, the first thing they all want to know is how much money I made starting out. The business isn’t as glamorous as it looks and as with all entry level jobs, the pay starts off low and gradually builds with commitment and experience. Most starting positions are also in smaller markets. I moved to Guam right after college so that I could get a jump start on my career.

After more than 15 years in the business, I still love my job and feel blessed to work at Hawai‘i’s mostwatched news station. The students also asked if I ever get nervous while on the news. I would say it’s more like an adrenaline rush that I actually look forward to at the beginning of every newscast every night. Being a news reporter is a great honor that comes with a big responsibility of delivering factual, unbiased, informative and impactful stories.

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Dr. Maria Ver ’98

General/Bariatric/Trauma Surgeon and Trauma Medical Director, Pali Momi Medical Center Dr. Maria “Marel” Ver has accomplished an incredible amount for a 37-year-old surgeon, but if you had asked her what career she planned to pursue while at Maryknoll School, she wouldn’t have known what to tell you. After years of studying hard, she discovered her love of surgery as a medical student at New York Medical College. Ver returned home to work at Pali Momi Medical Center in 2014. The Pacific Business News “40 Under 40” class member of 2017 spilled her secrets with The Knoller and explained how Maryknoll School prepared her for life and work.

The thing about going to Maryknoll is that service becomes a part of you. No one forces you to do anything, but because you’re around kids trying to do and be good, it becomes intrinsic.”

After medical school, you completed your residency in Chicago at Mount Sinai Hospital, where there were a lot of trauma cases. How did Maryknoll School help you to work in that environment?

Maryknoll asked you to look at the big picture. There were a lot of group presentations and projects. When you’re a surgeon, that’s really helpful, because when you’re in the operating room, you work as a team. When you’re planning to remove a large tumor or perform a new procedure, you have to think out-of-the-box and be creative.

Chicago was a tough residency; we got a lot of victims of violent crimes.

When traumas happen, you have to keep very calm. Usually, there are a lot of people involved and the surgeon is the leader, so you have to know how to direct people and work together. I saw that early on at Maryknoll, where you get used to it during plays and presentations that required a lot of interaction, whether you like the person or not. You learn how to cope and deal with different types of personalities to make it work. As a leader, you figure out what each other’s strengths are and you use them to help everyone.

scenarios. I find that patients’ families really appreciate that I take that time to help them understand people.

Can you share some memories from Maryknoll School?

I remember putting together a play that covered the whole history of the United States — I think it lasted two days!

I was also an editor for the Toad literary magazine, and was on the basketball team that went to the state tournament.

What have you discovered that is special about Maryknoll School since you graduated?

You’ll find groups of Maryknoll kids in places like New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, just hanging out. When I lived in New York, even the older Maryknoll graduates were like, ‘Hey, we’re going to…’ and I’d get an invite. I spent a lot of time with Maryknoll people outside of Hawai‘i, which was really cool.

What does Noblesse Oblige mean to you?

The thing about going to Maryknoll is that service becomes a part of you.

No one forces you to do anything, but because you’re around kids trying to do and be good, it becomes intrinsic.

Being a doctor is difficult. You have to sacrifice. You have to be ready to sacrifice your sanity sometimes, and often time with family and friends. You’re super busy as a surgeon, so you have to have that commitment and drive.

Did Maryknoll School also influence your style as a doctor?

A big thing that people don’t realize is that, as a physician, having a Catholic education is advantageous. The way people view their lives and health connects with their religion and belief system. You don’t have to be Catholic, but having that education helps you understand and appreciate that there are other religions and belief systems.

When I speak to my patients about life and death, they can sense I understand.

That connection is missing in some doctors, I think. As a surgeon, I have to prepare the families for the worst case

Got any tips for students?

Leave the island to see what the rest of the world is like, at least for a little while.

You’ll discover Hawai‘i is not how the rest of the world works. In order to make Hawai‘i better, you need to use that knowledge. Home will always be here for you.

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Lt. CMDR. Matt Suyderhoud ’01 VFA-81 Sunliners

The last time we saw Lt. Cmdr. Matt Suyderhoud, it was 2015 and he was Blue Angels Right Wing Number 2, performing aerobatic loops, rolls and diamond formations in the sky above Ka- ne‘ohe Bay. After completing his two-year tour with the Blue Angels, he returned to Virginia last November to serve as a department head for the VFA-81 Sunliners, a F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron. This aviator, who also has a sister and a twin brother who attended Maryknoll School, caught up with The Knoller and spoke about the transition back to a combat squadron and how the lessons he learned at Maryknoll School have continued to resonate throughout his career.

What does the school motto Noblesse Oblige mean to you, and how has it related to aspects of your work and in life?

My brother, sister and I are extremely privileged to be in these positions.

We don’t take it for granted. We got here with a lot of hard work, but we’ve been given a lot of opportunity.

Noblesse Oblige is very applicable especially in our jobs as protectors of freedom and liberty around the world and at home. We have an extreme responsibility to do our very best and to accomplish our missions.

What have you been up to since the last time we saw you on campus?

In November, I flew my last air show as Blue Angels Right Wing Number 2, and moved on to the VFA-81 Sunliners. I fly, and as a collateral duty, I manage administrative requirements of the 200 sailors and officers in the squadron. Our preparation for combat deployment is a very aggressive training regimen. It’s a crawl-walk-run mindset, from basic level unit training to a year of work-ups getting ready for deployment.

As part of the Blue Angels, you get used to the tempo where you’re constantly on the go and on the road for 300 days out of the year. Sometimes, there’s difficulty transitioning back to the regular fleet. For me, though, it’s been great. I’ve enjoyed getting back to doing the things I did before, like snowboarding and surfing.

Noblesse Oblige is very applicable especially in our jobs as protectors of freedom and liberty around the world and at home. We have an extreme responsibility to do our very best and to accomplish our missions.”

The Mx Scholar Program for STEM & Aerospace began last fall. Do you have any advice for students who hope to follow a similar career path as yours?

I was so excited to see that. It’s an incredible opportunity I wish I had when I was a student. My advice? Don’t be one-dimensional. You’ll run the risk of missing the other things that make you a well-rounded individual.

How do you think Maryknoll School prepared you for your flying career?

My brother Lt. Cmdr. Johan Suyderhoud and I approach flying as an athletic event in many ways. The great thing about Maryknoll was we were forced to work really hard academically because it had high academic standards. When we were younger, the water polo and volleyball teams we played on had some losing seasons because the school was small.

It really forced you to lose with perspective and win with humility, because we weren’t on a juggernaut team. We worked really hard during the off-season and in preparation for those games, but also focused on our academics. We had great teachers that genuinely cared about our future.

It wasn’t just math, science, and athletics that helped me be a solid pilot, but also having a basis in religion, history, philosophy, reading and English. It has made me a better person, military officer, and leader. Do things to cultivate that side of you that maybe is not as developed.

Where would you like to see Maryknoll School in the next 90 years?

Maryknoll is a great story of starting small with a mission and achieving it with diligence and patience. I’d love to see Maryknoll continue on this upward trend, improving athletically and academically, and preparing kids to get out there in technical jobs and in the high-tech area.

Remember the humble beginnings that have made Maryknoll great.

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Anthony Kwon ’10

Adapted Judo Instructor for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Anthony Kwon, Class of 2010, has achieved more in his young life than most will attempt in their entire lives. From being an Olympic hopeful, to injury, to using this drawback to create a teaching program for children with mental disabilities, Anthony has used the values instilled in him by Maryknoll School to make a difference to those in need. Anthony took time off from teaching to give The Knoller a little insight into life since his 2010 graduation.

What was your impression when you first walked on campus in 3rd grade? And, which person made an impact on you?

I definitely felt welcome from day one.

There’s such a great school spirit among the student body. Even now, I only hang out with my classmates when I’m home.

There were a few teachers who made an impression on me, Mr. Jeff Chang in 4th grade, Mr. Jeff McGivern, my homeroom advisor, and Mr. Matt Capps, my chemistry teacher.

judo program. With that, I reached out to community non-profit groups and one of them gave me a place to test and evolve the curriculum. I now run that program at two places in San Jose. It’s so rewarding when you see the joy and accomplishment on the children’s faces. I draw upon the example set by my teachers to teach my kids.

What does Noblesse Oblige mean to you and how has it impacted you at work and in life?

When I reflect back on school, I believe Noblesse Oblige was really instrumental in the direction my life took after my Olympic dreams became unattainable.

That mentality of giving back has stayed with me and was the impetus for what I do now. It’s redirected my life goals.

I want to make an impact and benefit the community around me.

Mr. Chang was so positive in the way he treated everyone and he made curiosity fun. I remember not wanting to disappoint him. I looked up to Mr. McGivern. He may have been soft spoken, but he made a huge impact and was such a caring and compassionate person. Mr. Capps really ignited my love for chemistry, which was what I originally majored in at college.

That injury was a pivotal moment.

When one door closes, another opens. I did a lot of soul searching and I knew I wanted to give back in some way.

What advice would you share with students that might prepare them for life after Maryknoll School?

In the past few years, Maryknoll has added options where students can further themselves, Aerospace and Robotics to name a few. I’d tell them to devote all their effort to finding and achieving their dream, but don’t stop there. Use what you’ve accomplished to impact those around you.

Tell us a little about how you went from Olympic hopeful to creating a program to teach children with mental disabilities?

Judo has been my life since I was a child.

I trained five days a week and traveled a lot for competition, too. It’s taken me to Japan, where I got third, and Venezuela, where I won the Pan American Championship. That win fueled my Olympic dreams. I attended San Jose State University, because the judo Olympic Training Camp was based there. But, before I could get anywhere, my knee blew out.

That injury was a pivotal moment.

When one door closes, another opens.

I did a lot of soul searching and I knew I wanted to give back in some way.

That first step was teaching judo to my cousin with autism. Originally, I trained him to give him some self-confidence, but as he progressed, I thought, “This looks promising, maybe there’s something here.” So, I built on what I taught him and created the first adaptive

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Common Threads: A Look Back at Maryknoll School Uniforms

by Kristine Sato 1920-1930s

Long sleeve, short sleeve. Blue skirts, pleated skirts, grey skirts, twill skirts.

Black tie, no tie. White shirts, maroon shirts, grey shirts, blue shirts.

Khaki slacks, jeans and shorts (oh my!)

hile Maryknoll School uniform styles have evolved over the years, the uniform’s significance has remained constant.

The colors, logo and crest confer a sense of identity and belonging among those guided by the values of “Noblesse Oblige.” In honor of 90 years of school uniforms, here is a look at the evolution of the threads that bind past to present.

1940s

1950s

1960s

1930s: The boys’ uniforms consisted of khaki slacks with long white shirts and ties.

The girls’ uniforms consisted of a white, long-sleeved middy blouse with a black tie.

Their skirts fell below their knees and were made of a heavy cotton fabric. Due to frequent washing, these skirts would wear out quickly, prompting the first uniform change – a switch to skirts made of serge, a type of twill fabric.

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1940s: The girls of the class of 1939 were the last to wear the original middy blouse uniform.

Much of the impetus for uniform changes over the years came from functional and practical considerations, such as the wear and tear of fabrics, the cost of materials for families and environmental factors, such as the heat during the school days.

1970s

1950s: In 1951, JROTC was established as a mandatory high school program for all male students. Uniforms were worn during drills and formal events; however, the daily uniform for boys changed to allow short-sleeved shirts with khaki pants.

A bolero vest was added to the girls’ uniforms, but by the late 1950s, the vests and middy blouses were replaced by shirts with the school crest.

1960s: In 1960, the Civil Air Patrol replaces the school’s JROTC program for all male students. Girls served as Civil Air Patrol sponsors and marched alongside the boys during parades and presentations.

The daily uniform for girls changed to pleated skirts and blazers, which completed their ensemble.

1970s: During the tumultuous 1970s, girls’ skirts transitioned to a more conservative gray color from the blue and white pleated skirts of the 1960s.

1980s

1990s

2000s

1980s: A decade later, girls’ skirts reverted back to the blue and white pleated style.

Boys also had the option of wearing pastel short-sleeved polo shirts.

1990s: In a departure from their traditional uniform styles, Maryknoll School integrates long pants and jeans into the approved school uniform code for girls and boys. Girls still had the option to wear the blue and white pleated skirts.

2010s

2000s: In the early 2000s, Maryknoll School had a short–sleeved aloha shirt custom designed and produced for students to wear.

Near the end of the decade, shorts were allowed as well as untucked shirts.

2010s: Perhaps the biggest change to date for Maryknoll School uniforms is the discontinuation of skirts for girls.

Female students currently wear polo shirts with the school logo and can pair it with pants, shorts or culottes.

Coming Soon: Students in the four Mx Scholar Programs will soon have the option of wearing a specially designed polo shirt to commemorate their participation in these distinctive academic tracks: STEM & Aerospace, Medical Innovation, Business & Diplomacy, and Creative Arts & Expression.

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M a ryk n o ll Sc h o o l M e m o r i e s :

by Stephanie Frank

In celebration of Maryknoll School’s 90th anniversary, a few members of the Class of 1990 took a moment to reminisce about their days at Maryknoll School – the life-changing teachers, the coveted Rogers Hall dances, the loud pep rallies, the last steps together walking hand-in-hand onto the graduation stage – and to share their journeys thus far.

Jamesner Dumlao ’90 “ On graduation night, as I found my mom, Emiliana, and dad, Eugenio, amidst a buoyant sea of jubilant classmates and euphoric well-wishers, I spent a quiet moment embracing them. Looking into their tearful eyes, I saw pride – an intense pride that comes from years of toiling, sacrificing, persevering, and all the while, believing that one day their only child would make it to this milestone. I saw a fervent hopefulness – both a long-held hope that I fulfilled, in part, by making it to this threshold, and a forward-looking exuberance, eagerly anticipating what greatness may lie ahead. In that singular moment, I was overcome by tears of humble gratitude, realizing that I stood on their shoulders and that I was their legacy. I will be forever grateful to Maryknoll for giving us the profound gift of this priceless graduation moment.” fter graduation night, success and a humble life of service would indeed lie ahead for Jamesner Dumlao ’90.

He received a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame, and returned to Hawai‘i to earn his law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law. He then served as a law clerk in Hawai‘i’s two highest courts: the Intermediate Court of Appeals, where he clerked for Judge Corinne K.A. Watanabe, and the Hawai‘i Supreme Court, where he clerked for the late Justice Mario Ramil. After “learning from these outstanding jurists,” Jamesner joined the law firm of Damon Key as a 38

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litigation attorney. His cases ranged from corporate and employment disputes, land use conflicts, and immigration deportation matters, and included “successfully advocating for a pardon that kept a humble and hardworking family intact.” Jamesner’s next calling was serving as an operations manager in the State Department of Labor, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division, where he led a team of 40 dedicated civil servants to make our state’s workplaces safer. Jamesner then joined another highly regulated industry – banking. He worked for several years as a regulatory compliance professional in the commercial loan center of First Hawaiian Bank, which led to his

current post as Assistant Vice President, Associate General Counsel, and Compliance Auditor for Finance Factors. During his professional career, Jamesner has actively volunteered in the community, serving as legal counsel for the Honolulu Filipino Jaycees, President of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i, and as a board member for Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, the Susannah Wesley Community Center, and CoCathedral of Saint Theresa. He married his wife, Jennie, in 2012, and they have been blessed with two wonderful children, Anthony James (4) and Mary Teresa (2).

Kimberly Silva ’90 Fuller “ During my third-grade year, Sister Helen Jean taught me how to make a rosary out of tree wood, seeds and crystals. Her rosary making sessions always began with a word of prayer and ended with a kind gesture – a smile of approval.

She was such a kind and warm-hearted Maryknoll Sister, spending countless hours during recess sharing her craft with me as I worked diligently on making my personalized rosary. I will never forget Sister Helen Jean’s love for teaching, love for her students, and unconditional love for God.” he many amazing teachers that would touch Kimberly Silva Fuller ’90’s life during her thirteen years at Maryknoll School would not only “prepare her well, with the knowledge, skills and experiences [she] needed to be successful in college, career and life,” but would also inspire her to pursue a career in education. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Hawai‘i at Ma-noa,

“I know that instilling a love of learning in the students I serve, just like how Maryknoll has done for me, will ensure a brighter future for them and for society as a whole.” Kimberly has also been blessed with a wonderful family: her loving husband, Shawn; three beautiful daughters; Kiana (25), Kaira (16), and Kiara (14); and charming grandson, Kalaimoku (4).

Kimberly joined the Hawai‘i Department of Education to serve as a special education teacher for 18 years. She is now serving as a Vice Principal, while also completing her Master’s degree in Educational Administration. “Every day I strive to make a difference in my community by making a difference in the individual student lives I touch as a school leader,” says Kimberly while reflecting on Maryknoll School’s motto Noblesse Oblige.

Terrence Keali‘ioko‘olau Torco ’90 “ I am forever grateful and blessed for the friendships I made throughout high school. To this day, a lot of us are still very close and keep in touch – not bad for someone that doesn’t have Facebook…I come from a family of four boys, and while all my brothers attended Kamehameha, I went to Maryknoll. I had an opportunity to go to Kamehameha, but refused.

Maryknoll has a large student body for such a small school and with that came a huge sense of ‘ohana and pride. I could name every single one of my classmates.” f you have taken a Hawaiian Airlines flight in the past 18 years, you may have been attended to by the Class of 1990’s “Most Spirited” member, Terrence Keali‘ioko‘olau Torco ’90.

After graduating from Maryknoll School and receiving the Father John Murray Award, Terrence worked two part-time jobs to pay his way through Windward Community College and University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu, where he would

Sonny Ching of Ha-lau Na- Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu, where I am still available to kokua should they need me,” says Terrence. He can now be found living in his beautiful home in Ka-ne‘ohe, traveling the world, and spending as much quality time with family and close friends as possible. “Life is just too short nowadays,” he says.

receive an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, respectively. While working and studying, Terrence continued to pursue his life’s passion – hula. “My passion for hula formed because of Maryknoll and Kumu Kupau, who first taught me. My goal was to dance and share our Hawaiian culture with the world. I’ve been blessed to learn from Kumu Hula Paleka L. Mattos of Hula Ha-lau ‘O Kamuela and Kumu Hula

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The Power of

Participation 90th Anniversary AIM Annual Fund Campaign

by Wendy M. Chang photography by Michael Horton

assion. Curiosity. Excitement. When you walk the halls of the Maryknoll School campuses, this is what you see, feel, and experience every day. A true passion for learning, a growing curiosity about the world, and an excitement about making a difference are what a Maryknoll School education is all about.

This year Maryknoll School marks its 90th anniversary.

To celebrate this milestone, we are launching the “Power of Participation” Campaign for this year’s Annual Fund.

AIM, or Annual Investment in Maryknoll, supports every area of our school and is an investment in our students, teachers, and programs. Every donation supports our mission of educating 21st century learners and leaders, allowing our students to experience and achieve more.

Donations to this fund are immediately put to use to spark: Innovation.

Creating innovative classrooms & programs to ensure academic excellence for all students.

Learning opportunities.

Providing professional development opportunities for our faculty to continue to improve the exceptional learning environments for our students.

A strong Noblesse Oblige community.

Supporting outstanding extracurricular programs, Campus Ministry programs, student groups, and sports clubs to promote a well-rounded education.

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The “Power of Participation” AIM Campaign is a 90-day Annual Fund campaign starting in September. The earlier in the school year we receive donations, the earlier we can put them to work for all our students. We want this year’s Annual Fund campaign to be our strongest year yet and that can only happen with everyone’s help.

Our goal is to increase participation from parents, alumni, and friends. High participation is a vote of confidence, an important sign that our parents, alumni, faculty, and friends invest in our children and support the school’s mission.

When one gift to the annual fund is combined with hundreds of others, the impact is significant. Your single contribution has the power to influence the educational experience of more than 1,100 students at Maryknoll School. That is the power of participation.

Every gift, regardless of size, makes a difference. The Power of Participation starts with you. Please consider a donation to the Annual fund today.

How can you be a part of this historic milestone?

VOLUNTEER MENTOr DONATE

TH

Connect with us to find out more at spartanpride@maryknollschool.org Share your experience with our future leaders.

To find out how, please email: spartanpride@maryknollschool.org Online www.maryknollschool.org/giving

By Mail Use the enclosed envelope to donate by mail.

Checks can be made payable to “Foundation for Maryknoll School”

Anniversary AIM Annual Fund Campaign

Parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends are invited to join us for coffee, a light breakfast, and a quick tour of our campuses. Experience the passion, curiosity, and excitement for yourself as we take a look back at our accomplished history, a look into our current, innovative programs, and a look forward into our exciting future.

Space is limited.

Email development@ maryknollschool.org or call 952-7310 to reserve a spot.

Alumni, we don’t want to miss you!

By Phone (808) 952-7310

Become a founding member of the 90th Anniversary Noblesse Oblige Society.

During the 2017-18 campaign, you can become a founding member of the Noblesse Oblige Society when you make a 5-year AIM pledge of $1,000 annually or more. The Noblesse Oblige Society are the leaders of our AIM campaign and will play an integral part in the sustainability of Maryknoll School. Young alumni from the last 10 years are invited to join with a pledge of $250 annually.

Visit maryknollschool.org/giving to learn more or to become a member.

We are planning various events, BBQ’s, speakers, craft nights and special invites that are extended to Maryknoll alumni only.

Email alumni@ maryknollschool.org or call the alumni office at 952-7310 to make sure we have your updated contact information.

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(From left) Maryknoll School Vice President of Academic Affairs Shana Tong ’83, Maryknoll School Board Chair Ross Murakami, and Maryknoll School President Perry Martin.

Moving Ahead with a Plan and a Vision

by Sarah Safranski photography by Kyle Roche ’18 As the Maryknoll School community reflects on 90 years of tradition and innovation, our administration, faculty, staff and school board have been looking ahead to the next 90 years, with a particular focus on 2017-2020. In June 2017, Maryknoll School released a three-year strategic plan that outlines the school’s goals across all facets of the organization, including service, academic performance, financial strategies, college placement, and marketplace dynamics.

The initial ideas and direction for the strategic plan were formulated during a summit of faculty leaders and administration.

The plan establishes a larger vision for the school, will keep Maryknoll employees focused on and reaching toward collective academic goals, and simplify the decision-making process for all employees.

“The strategic plan is so important in looking ahead and setting the groundwork for what we want to achieve. I always believe that when we start with the students and what is important for their growth and development, we are reinforcing the mission of Maryknoll and the goal of a strong academic program,” said Shana Tong, Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Maryknoll School’s strategic plan was written with student success in mind and changes are already being implemented across classrooms. The high school and grade school are now joined together under one curriculum that operates in lock step at each point in a student’s education and focuses on personalized learning.

“The Maryknoll grade school will see major shifts in how students learn and what parents want as this group of students are the first at having technology handed to them at birth.

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The grade school will need to study how these students learn and develop pedagogy structures that personalize learning. The high school will see the need to personalize learning as well through unique scheduling, remote learning, program customization, and teacher experts as project-based learning and thematic education continue to grow,” said Perry Martin, President of Maryknoll School.

Maryknoll School’s newest programs—the Mx Scholar Programs and Chinese Immersion Program—were developed to enhance personalized learning and are indicative of larger program changes, which are expected to make a large impact on student learning within a short timeframe. The strategic plan also calls for a renewed focus on college placement, career development, and counseling, ensuring students make meaningful connections with post-secondary programs that match their interests and talents.

“Innovation gives Maryknoll a fresh face. The direction the school sets will advance our students academically and prepare them for their roles in the workforce and society,” said Tong.

Looking beyond 2020, there are many challenges as well as opportunities for growth ahead. The strategic plan will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the school and that the needs of future students are met.

“Currently, Maryknoll is advancing greatly under almost impossible business surroundings. The academic world is changing faster than schools can keep up with. Competing for students on Oahu is a challenging task. If Maryknoll School is to stay relevant in the future, future strategies and execution of those strategies must stay futuristic and visionary,” said Martin.

2017-2020

Strategic Plan Service as a Lifestyle

Develop The Maryknoll Foundation Develop the Maryknoll Foundation to increase local, national, and international philanthropy for the benefit of Maryknoll School students. Focus on expanding endowment, planned and annual giving, and alumni involvement, leading to greater philanthropic opportunities.

Maryknoll School Students Inspire Others Through Their Service Actions and Make an Impact in Their Community Service learning represents a powerful form of pedagogy as it is a means of linking academics with faith through imitating Jesus by word and example, democratic citizenship, and moral responsibility to meet society’s most urgent needs.

Maximize Career Development, Counseling, and College Placement

Maryknoll School Board and Employees Inspire Others to a Life of Service Leadership is a commitment to serve others. A commitment to service inspires and motivates others to unleash their full potential as human beings.

Advance Academic Performance

Develop Specialized Curriculum and Innovative Learning Systems for All Learning Styles Create a rigorous and caring academic environment and learning schedule that supports a wide array of student learning styles, encouraging students to pursue their passions and interests with the skills they need to attend excellent universities, become leaders in their communities, and gain experiences for successful careers.

Identify and Develop the Next Generation of Academic Leaders Create a challenging environment that allows teachers to grow and develop into academic leaders, ready and willing to lead progressive academic change by providing professional development opportunities, academic and management leadership opportunities, and community involvement.

Develop Innovative Learning Spaces That Have Significant Impact on Learning Design physical and virtual state-of-the-art facilities that stimulate greater interaction of student learning and school resources by integrating space, educators, technology, and pedagogy to ensure highly engaged learners.

Develop Financial Strategies That Result in Affordable Education

Offer Competitive Tuition Provide a high quality education, with a competitive tuition price, by growing and nurturing current and future community partnerships, creating meaningful connections with our alumni, and making sound financial decisions that add value to parents, campus and academic community.

HE THIS IS T F O FUTURE LL O MARYKN 0 2017-202

College Counseling and Placement Identify college and university programs that align students with their abilities, academic aspirations, and career goals, and encourage students to make meaningful connections with these organizations during their Maryknoll School experience.

Develop Opportunities for Students to Attend College Visits Facilitate students being able to experience various college campuses prior to graduation.

Understand Maryknoll’s Constituents and Educational Marketplace Dynamics

Differentiate Maryknoll From Other Schools Creating extraordinary value to each Maryknoll School parent is key to successful enrollment. Improve the Maryknoll School brand by strengthening communication, teacher engagement, current programs and systems, athletics, the arts, and adding value through the creation of Mx Scholar Programs, Chinese Immersion, and other STEM and specialized academic programs.

Improve Communication Professional collaboration is at the very heart of education.

Educators and parents need to communicate at high levels in order to support each other. Maryknoll School will develop its website and increase social media presence to inform parents of important information and events. One employee from each school site will be trained to give parents accurate and timely information.

Develop Special Programs to Support Advanced Curriculum and Changing Parent Needs Develop special programs that mirror innovative curriculum and programs to the needs of our students. Distribute yearly surveys, asking parents how both special programs and after school care can be improved.

Visit www.maryknollschool.org for a digital version of our strategic plan.

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With Defiant Grace

by Dena Tomlinson photography by Michael Horton

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You ask me what qualities should mark a Maryknoll Sister. I would have her distinguished

by Christ-like charity, a limpid simplicity of soul, heroic generosity, selflessness, unfailing loyalty, prudent zeal, gracious courtesy, an adaptable disposition, solid piety — and the saving grace of a kindly humor.”

- Mother Mary Joseph Rogers, founder of the Maryknoll Sisters

Hanging in the entrance of the Sisters’ quiet Ma-noa home is a sign. A roughgrained wooden plaque, large and heavy, but simplistic in style, engraved with the thoughtful words of their founder.

The dark dips of letters align to describe the essence of a Maryknoll Sister—their creed, their understanding of themselves as they go about healing this bruised and blessed world day by day.

“When I was five, I told my dentist I wanted to learn how to fly a plane, become a nun, and go to China—in that order,” laughs Sister Joan Chatfield.

“He was shocked. He called up my mother to tell her what I’d said.

Her response was ‘Really? And, what does she want to be today?’ It didn’t shock her one bit.”

Sister Joan was raised with adventure and storytelling in her blood. She is the daughter of a stage actress; she is a relentless, blissful, unselfconscious soul, and one of the four Maryknoll Sisters residing in the Ma-noa Road house.

She arrived on Oahu in 1956, saw the friendly, multi-hued faces of Hawai‘i’s people, and never wanted to leave.

Growing up, her Episcopalian grandparents would always meet her Catholic parents for Sunday breakfast after going to their respective churches—imbedding in her an acute sense of inclusion and a fearless courtesy to others. Sister Joan chairs the Commission on Public Life and

as the doctrines diminished and the sisters deinstitutionalized in the 1970s, very few stayed. “I don’t know if Hawai‘i is ever presented to others as a viable place for a mission,” Sister Joan explains.

“They don’t see this as a mission.

They don’t see the challenges of the people— that’s something that comes with living here. And, the PR for Hawai‘i doesn’t help much; they think we dance hula and eat bonbons all day. It’s better that they don’t understand us because then we can actually get some work done here.”

Hawai‘i has always been welcoming to the sisters. Sister Maria Rosario Daley, known as Sister Rosario, is a petite 94-year-old with a warrior’s might.

A fair-skinned, Irish-Catholic from New York, she’s also a Ma-noa house resident, as well as a vigorous cancer survivor and a beloved former teacher at Maryknoll School. One year, Sister Rosario had a boy in class who would beat up every new haole who came to school. She asked him why he was doing this, and received a swift why you care back. “I said I cared because he’s hurting people and because I’m a haole, to which he replied in shock ‘you never!’” she laughs. “I asked, if I’m not a haole then what am I? And he said, ‘you different.’”

Ethics for The Interfaith Alliance Hawai‘i and, per her founder’s advice, has led her life with a heroic generosity and service.

“If we can live our lives by our founder’s description, I think we’ll do alright,” she says. “Mother Mary Joseph worked very hard on bringing people together—all people, from all backgrounds.

The Maryknoll Sisters were progressive before that was even a common term.

These women weren’t just sent to foreign lands and faraway places with the Lord’s good words and bundles of prayers for pagan villagers. The Maryknoll Sisters were well-educated woman, specialized in fields to best serve others—doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, theologians, environmentalists—and well-equipped with a curiosity and eagerness for their assigned destinations—China, Bolivia, Philippines, Haiti, Cambodia and two dozen more. Learning the language and understanding the culture guided Mother Mary Joseph’s purpose. Whereas most other Christian missionaries of the time were spreading the English language and raising their souls-saved count, the Maryknollers were building hospitals and establishing child care programs in rural villages, while absorbing the native cultures and fulfilling their request for an adaptable disposition.

There are only 12 Maryknoll Sisters living and working in Hawai‘i today.

Once there were 165 in the islands, but

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The Maryknoll Sisters. Front row (left to right): Sister Ardis Teresa Kremer, Sister Maria Rosario Daley, and Sister Joan Chatfield.

Middle row: Sister Rosalinda Barrozo, Sister Cecilia Santos, Sister Isabel Rabbon, and Sister Aurora de la Cruz.

Back row: Sister Earnest Chung, Sister Eleanor Killion, Sister Bitrina Kirway, and Sister Yoo Soo Kim.

The words Noblesse Oblige smile under the Chi-Rho crest on Maryknoll School’s seal—a gentle reminder to students and alumni to continue their lives with selfless giving and honorable actions. In education, the Sisters were stewards of hundreds of young hearts and minds, shivering with joy at the accomplishments of their students.

Sister Rosario spent decades of her life teaching and guiding Hawai‘i’s children through these years of forced knowledge, social achievements and upheavals, and perplexing inward and outward developments. The Maryknoll Sisters set the tone for their schools long ago.

“Everyone is welcome at Maryknoll,” says Sister Rosario. “We were the first co-ed Catholic schools to accept nonCatholic students. Our whole educational philosophy is based on graciousness, inclusion and generosity—to all.”

They are the guardians of the unheard, the misunderstood, the visible and invisible believers, and all the vulnerable masses who may have turned to and from religion with guided purpose— and, perhaps, in relating with them and accepting the fact that there are very few 46

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female leaders within the hierarchy of the Catholic church, they choose to conduct their work with such defiant grace.

The Maryknoll Sisters are here, as they’ve always been, for the complex mission to serve others with fiery hearts and a Christ-like acceptance.

“Attending to those with greatest need has been our most important mission and our focus. All people are worth being raised up, no matter who they are or where they come from” says Sister Joan.

Now, at 84, Sister Joan refers to herself as a “Chaplain of the Nones”— in honor of those who mark “none” on forms asking for a religious affiliation. She is an advocate for marginalized groups within the community and any persons who feel separated from God’s love due to institutional, human, and spiritual causes or reasons. People, on a biological level, are essentially the same and desire similar things: food and rest and water, love and appreciation, kindly pardons for our humanity, hearty belly-warming laughter, and an occasional pastry.

“For some, saying ‘none’ means they have been hurt and that gives us the opportunity to assure them of our God’s

universal love, which understands both sides of the situation: institution and individual,” Sister Joan explains.

“Those of us who have had longstanding relationships with the former students can sometimes be the agents of peaceful understanding. It touches the many sentiments our Mother Mary Joseph expressed.”

In making your way to the front door of their home, it’d be anyone’s guess who lived inside. A silver Buddha sits under a large bodhi tree with potted perennials and a stout, stone bench along the curved asphalt path leading to the house.

This respectful intermingling of faiths and cultures has been a staple in the Maryknoll Sisters’ lives, embracing and celebrating diversity in all facets of their work. They aren’t as involved with the school as much today, but they are still here as counsellors and teachers, soul healers and professional empathizers, vast sources of knowledge and miraculous vessels of wit—simple yet brilliant women who have dedicated decades ameliorating prejudices and livening spirits.

Come learn, live, and share the splendor of truth

by Leonardo F. Delgado photography by Kyle Roche ’18 Choosing a school for our children can be a daunting task. We examine the status of the curricular and extracurricular offerings of each school we are considering. We want to make sure that the basic education is done in the most excellent way.

Academic excellence is a given expectation.

Every school claims that they have the best preparation for students to make it to college. Still, we are challenged in choosing the right one. Exactly, what are we looking for in a school?

Added Value, it is! We are looking for one or more values in addition to academic excellence. These values are often beyond measurement, but could easily be seen through the students’ healthy attitude and character, positive outlook in life, and a joyful, purposeful, and hopeful disposition.

Catholic schools are leaders in the field of “added value.” This is because of its intent to teach a faith-based moral character education. Students are invited to engage in a free conversation on the question of the meaning of life.

The relevance of this enterprise is timeless.

The search for a meaningful existence is still the most important quest in the 21st Century, as it was in centuries past, and will be in the next.

Catholic Schools are founded, and therefore operate, in the mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the heart of this message is God’s love for all, having made humans in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27), and calls them in union with him. This is the source of our human dignity. This is the truth that we believe, we proclaim, and we live by.

We are made for God, who is love and to him shall we return.

Catholic education is more than just intellectual growth, it is, rather, a formation of the whole person, who is able to navigate the challenges of living in the 21st Century with certainty of purpose using all the tools provided by the school for the service of his fellowman, journeying towards the Kingdom of God, a kingdom of peace, justice and love, a kingdom that is here and now and yet to come, a kingdom of eternal life.

Catholic schools, in all and with all its facets, are to teach this truth, provide the tools for understanding and application of such truth. All academic and nonacademic activities are tools of learning, understanding, living according to, and sharing this truth. St. Pope John Paul II in his encyclical Veritatis Splendor says, “The splendor of truth shines forth in all the works of the Creator and, in a special way, in man, created in the image and likeness of God. Truth enlightens man’s intelligence and shapes his freedom, leading him to know and love the Lord.

Hence the Psalmist prays: “Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord” (Ps 4:6).”

A good educational system is one that goes above and beyond academic excellence and innovation: one that is both avant-garde and yet rooted in a solid foundation of time-tested tradition and belief in the truth of God’s love. A good education deals not only of the accumulation of knowledge, but rather points to the relevance of such knowledge to the here and now, to both the near and far future, and above all, to eternity. “The greatest gift of Catholic schooling is the foundational belief that education is about more than just job preparation. It’s first and foremost about the journey of the soul.”

(G. Houchens, 2016)

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OUR MEMORABLE MILESTONES As we look forward to the next 90 years of academic excellence and innovation, we would like to take a moment to reflect on some of the milestones that shaped Maryknoll School into who we are today.

1950

1940s 1950s

Maryknoll Sisters travel to the Marshall Islands to teach. To this day, high school students continue this tradition of service.

1950 The Army JROTC program

1941 Pearl Harbor is bombed by the Japanese in December. U.S. enters World War II.

begins with mandatory participation by all male students.

1960s 1970s 1960

1959 Hawai‘i becomes the 50th State in August.

1954 Construction of the High School building is completed for $400,000 on the former MacDonald Hotel site on Punahou Street.

1977

Girls Varsity Basketball team wins both ILH & State Championships.

Civil Air Patrol replaces the Army JROTC program.

2000s 2010s 2006

Sr. Rosario Daley and Sr. Marie Patrice Kehoe retire. School transitions to an all-lay faculty.

2008

2007

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Br. Venard Ruane, the last Maryknoll Brother serving in Hawai‘i, retires after 20 years of working at Maryknoll School.

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President Michael Baker retires. Perry Martin becomes President.

1998

1997 First Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano Award & Scholarship Dinner held.

2009

Maryknoll Community Center and Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium opens.

2009 St. Damien of Moloka‘i canonized

by Pope Benedict XVI.

Michael Baker becomes President and first lay head of school after Fr. Frank Diffley steps down.

2012 Maryknoll Sisters celebrate their Centennial Year.

2012 St. Marianne of Moloka‘i canonized by Pope Benedict XVI.

1920s 1930s 1927 Maryknoll Sisters arrive from New York

1931

1927 Charles Lindbergh makes the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

to open Maryknoll Grade School.

The first principal of the High School is Sister Miriam Therese.

1934 First luau is held with an on-campus imu, which would become an annual Maryknoll School tradition.

1935

1930s

The first graduating class from Hawaii’s only Catholic, co-educational high school includes 13 students.

First editions of the “Chi Rho Knoller” and “The Tribute” are produced using mimeographs.

1980s 1990s 1977 Jared Kaufmann ’58 becomes first lay principal of the High School.

1981

1992 Hurricane Iniki hits Hawai‘i, causing the most damage on Kaua‘i.

Jim Gahler becomes first lay principal of the Grade School.

1984 Boys Varsity Basketball team wins ILH & State Championships under Coach Tony Sellitto.

1995 Led by High School Principal

1984 Maryknoll School’s

Andrew Corcoran ’64, Maryknoll School becomes the first Hawai’i school accepted into the Coalition of Essential Schools.

50th graduating class.

1992 Patricia Heatherly ’66 is the first female

1991

Athletic Director at Maryknoll and among co-educational private schools.

2014

Mailani Makainai ’98 composes musical tribute, “Pu‘u Malia,” for Maryknoll School.

2016

Maryknoll School begins the Mx Scholar Program for STEM & Aerospace for high school students.

First teaching mission by Maryknoll high school students to the Marshall Islands.

2017 Maryknoll School launches Hawaii’s first Chinese language immersion program during the school day for kindergarten students.

2017

Maryknoll School expands the Mx Scholar Programs to encompass four areas: STEM & Aerospace, Medical Innovation, Business & Diplomacy, and Creative Arts & Expression.

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by Stephanie Frank

It was May of 1977. A crowd of 1,500 gathered at the Mid-Pacific Institute gym, eagerly awaiting the start of the first Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) girls basketball championship. Coach Russell Dung ’70, who was in his fifth year as the Maryknoll School girls varsity head coach, would start Francine Lee ’77, Lucy Mau ’77, Sue Scott ’78, Kelly Fey ’79, and Kathleen Linn ’80 in the final game of the tournament.

“We pressed the whole game,” remembers Coach Dung. “That was our philosophy, which was a little innovative for the time. We played zone defense instead of man-to-man just like Coach Tony Sellitto’s boys. We had tall girls, so we threw the ball inside and ran up and down the court.”

In the end, our Maryknoll Spartans would defeat Coach Dave Shoji’s Punahou team 48-39 to become the first girls basketball state champions.

The following year, 1978, our Maryknoll girls would “come to work” again, as Coach Dung describes. “We convinced the girls that if they wanted to win, they would have to practice like the boys – seven days a week for ten months out of the year, joining summer leagues and doing pre-season games. Even if it rained, we practiced outdoors.

The girls would lift weights and run stairs at Maryknoll – three levels of stairs all the way around in a ‘U-shape’. The girls didn’t complain; they all came out and never said a word – even practicing on Sundays. They liked to compete and come to work.”

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nd, the Maryknoll School girls teams started winning. In fact, they were the dominant team in the formative years of Hawai‘i girls basketball. Not only did they win the 1977 state championship, but they would go on to win the 1978 state championship too – going undefeated and winning the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) championship for three consecutive years from 1976 to 1978.

“It was a good run for us,” says Coach Dung. “It brought a lot of attention to our sport, particularly because we were a small school, and we had no gym. It was a pretty big thing.

I was fortunate to be there.”

Nearly forty years later and now with a beautiful gym, Maryknoll School’s varsity girls basketball head coach and Vice Principal Thomas “Chico” Furtado echoes Coach Dung’s appreciation: “I have enjoyed coaching at Maryknoll over the past five years,” says Coach Chico. “I love to compete.

I love preparing our players to compete.”

And, with Coach Chico’s leadership, the Maryknoll School girls basketball players continue to compete at the highest level – winning the past three ILH championship titles and achieving state runner-up accolades in 2016 and 2017. Coach Chico has been named ILH Coach of the Year for the past three years along with ILH First Team All-Stars Alexis Delovio ’16 in 2015 and 2016 and Isabella Cravens ’18, Rhianne Omori ’18, and Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole ’19 in 2017.

Like Coach Dung’s teams of the 1970s, the success comes with an unwavering commitment to hard work. “Our practices prepare us for competition,” states Coach Chico. “We are constantly game planning for our opponents. Going over offensive and defensive sets, we do a lot of shooting, and we have a lot of position skill-building drills.”

Kehau Gilliland ’18, who has been playing basketball for Maryknoll School since seventh grade, describes the organization and hard work necessary. “On regular practice days when the bell rings at 2:45 p.m. the team needs to book it to the gym so we

can change and get ready for practice that usually starts at 3:00 p.m. We can’t be late,” she says. “During season, we are constantly getting home late from games and practice.

When we finally finish our homework and go to sleep, we wake up the next morning to go to school. Then, while we sit through classes, all we think about is the game coming up or the game that just happened.”

“I believe that being a Maryknoll student-athlete is a special privilege,” says Coach Chico. “It is important to me that the girls strive for greatness; as a player, as a student, and especially as a person.”

Coach Chico’s student-athlete philosophy has been instilled in Kehau. She says, “Being a student-athlete has taught me to value my education first and that athletics is a privilege. It has influenced me to be more organized, responsible, and hard working in everything I do. I have learned communication and leadership skills from being on the team.”

Even with the recent success, the girls’ ultimate goal of a state championship remains unfulfilled. “The 2017 game was completely heart breaking,” recollects Kehau, “but when we came out of the locker room with our heads hanging, our entire support system was outside – still cheering for us. Even though we didn’t win, they were proud of us because of the amount of effort and heart we put into that game.”

Despite heartbreaking losses, Coach Chico remains unwaveringly devoted to exceling. “In both state championship games, we were competitive and in a position to win late in the game. But, we were not able to make enough plays down the stretch to win. It wasn’t for lack of effort. Our girls played their hearts out. Our time will come.”

Maryknoll School embraces its athletic tradition of competing at the highest level – even despite the historical challenges of facilities and student population. Athletic Director Ben Valle ’84 describes the instilled values of Maryknoll School athletics: “It’s the idea of hard work, competing at the highest level, being accountable. The same things we ask of kids in the classroom, we ask of them in athletics. We are never going to make excuses. As you look at us over 90 years, we never had fields, we never had gyms, we never had a lot of students, but the expectation was still to compete at the highest level.” And, the girls basketball team has and will continue to do just that.

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by Liane Hu Okumura photography by Michael Horton and Kyle Roche ’18

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Belief is a force of change, turning ideas into reality. Throughout Maryknoll School’s 90-year history, there have been countless instances of the power of belief, from the Maryknoll Sisters’ founding of the school to the daily acts of Noblesse Oblige by today’s students.

One of the most visible testaments to the power of belief stands at the intersection of Dole Street and Alexander Street: the 35,000-square-foot Maryknoll Community Center (MCC) and Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium.

“Before the MCC was built, the entire school – High School and Grade School – had never been assembled in one place,” recalled Michael Baker, who was the

school’s president during the capital campaign. “The school celebrated its annual Founders Day in someone else’s parish church. In spite of its impressive athletic achievements over the years, Maryknoll had never played a ‘home game.’ The alumni gathered at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall for their annual lu‘au.”

“We were the only Division I school without a home gym,” said Ben Valle ’84, Maryknoll School’s Athletic Director.

Physical education classes were held at Makiki District Park, and practices and games were at other schools and YMCAs.

“ The facility and the success of Athletics has led to a bigger fan base for our teams. People are coming here every day, throughout the year, and this place never stops.”

According to Baker, the vision began with board member Stacey Wong.

A committee was formed to lead the capital campaign that would fund the construction of the $21 million building.

Co-chaired by board members Al Wong and Tom Kosasa, the campaign, which was themed “The Time Is Now,” was itself a groundbreaking, transformative effort with a goal that far exceeded any of the school’s past fundraising efforts.

“It was clear to us in the mid-90’s that the single most important thing to move Maryknoll forward was a gathering place for the entire school community,” said Wong, who was the board chairman when the MCC opened. “Alumni had talked about the idea of a gym since the 1950s. There were people who never thought we’d do it. It was a major undertaking and there were challenges along the way. But, the board never reconsidered it or pulled back.”

“The campaign not only succeeded in raising the funds for the MCC, but also created a culture of giving to Maryknoll that resulted in a dramatic increase in annual giving, major support from Maryknoll’s parents, and the rejuvenation of the Maryknoll Alumni Association,” said Baker.

The development of the MCC was a multi-year journey. One of the first considerations was whether it should be a simple gymnasium or a more comprehensive and multi-purpose venue.

Ultimately, the decision was to construct a state-of-the-art building for sporting events, large gatherings and the neighborhood. Wong explained, “We knew we had one chance at this, so we said, ‘Let’s build the best.’”

“The MCC has been a gamechanger,” said Valle. “With our full-time fitness trainer and new fitness center, our athletes are bigger, faster, stronger and have less injuries. We’ve hosted NBA basketball camps, volleyball camps, clinics and tournaments. The facility and the success of athletics has led to a bigger fan base for our teams. People are coming here every day, throughout the year, and this place never stops.”

“It’s where students practice every day, where they play games, and where younger students and older students interact,” said Blaine Gier ’88, Maryknoll School’s Associate Athletic Director. “The Grade School and High School are connected by this central gathering place. We can honor people here like Tony Sellitto, who had an impact even before the gym was built.

Alumni from different years come back and gather in the alumni lounge.”

Baker believes the impact stretches even beyond athletics. “Seeing the positive reaction of the community made all of us realize what an important part Maryknoll plays,” he said. “It put to rest the idea that Maryknoll was just a ‘little Catholic school’ and showed that we could gain the support of local and national granting agencies and foundations. It brought together Maryknoll’s entire community: parents, faculty, students, alumni and staff. Above all, it demonstrated that Maryknoll is a good neighbor and that, when the school takes on a project, it will enhance the neighborhood and provide an asset that everyone can take pride in.”

Construction took two years from the groundbreaking on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007 to the much-anticipated grand opening on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009.

When the facility finally opened its doors, the entire Maryknoll School ‘ohana was unified in celebration. It was the first campus structure in which the entire student body and all faculty and staff could gather at one time. It was the first gym in the school’s history, the only O‘ahu high school gym with an NBAregulation basketball court and the only Hawai‘i high school gym with both central air-conditioning and soundproof insulation.

The grand opening ceremonies included a blessing and untying of maile, followed by an all-school mass officiated

by Bishop Clarence Silva. At the donor lunch reception, proclamations were presented by Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona Jr., Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and State Rep. Della Au Belatti ’92. Parents, alumni and the general public visited and toured during the Open House that lasted into the evening. Supporters and friends of Maryknoll School signed the virtual guestbook online to offer their congratulations and share in the school’s pride in accomplishing this landmark achievement.

Since the MCC opened, Maryknoll School’s Athletics program has become known as a powerhouse. Maryknoll School’s varsity boys basketball team won the ILH Division I championship in 2013, their first in 29 years, and the varsity girls basketball team has won three consecutive ILH Division I championships from 2015-2017.

Mahalo to Michael Baker, Al Wong, Ben Valle, Blaine Gier and Allyson Agcaoili for their contributions to this article.

Maryknoll community center Highlights • NBA-regulation

basketball court convertible to either 2 regulation high school basketball courts or 3 regulation high school volleyball courts • 1,800-square-foot • Multi-purpose • Alumni • 85-stall

fitness center

rooms for classes and meetings

hospitality suite underground parking garage

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Doing our Part

by Lindsey Carlos, Keenan Kurihara and Hawai‘i Catholic Herald photography by Kyle Roche ’18

Environmental sustainability and protecting our resources go hand-in-hand with Maryknoll School’s Catholic and faith-based values. The Diocese of Honolulu and Maryknoll School recognized the importance of shrinking our carbon footprint, and in 2016, made a significant first step toward greater environmental sustainability.

As part of Maryknoll School’s “going green” efforts, the school announced the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels at both the high school and grade school buildings. The Maryknoll School PV project is a result of a statewide effort spearheaded by the Diocese of Honolulu. The goal set forth by the Diocese is to use the collective bargaining power of the church’s schools, parishes, and other facilities across the state to get the best possible prices, while promoting the use of renewable energy and ultimately being environmentally friendly.

The original design included 161kW of PV generation for the grade school and 38.5kW for the high school. Being that the amount of available roof space is limited at both sites (grade school and high school), the design was slightly revised in the final engineering process to 149kW for the grade school and 43.7kW for the high school. Both sites will be using Trina 260W modules and SMA inverters. These industry-leading systems are being entirely funded by a third-party investor, CC Solar, under a 20-year power purchase agreement. Larry Gilbert, of Kairos Energy Capital, says “the grade school will offset approximately 6.4% of the campus load, while the high school system will offset about 19.3% of the facility’s load.” Further engineering 54

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studies and research are being conducted to determine whether the addition of other types of energy storage would be costeffective for a future phase.

Due to a delay in approvals over the summer of 2016, the school was unable to install the PV panels prior to the release of the new HECO net metering law. Fortunately for the school, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) granted Maryknoll a 365day extension on the solar PV net metering agreement that was set to expire in September 2016. “We’re extremely grateful to HECO, and our other sustainability partners, for allowing us to move forward with this important project,” said Lester Oshiro, Maryknoll School’s Facilities Manager. In granting the extension, Maryknoll was allowed to continue its commitment to sustainable energy and begin the PV installation process. Over the past summer, the PV system was installed and is operational for the 2017-2018, 90th Anniversary school year.

Mahalo to HECO, CC solar, and Kairos Energy Capital for partnering with us and allowing our school to continue our commitment to creating sustainable energy and a better environmental future.

Maryknoll School launches Chinese Immersion Program for kindergarten students

by Kristine Sato

Mastering reading, writing and arithmetic is not enough to get you in the door at top global companies these days. Today’s workforce needs critical skills like foreign language fluency, the ability to work in international teams and cultural sensitivities. With this in mind, Maryknoll School is giving its students a head start in the global marketplace – a REALLY big head start.

Beginning in the 2017 - 2018 school year, Maryknoll School will launch the first Chinese language immersion program for kindergarteners during the school day in Hawaii. Students enter the program in kindergarten and will learn Mandarin Chinese through a 50/50 model in which 50 percent of the day’s lessons are taught in English and 50 percent of the day’s lessons are taught in Chinese. The students continue in the Chinese Immersion Program through elementary and middle school.

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“Preparing our students for the dynamic global market of tomorrow means giving them the tools to succeed today,” said Perry Martin, President of Maryknoll School. “Creating an immersive environment in the world’s most widely spoken first language opens up tremendous opportunities for our students’ educational and career aspirations.”

The rapidly changing global workforce of tomorrow will demand skills beyond what can be taught from textbooks.

Companies are increasingly looking for critical skills, such as fluency in foreign languages and the ability to work in international teams as well as cultural tolerance and sensitivity. Many of the leading schools across the nation have acknowledged this growing need and established successful language immersion programs – mostly for younger students.

Studies show that students in language immersion programs demonstrate a higher proficiency in primary and secondary language skills with equal or better performance on standardized tests compared to their non-immersion peers.

They are also able to develop greater cognitive flexibility, demonstrating increased attention control, better memory and superior problem-solving skills. By the time immersion students begin job hunting, they will possess more positive attitudes towards other cultures and an

Mandarin Teacher Jane Luo goes over new vocabulary with first grade student, Mia, by testing her recognition of the Chinese character and its English meaning.

appreciation for diversity on top of being better prepared for the global job markets where foreign language skills are an asset.

K-8 students at Maryknoll School currently take Mandarin Chinese classes, which average about two hours a week in language instruction. In conjunction with a strong phonics program, kindergarten immersion students will receive more than 15 hours of lessons per week in Chinese, which can lead to advanced language proficiency and help improve performance on standardized tests for subjects like English and math. The goals for this program are for students to achieve bilingualism, biliteracy and multiculturalism over the course of five to seven years.

The new Chinese Immersion Program is unique in that lessons in core subjects like early learning science and math take place in the foreign language during the school day. Daily opportunities to hear, speak, read and write in Chinese help to seamlessly incorporate the second language into students’ lives. Over time, the continued exposure to language immersion leads to development of stronger critical thinking, problemsolving, decision-making and prioritization abilities.

Immersion students will still participate in all school and grade level excursions and activities.

The curriculum remains the same as the curriculum for nonimmersion students.

The admission process is also the same as for non-immersion kindergarten, and there is no additional tuition cost.

To build a strong foundation for this innovative educational model, Maryknoll School is partnering with local program mentors, such as the Confucius Institute Hawai‘i and the University of Hawai‘i at Ma-noa’s Center for Chinese Studies and Chinese Language Flagship Program.

These established organizations excel in spearheading collegiate international studies and diplomacy training for China-U.S. relations.

Interested families were invited to learn more about our program at Maryknoll School’s Open House in February 2017, where special guest, Beijing Foreign Studies University School of Law Professor Russell Leu, spoke of the importance of preparing children for global opportunities. In June 2017, Dr. Myriam Met, a nationally renowned language immersion expert, spoke with parents about the benefits of language immersion for early learners.

“Learning another language at an early age develops critical thinking, comprehension and mastery of both English and the immersion language,” says Jill Takasaki Canfield, Maryknoll School Director of International Programs. “But beyond the language skills is also the experience of embracing another culture and learning to find commonalities with people in other countries. Our older students already experience this through our sister school exchanges and ENVOY program to foster greater understanding across borders.

Now is the time to set the foundation for our younger students as well.”

Learning Mandarin is fun at Maryknoll School! Kindergarten student, Jonah, reviews his vocabulary using flashcards showing the Chinese word for “pants.”

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CAMPUS LIFE

Urban Campus, Accelerated learning

Our urban campus offers students the technology they need to advance their education, the facilities they need to excel on the court, and the green space they need to recharge, relax and play. Centrally located in the heart of Honolulu, our 5.1 acre campus allows our students to experience everything the city has to offer, as well as easily collaborate with our community partners, including Shriners Hospitals for Children, Hawaii Pacific University, Hawaiian Airlines, and more. As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, we look back on our rich history with pride and deep gratitude to those who came before us, and look forward to a future filled with faith and promise.

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Hailee Paulos ’17 and Lauren Kaneshiro ’18 participate in the candle and lei exchange, in which each junior presents a senior with a lei and receives a candle in return.

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C A MPUS L I F E

Spreading the light

by Stephanie Frank, edited by Elliott Chamizo ’61 photography by Kyle Roche ’18

he soon-to-graduate senior class gathers on the stage, anxious about the next step in the journey, but also peacefully confident knowing the lessons learned thus far, as confirmed by awards received, and the inner spirit will guide the way. The beam of the candle gracefully glistens, spreading a soft glow on the aged wooden floor.

Toes grasp the cold creaking stage as every purposeful, carefully practiced step edges toward the awaiting juniors, who will now have their chance to lead Maryknoll School for the next year before they too will embark on their next journey.

“Class Night is one of the most time-honored traditions at Maryknoll School and serves as the awards ceremony at which seniors are recognized for their accomplishments in academics, activities, and service,” explains Director of Admission, Lori Carlos ’87.

“For many decades, the highlight of Class Night has been the beautiful candle-lei exchange, in which each junior presents a senior with a lei and receives a candle in return – symbolizing the passing of the torch as the next class takes their place as the leaders of the school.”

The spirit of “Noblesse Oblige,” Maryknoll School’s motto, which has been ubiquitous with the school’s ideals since the first Maryknoll Sisters arrived in Hawai‘i from New York to found the co-ed Catholic school, is at the forefront of the Class Night ceremony. In fact, a line from James Russell Lowell’s poem, which was quoted by Mother Mary Joseph Rogers as Maryknoll Sisters em-

On Class Night, each class is adorned in their class colors, which rotate between red, green, blue, and yellow. In 1968, Betsey’s class wore red aloha attire, which each person made or bought individually.

At some point over the years, the classes had matching aloha attire made in their junior year. The first time juniors debut their class color aloha attire is during the Commitment Ceremony during Founders’ Week, which replaced the traditional Ring Ceremony. “The juniors wear this aloha attire as a sign of becoming upperclassmen and at all Masses, culminating annually by wearing it at Class Night junior and senior years,” says Betsey.

Another essential component of Class Night is the singing of traditional songs and reciting of the Maryknoll Pledge.

Pua Lililehua is traditionally sung for the candle-lei exchange or at other times during the ceremony. “One year we had to move Class Night to the NBC concert hall because Hawai‘i Theater was being renovated,” recalls Betsey.

“Often longtime, now-retired teacher, Joe Miller, would sing Pua Lililehua as the students entered, and other musicians would play live with him.

That year at NBC, his voice came over the sound system from off stage, and it struck me how beautiful it was with a very distinct ‘Brother Iz’ quality.”

In addition to Pua Lililehua, seniors also sing their carefully practiced class song and conclude with singing the Maryknoll School alma mater. Students also recite the Maryknoll Pledge during Class Night, committing to the Maryknoll ideals of strength, courage, loyalty, perseverance, and imitating Jesus, which transcend the beautiful Class Night tradition as they step off stage and onto their next journey.

barked on their missions abroad and is also read to seniors at Class Night, embodies the “Noblesse Oblige” tradition: “As one lamp lights another nor grows less, so nobleness enkindelth nobleness.”

Director of Alumni Relations, Yvonne Morris ’63, fondly recalls her Class Night taking place at Dillingham Hall at Punahou School. Longtime Maryknoll ‘ohana member, and former principal Betsey Gunderson ’68, remembers Class Night throughout her many years of service as a teacher and administrator – although it took place at varying locations.

“After Dillingham Hall was renovated one year,” recollects Betsey, “candles were not allowed, so the ceremony was moved.”

After Dillingham Hall, Class Night found its home in Mamiya Theater throughout the 1990s. When Betsey returned to Maryknoll School in the 2000s, Class Night had moved to Hawai‘i Theater, where it is held today.

The harmonious moment when the senior and junior class exchange candles and lei is also steeped in tradition. “A few decades ago, we had to change from real candles to battery-operated candles due to the potential fire hazards in the very old but beautiful building of Hawai‘i Theater,” remembers Betsey. The lei has also evolved over the years. “In the original tradition, the junior class would gather prior to Class Night to string flower lei,” says Lori. “As the class size grew, so did the demand for actual flowers. We moved to giving ti leaf lei to seniors, and now juniors give kukui nut lei.” The purpose of the exchange, however, has remained the same throughout the years, explains Betsey, “The candle ceremony is a rite of passage for juniors and a farewell to seniors.”

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C A MPUS L I F E Kaya Dia ’18 sings a jazz standard accompanied by members of the Spartan Jazz Band.

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Lights, Camera, Art!

by Evan Eliason and Lorin Eleni Gill photography by Michelle Corpus, Tamara Tom Gillia and Kyle Roche ’18

Rogers Hall was almost unrecognizable the evening of Friday, May 19th. The open-aired hall had transformed — not only into a theater, but a dining hall and exhibition space as well. Twinkling lights were strung across the hall, freshly pressed white tablecloths were adorned with formal dinner settings, and paintings and drawings were on display with live performances as a backdrop. But, centerstage was student talent, which shone brightly at the inaugural Maryknoll Dinner Theatre and Art Show.

The production was an unprecedented collaborative effort to showcase student work across various media.

“The event really brought a lot of people together that normally wouldn’t have been,” said Michelle Corpus, Maryknoll High School Exploratory Art, Ceramics, Painting and Drawing teacher. “There are different art forms and we’re all in our separate rooms behind closed doors. Now there’s this great opportunity for people to discover what we do. It added another layer to school life and let us see people shine in different ways.”

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C A MPUS L I F E

The production was put on after a year of planning by the High School Art Department faculty and students.

The vision was for a collaborative performance where the Maryknoll School community could see all the amazing work student dancers, musicians, poets, thespians, and visual artists create in a given school year. As opposed to a concert, recital, or gallery where the audience typically experiences one medium of art, the dinner theatre and art show brought all of the High School’s art programs together for one big show in celebration of the growing arts culture at Maryknoll School.

“It was just amazing to see the kids work so well together,” Corpus said. “They really owned the show.

They had so much input in the actual show. They had auditioned for the different acts and they took ownership for what they were showcasing and performing. And, the group of volunteers went above and beyond.”

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The event began with an elaborate display of visual art with each table showing a different medium of visual art.

Graphic design students displayed prints of their work, 3D artists laid out their ceramic works and sculptures, and drawing and painting students had their art displayed on easels. The work presented in the gallery was an astounding display of the creativity and talent of Maryknoll School artists.

After viewing the visual art work, attendees took their seats for a threecourse dinner. Each course of the meal was accompanied by several performances and audience members were able to enjoy a wide variety of performances including spoken word poetry, improv, dancing, excerpts from popular musicals, and several selections from the concert choir and bands.

The evening was directed by the entire Art Department and led by Theater Arts Teacher Jasmine Fernandez, with support from Corpus, Music Teacher Evan Eliason, Graphic Design Teacher Tamara Tom Gillia, and Visual Arts Teacher Kristie Nourrie.

C A MPUS L I F E

“My proudest moment was seeing students and faculty come together and work together,” Corpus said. “It was really what a small school atmosphere should be like. It felt like a community.”

The production is just one example of the tremendous impact the Mx Creative Arts & Expression program has made, which kicked off last fall. As part of the initiative, art courses grew by nearly twofold with brand new offerings in music, drama, painting and drawing, 3D art, photography, graphic design, drama, and dance. Even more courses are slated for the 2018-19 school year as interest grows.

The Mx Creative Arts & Expression program promotes student-inspired and student-driven work in conjunction with the project-based learning environment that Maryknoll School is known for.

The Dinner Theater and Art Show was such a hit, organizers are already thinking about the next one to be held in 2018.

“Next year, we hope to have the grade school involved,” Corpus said.

(Left to right) Art Teachers Tamara Tom Gillia (Graphic Design), Michelle Corpus (Visual Arts), Evan Eliason (Music) and Jasmine Fernandez (Theatre Arts).

Not pictured: Kristie Nourrie (Visual Arts).

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ILH o u r

Coaches of the Year

by Sarah Safranski photography by Kyle Roche ’18 and ScoringLive

Behind every successful EVERY Maryknoll School athletics team is a caring and inspirational coach who takes the time to teach and guide our scholar-athletes.

This year, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH), a sports league made up of 24 independent schools, honored six Maryknoll School coaches with the title of ILH Coach of the Year.

Read more about our coaches below and be sure to cheer on all of our athletic teams this season!

Visit maryknollathletics.org for sports schedules and the most up-to-date information.

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Thomas “Chico” Furtado Girls Division I Basketball Maryknoll School Girls Basketball Coach Chico Furtado was named ILH Coach of the Year after another successful varsity girls basketball season— the team won their third consecutive ILH D1 championship with a win over Kamehameha.

Coach Furtado began working at Maryknoll School in 1989 as a school counselor and started coaching in 2011.

He worked as an assistant for one year before becoming head coach, a position he has held for the past five years.

Why do you enjoy coaching at Maryknoll School? I enjoy coaching at Maryknoll School for many reasons.

First, I love to compete and the ILH is the most competitive league in the State.

Almost every league game we play is a nail-biter. Secondly, I love the facilities that we have. The MCC is a great venue to play in. It has become our “home court” advantage that Maryknoll School never had before. Third, our support system is awesome. Everyone from admissions, administration, faculty and student body have supported our team tremendously. Most importantly, as a coach, I love seeing our players every day.

Being a full-time employee of Maryknoll School gives me the added benefit of being a part of my players lives outside of basketball. I really enjoy that.

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©2017 ScoringLive

Kelly Grant ’84 Boys Division I Basketball Boys Basketball Coach, Kelly Grant, was named ILH Coach of the Year after earning a 21-6 overall record for the 2016-2017 season. He is a Maryknoll School alumnus and played under Coach Tony Sellitto, who guided Maryknoll School to a Division I AA State Championship and several ILH championships, during his high school career.

Tell us about one of your favorite memories from this past season.

One of my favorite memories of this past season happened during our trip to California. I enjoyed taking the team to visit colleges during our off time.

We were able to visit 10 schools which included the University of Southern California; California State University, Fullerton; and Saint Martin’s University to name a few. The team got a good opportunity to see a lot of campuses and the surrounding communities. ©2017 ScoringLive

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John Uekawa Division I Softball John Uekawa has been coaching softball for 20 years. He was named ILH Coach of the Year after an amazing 2016-2017 varsity season which included Maryknoll School winning its first ILH Division 1 Championship for softball with a win over fourth ranked Kamehameha.

What are you looking forward to next season? Having all of the returnees back, as we only lost one Senior this year.

Next year, we will have seven Seniors to lead the team. Furthermore, I am looking forward to a great Freshman class.

The goal for next year is to repeat as ILH Champions and hopefully winning a State Championship. That is the top of my bucket list, winning a State Championship.

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Š2017 ScoringLive

KJ Nagami ’12 Boys Varsity Canoe Paddling Maryknoll School alumnus and Boys Paddling Coach KJ Nagami has been paddling for 10 years, beginning as a high school freshman and competing under Coach Kapono Ciotti.

He was recently named ILH Coach of the Year after a second place division finish by one of Maryknoll School’s boys’ crews.

It was the first division placement by a Maryknoll School boys or girls paddling team in almost 20 years.

Why do you enjoy coaching at Maryknoll School? Being an alumni and participant in high school, I love seeing and being part of moving and growing the paddling program in the right direction. Having my family be a part of this journey is incredible. My dad, Dan, is the program coordinator, my mom, Robin is the girls head coach, and my brother, Aaron, and sister TiaRose, both paddled for Maryknoll. As a family, we have been blessed to work with such great student-athletes and awesome parents. Their support has been amazing.

Being able to give back to the school, my school, is the main reason I am here.

Maryknoll has given me so much. It is my time to give something back.

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Danny Lau Boys Division I Golf Boys Division I Golf Coach and former Maryknoll School parent, Danny Lau, has been playing golf for 40 years.

After a successful 2016-2017 golf season, he is looking forward to seeing the team grow over the next few years.

Why did you choose to coach at Maryknoll School? Coaching at Maryknoll gives me a way to give back to the school which had provided the sports opportunities for my own children to participate in. I have always been within the sports community of Maryknoll, first as a volunteer parent, then as an assistant varsity volleyball coach to Blaine Gier, currently Associate Athletic Director, and then as assistant to the golf program initiator, Lorraine Ishii. When Coach Lorraine left the Maryknoll community, I was given the opportunity and have not regretted a moment since.

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Ashlyn Kawasaki ’11 Girls Division II Golf After graduating from college, alumnus Ashlyn Kawasaki returned to Maryknoll School to help coach the girls golf team at the request of a former teammate and Boys Golf Coach, Danny Lau. She led the team to a successful 2016-2017 season and looks forward to seeing more players compete at the Varsity I level next year.

Tell us about one of your favorite memories or highlights from last season. Some of my favorite memories are watching the kids improve as the season progresses. Being able to teach them new skills and having them put what they learn during practice into use during a tournament. I enjoy creating new challenges for them to complete during practice. I have no doubt that the kids are elated when they win a challenge because they know that I have to carry their golf bag for the hole as promised.

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C A MPUS L I F E

ILH All Star Accolades

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C A MPUS L I F E Lady Spartans celebrate their first ever ILH Championship title in school history!

Fall Season First Team, Seniors

Isabella Cravens Girls Division I Basketball

Spencer Cox Pac-Five, Football: Linebacker

Rhianne Omori Girls Division I Basketball

Kyle Furuta Pac-Five, Sporter Air Riflery

Jaylen Cain Boys Division I Basketball

Ethan Ky Pac-Five, Kayaking

Raquel Valle Canoe Paddling: Girls Varsity 1

Chelsea Nakaoka Girls Bowling

Luke Horiuchi Canoe Paddling: Boys Varsity 2

Kaycie Yamasaki Girls Bowling

Kaelan Rezentes Pac-Five, Swimming & Diving: 200 Yard Medley Relay

First Team, Underclassmen

Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole Girls Division I Basketball

Blaise Espiritu Pac-Five, Kayaking

Spring Season

Rhyenne Filisi Girls Volleyball: MB

First Team, Seniors Matthew Dunaway Division I Baseball, Utility

Thomas Obando Pac-Five, Football: Offensive Line

Chad Bolte Boys Division I Volleyball

Raquel Takayama Girls Bowling

Andrew Caraang Boys Division I Volleyball

Winter Season First Team, Seniors

First Team, Underclassmen

Jian Mao (MJ) 2016-2017 Swimmer of the Year: Pac-Five, Swimming & Diving

Allysha-Mae Mateo Golf, Girls Varsity I Adrienne Senining Golf, Girls Division II

Jian Mao (MJ) Pac-Five, Swimming & Diving: 100 Yard Breaststroke, 200 Yard Individual Medley, 400 Yard Freestyle Relay, 200 Yard Medley Relay

Logan Carlos Division I Softball, Second Base Kanoe Tanigawa Division I Softball, Short Stop

Qian Zhi (Albert) Pac-Five, Swimming & Diving: 100 Yard Freestyle, 200 Yard Freestyle, 400 Yard Freestyle Relay

Nohealani Hee Division I Softball, Outfield

Keenan Lee Pac-Five, Swimming & Diving: 400 Yard Freestyle Relay

Maia (Kahilu) McNicoll Division I Softball, Pitcher

Jonathan Roig Canoe Paddling: Boys Varsity 1 Mason Bland Canoe Paddling: Boys Mixed Division Paloma Higashi Canoe Paddling: Girls Mixed Division First Team, Underclassmen Joseph Sealey 2016-2017 MVP: Boys Division IAA Basketball

©2017 ScoringLive

Edmund Shiu Pac-Five, Swimming & Diving: 200 Yard Medley Relay

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Spartan Spotlight It was a banner year for Spartan Athletics. Our scholar athletes excelled in both sports and in the classroom. The Lady Spartan bowlers started the year with an ILH and HHSAA championship in the Fall - the first Lady Spartan team to win a state championship in 24 years. That was followed by the Lady Spartan Basketball team in the winter capturing their 3rd consecutive ILH crown and 2nd consecutive HHSAA runner-up finish. The Pac-Five soccer team won a DII ILH championship and an HHSAA state berth. Along the way, we saw some great individual accolades, which included 76 ILH All-Stars, 25 State honors, 1 Player of the Year and 6 ILH Coach of the Year awards. More importantly, 47 scholar athletes made the Honor Roll and 40 made the Principal’s List. The year ended with the girls softball team capturing our first ever Division I ILH championship in school history during the spring season. It was truly a “championship banner” year!

Girls Bowling

Girls Basketball

ILH Champions & HHSAA State Champions

ILH Champions & HHSAA State Runner-Up

Girls Pac-FIVE Soccer

Softball

ILH Division II Champions

ILH Division I Champions

Class of 2017 Athletic Awards Athlete of the Year The Student Athlete of the Year Award is presented to the senior male and female student who have been outstanding in one or more sports. They best personify the Maryknoll School giving spirit summed up by the school motto “Noblesse Oblige.”

It is they who best accept the Spartan Challenge showing strength, leadership, courage, loyalty, and perseverance both on and off the playing field.

Jian Mao 74

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Chelsea Nakaoka

Scholar Athlete The Scholar Athlete Award is presented to the senior male and female student who have been outstanding scholars and fine athletes. This winning combination excellence in both academics and athletics is a goal many aspire to, but only few achieve.

Spencer Cox

Ryly Yee

Brother Venard Ruane Inspirational Athlete As Maryknoll School’s first athletic director, Brother Venard Ruane truly exemplified the Spartan philosophy of upstanding moral values, sportsmanship, school spirit, and inspiration to their team. This award is presented to those athletes who have best personified Brother Venard Ruane and have been most inspirational throughout their senior season.

Chad Bolte

Natasha McClendon

Top of the Class

C A MPUS L I F E

OL

NOLL SCHO RYK

AR

CH

ER

2017 TER

2016 T EA

Maryknoll School’s teachers are truly the backbone of our academic community.

They work hard to ensure each of our students receive a high quality education and have the opportunity to develop their unique talents.

They inspire our students with their passion, encourage them with their words, and lead by example. They go above and beyond their job descriptions—staying after school, acting as mentors, and becoming confidants.

MA

by Sarah Safranski

OF T H E Q U

In order to honor and recognize their efforts and hard work, we launched the Teacher of the Quarter Award, a program that allows students and the parents of our younger students to vote for their favorite teachers each quarter. The teachers with the most votes from the grade school and high school are recognized at an all-school event where they receive a banner to hang in their classroom.

Here are the winners for the 2016-2017 school year: quarter 2 - grade school

Jeff Chang

“ I think he should be Teacher of the Quarter because he makes learning fun in all 3 subjects he teaches. He’s funny and makes you want to come to school and learn.

He treats you like family and makes everyone feel welcome. He understands middle school can get tough at times and he gets that we have other things going on in our personal lives and he understands that very clearly. He’s just overall an amazing, funny, understanding, and patient teacher.”

quarter 3 - grade school

Wendell Bacnis

“ I think he should be named Teacher of the Quarter because he taught me a lot this school year and he prepared me for high school. He is not just teaching us the subjects of school, but he is also preparing us for life.”

quarter 4 - grade school

Margot Adair

“ She encouraged me to try my best in everything and always stay on task.

She is a caring teacher who is fully dedicated to her students and always wants to see them succeed. If someone doesn’t understand something, she carefully explains it to them and continues to explain until they understand.”

quarter - 2 high school

Kyle Davis

“ He is someone who is not only a passionate teacher, but he is also a mentor out of class as well. Though I may not be a part of his cohort for senior project, he never fails to help me when I have questions or need advice. He has helped me along my path towards my dreams of becoming a doctor as he personally researches colleges that are specific to what I need along with trying to help me connect with these colleges. Mr. Davis is someone I can fully trust and I am very grateful to have him as a teacher.”

quarter 3 - high school

Sarah smitherman

“ She consistently does her best in ensuring that her students are doing everything possible to raise their grades, meet every expectation, and be on track towards graduation. She also genuinely cares about the well-being of her students, not just academically, but emotionally as well.”

quarter 4 - high school

Rachel Moriyama

“ I think Ms. Moriyama should be Teacher of the Quarter because she helped me so much with AP US History and preparing for the exam. I think that without Ms. Moriyama, it would have been nearly impossible to do well on the exam.

She has been exceptionally patient with our class and I think she deserves to be Teacher of the Quarter.”

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Commencement 2017

by Keenan Kurihara ’10 photography by Kyle Roche ’18, Expressions, and IMF Visions

In June, the Class of 2017 became Maryknoll School’s 83rd graduating class, joining the ranks of over 8,000 Maryknoll School alumni that came before them. We’re especially proud of this class - filled with passionate artists, talented musicians, aspiring pilots and engineers, prospective entrepreneurs, dedicated scholar-athletes, future medical professionals and faith-filled servants of God. Each one of these students serves as a role-model for all students that will soon follow in their footsteps.

As they move on to the next part of their educational and life journeys, we ask God to keep them safe, guide them along each of their pathways, and instill within them the spirit of Noblesse Oblige. Congratulations and God Bless the Class of 2017!

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Senior Top Awards

Ryly Yee

Konrad Cheng

Valedictorian

Salutatorian

Andrew Ancheta II

Blessie Saoit

Maryknoll Cup Award

Mother Mary Joseph Rogers Award

Awarded to the graduate who best personifies the spirit of Maryknoll School’s motto, “Noblesse Oblige.”

Honors the foundress of the Maryknoll Sisters and recognizes the senior class woman best exemplifying good will and sensitivity toward the needs of fellow students and the Maryknoll Community.

Ian Paulo Santiago

Spencer Cox

Bishop James A. Walsh Award

Christopher Award

Honors one of the co-founders of the Maryknoll Fathers and is awarded to the student who displays outstanding character, leadership ability and concern for others.

Presented to the senior who has demonstrated those qualities which mark one as a contemporary Christopher, a person who gives tangible evidence to Christian principles in everyday activities.

Janine Alexia Hilario

Ashlin Amano

Daysha Kau

Father John Murray Award

Chi Rho Award

Chi Rho Award

Given to the graduating senior who has displayed growth in personal integrity and Christian outreach.

Honors a former associate of Sacred Heart Parish and recognizes the graduating senior who has, in the tradition of Father Murray, provided unselfish assistance in serving fellow students and the Maryknoll Community.

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Ryly Yee Valedictorian

To our administrators - you gifted us with guidance when the way ahead became distorted and confusing.

To our high school teachers - you taught that the worst experiences we faced and how we overcame them, the difficult choices that we had to make built our character, and balance was more important than just good grades.

To our coaches - You taught the importance of spiritual balance; you made me realize that not one of my passions has to be compromised for another.

Ryly Yee ’17 gave the below speech at Commencement on June 2, 2017

Good evening, Board members, administrators, faculty, staff, family, friends, and my classmates. We come here today to acknowledge the passage of the graduates of the class of 2017 to formalize our transition into the phase of our lives that will determine the contributions we will make to the world for possibly the rest of our lives. I say possibly because we may find ourselves on new paths, paved or unpaved, paths that we never envisioned through the tiny peephole that seemed to determine our decisions for the future. Statistics show that as millennials, we will have held four full-time careers we believed to be our calling before finding our true purpose.

Our graduation will remain one of life’s most significant moments for all of us here in this concert hall. But a typical graduation counts the number of lei and mylar balloons received, the number of signs with your name and face emblazoned on large posters, as you stand near the letter of your last name waiting for the arrival of friends and family with envelopes stuffed with “congrats to the grad” cards and the possibility of Benjamin’s or Jackson’s to finance half the books for the first semester of freshmen college classes.

Dinners, brunches, and barbecues in our honor and the number of graduation parties you are invited to attend.

But let’s take a step back from this picture that will remain with us for many years come to appreciate the closure of our four years of high school, and also to remind ourselves that closure means a new beginning.

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I stand here in awe of our own journeys that bring us to this moment. In awe not of our achievements, honors, recognitions, scholarships, GPAs, awards, or trophies, but in complete astonishment and gratitude for those who gifted us with their mentorship through their embodiment of the knowledge we needed to arrive at this place in our lives.

The concept of the relationship between an apprentice and a mentor molded me as I walked on the path to my calling.

I did not seek these mentors, but instead they found me waiting on my path.

Again and again, this pattern repeated in my life. As the philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly-ready, the teacher will disappear.”

This phenomena has occurred in my life numerous times. I stood on the path and my mentor waited in front of me for my arrival. I am told that this will happen again and again in my lifetime. I stand here filled with respect for those who shaped me into a semblance of what I am to become.

I ask for your indulgence as I acknowledge the mentors who waited for us on our paths until we were ready to be their apprentices.

To our grade school teachers - you taught proper work ethic, what parts of myself to access to seek excellence, not mediocrity, in learning.

To our middle school teachers - you taught perseverance, so even if the path turns into molten lava, I am to burn and turn to ash and keep moving forward.

To those that provided physical guidance you taught through example, compassion for those whose lives became impacted like mine had, after a life changing fracture that impeded my complete physical capabilities. You also taught empathy, not sympathy, that goes a long way to my commitments to myself and others - that forgiving myself and others and not feeling sorry is healthier than victimization.

To Grandma & Grandpa - you taught that the darkest places and times in my life were the brightest, most profound lessons.

To Yaya & Popo - you taught me to be fearless even when looking directly at failure.

To Mom & Dad - you taught the power of possibility, that what you dream for me and what I dream for myself is only a pinpoint of the opportunities that will be gifted to me.

I encourage all of you to take some time to determine your purpose as you sit here today, even if your purpose is uncertain-make a list of all the people or events that bring you to this moment in your life.

With this list you have options, to keep it to yourself, tell a confidant, write it down, tuck it into your jeans pocket, or even burn it; the intention for this purpose should be placed on the path of your new beginning. And this, the closure of this part of your journey, with utter humility to all the mentors who impacted your lives, gift them with a gesture, large or small, of immense gratitude. Then, with a gesture, large or small, for balance in our world, each and every one of us, in the class of 2017 --WE MATTER. WE ARE PATHWAYS OF CHANGE.

Ryly Yee will be attending Chapman University in Orange, California in the fall.

Congratulations To The Class of 2017!

Best wishes to all of you! We know you’ll do amazing things wherever you go.

arizona Grand Canyon University Mason Bland Hailee Paulos Rhyson Rivera

California State University Maritime Academy Elizabeth Wilcoxon

Santa Clara University Christine Chye Kyle Uyehara

Cerro Cesso Community College Kiana Thompson

University of California, Berkeley Blessie Saoit

Northern Arizona University Spencer Cox Jacob Kippen Andrew Nishimura Keoki Yamamoto

Chapman University Ryly Yee

British Columbia

Humboldt State University Iokepa Pangilinan

University of British Columbia Treven Tengan california Academy of Art University Dominik Santiago California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Brianne Magsanoc California State University, East Bay Kanoelani Ruiz California State University, Long Beach Helene Louise Agbayani

University of California, Davis Christina Determan

Concordia University Irvine Andrew Joshua Caraang

University of California, Irvine Janine Alexia Hilario Ethan Ky University of California, Los Angeles Jasmine Chow

Irvine Valley College Iokepa Souza Menlo College Jonah Chinen

University of California, San Diego Sunny Lau

Monterey Peninsula College Kainoa Ferreira

University of California, Santa Cruz Reid Inouye Reid Muromoto

Mount St. Mary’s University Ashlin Amano San Francisco Conservatory of Music Kotaro Fukusato

University of San Francisco Luke Salaveria University of Southern California Konrad Cheng Channen Dunn

San Francisco State University Kayla Truong

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C A MPUS L I F E colorado Colorado Mesa University Cristen Kramer Florida Valencia College Logan Ventura Georgia Georgia Institute of Technology Qian Zhi Hawai‘i Chaminade University of Honolulu Andrew Ancheta Anasia Lee Kyle Furuta Daysha Kau Sierra Murobayashi Justin Roose Hawai‘i Pacific University Joanne Nguyen Kapi‘olani Community College Enlil Grimsley Michael Lacsina Daven Pila Kaulana Schmidt William Tam Austin Ubongen Leeward Community College Joshua Hirose University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Breanna Agas Devan Ando Lauren Apuya Taylor Char Athena Cicogna Bryson Doan Matthew Hallstein Gemma Hayden Elizabeth Higa Lauren Higa Paloma Higashi Henry Huang Noah Inatsuka Jacob Ishihara Arnold Laanui Keenan Lee Jasmine Lin-Wo Kadon Nakano Erika Ngo Gillian Angelica Perdido Albert Respicio Jonathan Roig Isaiah Sanchez Ryan Shin Matthew Sun Taylor Takemoto Wendell Tanjutco Darrin Tsugawa 80

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Kitty Vo Kaycie Yamasaki Dara Yee University of Hawai‘i–West Oahu Christian Francisco Riley Hermosura Talen Loo Nicole Schlack Windward Community College Matthew Lee Maine Husson University Lisa Kam Michigan Michigan State University Brandon Kung Missouri Saint Louis University Nicholas Wong Nebraska Creighton University Carlton Chow Jonah Chun Benjamin Ku Kai Nakamura Matthew Pan Joanna Udani New mexico Eastern New Mexico University Natasha McClendon University of New Mexico Ryan Stumbaugh New York City College of New York Quinn Tanaka Marist College Thomas Root Oregon Lewis & Clark College Kayla Valdez Northwest Christian University Maiya Mendonca Oregon State University Maya Mendoza Kayleigh Sellitto Pacific University Chelsea Abergas University of Oregon Angel Ly Katelyn Sumimoto

University of Portland Taylor Hoe Evangeline Muyano Audrey Tsai Matthew Watanabe Marcus Yee Michael Yee Western Oregon University Tara Ann Miyahara Tennessee Lincoln Memorial University Chelsea Marie Nakaoka Texas The University of Texas at San Antonio Brandon Bonnell Utah Dixie State University Rainey Layos Utah Valley University Jaylin Pasion washington Edmonds Community College Kamalei Labasan Saint Martin’s University Matthew Dunaway Chayson Dulatre Kaylen Furuta Jarred Kaneshiro Seattle Pacific University Thomas Risse Seattle University Madison Chow Ian Paulo Santiago Shoreline Community College Cade Ohata University of Washington Bothell Madison Miyashiro Washington State University Chad Bolte Wisconsin University of Wisconsin-Madison Jian Mao Other United States Army Anthony Bush Employment Ryland Kaitoku

Opening eyes

And Hearts to

Japan

by Austen Furutani ’20 and Jeremiah Quan ’20 introduction by Rie Mizumura, photography by Charlene Martin

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C A MPUS L I F E

Our world is increasingly interconnected and complicated. The heart of Maryknoll School’s International Programs is to develop global citizens of character with the passion to serve and the skills to help shape the future. Exchange programs like the ENVOY Program create future leaders who value collaboration and understanding other perspectives. Each year, students from grades 8-12 are selected to travel along with their teachers to one of Maryknoll’s sister schools. In return, students and teachers from sister schools travel to Maryknoll School in Honolulu.

The ENVOY Program is an exchange program designed to promote cultural understanding and outstanding global citizenship around the world. This summer’s ENVOY to Akifuchu High School in Hiroshima, Japan was a valuable learning experience. The students are proof of the power of exchange programs.

Besides learning the language and culture of Japan, students grew in their personal character and leadership. The best way to learn any foreign language is to be immersed in the language and spend time in that target language country.

The students thoroughly immersed themselves in the language and culture of Japan. The ENVOY Program opened up their eyes and hearts to another culture and people. They made memories and friendships, that will last a lifetime.

Below, students Austen Furutani ’20 and Jeremiah Quan ’20 share their ENVOY journey with us.

In March, for two weeks, I (Austen) had the pleasure of hosting a student from Akifuchu High School. His name was Shunsuke and my family and I enjoyed having him in our home. We learned so much from Shunsuke about the language and culture of Japan. Shunsuke learned English and the rich culture and history of Hawai‘i. He learned a lot about Pearl Harbor, which moved him to true 82

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sadness. When I was in Hiroshima, what moved and saddened me was the trip to the Peace Memorial. While the Memorial Park was beautiful, the Peace Museum was very sad. I realized then that war is not a good thing - and we all should work to have peace in the world. I learned so much in the 16 days I was there.

My Japanese language skills improved, I learned a lot, and grew by immersing myself with my host family and friends at Akifuchu High School. Experiencing a different culture through exchange gives you more understanding of yourself and those around you.

Leaving home to go to a new place helps you discover the world in a way that books and school assignments can never do. For me (Jeremiah), ENVOY has given me an opportunity to experience Japan first hand. When I was learning Japanese last semester, Sensei Mizumura would explain to us what it would be like to go to school in Japan and be with a host family. No matter how much explanation there is, nothing can compare to being immersed in the language and culture of the country.

As the plane landed in Hiroshima, we were very nervous to meet our host families for the first time. We exchanged emails beforehand, but it was time to actually meet them in person. As soon

as we met them, we felt at ease, because they were so kind and inviting. We got to know them very well. Our host families took good care of us. Our host moms cooked and prepared delicious meals; lunches were done in a bento box, pleasing to the eye and very delicious.

They made sure we had everything we needed. Akifuchu High School students and teachers were very nice and friendly too. We never expected to make a lot of friends in school. They made us part of their group, which made us feel very special. During our stay at Akifuchu, we did a power point presentation about ourselves, Hawai‘i and Maryknoll School.

The Akifuchu students and faculty enjoyed it and seemed eager to learn more about Maryknoll School and Hawai‘i.

We didn’t want to leave Akifuchu and our host families, and wish we could have stayed in Japan forever.

This opportunity would not have been possible without the support and generosity of Maryknoll School Alumnus, Douglas K.T. Ho (Class of 1960).

We are grateful we gained such an invaluable experience. If we could, we would participate in this program again and again. For any student thinking about applying for ENVOY -- jump at the chance, because it will open your eyes to another world besides your own.

ALUMNI NEWS

Stay in Touch!

In our 90th year, we hope that you will take a few minutes to reflect on your time at Maryknoll School and reconnect with your former classmates and friends. As our careers progress and our families grow, it can be difficult to keep in touch with everyone. Class Notes are a great opportunity to keep the Maryknoll School community up-to-date on important events in your life. If you’d like to submit a Class Note for the next issue of The Knoller, visit maryknollschool.org/classnotes.

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C L A SS NOTES

1

2

3

4

5

6

Photo 1: 1955 Antonella Chock Bennett’s birthday luau. Antonella Chock ’55 Bennett; Germaine Chock ’53 Mendoza; Rodney Chock ’51; and Audrey Chock ’49 Swiderek. Photo 2: 1963 Reggie Pang ’63 and Douglas Ferreira ’63 working towards perfection while stirring and testing the consistency of the haupia at the alumni luau. Photo 3: 1957 Class of ’57 celebrated their 60th Graduation Reunion Celebration on July 21, 2017. Photo 4: 1961 Cynthia Beck Luebbers, Carol Ann Bryan Sousa, Betty Murakami Mastropaolo, Don Mastropaolo, Rose Hering Edmiston, Orv Edmiston, Herb Sousa, Matt Luebbers. Photo 5 and 6: 1953, 1954, and 1955 Classmates and family from the Class of ’53, ’54 and ’55 went on an Alaska Cruise on the Oceanic ship Regatta between June 10 to June 20, 2017. First photo first row: Lynn Chun, Loretta Ching, Shirley Salomon ’55, Joyce Morikawa Arakaki ’55, Judy Wong ’55, Philip Kwock. Second row: James Chun ’55, Douglas Ching ’54, Nicole Campbell, Elizabeth Ah Hee Daoang ’55, Kenneth Kwock ’55 and Carl Arakaki. Second photo first row: Tracie Ejima-Zane, Mary Lou Gillis Botelho ’53, Tiffany Ejima-Zane, Joe Bennett, Carl Arakaki, Timi Jo Leopoldo, Lisa Kaanapu, Barbara dosRemedious Yamada ’53, Philip Kwock. Second row: James Chun ’55, Florita dosRemedious Zane ’55, Joan Arakaki, Antonella Chock ’55 Bennett, Judy Wong ’55, Elizabeth Ah Hee Daoang ’55. Third row: Lynn Chun, Joyce Morikawa Arakaki ’55, Kenneth Kwock ’55, Nicole Campbell, Shirley Salomon ’55, Jean Uyeda Leong ’53 84

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C L A SS NOTES

1940’s

Betty Lou Solomon ’48 Webster is an “Official” Guinness World Record holder for the largest collection of decorative sunglasses (1,506). Her goal is to break her record by obtaining 3,000 glasses by her 90th birthday in two years. On Feb. 4, 2017, Betty was recognized as a “Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Honoree.” Betty dances with Kumu Hula Buzzy Histo and Kalikokalehua Hula Studios in Waimea. She’s a proud grandmother of five and great grandmother of four. She volunteers at North Hawaii Hospice in Waimea.

Since the passing of his beloved wife, Joan, Henry Oyama ’49 spends his time visiting his son in Simi Valley and his daughter in San Diego. She is on the faculty at the medical school at UCSD and he is overwhelmed to see and hear the changes in medicine since his days of practice. Henry says his vision may be dimmer and his hearing distant, but his memory remains good and is filled with a wonderful collection of fond memories.

1950’s

Class of 1953: The planning committee of ’53 includes Jean Uyeda Leong, Betty Doi Gomes, Vernon Young, Carmen Silva Kiyabu and Frank Kiyabu, Barbara Remedios Yamada and Mary Lou Gilleres Botelho. Hot on the topics discussed were the Christmas party, the 65th Class reunion next year and attendance at this year’s Alumni Memorial Mass.

Returning just recently were Jean Leong, Barbara Yamada and Mary Lou Botelho joining the class of ’55 on their 10-day, 80th birthday Oceanic Regatta Alaskan cruise. A 60th wedding anniversary was celebrated by Frances Hirano and Roman Cruz at St. Augustine church and the Elks Club. Herbert Botelho ’51 and Mary Lou Gilleres Botelho ’53 also celebrated their 60th anniversary. Georgiana Denis Smith reports Jay is doing well and looks forward to seeing everyone at our 65th anniversary. A group of classmates (Emily Baptiste, Charlotte Simmons, Jean and Gordon Leong, Juliette Chock, Mary Lou Botelho and Vernon Young) attended the Dr. Raymond Wong ’53 Celebration of Life remembrance on May 27th at Ala Moana. Special moments were shared with friends and family.

Your special prayers and thoughts are appreciated for Juliette Shea Chock’s surgery, Jay Smith’s continued recovery and Charlotte Soares Simmons ongoing treatment. God Bless - each day is a treasure.

Antonella Chock ’55 Bennett has lived in Pasadena since she graduated from Holy Names College in 1959 and started her medical technology internship at Huntington Hospital. She is retired and volunteers at the donor center, gift shop and sometimes clinical laboratory. She also golfs, bowls in a Hawaiian club league, participates in a Gregorian chant group and helps with flowers at her church. She has three sons and a daughter.

have two grandchildren attending Maryknoll. Reggie Pang and wife, Doris, have two grandsons, Shiloh and Jensen, both entering the 5th grade this year.

Yvonne Morris and her husband, Jim, have four grandchildren attending Maryknoll. Their oldest grandchild, James III, graduated in 2017.

Mihana Aluli ’67 Souza welcomed her classmates at their dinner with a Hawaiian chant, followed by serenading each table. She can be found on Thursday’s at Duc’s Bistro in Chinatown. She, like Haunani Apoliona, is a Na Hoku Award winner.

When Bette Midler picked up her Tony Award for her performance in Hello Dolly, now on Broadway, she took a moment to thank two of her Radford High School teachers – Myrna Ishimoto and Betty Blake ’55 Rice – for inspiring her to pursue her youthful aspirations and dreams.

Haunani Apoliona ’67 performs weekly with Olomana at the Tropics at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Mike Arita ’67 lives in Oklahoma and regrets not being able to attend his class’ 50th reunion.

June Chun ’55 Naughton is retired from the University of Hawaii-Manoa after serving many years as Director of International Students. June traveled the world to promote the University of Hawaii to international students. She enjoys retirement with her husband Gerald in Makiki and travels to Seattle to babysit her three grandchildren.

Hiram Au ’67 is retired from the FBI and missed the reunion because of a family reunion in Nova Scotia.

Velma Azevedo ’67 Chong is on Oahu.

Coincidentally, her husband was a classmate of Winston Wong at Honolulu Community College.

Gordon Tom ’57 reports that the Class of 1957 celebrated their 60th reunion with three days of food and socializing.

Ruth Baldwin ’67 Hussung has settled in Tennessee.

From Nastia “Maxine” Vickery ’58: “Aloha Class of 1958. Next year will be our 60th class reunion. We are planning our reunion to coincide with the Maryknoll Alumni week from July 15 thru July 21, 2018. On July 22, 2018, we will plan a brunch. At this time I am still in the planning stages, but do hold these dates. Those of you who may travel to Hawaii make your reservation ASAP. At the end of September 2018, we will have our reunion in Las Vegas as part of our annual Maryknoll Las Vegas reunion.

Please try to join us. Life is so precious and so are our alumni. God has blessed us as there are so many who were called home and cannot make it. We lost three classmates last year. Please try to be there.

I am looking for someone to host a July 20, 2018 get-together. We will provide the food & wine/beer/water. Cost on these events are pending.”

Mike Belles ’67 is a lawyer on Kauai and is an expert on EIS issues. His wife, Ellen Ching, also contributes as a community activist through non-profits. He graduated from Gonzaga University and its law school in Spokane, WA. Eileen Boken ’67 made it to the reunion from San Francisco, where she is active in her community, especially in environmental issues. She graduated with a BFA degree from San Francisco State College, and has had a long career in IT. Tom Brennon ’67 aka “Scoopy” has been teaching high school social studies on Hawaii Island for more than 20 years.

He plans to retire and work part-time as a driving instructor.

Mike Bufford ’67 is retired in San Jose, and still lives in the same neighborhood after 42 years.

1960’s

Connie Cabral ’67 is still with the DCCA working with the Board of Medical Examiners. She plans to retire sometime soon, so she can enjoy her grandchildren.

Class of 1963: Andy Yee co-chaired the 26th Annual Fore Maryknoll Tournament held at Leileihua Golf Course. Newlyweds Mary Anne LaFazia and Robert Lung spend their time jet setting between Seattle, Hawaii and Las Vegas. Robert Char and wife, Nancy,

Kathy Ching ’67 Chang has retired from Kapiolani Community College, where she taught English after graduating from Holy

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C L A SS NOTES Names in California. She remembers fondly her year abroad where she studied in Switzerland. She and her husband, Bill, have a son who is an architect like his dad.

Wayne Chinen ’67 lives in Washington after retiring from United Airlines.

Paula Chow ’67 lives in Virginia.

Dennis Chu ’67 is a lawyer at the Senate Majority office at the State Capitol.

He graduated from Gonzaga University and obtained his law degree from the University of San Francisco. He and his wife have three daughters, including a set of twins.

Bobbie Chun ’67 Chong has retired, but continues to work part-time at a family business. She generously donated the ilima yarn leis at the recent Alumni luau, and was Willa’s helper in decorating 1967 class tables. (Challenge to class of 1968 to top that next year!)

Kau‘i Chun ’67 and his wife, Sonia, live in Hawaii Kai. They have three children Laniakea, 13 and our girl and boy twins Moana and Gael soon to be 11.

They travel regularly to Madrid and Paris to be with Sonia’s Spanish and French family. After a long career as a specialist designing and engineering commercial food-service facilities for hospitals, hotels, prisons and schools in Portland, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, Kau‘i returned home to Hawaii. Soon after, he decided to stop working and returned to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to finish his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. A Master of Fine Arts followed. This was followed by a brief career in education research and teaching - then he went back to what he knew he did best - making art.

Carolyn Dang ’67 Hong is busy managing their family properties and caring for her mom, who is over 90 years old. She golfs well, and enjoys her family.

Janet Dougherty ’67 Grady graduated in ‘71 from Chaminade University. She retired in 2008 after 38 years with JC Penney. As a senior buyer, she not only traveled all over the United States, but also overseas. Her spiritual journey has taken her all over the world including India, the Great Pyramid at Giza, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Stonehenge, Ayer’s Rock in Australia, and the ruins of Palenque, Chichen Itza, Tulum, Teotihuacan and Tula in Mexico. Walt and Janet have been together for 20 years and live in Dallas with their two cats. Janet’s son, Doug, just moved to Kent, WA and Walt’s 86

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two daughters, hubbies and three grandkids live in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Always a fun trip to visit them for Grand Wally and Grannie Jannie!

Brenda Dumaran ‘67 Anderson missed the Alumni Week events by one week.

She and her husband went to Hilo for a visit with family, after winding down their business in Missouri.

Jennifer Ebisu-Nakata ’67 resides on Oahu.

Vivien Eu ’67 lives in California, where she has four boys and one girl.

Tom Ewald ’67 wanted to come to the reunion from Texas, but the creek flooded. He has kept in contact with Martin Lopez.

Larry Farnell ’67 has settled in Arizona, close to his grandchildren. He had an extensive military career with the USAF, followed by stints as a civilian employee.

Cyndy Fellez ’67 landed in Oregon, where she retired as a social worker.

Daryl Fong ’67 had a career in the USAF, and continued as a civilian employee.

Marty Garrahan ’67 retired from the Honolulu Board of Realtors after a long career. The joy of his life is his new bride, Hoku, who was at the reunion.

Willa Gaud ’67 Papandrew is the outreach coordinator at St. Pius X Church where she ministers to the homeless. She was responsible for the wonderfully decorated tables for the Class of 1967 at the Alumni luau. She has five grandchildren and travels between here and the mainland to nurture them.

Bob Gertz ’67 and his wife, Missy, celebrated 36 years of marriage this year.

They live in North Branch, MN and have three sons and one grandson, born this summer. After college in California, he was in the jewelry and gift business in Hawaii for almost 20 years, then worked in printing and fulfillment services in Minnesota for 20 years. Now he is having fun with a new hobby -- learning to turn custom pens.

Len Gollob ’67 continues with his food wholesale business. He is newly married to Daisy Witherwax-Gollob, who is a distant relative of our late classmate, Hazlett Weatherwax. (Someone at Ellis Island spelled the names differently.)

Jim Gore ’67 retired from Safeway after a long career. He graduated from UC-San Diego. His wife, Yvonne, is from San Diego. He continues to work part-time at Starbucks.

Steve Gorman ’67 retired from the federal government in 2012 as an educational statistician. Via the Internet, he reconnected with his college sweetheart, Anne, after 40 years. He moved to the Houston area and volunteers at the local community college at a program for those aged 50+ satisfying their educational, social, spiritual, and health needs with free classes. Within a year, he was a half-time employee managing 150 classes and more than 100 volunteers.

He has three children from his first marriage and two additional stepchildren from his second. He has two identical grandsons (13 months old) living in Dallas, and a granddaughter on the way in Dallas. His step-daughter lives nearby, and his two sons are in Virginia. He is looking forward to totally retiring in two years and spending more time traveling and visiting his grandchildren.

He says that although he went to five high schools he enjoyed Maryknoll the most.

Russell Ing ’67 graduated from the University of Oregon and taught physical education and health for 30 years and worked in the financial services field for another 15 years. He is now, for the most part, retired and living in Eugene, OR. His retirement activities include big game archery hunting, salmon fishing, and playing golf.

Jane Kaufmann ’67 lives in South Carolina and is officially retired from the federal government at Fort Jackson. She watches her 2-year-old grandson four days a week.

She visits her sister, Janet, in Charleston, SC about once a month.

Janet Kaufmann ’67 retired from the federal government six years ago after 37 years and moved to Charleston, South Carolina to be closer to her daughter and family. They have two children, Harvey, 8, and Clara, 7. She rides her bike for exercise and enjoys going to the beach.

Her son and family live in Alexandria, VA and they have three children, Jacob is 16, Dominic is 10 and Lena is 6.

Darlene Kojo ’67 Benton graduated from the University of Hawaii with a teaching degree and then worked in the airline industry and lived in LA for a short period.

She returned to Honolulu and ran a small restaurant for a few years, then retired

C L A SS NOTES from Hawaiian Telephone (sales) after 27 years of employment. She works full time for an exciting project, The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation a.k.a. the rail project. Her two sons, daughterin-law and grandchildren (Kahua, age 6 & Emalia, age 4) keep her out of trouble!

She loves to dance to the disco bands (they have found their way from the cobwebs of the ‘70’s) and travel. She is going on her first river boat cruise on the Danube in December.

Mary Ann Kozuki ’67 Marrotte has earned the distinction of being the first great-grandparent in the class. She has worked for many years at Longs Drugs in Kaneohe.

Steve Kula ’67 recently became a deacon.

He heads Legacy of Life, where he deals with transplant donors and recipients.

He graciously opened the class dinner with a prayer of thanks.

Clarence Kwock ’67 retired 15 years ago as chief financial officer of his school district. He graduated from Seattle University in accounting where he met his wife, Jackie, who is a Kalani High School graduate.

Colin Lau ’67 works for his uncle, James Wong. He and his wife, Diane Freitas Lau, are active with their church and raising their teenage granddaughter, Serenity.

Dennis Lau ’67 is tax manager for Ikeda & Wong, CPA in the area of trust, estate and gift tax. After obtaining his BFA degree at the University of HawaiiManoa, he earned his BBA degree in accounting. He and his wife, Reinette, have a daughter, Sheila and son, Kevin.

Paula Liu-Smith ’67 went to college in Denver and graduated with a degree in theology. She is retired after serving as a director of religious education for a parish in San Jose, CA. She returned to Hawaii in 2005 and her condo overlooks Maryknoll. She has a son who accompanied her on some of her most memorable adventures… earthquake in Nepal, hiking Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan, and trekking in New Zealand. He’s married now so trips are tamer. To celebrate her 60th birthday, she walked 100 miles on the Camino De Santiago across northern Spain. In 2016 her 65+ tennis team won nationals in their division in Arizona.

Doretta Loo ’67 Masui retired a year ago from Roosevelt High School, where she was a math teacher.

She is looking forward to a family trip to China later this year.

Martin Lopez ’67 and his wife, Deborah, live in Redondo Beach, CA. He served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and over 30 years helping the Department of Defense develop, integrate, test, deploy, and now modernize the Navstar Global Positioning System for military and civilian users worldwide. He now sails the seven seas with his first mate, while using the book “Fifty Places to Sail Before You Die” as his guide.

Mike Montero ’67 works for Weeks Marine and travels all over the place.

He’s into building metal bridges and infrastructure.

Mike Lorenz ’67 has settled in California and recently retired as a CPA, but maintains an office at home.

Chuck Myers ’67 lives in Texas where he is now the primary caregiver for his mother.

He gave up his home in Colorado.

He studied many subjects, but realized that he didn’t like the career paths they offered. He was happiest building and renovating homes.

Sharon Mosley ’67 Dohms is married to a tax attorney and lives in Idaho.

Pat Muneno ’67, the class’ Jubilarian Award winner, is a realtor and property manager. She has helped many alumni find the right home.

William Marshall ’67 graduated from Texas A&M and was a soldier for 30 years with more than 10 years overseas.

He has two daughters, a first grandchild on the way and a loving wife who steadfastly endured the dangers of his profession. Upon retirement from the service, he has been a consultant in the National Capital Region (DC, VA & MD) and lives in Woodbridge, Va. He expects to retire soon. Since high school, he’s gotten three academic degrees, led large organizations, and worked at high levels of government, but the Maryknoll values of “Noblese Oblige” remain his enduring benchmark for what he expects of himself and how he treats others.

Maurice Nakahara ’67 has retired on Kauai after a career as a public school teacher.

Linda Jo Niemitz ’67 Langley retired from GEICO as the Hawaii sales and customer service marketing manager after 31 years in 2013. She and her husband, Larry, moved to Beaverton, OR to be close to their daughter, Jessica, and her husband, Thad, and their only grandchild - 8 year old Jackson. She and Larry enjoy traveling, attending Oregon State University football games and Linda enjoys gardening while Larry golfs.

Kate Masica ’67 Maley has been in Colorado since 1975 when her husband, Patrick, got out of the Navy. They have two sons and a daughter-in-law. They live in a large old 1908 house in East Denver, which requires maintenance and attention on a regular basis. She has been a practicing clinical psychologist since 1985. She is moving towards thinking retirement is in her future. She plans to spend more time traveling, painting, gardening, walking, going to yoga class, and volunteering.

Ed O’Shaughnessy ’67 retired from two careers; 27 years with the Army, retiring as a colonel, then 11 years with the University of Washington medical school, retiring as a department director.

Ed and his wife, Vivian, met at 19 at a dance at Gonzaga University. They are soon to celebrate 47 years of marriage and have two married daughters and four grandchildren.

Arline Paine ’67 Willis graduated from the University of Nevada-Reno in pre-school education. She met her husband there and have two sons.

She worked at her husband’s CPA firm in Pasadena, CA. They moved to Tucson, AZ in 2015 and she still keeps the company books but very little other work, more play time! She spends lots of time with one of her granddaughters, Mia, who is 13. She also loves to go to the gym and do aqua aerobics, walk four miles daily and volunteer in the library.

Kathy Masunaga ’67 is retired, but continues to do volunteer work. After graduating from Gonzaga University she worked in human resources for various companies. She was president of the Hawai‘i Restaurant Association until her family moved to Vicenza, Italy, where her husband was activated for NATO duty. They were ex-pats for a couple of years in Yokosuka, Japan, where they bumped into Rodney Shimizu ‘67, who was also working for the U.S. Navy.

Bruce McIntyre ’67 retired from the federal government.

Pamela Puyear ’67 Wilson works in property management.

Ken Mendes ’67 has retired from the cable company, and lives on Oahu.

Kerry Rogan ’67 Kuhlow lives in Waukee, Iowa. She graduated from college with a social work degree and did graduate

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C L A SS NOTES work in early childhood education.

She is a certified Montessori Directress.

Mostly, she was a stay-at-home mom of four - a daughter and three sons.

She returned to the work force 8 ½ years ago, when her husband of 35 years passed away. Now retired, she travels.

Her daughter lives in Park City, Utah, with her boys - Kenny, 12 and Andrew, 10. One of her sons lives in Salt Lake City. Her other two sons live in the Des Moines area as does her newest grandson, 5 month old William.

Irene Sencer ’67 Shallcross is in Colorado where she writes insurance plans for clients. She had a mini-reunion with her family who traveled to Hawaii to be with her.

Rodney Shimizu ’67 works for the U.S. Navy as a civilian. He can’t wait until his son finishes dental school. His best stint was his posting at Yokosuka Naval Base.

Steve Smith ’67 has an auto repair shop in Kalihi where he specializes in the Volkswagen model, VGN. Janine Spitzer ’67 Orr retired as a teacher in California. She has moved to Arizona where she is now the full-time nanny for her latest grandchild.

Gretchen Stahl-MacLeod ’67 tried her hand at teaching and then retrained for a seagoing career. Marriage to Jim and a baby anchored her ashore, though her maritime employment continued through various iterations until retiring in 2013 from Bath Iron Works. Their daughter, Hannah, is pursuing her doctorate at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Twenty-five years ago they settled near a confluence of rivers in mid-coast Maine on 13 acres.

The challenge of transforming them into a botanical garden remains ongoing.

When winter impedes boating and digging and she’s had her fill of snow, they set out to discover warmer territory.

Bryan Tallo ’67 lives in Oregon.

Rachel Tang ’67 dropped in at the Bowla-Rama and Alumni Luau. She works at Hawaiian Airlines, and keeps busy.

Lionel Tejada ’67 continues to investigate after his career with HPD. Eric ’67 and Gail ’67 Tiwanak are retired and graduated from Chaminade and University of San Francisco, respectively.

Eric was an HPD officer and in the Army Reserve. Gail was a nurse at Queen’s as well as the executive director at the University of Hawaii helping to expand the number of nurses in the state.

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Phil Tokunaga ’67 had a career in aviation with Aloha Airlines and a cargo service.

The Rules of Film Noir, and Turner Classic Movies’ Public Enemies Warner Bros. Gangster Collection.

Wayne Tome ’67 is retired after a career in accounting.

Valerie Chun ’80 is region 2 director for the Florida School Nutrition Association.

Nannette Tong ’67 works at the city’s Department of Wastewater Management in Kapolei.

Isabella Grohmann ’80 Wooldridge lives in Tampa, FL. She retired from the USAF and now works as a Navy civilian. Isabella and husband John celebrated their 25th anniversary last year. They have two daughters, one a recent graduate of the University of Florida and the other a sophomore Gator.

She occasionally meets up with classmate Val Chun who lives in Tallahassee, FL. Her sisters Gabi (freshman year) and Dolores (‘78) remember Maryknoll fondly.

Geraldine Wong ’67 Petretta lives in British Columbia after retiring as a special education teacher.

Roberta Wong ’67 Brink is now in Virginia and works at the Pentagon.

Winston Wong ’67 retired to care for his late mother. He attended Honolulu Community College.

Sandy Yamamoto ’67 Ho is retired, and has one grandson. She lives in Honolulu.

Chris Yango ’67 provides computer consulting services. He and wife, Susan, welcomed their first grandchild this year from their only son.

Myron Yango ’67 retired from the United Nations. He is an avid photographer.

His next project is to divide his time between NYC and his condo in Manila.

Carol Ann Yim ’67 Suppicich has retired in Washington where she lives with her husband.

Mary Ann Yim ’67 Underwood lives in Oregon, where she retired after a career in IT.

1970’s

Theresa Young ’72 Wee has been a pediatrician in Central Oahu since 1984.

She has hired another pediatrician, as well as an internal medicine physician, to see adults at “Wee Wellness Center” in Waipio. She invites everyone in the area to get healthier by joining her on Saturdays from 8 to 9 a.m. for “Walk with A Doc – Oahu.” They meet at the Central Oahu Regional Park near the tennis courts.

She starts with a health tip for the week, a warmup and then everyone walks at their own pace for 50 minutes. They end with a cool down and fruit and refreshments.

This program gives that little “nudge” to get started toward better health.

1980’s

Sheri Chinen ’80 Biesen Ph.D. was promoted to professor of film history at Rowan University and published two books: “Blackout: World War II and the Origins of Film Noir” and “Music in the Shadows: Noir Musical Films.”

She contributed to the BBC documentary,

Linda Omura ’80 Conway lives in Beavercreek, Ohio. She is married and has two teenage sons and works at an outpatient physical therapy clinic.

Mari-Jo Silva ’80 Correa lives in Mililani and is married with three sons, ages 26, 24 and 19. She works for the Honolulu Board of Realtors.

Micheline Soong ’83 has been a Hawaii Pacific University associate professor in the Department of English and Applied Linguistics since 2000. She teaches local literatures of Hawaii and the Pacific, East Asian literature, 20th century American women writers of color, world literature, and composition--research writing for college freshmen.

Lisa Wong-Yamamoto ’84 became a grandmother on July 23, 2017 to Leon Lee Novajosky.

Chris Mattos ’85 Loomis is Maryknoll Grade School Principal.

James Morris ’85 and Doreen Leong ’84 Morris celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on Aug 1, 2017. The high school sweethearts have spent half their lives together as husband and wife.

Moon Yun Pellerin ’85 moved back home to Honolulu on May 1, 2007 to take care of her parents. She moved from Los Angeles where she was pursuing a screenwriter career. Previously, she was living in Brittany, France for five years with her husband, Frederick Pellerin, who is French. She is currently looking for a job in writing, communications or sales.

Please email her at moonyunpellerin@ yahoo.com if you have any leads.

Debbie Sullivan ’86 completed her doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2015 and after 26 years serving in

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Photo 7: 1967 Martin ’67 and Deborah Lopez Photo 8: 1972 Dr. Theresa Young ’72 Wee and Dr. Craig Kadooka at “Walk With A Doc - Oahu.” Photo 9 and 10: 1975 June Mattos ’75 Gorgonio’s daughter, Dr. Denise Nelson-Hurwitz, ‘03, won the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in May 2017. Her daughter, Erika Nelson Orimoto ‘05 married Adam Orimoto on December 17, 2016 at the Waikiki Aquarium.

Photo 11 and 12: 1981 Class of 1981 Alumni Week 2017. Photo 13: 1981 Heidi Abundo-Deininger ’81 and Ann Mary Siu-Kinder ’81.

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C L A SS NOTES multiple capacities in the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools (teacher, principal, regional director), is the assistant director for Catholic School Leadership in the Andrew M. Greeley Center for Catholic Education at Loyola University Chicago.

Tina Reindollar ’87 Padin’s twin sons, Nolan and Nicholas, are attending Yale University in the fall.

Michelle Ratcliffe ’88 Hayase graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelor of Science degree and earned a Master’s in teaching at Washington State University. She is now in her 20th year as a math teacher and has taught all levels of math from LAP math (learning assisted program) to honors algebra.

She has also been a math team coach and was awarded the Teacher of the Year award. She celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary this summer. One daughter just graduated high school and the other is in high school.

1990’s

Christina Low ’92 Dwight married Kepa Dwight with two stepchildren, Kea (15) and Kiani (16) in 2011. She is the owner and broker in charge of Commercial Investment Strategies, specializing in apartment building sales in Hawaii and has been practicing real estate since 2001.

Corey Fong ’93 lives in Simsbury, CT with his wife, Kate, and two children C.J. (5 years old) and Keeley (1 year old).

Corey and Kate are both practicing attorneys and operate their law firm, Fong and Associates, LLC. They try to visit Hawaii at least once a year to visit family and friends.

Wesley Lum ’95 and his wife welcomed the latest addition to their family in 2016, Aeson. They also bid farewell to their four-legged member of the family and oldest sibling, TJ. June Chung ’96 Wehner has been married to Eric Wehner since 2005. They have two children, daughter Chloe and son Keegan, and live in Kaimuki. June is a senior medical device representative for Medtronic and has won numerous sales awards including President’s Club and Eric Wehner owns Eric Wehner Photography.

Stephanie Lape ’97 graduated from St. Mary’s Family Medicine Residency in Grand Junction, Colorado in June 2017 and is a Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellow at the University of New Mexico.

Previously, she taught high school science.

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Steve Mau ’97 was one of 20 selected to participate in the 2017 Ironman World Championship in Kona. Since moving back from San Diego in 2010, training for triathlons have become Steve’s #1 hobby, and competing in the Ironman World Championship has been at the top of his bucket list. In October, his wife, Sabrina, daughters, Cami and Sophia, and other friends and family will travel to Kona to cheer him on and meet him at the finish line!

Andy Arakaki ’98 and his wife, Nina, welcomed a daughter, Nova-Anne, on February 8, 2016. Their oldest daughter, Sarai, is in pre-school at Children’s House. Andy’s company, Mix Plate Media, won two Pele awards at the American Advertising Federation Award Ceremony in April 2017.

Kristina Chang ’98 Lee is a business development manager for Starbucks Coffee Company. She and her husband, Mathew, love spending time with their two boys, Greysen and Christian.

Glenn Dela Cruz ’98 graduated from USC in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, received an MBA degree from Pepperdine in 2011 and married his wife, Sato, in 2015. He is marketing manager for Jack in the Box and Jamba Juice.

Adam and Amanda Ezra ’98 Stewart welcomed Weston David Stewart, born February 22, 2017. Weston joins his big sisters Lily (5) and Maggie (3) to complete the happy family.

Kevin Kaneko ’98 is employed at Straub Medical Center. Kevin has completed two marathons and is scheduled to finish his third in 2017.

Cynthia Nyross ’98 graduated with a BA degree in Political Science and MA degree Public Administration and has been working at the Legislature since December 2006. She is also a pre-K/ elementary tutor.

Erin Darcey ’99 Worrell and her husband welcomed Coen Kahuali’imaikalani Darcey Worrell, born June 5, 2017.

Nicole Dizon Thommes ’99 Alwin and Shaymus Alwin were married Oct. 15, 2016, at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Shaymus is a chef at Azure. Nicole is a graphic designer at the Star Advertiser and also does freelance graphic design and illustration.

2000’s

Kainani Collins ’00 Alvarez is married to Alejandro Alvarez and is a litigation associate at Revere and Associates. She is second vice president of the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association and provides pro bono services in Access to Justice programs in the community. Kainani is excited to expand the Maryknoll Alumni Legal Network and is looking forward to connecting with her fellow Spartan alumni attorneys!

Dr. Denise Nelson-Hurwitz ’03, an assistant professor in Public Health Studies, won the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in May 2017. She is an assistant professor in Public Health Studies. Dr. NelsonHurwitz is credited with the development of the newly instituted undergraduate public health program in 2014 and the capstone series in which students present quality projects on community-based service learning and research.

Pamela “Lala” Jackson ’04 published her first book, Beyond Powerful, this fall. The book is about the superpowers gained from living with chronic illness (she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 10).

Alyssa Oshiro ’04 Nishimura earned her Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation in April 2016, and married Alan Nishimura on July 22, 2017. 2003 and 2004 Maryknoll graduates in attendance were: Justin Fujimoto, Carolyn Kor, Linda Chang, Matthew Wong, Gabriel Nojadera, Ronald Torres, Jennifer Abe (bridesmaid), and Jessica Ho McMahel (bridesmaid).

Erika Nelson ’05 Orimoto and Adam Orimoto were married Dec. 17, 2016, at Waikiki Aquarium. (Dr. Denise NelsonHurwitz ’03, Kim Okaneku ’05 and Melanie Yoneda Fujii ’05 were in the bridal party) Erika is a substitute teacher and after school leader at Punahou School. Adam is a criminalist in HPD’s crime lab. They met as students at Chaminade University.

Tyler Terai ’09 is starting his fourth year at the University Laboratory School as the assistant athletic director. He was recently certified as a Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).

Tyler will be earning his Master’s in Athletic Administration this year.

C L A SS NOTES

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Photo 14: 1983 Micheline Soong ’83. Photo 15: 1984 Celebrating our belated “Hawaii 5-0” birthday at the Waikele Country Club. Photo 16: 1984 Lisa Wong-Yamamoto ’84 and her grandchild Leon Lee Novajosky. Photo 17: 1985 and 1984 James Morris ’85 and Doreen Leong ’84 Morris. Photo 18: 1985 James Morris ’85, Chris Loomis ’85, and Nate Chang. Photo 19: 1986 Raelene Magno Caberto, Justine Young Carrico, Jovonne Chamizo Lee, Geralyn Smurf Camarillo, Clarissa Antoinette Bueno. Photo 20: 1986 Back row - Raelene Magno Caberto, Jeni Macalutas Kah, Stacey Toi Wentland, Michele Kono Ped, Clarissa Antoinette Bueno. Front row - Justine Young Carrico, Celise Chung Nakakura, Geralyn Smurf Camarillo, Diane Chang Murakami.

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C L A SS NOTES

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Photo 21: 1991 The class of 1991 had their 25th class reunion from September 28 - October 1, 2016 at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.

Photo 22: 1992 Christina Low Dwight ’92. Photo 23: 1993 Corey Fong ’93 and Kate Fong’s children C.J. and Keeley. Photo 24: 1995 Wesley Lum ’95 and family. Photo 25: 1997 Steve Mau ’97. Photo 26: 1999 Erin Darcey ’99 Worrell welcomed Coen Kahuali‘imaikalani Darcey Worrell on June 5, 2017.

Photo 27: 1998 Adam and Amanda Ezra ’98 Stewart welcomed Weston David born February 22, 2017. Photo 28: 1998 Glenn Dela Cruz ’98.

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Photo 29: 2004 Pamela Jackson ’04 Photo 30: 2004 2003 and 2004 Maryknoll graduates at Alyssa Oshiro ’04 Nishimura’s wedding: Justin Fujimoto, Carolyn Kor, Linda Chang, Matthew Wong, Gabriel Nojadera, Ronald Torres, Jennifer Abe (bridesmaid), and Jessica Ho McMahel (bridesmaid). Photo 31: 2010 Lauren Tseng ’10. Photo 32: 2010 Jennnifer Ventura ’10. Photo 33: 2012 Kaelen Hirashiki ’12.

2010’s

Natasha Arzaga Kaio ’10 completed her Master’s degree in teaching in 2015 and teaches first grade at City View Charter School in Hillsboro, OR. Last year, she purchased her first home in Beaverton.

She misses home and family, but Oregon is her new home now.

Wade Gushikuma ’10 lives in Seattle and works for an indie game company called Hashbang Games. He is making his own rhythm based game called “Upbeat Beatdown,” which is scheduled to be released next summer.

Tyler Teramoto ’10 was with Avalara as customer account manager and received President’s Club recognition. He is now with at Adobe in Fremont, WA. Lauren Tseng ’10 graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal sciences with a companion animal emphasis in 2015. She spent her last year of college focusing on a cattle metabolism research project to better understand animal nutrition and its effect on meat production.

She has three wonderful dogs and after working as a veterinary assistant at a San Jose animal shelter clinic she is now attending veterinary school at Western University of Health Sciences. She hopes to specialize in both small and large animal surgery.

Aloha Spartan Ohana!

We know you’re out there making a positive difference in the world and we’d love to hear from you. Maybe you were recently promoted, landed a new job, retired, took time off to travel, got married, or welcomed a new addition to the family! If it was newsworthy to you, send it to us, so we can share it in the Class Notes section of an upcoming edition of The Knoller!

If you are submitting a photo, please ensure it is a high-resolution digital photo (minimum 1800 x 1200 pixels), and include a short caption identifying the people in the photo.

While every effort will be made to include your submission, we reserve the right to edit, format and select all materials for publication.

Jennifer Ventura ’10 graduated with a Masters of Science degree in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University and completed a two-year commitment with Teach for America, helping to bring educational equity to Title 1 schools in Hawaii. She will be entering her third year as a teacher at James Campbell High School.

Kaelen Hirashiki ’12 is the youngest client advisor at BMW of Honolulu.

Cheyla Brioso ’16 is a General University Scholarship recipient.

Visit us at maryknollschool.org to submit or view more Class Notes.

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T h e D u n away T e a m :

Three Generations of Maryknoll ‘Ohana

by Stephanie Frank

ur Maryknoll family legacy started with our dad, Robert Rea Dunaway,” recollects Reuben Dunaway ’79, who was one of nine Dunaway children to attend Maryknoll School throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s. “Being an only child, when my dad entered Maryknoll in the second grade, he had a fantastic time. He became a part of a new and bigger family that helped, cared, gave, showed and taught that God would always be there. In return, my dad learned to be a hard worker, help others, be honest, have empathy, and always keep God in his heart.”

After graduating in 1949, Robert joined the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Korean War, together with some of his Maryknoll School classmates. Due to frostbite, he left the Marines and returned to his alma mater in 1952 to volunteer as a coach for the grade school boys’ and girls’ volleyball and basketball teams – alongside his own former coach, Al Espinda, and lifetime family friend, Joe Kalaukoa ’50.

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Robert would continue to coach for the next 40 years: Leading the grade school boys’ and girls’ volleyball and basketball teams after Coach Espinda and Coach Kalaukoa left, continuing to volunteer his time until after all his nine children were born – sometime around 1966 – when he would finally be compensated as a coach, and inspiring hundreds of Maryknoll School children. During these forty years, he simultaneously worked as a Honolulu Police Officer and later Sergeant, raised his nine children with his wife, Caroljean, and gave back in various ways to the Maryknoll School community – including serving as a lifeguard chaperone on class excursions to the beach, organizing the first Maryknoll carnival at the grade school, and volunteering as a police officer at events.

Robert’s oldest daughter, Reajean, says, “Dad was so dedicated that while working as a Honolulu Police Officer, he would be at practice in his uniform and have one of his children sit in his car and listen for his call number. Then, when he was later given a portable radio, he would carry it in one hand while coaching.”

C L A SS NOTES In 2010, with the opening of the Maryknoll Community Center, Robert was inducted as one of the first members into the Athletic Hall of Fame. His plaque reads, He instilled in countless generations of Maryknoll student athletes the love of sports. He inspired us to compete and do our best.

The same mentality he instilled in his Maryknoll School athletes, Robert instilled in his own children. Reuben says, “This is how we were raised: To always help and give what you can, in any way, to others. It’s like being on a team where we know none of us can do it alone.

It takes all of us working together to make things come together. There is no ‘I’ in team.”

All nine of Robert’s children would go on to attend Maryknoll School from kindergarten: Reajean (Porter) ’74, Roxanne (Nobriga) ’76, Robert “Bobby” ’76, Rachel (Rodrigues) ’77, Reuben ’79, Rannette (Block) ’79, Roslynn’81, Rowenna (Akau) ’82, and the youngest, Ray, who attended from 1972 to 1980 until his passing at the age of thirteen.

How was tuition for nine children fiscally feasible? “In the beginning, Dad was given financial aid in return for coaching. Then, Maryknoll started paying him as a coach, and I think he was paying some tuition for us in grade school,” explains Reuben. “In high school, we didn’t pay anything. We had a benefactor who was to remain anonymous.”

“Of course, we worked at Maryknoll because Dad wanted us to show our appreciation,” says Reuben. “In grade school, we cleaned the convent yard, and in high school, Rachel and Roxanne arrived at the office at 7:00 a.m. to answer phones until the secretary arrived.

Reajean worked in the grade school office whenever she didn’t have class or during her lunch break. Each summer, we spent time on campus cleaning the classrooms and getting things ready for the school year. We didn’t ask why. Dad said we were heading to the school to work, and that’s what we did.”

The Dunaway children continued their dad’s athletic legacy, participating in volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, football, wrestling, and cheerleading.

“As a coach, our dad never gave us favors just because we were his kids,” remembers Roxanne. “I know he cut me and Rachel from the volleyball and basketball team in the 6th grade.

The night before school, he would post the list of who made the team in the office, and if we didn’t make the team, he would come up to us to apologize

grandchildren, and I would be the only one to graduate from Maryknoll. I know that Papa was smiling down from Heaven when I walked across that stage.”

Matthew, who was a pitcher on the baseball team, won two Division II State Championships and made the 2017 Division I ILH All-Star Team. Next year, he will study business marketing and continue his baseball career at St. Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington, along with Maryknoll School teammate and catcher, Chayson Dulatre ’17.

Reflecting on his Maryknoll School experience, Matthew says, “I think Maryknoll was the perfect fit for me.

I liked that it was small. I know that some

and explain why. He always felt bad, but it never bothered us. That was our dad, and his rationale was just accepted.”

Many of the children excelled in sports. Robert “Bobby” served as captain of the basketball and football teams.

Reuben was awarded Athlete of the Year for playing three different sports in his freshman year. In his senior year, Reuben captained the football team. Roslynn was a member of the ’78 state championship girls’ basketball team. Rowenna served as the Maryknoll School mascot when she was in kindergarten and first grade.

And, young Ray “was Dad’s little helper at every practice and game but was never able to participate due to his health.”

“

As my siblings and I got older with our own kids, the one thing our dad would always say was how sorry he was that he never spent time with us, his kids – that we had to share him with his Maryknoll family. But none of us ever felt that way.

Because Maryknoll became our family, and we would never trade that for anything.”

Amongst the nine children, they were involved in scouts, Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Pep Club, Glee Club, the Knoller, and student leadership. Reajean was awarded the Mother Mary Joseph Award at her 1974 graduation. In 1976, Roxanne was the Aloha Week Queen, alongside her brother Robert “Bobby,” who was crowned Aloha Week King. The same year, Rachel was crowned Aloha Week Princess, an award she had also received the two previous years. And, a couple of years later, Reuben and Rannette served as the May Day King and Queen.

After graduating from Maryknoll School, the Dunaway children manifested Noblesse Oblige throughout the community – from Rachel who became a nurse to Roxanne who is a police dispatcher. Reuben followed in his father’s footsteps; he served our country in the Air Force, ending his career as a Master Sergeant with Civil Engineering and then becoming a Honolulu Police Officer, while simultaneously caring for his family.

Reuben even returned to Maryknoll School in 2014 to serve as the intermediate girls’ and boys’ Catholic School League (CSL) basketball coach.

Now, in 2017, the third generation of the Dunaway family, Matthew, the son of Reuben ’79 and his wife, Lei Fountain, has just graduated. “I came to Maryknoll in the ninth grade,” explains Matthew ’17. “This made my Dunaway family very proud. I am the last of twenty-one

of the friends I made will be life-long friends. The teachers were always there if we needed help. To me, Maryknoll has both staff and administration that truly care about the students.”

The strong relationships formed in the small school with seemingly endless possibilities are an aspect that Matthew’s father, aunts, uncles, and Papa also appreciated from their Maryknoll School days. “We had many great years at Maryknoll,” says Reuben. “We had wonderful teachers and coaches, good friends, and lots of laughs. As my siblings and I got older with our own kids, the one thing our dad would always say was how sorry he was that he never spent time with us, his kids – that we had to share him with his Maryknoll family. But none of us ever felt that way. Because Maryknoll became our family, and we would never trade that for anything. Even to this day, whenever our friends and family get together, we end up having an alma mater challenge.

The Dunaway clan never loses. We sing loud and proud. Once a Spartan, always a Spartan.”

The Knoller

95

We, your sons and daughters, pledge ourselves to your ideals; To the strength that comes from sacrifice, To the courage that conquers self, To the loyalty which defends your honor, To the perseverance which gives victory in life, By daring to imitate Him whom you represent.

96

The Knoller

Editor’s Letter

“As Maryknoll School celebrates its 90th Anniversary, it’s truly inspiring to think that 90 years ago, the school was nothing more than a small wooden building”

Somedays when I come into work, I have to pause and reflect on if this is real or not…am I really working at my alma mater? Being a part of this thriving community over the last two years, I’ve learned so much more about Maryknoll School and the bond I share with thousands of students that came before me, and the thousands that will come after me.

As Maryknoll School celebrates its 90th Anniversary, it’s truly inspiring to think that 90 years ago, the school was nothing more than a small wooden building with a handful of steadfast and resilient Maryknoll Sisters, who were committed to educating as many students as they could. Fast forward to 2017, and the school sits on acres of land, filled with technology, innovation and promise that

were guided by the principles and convictions of those Maryknoll Sisters who opened the school in 1927. I stop and think what they would say to one another if they could see the school now, with championship-winning teams, skillful artists, highly engaged problem solvers, and state-of-the-art facilities and resources.

During this momentous school year, it can be easy to forget why we are truly celebrating. In collaborating and publishing this issue of The Knoller, we wanted to convey the spirit of storytelling – by celebrating the traditions that reflect who we are as a school community and looking into the future with aspirations to innovate and grow in the spirit of Noblesse Oblige. I hope that you enjoy reflecting with fellow classmates, learning about a few alumni who have impacted our local communities, and engaging with a school that has yet to see its highest potential fulfilled.

There is no time like the present to become engaged with the school – whether you’re a parent, student, alumni, proud supporter or just a fan – because together, we’ll watch and see as Maryknoll School continues on its current path of becoming a place where students aspire for personal growth and scholastic achievement, where a nurturing and welcoming community opens its arms to new members, and where becoming a lifelong learner, leader and global citizen of character is required at all times.

Thank you for being a part of the Maryknoll School community and celebrating our 90th Anniversary with us.

We’re grateful for your support and love for Maryknoll School and this amazing ‘ohana.

Mahalo!

Keenan Kurihara ’10 Editor-in-Chief, Director of Marketing & Communications keenan.kurihara@maryknollschool.org

1526 Alexander Street Honolulu, HI 96822

Every gift makes a difference!

In the spirit of Noblesse Oblige and in celebration of Maryknoll School’s 90th anniversary, we ask that you consider giving to Maryknoll School today. Your gift will help ensure that Maryknoll School’s next 90 years are sustainable and successful and that our students continue to receive an outstanding academic and Catholic education. Make a difference today by visiting maryknollschool.org/giving.

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