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See photos from MidPacific’s high school picnic
STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR MID-PACIFIC OCTOBER 2019 VOLUME 54 ISSUE 1 NAPUEO.COM
Volume 51 Issue 4 May
NEW CLUB APPROVED AFTER PROTEST
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editorial Page 3
the diamond
Do you practice 1o to 11 times a week?
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Is it worth it to switch to the IPhone 11?
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back page
Are you managing your time right? See how Mid-Pacific students spend their time.
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SURVEY SAYS:
Should homework count towards your summative grade?
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Makana Kuahiwinui, Juniors Sarae Miguel and Ruby Sataraka along with Sophomores Faith Rawlins, Emalee Spencer, and Noah Javelanna make posters to sperad awareness. Photo by club member, Jordyn Dold By Erin Goya Staff Writer A new campus club is now focused on all issues in Hawaii after administrators initially denied a club focused on the Mauna Kea protest. On Sept. 4, 50 students gathered at Scudder Dining Hall to march for the creation of the Mauna Kea club. Student leaders Faith Rawlins, Noah Javellana, and Emalee Spencer led a march from Scudder to Damon in hopes of creating a club to spread awareness for the Mauna Kea protest. During that day, students walked from Scudder Dining Hall to Damon Hall chanting “We want
a club! We want a club!” The resulting videos and images got shared across social media platforms throughout the weekend, getting reactions from both students and community members. Javellana said he wanted to start the club because “I thought what was happening on Mauna Kea is wrong and that people should know and be educated. “A lot of people just blindly make a judgement on whether it is good or bad,” he said. The issue of Mauna Kea became prominent in the news as native hawaiians set up camp in front of the access road leading up to the summit to protest against the construction of a 30 meter telescope.
Currently, there are still hundreds of native hawaiian protestors at the Mauna, but the news of the fight against the telescope has spread worldwide. Students at Mid-Pacifc of Hawaiian ancestry believe that it is their job, their right to protect and spread awareness about the protest, said Spencer At Mid-Pacific, clubs must go through an approval process where a proposal must pass Activities Director Bill Wheeler, then assistant principal Jennifer Grems and finally, school principal Paul Passamonte. “We appreciated their passion and we knew how important this was to them as a topic. It was one of the
Intercom announcements created to keep chapel sacred By Mia Nakagawa Staff Writer It’s a Wednesday near the end of the school year last year, and chapel is about to end. Cheers erupted as a line of students appeared to make their announcements. Some spoke about club events or meetings, and others detailed about schedules or events during the week. Athletics director Scott Wagner became known for his signature “Goooood afternoon everybody.” But this year, announcements during chapel have ended and are now replaced with
intercom-style announcements after a decision from the administration. “We needed to find a more appropriate place and space for the announcements because we wanted chapel to be that dedicated sacred time.” said Jennifer Grems the Assistant Principal for Student Life. Many students that are in clubs now said they have fewer ways to find out information about meetings. Last year announcements in chapel were the main way club officers got information about meetings and activities to the student body, said grade 12 student Justin Li, president of the Model United Nations Club.
See CLUB page 2
A new field trip policy, new procedures, and new school employees are all designed to increase student safety, according to administration. There are new rules and procedures for off-campus activities. President Paul Turnbull sent out a letter earlier this school year including the updated safety procedures. All non-athletic activities or events will be subjected to a double-layered review process that includes consideration of water safety and proximity. Mid-Pacific now employs a full-time, certified lifeguard, as well as additional lifeguard-certified faculty members. All non-athletic activities or events that involve swimming will require the presence of at least one certified lifeguard. For non-athletic activities or events, the use of watercraft that is not the property of Mid-Pacific will not be allowed. Mid-Pacific’s new safety committee created a more
See FIELD TRIP page 2
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“It’s school pride. And I think losing chapel announcements really kills that school pride.” Justin Li, grade 12
Yes
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Administration creates new field trip policy By Maia D’Amato Staff Writer
Not all athletes are healthy. Find out why in the editorial section.
features
2017
Infographic by Steven Aspera staff writer
See ANNOUNCEMENTS page 2
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news
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Nothing but fun at annual high school picnic
High schoolers went to Kapiolani for the annual high school picnic where students participated in class competitions. Sophomores played waterballoon volleyball while the freshman competed in log roll. Photos by staff photographer Chelsee Sawai
FIELD TRIP:
thorough field trip form for teachers. The committee was established at the end of last school year and the form has been in place since, said high school principal Paul Passamonte. “It guides the teacher or the person that wanted to request the field trip … through some questions and a checklist so that they’re thinking about those [potential risks] before they take a group to that particular location,” said Passamonte. Zachary Severson, 10th grade,
CLUB:
went on a field trip to the City’s H-POWER waste-to-energy plant in Campbell Industrial Park for MPx 10. “I didn’t really feel more safe since it was just on the paper. We didn’t really incorporate that into the field trip,” said Severson. Passamonte said the form has given an opportunity to form better trips with safety in mind. An estimated 50 trips have been carried out since last year. “I think where this new form benefits is it just puts another layer of safety and another layer of accountability in place,” said
amazing ways that our students: are able to turn their beliefs into actions,” said Jennifer Grems. Administration talked about how the club could not just focus on one event along with being too political. Student leaders believed their club was approved, but said they felt annoyed and frustrated when they showed up to Club Day and did not receive a table. “We worked really hard on getting everything ready and everything set,” said Javellana Ten minutes before club day started, Javellana said he was told that the club was not approved. “Our club was too politically involved and as a school, we are not able to pick sides on political debates,” said Spencer. “I was mind blown by how many people wanted to support us and the number of people took time out of their lunch just to support what was happening on Mauna Kea,” said Javellana “It was so overwhelming as I saw the people coming and chanting and I just cried because people actually wanted this club to happen,” said Spencer as she explains how she felt during the march. The three student leaders along with club advisor and Hawaiian language teacher, Makana Kuahiwinui, marched from Scudder
Passamonte. Mid-Pacific recently hired a Safety and Compliance Officer, Christi-Anne Kudo Chock. Kudo Chock further enhanced safety procedures and ensured compliance with all safety guidelines, the letter stated. MPX teacher, Gregg Kaneko, said the previous policy provided ample protection for Mid-Pacific students. “For the actual safety of the students, I don’t really think [the new policy] does much because we were already really safe,” said
to Damon. She said she saw students jumping up and chanting, “Pro-TMT! Pro-TMT!” “There was a lot of jumping, pushing, and shoving to the point where I was even shoved and pushed by students,” said Makana. As the marchers entered Damon, they lined up along the walls and sat shoulder to shoulder as they waited for Principal Passamonte’s arrival. The non-leaders told everyone that if they would like, they could return to lunch to finish eating. However, everyone stayed and supported. “It was a very beautiful and student driven which is one of the things we feel so strongly about at Mid-Pacific, and we want our students to have a voice and have leadership and be at the forefront,” said Grems. The original plan for the club was to raise money to donate food, water, and blankets to the protesters and eventually raise money to go up to the Mauna as a club ,but now, the club purpose has broadened to not only the Mauna Kea protest but to also raise awareness for the current issues in hawaii. “To all the students who stand for Mauna Kea, to act in kapu aloha,” said Makana The club has begun to make posters to post around the school raising awareness. If you are interested in the club, contact Makana Kuahiwinui at mkanekuahiwinui@ midpac.edu
Kaneko. The new policy might have an affect on future field trips. “I do think that there will be activities that we used to do that will be harder to do,” said Kaneko. According to teacher Billie Napoleon, the new policy makes teachers more aware of their students’ safety. “The new form requires teachers to really think about … what might pose as a threat or be harmful to students which is a good thing because if you’re already enumerating those things
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Last year, Li made announcements frequently during chapel, encouraging students to cheer on his club and recognize its success. “It’s school pride. And I think losing chapel announcements really kills that school pride.” said Li. Losing announcements this year heavily impacted club sign ups. Most clubs who had a high number of members saw a decrease in sign ups this year without any announcements or advertisements. “Last year we had over 70 sign ups for MUN alone, this year no chapel announcement, no advertisement for the club we dropped to below half of that,” said Li Chapel announcements kept the whole school informed of what events occurred throughout the week and other students’ accomplishments. It provided an open way for students to present their announcement to inform the school said grade 12 student Kerrin Lee. “We can’t bond as a school through-
then you’ll be more aware of how to keep students safe,” said Napoleon. Napoleon said the new policy doesn’t hinder the field trips. “The new policy didn’t affect … the field trip, it didn’t make the field trip less than, but as a teacher it made me more aware,” said Napoleon. “I went on a trip to H Power for MPX 10 I didn’t really feel more safe since it was just on the paper. We didn’t really incorporate that into the field trip”
out our achievements or what is going on outside of academics,” said Li. A widely known regular announcement, the featured athletes of the month no longer appear in chapels. Before the school added the new Monday morning agenda from Damon, athletics director Scott Wagner said he was disappointed in the final decision. “I’m happy now that there’s another avenue that I can let everybody know about the wonderful athletes we have,” said Wagner. Red cross club president Luke Javellana spoke briefly about how his club specifically had struggled to get information about the blood drive out to the student body. The club was able to get one announcement to inform students when the blood drive took place, and many never got a second reminder due to emails being sent to junk mail. “From the perspective of someone who has a club, I really need announcements,” said Javellana.
editorial page
Athletes, keep your minds healthy I am an athlete, just like most of you reading this. Being an athlete is strenuous. Two or more hours a day are spent practicing after school, then you must go home, shower, eat, and then you can finally start your homework at 8:30 p.m. at the earliest. Athletes today Erin Goya: are held at such a high standard. Letter from the We are forced to perform at a high maintain a certain weight, Editor-in-Chief level, achieve high grades, and balance interpersonal relationships. Let’s face it: being a student-athlete is a full time job. In 2012 after the Olympics, Sports Illustrated wrote a story about Michael Phelps and his struggle through depression and anxiety. After taking home four gold and two silver medals in London, Phelps fell into a state of depression and anxiety. He spent most of his days lying in his room unable to eat or sleep. In his darkest moments, Phelps even talked about how he contemplated suicide. Athletes are often over looked when it comes to mental health awareness. Since there have been countless studies shown that exercise decreases risk of depression and anxiety, you would never expect an athlete to be depressed. After all, they
Editorial Cartoon by Kennedy Flores
spend hours exercising. However, nearly one in four athletes struggle with a mental illness. Athletes are often told, “stop being dramatic” or “shake it off,” but it becomes almost impossible to work through these illnesses without the help of others. It becomes even more dangerous because there is no physical appearance of a mental illness. Athletes can hide their illness with something as simple as a smile. Phelps told Sports Illustrated that his condition started to improve after he began to talk to people about how he was feeling and now has a foundation that helps stress management and mental health. He told Sports Illustrated that helping people in this way was much more powerful for him than his Olympic achievements. No matter what sport you play, you are still human which means you could be susceptible to mental illnesses. Many athletes are too scared to tell someone about how they are feeling because they believe that they can work through it or it isn’t as bad as it really is. Whatever you are feeling, you have to reach out to someone for help. If decide to supress your feelings, it can build up and, become detrimental, and possibly life altering. If you are an athlete who may be suffering from a mental illness, please reach out to parents, counselors, or even friends. Please don’t try to go through it alone.
Creating routines can help manage time
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Hi everyone, my name is prove your time management. If Siena Usui and I’ll be the advice you’re fine with noise and being columnist this year. If you have around others without getting any questions about school, off track, studying in a group is a friends, and other topics, feel good idea. Or if you are someone free to send them in and I’ll do who likes individually working, my best to help you out. The studying alone in a quiet place submissions are always could work for you. anonymous, so don’t feel afraid to ask! I’ll consult Q: How do you balance/ with professionals if I’m manage homework, uncertain with how to extracurriculars, and college help or I don’t know that applications? I feel I have so much about the topic. I much on my plate, it’s hard to can’t wait to answer your successfully keep up. Siena Usui: questions and I hope my Student Survival A: Finding the propadvice is useful. If you have questions, er balance between Guide email newspaper@midvarious school activipac.edu. ties can be a challenge, Sincerely, but there are many ways you Siena Usui can handle this. Some people keep a planner with their entire Q: How can I manage my time better? schedule written out and stick to I already deleted my social media and I it, creating a consistent routine do homework during lunch, yet I still find that their mind can follow. This myself sleeping five hours a night. helps to set priorities and learn time management skills in adA: I’ve struggled with this dition to becoming a little more problem myself too. Deleting flexible with free time. Another social media is a good first step thing you could do is prioritize. towards managing anyone’s What assignment is due the time better because it’s always soonest? By organizing the challenging to not get hooked order of assignments you do, it’ll on it. Eliminating any other help you feel more on task and distractions when your doing it won’t just seem to be a huge homework will also help you. pile of homework that you have Anything such as your phone, to complete. I usually set aside a notifications, and even music slot of time where I can rest and might lessen your attention relax in order to avoid burning so turning everything off can out. While constantly working sharpen your focus. Finding the hard is a great work ethic, people ideal study environment that need breaks to recharge their suits you is another way to help bodies and minds. you focus more, which will im-
Na Pueo Staff Editor-in-Chief Erin Goya
Editorial Cartoon by Karin Song
Features Editor Siena Usui
Sports Editor
Kamm Kojima
Photo Editor
Chelsee Sawai
Staff Writers
Steven Aspera Wyatt Cullison Maia D’Amato Kenna Kaneshiro Danika Kusumoto Althea Lutz Mia Nakagawa Tia Shimabukuro
Advisor
Jessica Hanthorn
Information
Na Pueo is published by dedicated Mid-Pacific students. Personal opinions expressed by students, faculty, and staff or outside guests do not necessarily reflect those of Mid-Pacific. We welcome contributions and feedback and will strive to maintain a high standard of professional journalism. Send letters, submissions, and suggestions to: Na Pueo c/o Mid-Pacific 2445 Kaala St. Honolulu, HI 96822 (808) 441.3713 email: newspaper@midpac.edu Please contact Na Pueo for advertising information and rates. All articles and photographs are copyright (c) Mid-Pacific Institute.
features TIKTOK:
MID-PACIFIC LIFE
new app has students making videos with friends all over campus By Siena Usui Staff Writer Outside of Weinberg, a group of girls quicken their steps as they dance to a song, while a friend records them. They’re making a TikTok. TikTok is the most popular mobile social networking app in the United States as of June 2019, according to the website Statista. On the app, people are able to create and watch short videos lip-syncing or dancing to songs, or relating to comedy or talent. Popular celebrities such as Howie Mandel, Halsey and David Dobrik are featured on the app. On the Mid-Pacific campus, use of the app is skyrocketing, with students often checking the latest posts throughout the day. One student, Rheylie Bennie, a sophomore, said she originally got into the app as a joke, but she soon had videos getting millions of views. Making two TikToks in the Kawaiaha’o bathroom with a group of friends, Bennie became what’s known as “TikTok famous.” In the first video, Bennie stands in front of the bathroom stalls wearing a tie dye shirt as she motions with her hands, before two of her friends exit out of the stalls to dance with her. The video generated 1.9 million views. Another video of hers had 1.4 million views. She currently boasts 24.6 thousand followers and 733.2 thousand likes. “I used to post every day, but other priorities got in the way, and so now I post occasionally,” Bennie said. TikTok’s algorithm plays a role in its
Illustration by Rell Uehara
See TIKTOK page 5
Vaping comes with new dangerous health risks By Althea Lutz Staff Writer As a sixth grader, a Mid-Pacific student was peer pressured into vaping for the first time, and she hasn’t stopped since. It was a sixth-grade birthday party three years ago. Someone pulled out a vape and started passing it around. At first, the Mid-Pacific student denied the offer, but as more of her friends tried the device, she felt compelled to take a hit. Now, three years later, this student continues to vape as a freshman. “Vaping makes me feel calm,” said the student. Still, she said she regrets trying the electronic device. “It’s bad for my health and I don’t want to die,” said the student. Although her reasoning may have seemed harsh, it’s not inaccurate. Hawaii vaping rates are some of the highest in the nation, and e-cigarettes are commonly found in high schools
including Mid-Pacific. As of October 8, 2019 there were 1,299 reported illnesses and 26 deaths due to vaping nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, Hawaii high schoolers are more prone to the risks of vaping because they are twice as likely to vape than typical high schoolers around the U.S., said Dr. Bryan Mih, Kapiolani Medical Center Pediatrician. More than 25 percent of Hawaii high schoolers are active users of e-cigarettes, according to the Hawaii State Department of Health. Large e-cigarette companies intentionally target teens with vibrant colors, a variety of flavors, and easy online accessibility, said Mih. Additionally, minors are baited with common misconceptions pertaining to vaping. The term “vaping” implies vapor is being inhaled, when really it is chemicals superheated and burnt into a fine spray. The aerosolized particles have been found to be
See VAPING page 5
26
percent of Hawaii high school students who vape
27
percent of Hawaii middle school students have tried vaping
Source: www.healthyhawaii.com
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percent of high school students who vape nationwide Infographic by Althea Lutz
features
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Is the newest iPhone worth the price? By Wyatt Cullison and Tia Shimabukuro Staff Writers
Infographic by Kamm Kojima, staff writer
VAPING:
TIKTOK: popularity. The moment you open the app, you are directed to a page called “For You”. It provides videos based on ones that you’ve previously watched or interacted with. Compared to Instagram, where people’s feeds are focused on profiles that they follow. Senior Aoi Nakamura said it’s not difficult to get a lot of views on TikTok. “I feel like it’s a luck thing then a skill, you don’t really have to be good at anything to be famous,” Nakamura said. According to ByteDance, the Chinese-based company that created TikTok, they united Musical.ly and TikTok to make an upgraded worldwide short video platform. From dance videos to cute pet videos, people can make any video they want. “It’s fun to make videos and see what other people are doing,” said sophomore Sean Walrod.
Rheylie Bennie, grade 10, dances with her friends in a TikTok video that has nearly 2 million views.
The iPhone 11 has new and improved features, but some students are claiming that it isn’t worth the price tag of nearly $1,000. The phone includes a new ultra wide camera mode and boasts the upgraded A13 processor, as well as an improved water resistance and a new aluminum frame rather than the previous stainless steel, according to Apple’s website. Sophomore Ella Ann Wong said the new iPhone is not a big difference from the iPhone X. All Apple did was add multiple cameras, not just one, she said. “Is it really worth paying that much for photos that other cameras can regularly do?” said Wong. Director of Education Technology, Brian Grantham, said the phone is an improvement over the previous generation of models. “The 11 is definitely an upgrade over the latest round including
the XS and XR performance wise and camera wise,” said Grantham. 10th grade student Amara Ueligitone said the new features on the iPhone 11 are high tech and are different from the previous iPhones. “One thing I like about the iPhone 11 is the new color options to choose from. I think it’s worth it because the features are the next big thing,” said Ueligitone. She still has a previous version of the iPhone. Sophomore Ryland Paulino upgraded her iPhone 7 to the new iPhone 11. “There’s different camera features, I’m able to use the Face ID to open my phone. It’s great, fun and easy to use, I would recommend it to anyone,” said Paulino. Grantham said the cost of the iPhone 11 could cause people to pause and use their older phones for longer. “People avoid the upgrade because the features aren’t as great of an increase as what they used to be in the earlier versions of the phone,” said Grantham. “Should students upgrade [to] the phone? At this point, I don’t think that it really matters,” said Grantham.
In Hawaii, many children start vaping in middle school. At Mid-Pacific, stucarcinogenic (cancerous) said Lorena dents are taught the risks of vaping from Gaskill, Former Mid-Pacific Nurse. a young age, said Seventh Grade Dean “[Vaping comJessica Rose. panies] don’t care There’s a false conception among “Transitioning from e-cigarette users that vaping is a about health, they care about money vaping to smoking is healthier alternative to smoking. In reality, it’s hard to compare the - the earlier they two because they are completely like trying to avoid hook someone on nicotine, the a concussion from different. “Transitioning from vaping to longer they will smoking is like trying to avoid a conquitting football and be making money cussion from quitting football and starting up soccer.” starting up soccer. Each are risky in off of them,” said Gaskill. - Lory Gaskill, former their own way,” said Gaskill. E-cigarette On October 7, the Hawaii State school nurse corporations capiDepartment of Health issued an adtalize on teenagvisory regarding e-cigarette and vape ers as their main usage. The health advisory did not demographic so their consumers can ban e-cigarettes, but advised the public start a nicotine addiction early on and not to partake in the activity. will continue to come back to buy more “Do not use e-cigarettes or vaping of their products. devices of any kind. If you don’t use vapThere are statistics that support the ing devices, don’t start. If you are using theory that people are more susceptible a vaping device, stop,” said the Hawaii to nicotine addiction at young ages. Department of Health statement. Because the brain is still developing syn“The bottom line is using a highly apses until the age of 25, people are 90 addictive, unregulated device filled with percent more likely to become addicted superheated chemicals and inhaling it to nicotine products when they start usinto your lungs is really a stupid idea - at ing them under the age of 18, said Mih. any age,” said Gaskill.
the diamond SPIKE!
Varisty girl’s volleyball team hits harder competition
MID-PACIFIC SPORTS
Mid-Pacific kayaker focused on Olympics By Danika Kusumoto Staff Writer
(Top left) Zannah Suehiro, grade 12, spikes down the ball during a game against Iolani with support from Kayla Marutani, grade 12. (Right) Mid-Pacific battles through the 3 set match against the raiders. Photos by staff photographer Kamm Kojima. By Kamm Kojima Staff Writer This past season the Mid-Pacific girl’s volleyball team played Division 1 in the ILH, finishing off the season with a 3-9 record. Last year, the team played in Division 2 with a 14-3 record. “We grew a lot as a team” said junior Alyssa Muraoka. This year’s team also had more younger players, with four freshman
players. Despite the age difference, the team made fast moves, thinking quicker as they’re on the D1 team, said Muraoka “Good off-season volleyball training is a must, striving for technical precision and getting stronger physically” Coach Lake said. “Bring the fire, cause you’re going to smash it next year,” said Senior Zannah Suehiro.
Racing across the finish line in ninth place at the Olympic Hopes Regatta, Kali Wilding realized the hours of training and early mornings were worth it. “I know it’s not winning, but I’m stoked with the result,” Wilding said. Wilding, a junior at Mid Pacific, won two ILH kayaking championships and participates in competitions all over the world, recently competing in Slovakia. She returned from her overseas competition on September 17, placing ninth in the K1 200m Final A. She practices 10 to 11 times a week, training both before and after school at the Ala Wai. Her partner, Ten Kusaka, describes Wilding as focused and confident in her abilities as an athlete. “When you’re in a boat together, it’s like all the hard work you did is for someone else,” said Wilding. Before she started kayaking, Wilding competed as a gymnast for 11
See KAYAK page 7
Pre-game rituals: Air rifle gains momentum with undefeated season Kaneshiro shared by athletes ByStaffKenna Writer and coaches For some athletes, these pre-game rituals can affect and influence a strong performance One might assume the result on the playing field. of a sporting competition comes “I try to clear my mind most of from strategizing on the spot. the time because However, there’s more “You don’t want if you have too to the competition than one might think. to highlight the much on your mind then you According to Bleacher negatives you see put too much Report, John Henderon yourson, former NFL tackle and have a posi- pressure self if you were to for the Jacksonville, tive attitude.” think about too Jaguars, always needs things at to be slapped in the face - Tommy Lake, many the same time,” with all of his trainer’s volleyball coach Otsuka said. strength. What you put Many Mid-Pacific in your body athletes have their own before a game can rituals and traditions to drastically affect prepare for a competiwhat you produce tion. during that event through your Junior varsity baseball player, energy, strength and mental preChance Otsuka, comes 2-3 hours before a game to stretch, practice hitting in the batting cages, and See GAME PREP page 7 rest.
By Chelsee Sawai Staff Writer
Mid-Pacfic’s air rifle athletes ended a challenging season this year, but are evaluating their performances, giving momentum for next fall. “It’s been a very challenging season,” said Head Air Rifle Coach Jon Narimatsu. Both the girl’s and boy’s sporter air riflery teams are fighting hard to keep their state title from the Air rifle team member Coby Simon, grade 12, aims for the target. Photo by staff photograprevious season, Naripher Kenna Kaneshiro. matsu said. a successful fall with a season their firearms repeatedly until However, there are large record of four wins and no the target is hit. amounts of competition like al“I learned a lot about teamwork ways, and challenging opponents losses. Boys Varsity defeated the majority of their opponents but because every day we have to to defeat, said Narimatsu. set up the range and a lot of us “Our most challenging competi- solely lost to PAC-5. “Before that meet a lot of us have to work together,” said tion was PAC-5, they gave us a were nervous because PAC-5 has Katayama. run for our money, luckily last been our number one opponent Tam said he learned patience year we merely beat them, but for like how many years,” said through air riflery. this year we barely lost to them, air rifle athlete, senior Jason “We can’t force ourselves to [1059-1064]” said Boys varsity Katayama. rush, we can’t give ourselves an team captain, senior Michael “A lot of us pressured out that adrenaline push to get through Tam . match,” he said. the match,” he said. “We have Both the Girls Varsity and The athletes continue to evaluto stay super calm and steady Boys Junior Varsity teams had ate their season while reloading focused.”
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Sports
Mid-Pacific welcomes five new teachers this year Na Pueo Staff writer Steven Aspera interviewed the newest members in the Mid-Pacific staff by asking three questions: 1. Where did you teach before teaching at Mid-Pacific? 2. What is your favorite part of Mid-Pacific so far? 3. If you could have one super power, what would it be? Lisa Asato Japanese: 1. Taught English in Japan for 12 years, taught Japanese at Rainbow Saturday School, and Sacred Hearts. 2. Students because they are nice and respectful. I like their beautiful hearts. 3. The power to open a door and go anywhere in the world.
Jacob Hudson Science: 1. St. Andrew’s Priory, La Pietra, Damien, Summer school at Kamehameha, and is involved in the University of Hawaii. 2. The students because they like to push boundaries in their learning. 3. The ability to change time because there aren’t enough hours in a day.
years. Wilding said she didn’t always appreciate the work put into kayaking. “Seeing that we’re actually getting better and the hard work is paying off, that’s why I started [kayaking],” Wilding said. Wilding recalled seeing a kayaking billboard in Slovakia, acknowledging the lack of kayaking presence in America. In 2011, the Olympic kayaking team lost funding from the United States Olympic Committee, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The team still participates in competitions, but must pay out of their own pockets. “When I make teams, I’m going to have to fund myself going when most of the other countries get paid for,” said Wilding. She plans on kayaking throughout college and wants to go to the Olympics, which America will host in 2028. Wilding said she hopes to help build up
KAYAK:
GAME PREP:
Karin Ingersoll Social Studies: 1. 2 years teaching at the University of Hawaii and 7 summers at Punahou 2. The students because they have a very specific energy in the classroom. And they are creative, I like to see what they create. 3. The power to read minds so I know what my students are thinking.
the program and bring back funding for the sport on multiple levels along with fellow athletes on the US team and their coaches. “They’re trying to work with the governing body to make it more known and a bigger sport [with] better funding so that it can just keep growing,” Wilding said. Shelley Oates-Wilding, the mother and coach of Kali Wilding, said she has found it difficult balancing these two major roles in her life. “Being her coach and mom from a young age has been a challenge sometimes, as I do try to treat all my students the same and I sometimes forget to give her that one special hug when she does do well,” said Oates-Wilding. A piece of advice Oates-Wilding has given Kali which she feels contributed to her happiness and success reminds Kali she controls how she feels and perceives everything. “It will always work out if they are true to themselves, and know I will always love them,” Oates-Wilding said.
starting point, we do a chant and a prayer and everyone holds the paredness, according to Lincoln boats together and holds hands,” Orthopedic Center. Nishimura said. “I like to eat a sandwich In addition to a team’s encourbecause it’s easy to digest and it agement, prayer and mediation feels better when you run,” said are a part of many team rituals, PAC 5 football according to Outside player, Reyn Shi“Once we carry Online. rakata. myself to try our boats to the my“I tell Unlike an athlete’s best and I pray for dietary choices starting point, my teammates,” said before a game, Varsity boys basketwe do a chant ball some teams come player, Adonis together to supEspania. and a prayer and port one another Espania says him everyone holds and mentally in order to his team like to get in the right state stretch a lot before a the boats toof mind. game, especially leg Junior varsity gether and holds workouts. 1 paddling team hands,” -Shanelle “We do squats the member, Shanelle day before and run Nishimura, encourNishimura, sprints,” Espania said. ages her team Many student paddler to motivate each athletes have their other with positive own pregame tradicomments to one tions and so do their another. coaches. “Once we carry our boats to the Girls Varsity Softball Coach,
Raymond LaFleur Mathmatics: 1. Taught at Waipahu High School and was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps for 8 years. 2. The technology because a lot of other schools don’t have the opportunity to use such a robust tech package. 3. The ability to control my own emotions.
Yuichiro Masuda MPX: 1. I was a student at the University of Hawaii and taught in Okinawa. 2. I like the MPX program because it is student centered not teacher centered. Students can decide how to approach and how to run their learning. 3. The power of no sleep because 24 hours is too short for me.
Kali Wilding (front) raced towards the finish line in Slovakia placing 9th in the K1 200 meter final A. Photo contributed by Schonna Lindscneck.
Aiko Gojo, always wants to know about the opposing team they’re playing in order to know their habits. “We try to strategize as early as possible. Now that we have one years worth of data, since last year was my first year, we’ve been charting the other team’s tendencies and we know our players better,” Gojo said. It’s good to give the team some confidence, avoid the negative and always stay positive said Girls varsity volleyball coach, Tommy Lake. “During the practice the Adonis Espania stretching in preparation for the Boys varsity basketball game. Photo by day before the game, you staff photographer, Chelsee Sawai don’t want to highlight the negatives you see and have a “I thing I notice during warmups, I positive attitude,” Lake said. make sure I take a moment make sure to share and note my Boys varsity basketball coach, before, during and after each thought process,” Shklov said. Robert Shklov never stops game to reiterate my uncondiRituals are one of the ways stupreparing. tional support to the team,” said dent athletes and coaches relate “Whether it’s a last second idea, Shklov. to one another and both want a play I want to run, or somethe best for their team.
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME? EDUCATION
9.3
SLEEPING
6.3
6 8.8
Na Pueo gathered data from 279 high school students on how much time they spend doing various everyday activities. After the data was gathered Na Pueo compared how the average Mid-Pacific high schooler spends their time compered to the average American high schooler according to the Bureu of Labor Statistics.
EXERCISE
2.1
The data on the left represents how many hours high schoolers spend doing each activity on an average weekday.
0.7
AVERAGE MID-PACIFIC HIGH SCHOOLER
SOCIALIZING
2.2 3.4
AVERAGE AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOLER
WORKING
0.4
RELIGIOUS
0.4 0.2
0.5
FUN FACT
The average Mid-Pacific high schooler spends
1.6 hours commuting every day.
Infographic design by Althea Lutz Sources: Na Pueo student survey, Bureu of Labor Statistics survey