December Issue by Trojan Times

MILILANI HIGH SCHOOL . ISSUE 1 . DECEMBER 24, 2020

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN MILILANI With 2020 coming to an end, Mililani Times is finally back in print for the 2020-2021 school year. Despite the many challenges Hawai`i and the world has faced, Christmas is in the air and like all, we have many things to celebrate during this holiday season.

Photo by: Brynn Vincent

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

A Letter From

The Editor I

Mililani Times’ Mission is to inform the community of news, people, and issues of concern Discover. Understanding. Together

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ling bling. Aloha Stadium is illuminated in a display of lights from November 27th to January 9th, 2021, beginning at 6 p.m. It costs 50 dollars per car and is sponsored by the First Hawaiian Bank. All proceeds will go to the S.A.C. Foundation (Show Aloha Challenge), which helps small businesses and restaurants in Hawai`i.

f someone had told me two years ago that I would have the opportunity to be writing this letter as the Editor-in-Chief of Mililani Times, I would have never thought that possible. I began last year as a rookie reporter, struggling to find my footing, and this year, I have been given the incredible opportunity to lead a very talented team. I took the newswriting class last year on a whim, solely because the teacher was my favorite (he also guilted me into joining). I am lucky to have been surrounded by an amazing staff in my first year. Surrounded by gifted teammates and mentors, I was pushed along with everyone on staff to do my best. I learned so much in my first year, both journalistically and personally, for which I am forever grateful. This year is certainly different than previous years. This pandemic has its challenges, especially when trying to create a newspaper. We’ve been operating online but wanted to send out a print issue this holiday season. It’s only eight pages - everything created at each of our homes with our limited resources, but we wanted to let you know that we are still here and we will continue to report the happenings of the school.The amount of work we have been able to produce continues to impress me. And this year, the majority of our staff are rookies. I am incredibly proud of each of them for stepping up to the plate and continually knocking this year out of the park. I am also thankful for my fellow returnees in helping to assist throughout this year of uncertainty. Although we are not physically together, I am overjoyed that we are still a close knit team. This is probably my favorite aspect of Mililani Times: we’re a family. We are able to joke around and build new bonds, even though we are completely virtual. Mililani Times relies on teamwork, and it amazes me everyday what we can accomplish our goals over Google Meets. We are finding a way through this, together. And I know that it is your families that are helping you pull through this year as well. 2020 has definitely thrown curve balls in every direction. While we may not be able to be together, the holiday spirit continues to bring us together, even while apart. We hope that everyone is staying safe and that our stories are able to bring some joy to you and your families this holiday season.

Aloha Stadium Hosts Holiday

L i

Emily Zimmerman Editor in Chief

Rain Hashimoto Director of Arts

Ellie Kim Copy Editor

Faustine Miura Head Photographer

Emma Lee Online Editor

Jenna Kim Social Media Editor

Eden Chun Video Editor

Samantha Yuda Photo Stylist

Kasandra Morse Director of Sales

Lyndsey Hagihara Distribution Manager

Macallister Graves Opinions Editor

Rhea Wojack Sports Editor

Brynn Vincent Blogs Editor

Willow Otaka Anime Editor

Mikal Reese Games Editor

Lana Patlingrao Music Editor

Christopher Sato Adviser

Staff Mia Murasaki Ken Sakata Clare Sullivan Johnathan Escasa Samuel Sameshima Isabella Makino Akira Pescador Kanako Yonashiro Anya Hubbard Rhys Lavatai Drake Mullikin Shaylee Oshiro Alexander Ozawa

FEATURE

Aloha Mr. Schick MHS Says Goodbye to Retiring English Teacher

nglish teacher Steve Schick said farewell to Mililani High School as he retired on December 18, 2020. Schick has taught for 35 years, 16 of which he spent at MHS. The ending of the first semester caused Schick to say his goodbyes to his students and MHS. “The best lesson I ever got was from a former colleague and department head: ‘You don’t teach English---You teach kids.’ That piece of advice taught me to always try to remember that every student is an individual worthy of attention and respect,” said Schick. The final class Schick taught before he retired, which he also claims as his favorite, was English 9 Enriched. His students, whom he had named “Squeakers” because of how high-pitched their voices were compared to the seniors he previously taught, are the reason Schick enjoys this class, as he describes them as enthusiastic and fun to work with. One of Schick’s fondest memories from his time teaching is a project he assigns to his Squeakers every year: The Great Debate. “It’s my time of the year when I’m most proud of them,” said Schick. “Also, Squeakers from years past always come back to judge the debate. It’s like a reunion. There would even be some who came to judge who were in college at the time.” Teaching his Squeakers has been the self-claimed joy of Schick’s career. This school year, however, teachers have not been able to have the same interactions with their students. COVID-19 has made teaching look very different from previous years with the introduction of distance learning. The announcement of MHS switching to a virtual model forced many teachers, including Schick, to change and adapt how they teach. The decision to retire was accelerated by COVID-19, which, along with his increasing age, made Schick finally decide that it was time to depart.

Despite the 2019-20 school year being only 3 quarters long, Squeakers were able to do the Great Debate as well as other traditional Schick projects, including Romeo and Juliet and the mythology play.

Schick and his wife, Marlene, enjoy traveling to Japan.

It’s been my greatest joy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reflected on how blessed I am to have had a career that I’ve genuinely loved everyday. (Well, almost everyday!) To be of service of others in the key to happiness.” - Steve Schick

“Distance learning and project-based learning are tough to blend. The main negative is not being able to build a community within the class like when things are normal. It’s still good and I still love my kids but it’s not the same,” said Schick. Schick has been able to see the school evolve within the past 16 years that he has been teaching at MHS. He said that the biggest difference he noticed is the way the faculty has been able to become more attuned to designing curriculum and assessments with more focus and effectiveness to allow students to succeed. “It’s been my greatest joy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reflected on how blessed I am to have had a career that I’ve genuinely loved everyday. (Well, almost everyday!) To be of service of others in the key to happiness,” said Schick. Schick is grateful to have been able to work with students and be able to do a job that he loves. He said that teaching his Squeakers is what he is going to miss most about MHS. “I love all you guys (his students), and all of you are capable of achieving greatness,” said Schick. With his newfound retirement, Schick is looking forward to caring for his house, hopefully playing golf, and going to the beach more often. Schick and his wife are also now waiting for life to go back to normal so they can travel as much as they can.

News

Music Teacher Curtis Hiyane Retires After 30 Years at MHS

n October 30, 2020, Mililani High School said goodbye to 30-year veteran teacher Curtis Hiyane. Hiyane, the former wind ensemble director, piano teacher, and jazz band director, was thankful to have been able to spend his entire teaching career at MHS and is now beginning a new chapter of life as a retiree. “Right off the bat, without any questions, it’s the students that I’m going to miss. I found that out when I was working the curriculum for virtual class, and I was like, ‘Oh this is so much work, and I don’t know if it’s worth it.’ But, the first day when I met the students and we were meeting virtually, it was like, ‘Oh, this is’, and it was really all worth it,” said Hiyane. Being an alumni of MHS, Hiyane has watched the school transform. When he started as a teacher, the music program only consisted of two teachers: himself and Bryan Hirata. Since then, the department has grown to 5 teachers with various classes and programs catering to all students. “Well, I think the things that come back to me are the international trips that we were able to take the students on. The international tours like China, and Australia, Japan and watching the culture exchange between the students. I think that’s, that brings back good memories,” Hiyane said. After a surge of COVID-19 cases in August, the Hawai’i Department of Education (HIDOE) announced that school would be completely virtual. This format has been extended through the third quarter. As a result, things look very different this school year. “It’s easily said, but for the teacher in the classroom, it’s a whole different ball game where you’ve got to shift everything. And for me, an old timer, not too tech savvy, so it was a really big challenge to get up to speed in terms of how to run the program, how I’m going to present the class, and how the curriculum was going to be done,” Hiyane said.

Hiyane, as well as his children Brendan and Tabitha, have all graduated from MHS.

Hiyane was gifted the traditional koa bowl for his 30 years as a music teacher for MHS.

Hiyane also spent his time as the commander of the 111th Army Band and served in the National Guard for almost 35 years. Hiyane made the short list and is now one of two people being considered for a position that would be in charge of all 50 National Guard bands. The possibility of earning this position caused Hiyane to consider retiring as a teacher, and with fellow music teacher Kristi Higuchi Del Los Santos taking over the wind ensemble for him, he decided it was time. ¨We’re (The 111th Army Band) still under some strict guidance in terms of what guidelines we need to follow when we go to drill and those guidelines prohibit us from rehearsing or getting together in a mass group, mass formation,” said Hiyane, ¨So, with those guidelines, we’re not rehearsing, like I said, big groups, but we’re slowly trying to get into the groove.¨ The students, his colleagues, and the overall atmosphere of Mililani are what Hiyane said he will miss the most. Spending a large portion of his life at MHS, he learned that he loves the community of Mililani, and his views of teaching evolved from simply relaying information to students to creating a relationship with them to teach the love of not only music, but learning as well. ¨It’s all worth it and I hope that I made a positive influence on their lives. And, that they realize that music really enhances their lives and I hope that they continue to be not just a consumer of music but be involved in performing of music,¨ Hiyane said. Hiyane is looking forward to spending time at home, running and riding his motorcycle in his spare time.

ith the season of giving drawing near, four clubs at MHS decided to give back to the community by doing service projects. The Good Dogs Club wrote letters of thanks to veterinarians, DECA sent cards to seniors at the Plaza Assisted Living, the LEO Club assisted in a food drive for the Hawaii Foodbank, and the Red Cross Club made holiday cards for veterans. “We’re really grateful for them (the veterinarians) being able to work during this time, taking care of our pets and everything,” Good Dogs Club Treasurer Sophomore Brynn Vincent said. “We just wanted to give back to them and hope that they’ll find this a nice gesture.” The Good Dogs Club printed out templates, either in black and white or in color, and wrote letters thanking veterinarians for keeping their clinics open and for their hard work during challenging times. There were about thirty letters. They were collected on December 11 and planned to be delivered by Wednesday, December 16. “I like how we can give thanks to the vet clinics because it’s definitely hard with COVID and everything,” Vincent said. Similarly, DECA sent cards to elderly at the Plaza Assisted Living. Members wrote a letter, drew artwork, or did a combination of both. There were about a hundred cards in total, enough for every resident of the Plaza. “Even if it’s a one way thing where we’re just giving, I think a lot of them will get at least a smile on their face from it, and that’s the most important thing,” DECA advisor Janise Kim said. This is DECA’s first time reaching out to the elderly community through a service project. They decided to do it because of how COVID-19 affected families who were not able to see their grandparents and parents. The club thought this would be a nice way to cheer up residents. “I think that it was just a really good way to get our members to be more engaged in DECA because a lot of them just come to the meetings and probably kind of sit through it kind of mindlessly, but this gave them something to do and turn in,” said DECA President Junior Annabelle Ink. “And I think it was kind of fun to make cards.” Additionally, a week-long project that the Red Cross Club has been working on was their Holidays for Heroes project. As an effort to support the military and veteran community during the holidays, club members created cards

Good Dogs Club wrote thirty letters to express their gratitude to Mililani Mauka Veterinary Clinic. They were delivered on Wednesday, December 16th, 2020.

that expressed appreciation for their service and sacrifice for the country. Members made cards that were both handmade and digitally printed. “Essentially, this project is a form of reaching out to veterans, as many people don’t realize how many are cut off from contact with their families, or don’t even have families,” said Red Cross Treasurer Junior Travis Takushi. “Many of them may be physically alone this Christmas, but we wanted to give them that feeling of family through cards from our members.” Several of the club officers found it especially important to take on this project during the COVID-19 pandemic. Veterans or those in the military are typically far from their loved ones or alone. By participating in this activity, they wanted to ensure that they could not only be appreciated for their contributions, but also feel a sense of holiday spirit. “Since we don’t often get a chance to talk to people or get to see them, this kind of helps give a connection to people that we otherwise, especially this year, we don’t have a chance to or interact with,” said Red Cross President Junior Kyle Walker. As for the LEO Club, on December 12 from 3 to 6 pm, they assisted in a food drive, collecting and packing food donations from Mililani High School students, faculty, and community, which was then collected on December 14 by the Hawaii Foodbank. ASMHS had also held a Jingle Bell Blitz photo booth event where MHS students and families could take pictures at various backdrops throughout the school parking lot and donate canned food. “So, these two events sort of just came up simultaneously. We thought it would be mutually beneficial to hold them at the same time, so that we could try to use the traffic from one to drive to

LEO club hosted a food drive at the MHS parking lot on Saturday, December 12th, 2020 from three to six pm.

the other, and vice versa,” said LEO Club faculty advisor and English teacher Curtis Ogi. With this service project being the first faceto-face event for the LEO Club, Ogi found it the most challenging to provide as many opportunities as possible for the members to get involved while following COVID-19 guidelines. “I don’t want too many Leos crowded together. I do want to make sure that everyone is socially distancing. So to try to struggle the logistics of it, how many Leos can I safely have at the event? How can I have this type of event with a minimal crew?” said Ogi. Typically, this December food drive was run by the Mililani Lions Club. However, they were unable to host it this year. In an effort to help maintain this tradition, the LEO Club chose to pursue this project themselves. Additionally, they found it especially crucial to hold this event as the Hawaii Foodbank’s demand for donations was a lot higher this year. “I would say that this give a really good opportunity for not only the members to have a chance to receive that same feeling of giving back to the community, but also providing the opportunity for those who are in need with food. So, holding this food drive would definitely help those who are struggling, like families, friends, and people around us,” said LEO Club President Senior Aviana Gregorio. In regards to future plans for the clubs, both the Red Cross Club and DECA would like to do a project similar to this later in the year. LEO Club has already planned several activities for club members to participate in, and the Good Dogs Club is planning future projects with other Veternarian Clinics.

EVENTS

MHS First Ellie Kim Emma Lee

Drive With COVID-19 Johnathan Escasa

Clare Sullivan

ililani High School’s first blood drive of the school year had to be modified to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. It took place on November 21, 2020 from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints near MHS. “The blood drive that was just held was, in fact, the state’s first ever virtually-prepped high school drive. All committee meetings were held online, and our advertising was completely virtual as well. It was also off campus, although we’d normally have it on campus. Nonetheless, it goes to show that even in times of crises, high school blood drives are still possible,” said Blood Drive Co-Chairperson Senior Andrew Kim. In past years, a bloodmobile was parked at MHS where students went in throughout the school day to donate. This year, at the church, the amount of people that could draw blood at a time was reduced from five to two to maintain social distancing. Mililani’s PTSO donated snacks to replace the prepared food from the culinary classes. The snacks varied from water, juice, chips, and granola bars to help students who might have felt lightheaded. “So we would have prepared food for our donors, so if they didn’t eat, they would have a meal. And then after they donated, we also had food prepared by the culinary classes. But because of COVID, we couldn’t provide pre-made food like that because everything had to be prepackaged. So that was limiting,” said MHS’s Blood Mililani High School hosted their first Drive and Committee Advisor Stephanie Grande-Misaki. blood drive of the school year on Before donating, students had to fill out a questionnaire that inquired about their health and medical problems. November 21, 2020 from 7:30 am This year, new questions asked if the donor had traveled anywhere and if there were any positive COVID tests. to 4:30 pm at Church of Jesus The MHS Blood Drive Committee also shifted their advertising methods. Due to online learning, the usual promotional Christ of Latter-day Saints. posters were replaced with posts on the official MHS Instagrams, and recruitment videos on the morning bulletin. Seniors Jordan Okumura and MHS received 51 pints of blood from their donors. Their goal for that day was 40 pints. Spencer Dang helped with For more information about upcoming MHS blood drives, visit the Class of 2021’s Instagram @mililani.2021 or their email, the blood drive, handing out snacks from the 2021classcouncil@mililanihs.k12.hi.us. For any questions regarding the MHS blood drive, email sgrande-misaki@mililanihs.k12.hi.us. Mililani PTSO.

A Parade of Banners Displayed on MHS Fenceline

he 35th Annual Mililani Holiday Parade was canceled due to COVID-19, so the Leaders for Life Hawai’i Lions Club and Mililani High School LEO Club collaborated, with the help of the Associated Students of Mililani High School (ASMHS), to create a holiday parade of banners along the MHS fenceline. “So we actually came into contact with them (Leaders for Life) and they decided that, hey, we didn’t really want to kinda throw the entire idea away of the Christmas parade. So we decided to just find another alternative,” LEO Club President Senior Aviana Gregorio said. In past years, the Mililani Holiday Parade involved over 1,500 people marching through Mililani, including the Mililani High School Band, antique cars, and local businesses. This year, participating clubs organizations, such as the MHS National Honor Society, the MHS Hui Malama o Mililani Club, and Mililani Girl Scouts, created holiday banners with holiday messages that were hung on December 12, 2020. Designs were created through Google Drawings, a Google Chrome App that allows users to collaborate on various diagrams in real time. “I would say it was kind of like a fun project for the Leos to kinda contribute with all of their creative ideas and artistic skills, so we had a really fun time creating that poster,” Gregorio said. In addition to the Parade of Banners, the LEO Club organized a sign-waving event to further spread holiday cheer. This is planned to take place in front of the banners on Friday, December 18, from 3:45 to 5 pm. “So, we’re gonna be signing next to the posters and kind of sign-waving towards those coming home from work or just spread that same Christmas spirit that we would do at the Christmas parade,” Gregorio said. The finished banners will remain on display until January 2. They can be seen along Meheula Parkway on the MHS fenceline.

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Top Ten Christmas Movies

hristmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays across the world, making it the subject of countless films. Many Christmas movies have reached critical and commercial acclaim and are viewed by millions of people every year. Here is the top ten list from the staff of Mililani Times.

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas Christmas meets Halloween in this movie about a mid-death crisis. Jack Skeleton stumbles across Christmas Town without a sense of purpose. Inspired by the festivity, he decides that the citizens of Halloweentown will celebrate Christmas, which leads him on an adventure to save Santa Claus from the Oogie Boogie man. The incredible stop-motion and classic Tim Burton vibe make this movie as much of a must-watch for Christmas as it is for Halloween.

6. The Polar Express 1. Home Alone Since its release in 1990, Home Alone has become a Christmas classic. 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) gets left at home when his family goes on a trip to Paris and has to fight off two men who wish to rob the McCallister residence. The story is heartwarming and relatable from a children’s perspective as a family comedy that can be enjoyed by all ages.

2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is about a reindeer named Rudolph who has a red blinking nose, which makes him different from all the others. Feeling excluded from the other reindeers, he runs away with an elf named Hermey and goes on an adventure learning the value of friendship and where home truly lies. The movie celebrates differences and has a moral for children to understand. Plus, the fun style for children and creative stop-motion animation keep viewers watching.

A doubtful boy goes on a magical journey by train to the North Pole in this charming movie that truly expresses the child-like wonder of Christmas. However, the train is not just to transport the children, but helps them with personal problems. The engaging acting and effects make viewers feel as if they are witnessing the real magic of the Polar Express. It is no wonder why it is one of the most well-known Christmas movies.

7. How The Grinch Stole Christmas The reclusive Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to steal Christmas from the cheery citizens of Whoville. However, his plans are halted when he meets Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen). The familiar tale is so integrated into Christmas culture that any version of it is a staple for the holiday season.

8. Frozen

This 2014 Disney film can be on any binge list. With catchy songs and beautiful animation, Frozen follows Anna as she tries to bring summer back with the help of her sister Elsa, the Queen of Arendelle. Although it does not have traditional Christmas themes, its main focus on Anna and Elsa’s sisterly bond create a heartwarming conclusion.

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas is a thought-provoking movie about the true meaning of Christmas. Charlie Brown isn’t feeling the usual Christmas spirit and the movie follows the things he does to make up for it, such as putting on a play with his friends and picking out a Christmas tree. This movie is great for the family and leaves a touching reminder of the importance of loved ones during the holidays.

4. Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the Snowman comes to life in a classic that families have watched every year. Built by school children on a winter’s day and finished with a magician’s top hat, Frosty goes on an adventure with the kids around town until he begins to melt. To distance him from the magician and warmer weather, Karen, a young girl, leaves with him to the North Pole. The heartwarming ending and playful spirit make this film a must for Christmas.

9. Elf

Released in 2003, Elf is the one of the more recent Christmas classics. It follows Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human raised by Santa’s elves, as he searches for his biological father. Buddy’s fish-out-of-water humor makes for some of the most touching as well as hilarious scenes, and we dare to try not to laugh.

10. Disney’s A Christmas Carol”

This 2009 adaptation uses 3D animation to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, which originated from Charles Dickens’ novel of the same name. A bitter old man who hates Christmas learns how to open up after an encounter with three spirits and the ghost of his old partner and friend, Jacob Marley. The classic Disney style and the uplifting ending are what make the movie popular among audiences.