Thursday, December 9, 2010
MMonth
Trojan of the
By Zora Ha
z.ha@trojantimes.org
With many years put into perfecting the sport of bowling, Senior Leihulunani Siafuafu has played a part in MHS’ recent OIA Champions and HHSAA Runners-up titles. Siafuafu has been bowling for nine years. What first got her interest in bowling was the fact that it was a challenge. “I never knew that bowling had so much more to it, which is having accuracy, skill, concentration and discipline, which makes bowling challenging. From then on all I wanted to do was learn.“ MHS Bowling Coach Kellen Inafuku would have to agree, with the progress he has seen. “I don’t know anyone else at this school that can bowl like her, when she’s bowling you can really see how having a good attitude affects her,” he said. Before every game, she always prays to remind her of her roots and to reflect on how far she has come. Afterward, she likes to have a pep talk with the team to get them ready. “I have a talk with the team telling them to stay strong, have fun and no matter what, don’t give up.” With her final season over, Siafuafu will continue to bowl with the Leeward Jr. Bowling Club.
Sports
7
Varsity Cheerleading takes first in OIA West Division By Ella Macaraig
e.macaraig@trojantimes.org
Performing to the tunes of “All I Do is Win” by DJ Khaled, “Baby” by Justin Bieber, “We Run This” by Missy Elliot and “The Dougie” by Cali Swag District, MHS’ Varsity Cheerleaders won first place in the OIA West Division Competition, held at Moanalua High School on Saturday Nov. 6. Out of more than 20 schools, MHS managed to get first place. Radford took second and Kapolei placed third. Head Coach Renesha Kierstedt was thrilled with the team’s victory. “My first reaction was ‘Oh my God they did it.’ Finally there was ... evidence for them to see that they can be better than that. We had some difficulties, and they came out top. That was a great experience,” she said. They performed one original routine with a number of mixed songs for the competition, which was no longer than two minutes and thirty seconds. Their routine consisted of both chant and cheer. Routines are not just
Juyoung Song| Na Mana Poina ole
The MHS Varsity Cheerleading squad preformed their routine at the OIA West Division Championships Nov. 6. After their victory, the team moved on to the state championships on Dec. 5. that, they need practice so they can be perfect. “Lots of practice, rest, team bondings, that’s pretty much it. We usually have a lot of fun during practice,” said Senior La’Precious Richardson. They underwent months of practice and preparation. “We’ve been preparing since summer. We got to prepare our girls to be well mentally, physically and emotionally, they have to be able to do
it, love it, get used to it. And that’s probably (what) this team has that other team doesn’t,” said Kierstedt. Though cheerleading is a team sport, individuals engaged in it must posses certain skills. “Some of us go to open gym. Some of us have cheerleading outside the school like we have All-Stars and we just have practices for school everyday,” said Junior Amanda Bejerana.
Kierstedt was impressed with this year’s varsity team, “This year’s varsity team is ‘beast,’ that’s how I call it, I’m talking about their strength, emotional tightness. No matter what happens they’re always trying to help each other to that ultimate goal,” she said The team worked hard to reach the top, overcoming injuries along the way, and was able to put on a show.
Senas succeeds in softball, life with family’s support By Caitlin Kelly
c.kelly@trojantimes.org
MHS alumna Ciera Senas, class of 2005, was never one to take her family for granted. This family oriented athlete was a part of Hawaii Pacific University’s (HPU) NCAA Division II Softball College World Series Team. Senas has also received several honors, with recognition as an All Pac West First Team member being one of them. She credits her family, who has always been supportive, for her success. Senas began playing softball when she was five years old, her grandfather being her first coach. She has three sisters, Chasity (Mililani ’06), Chanelle (Mililani ’08) and Courtney (Mililani ’10), all of whom play softball as well. Being the oldest sibling, Senas took it upon herself to serve as a mentor for her sisters. “I feel like I influence them, so they watch every
Caitlin Kelly|Trojan Times
Ciera Senas, an MHS alumna , an educational assistant at MHS and a champion former Trojan softball player. move I make and being the older sibling I feel like I have to push them too,” she said. Senas’ parents have always been supportive of the sport. “My family played a big role in (my athletic success). They supported me throughout my whole high school softball career,” Senas said. It was her parents’
dream for their daughters to advance to the World Series. However, tragedy struck in Feb. 2010 when Senas’ father passed away after a long struggle with bone cancer just three months before the World Series game. Her strength was tested during a time of difficulty for her family, but she kept her father’s words in mind. “He
taught me to always fight until the end. You always fight and push and strive to do your best, and because of that I think he pushed me to be a better person,” she said. Therefore, when HPU walked away with the title, it had an increased value. “He’s the one that pushed me, because him and my mom always talked about how one of their daughters was going to bring them to the world series. I was always motivated to go. And my senior year, he wasn’t here but he had the best seats in the house and we made it,” Senas said. Though she has since graduated from HPU, Senas continues to carry on the softball tradition by coaching the Junior Varsity team at MHS, while also working as an educational assistant. With the support of her family, she hopes to pass the legacy on to younger players.