[ HAWAII'S SCHOOLS ]
COURTESY OF WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL
Waiakea High School took part in Red Ribbon Week in late October, a week that promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Students waved signs in front of their school on Hugs Not Drugs Day, part of the week's activities.
Waiakea takes
anti-drug standStudents plan a week of events
to foster school spirit through
remaining drug-freePrograms ease transition for freshmen
Upperclassmen devote to guiding newcomers
Federal grant helps learning
About this section | You asked...
At Waiakea High School, students know the importance of helping others. They realize that they can make a difference. This is what the Student Government Association had in mind when planning the school's observance of Red Ribbon Week.
Held annually during the last week of October, Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide event promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. It began after federal drug enforcement agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena was killed by a drug gang in 1985. The National Family Partnership held the first Red Ribbon Week three years later.
Students kicked off five exciting days of activities on Monday, Spirit Day, by decking out in red garb. Brandt Nakamura, a senior, was energized by the students' considerable show of unity: "I realized that many (of my) peers also supported a drug-free lifestyle, which made me happy."
Students and staff alike participated in the events of Tuesday, or Hugs Not Drugs Day, including two community service projects. The first was a stuffed-animal drive. Five trash bags containing cuddly creatures were donated to the Children's Justice Center of Hilo. "It was nice to give (them) to other children who needed a more fulfilled life," sophomore Erin Okumoto said.
About 60 Warriors waved signs and spread drug-free messages to after-school traffic as well. Motorists showed their support for the students' efforts by honking their horns or giving shaka signs.
"Not only was it fun, but it helped prevent drug use," said junior Linda Kang. "It made me feel good about myself."
Wednesday, Born to Be Drug-Free Day, saw Warriors making the commitment to lead drug-free lives. Around 300 student signatures were collected on pledges and presented to Billy Kenoi, a Hawaii County official leading the war on drugs.
On Thursday, Drugs Don't Fly With Me Day, a red balloon tower was built in the quad. A paper airplane contest also took place during lunch time, in which about a dozen students crafted gliders and watched them soar.
Halloween Friday, also known as Say "Boo" to Drugs Day, closed Red Ribbon Week.
Throughout the week, everyone displayed ribbons with the message "Follow your dreams. Don't do drugs." A drug fact was shared over the public address system every day. The palm trees lining the school's main entrance were adorned with red bows as well.
Freshman Ross Murashige summed up the week by saying, "When the whole school was involved in Red Ribbon Week, more people became aware of how fantastic it is to be drug-free."
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Programs ease transition
for freshmenActivities emphasize individuality
and the value of teamwork
Many schools have already taken off on a daring adventure to give the "school within a school" program a try. Waiakea High School is one of these schools. Beginning this school year, several teachers created what is now known as the Freshman House.
The Freshman House is an integrated curriculum between core classes, offering a higher level of personalization for each student and a series of guiding activities.
The activities, known as the Six Dynamic Colors and 12 Habits of Mind, help students learn more about themselves and ease the transition from intermediate school.
At the beginning of the year, each freshman received a booklet entitled the Freshman House Packet, which included the base lines of the Freshman House, how class would be conducted and information about the Six Dynamic Colors and the 12 Habits of Mind.
Many teachers have worked hard to put the Freshman House program to work. Freshman House teacher Jo Martino hopes to "develop a strong and solid foundation as a team while simultaneously helping (freshmen) discover their individual selves."
Teachers have noticed that many of the freshmen enjoy the Freshman House, and they hope that it will continue to benefit those it was created for.
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Upperclassmen devote two summer
days to guiding jittery newcomers
Waiakea's Class of 2007 was greeted at the beginning of the school year by supercharged, screaming upperclassmen as part of "Freshman Connection," a program that has helped jittery newbies ease into high school life.
Freshman Connection leaders are facilitators and role models, adopting a group of about half a dozen students. As peers, they guide students through activities that teach them about challenges, teamwork and communication. These leaders share experiences about their own challenges, from trying to fit in to the heartache of an abusive relationship. They also addressed working together as a team with peers, and the pitfalls of miscommunication.
Freshmen Connection leader Nathan Braceros said: "When I saw all the freshmen, I didn't just see people, I saw possibilities. I could form friendships and be a mentor in these kids' lives, and that's worth all my sacrifice." These leaders gave up their last two days of summer to welcome freshmen.
After all the activities, students got to tour the campus, Warrior style, with costumes. It was a masquerade party of knights in foil armor, the animals of Noah's Ark, outlandish rock stars with out-of-the-world guitars, ghetto superhero Batmans and traffic signs led by a slick BMW cardboard car, to name a few. First-place winner for most creative costume and most spirited were Braceros' tiki people.
After lunch, the Freshman House teachers played a name game in which three students attempted to match the name cards with the right person. Freshmen then got their hands dirty by stepping up to the challenge of building a 4-foot-high sculpture using a half-pound of newspaper and an arm's length of tape in 10 minutes. Freshman Sierra O'Neil said: "It was hard. ... Everyone wanted to do it their way. (But) it passed the test."
By the end of the day, the countless activities and cheers exhausted the students. The freshmen endured the "connection"; now they have to survive the next four years.
COURTESY OF WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL
Freshmen dressed up in costumes and toured the campus as part of Freshman Connection.
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Federal grant helps make
learning lively and purposeful
Last year, Gloria Kobayashi, head librarian of Waiakea High School, was a coordinator and an integral part of a management team that strove to improve the school. Blessed with a federal grant, the school is just beginning a four-year plan to reform.
After successfully implementing the Freshman House program, they are now looking to follow that up with a Sophomore House.
"One of the main goals is to make learning lively -- it gives students a greater purpose to go to school," Kobayashi said.
With a team of six teachers, the Freshman House also looks to improve the academic achievement for all ninth-graders. Data show that a number of freshmen had near-failing grades during the 2001-02 school year -- 25.91 percent in the first semester, 31.97 percent in the second.
Waiakea High believes the "houses" concept will address this problem and improve student learning. The concept was to create a productive "school within a school" which would not only ease the transition for freshmen, but also prepare them for the working world.
The grant, for roughly $2,500,000, will be spread out over three years between eight high schools, the others being Campbell, Kaimuki, Kauai, Lahainaluna, Waianae, Waipahu and Roosevelt.
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About this section
Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their school. This week's school is Waiakea High School on the Big Island.
Newspaper: Ka Leo O Ke Koa (The Voice of the Warrior), founded 1977 Editor: Joelle Penisten Adviser: Audrey Archer Kelly
Warrior facts
Address: 155 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: 808-974-4888 Principal: Patricia Nekoba Colors: Royal blue and white Mascot: Warriors Web site: waiakeahigh.k12.hi.us Enrollment: 1,300 Famous alumni:
Onan Masaoka, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher
Kuualoha Taylor, former KGMB weather anchor
Harold Kama Jr., entertainer
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You asked...
Do you think the Hawaii State Assessment Test
accurately measures a student's intelligence?Nathan Braceros
Senior
"No, some people are really bad test takers."Lisa Kim
Senior
"No, it only tests you on certain parts like math and English. They should test students on their strengths."Mary Allen
Junior
"Yes, if you get the students to try, it shows what they can and can't do."Miho Aoki
Sophomore
"Not really. With any test, some people are bad test takers. It does not show what you know."Jessica Carvalho
Senior
"No, (it's) not a very good test. It is not relevant to anything we learned, and the standard's grading is not equivalent to a student's ability. No one took it seriously. There were sections in the math I never seen in my life."Derek Matsui
Senior
"Yes. It's just like any other test. It tests how well you learn and your ability to learn."Wendi Serrao
Senior
"No. Students don't take it seriously. It's a waste of class time."Kristen Suwa
Senior
"No. I can't take tests in a time situation. I tend to rush and I can't think."Michelle Tsang
Senior
"No, but it has potential to measure. Most students don't use their full potential, and thus the results are not accurate. If students were aware the scores are on their transcripts, they would take it more seriously, and it might be an accurate indicator."
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