HAWAII'S SCHOOLS
COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN MISSION ACADEMY
Senior Ben Bechard washes a car to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
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Charity in Tragedy
Students at HMA routinely raise funds to help victims
By Beth Waters
Hawaiian Mission Academy
Making a difference for time and eternity in service for humankind and God" is Hawaiian Mission Academy's vision statement. Whenever a major disaster strikes, the HMA student body always steps up to the plate to help out.
Hawaiian Mission Academy
Name
Ka 'Elele
Faculty adviser
Jane Cheeseman
Editor
Allan Yang
Address
1438 Pensacola St.,
Honolulu 96822
Principal
Josué Rosado
Phone number
536-2207
Mascot
Knight
Enrollment
130
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Whether it's raising money by planning fundraisers themselves or answering the request of a principal, HMA's student family always manages to raise funds to help a worthy cause.
In the devastating 2004 Christmas tsunami in Southeast Asia, the graphic images of suffering moved many to donate money at Principal Josue Rosado's request. Rosado asked the students to each donate anywhere from $5 to $10. Many students donated more than was asked. Over the following weeks, students, faculty and staff donated a total of $1,180.68.
But the Southeast Asia goal is not the only thing HMA has prided itself in reaching. The worst natural disaster in the United States since 1900 hit New Orleans on Aug. 29, and HMA students kept tabs on the events of Hurricane Katrina and focused intently on its outcome. Some were so shocked that they planned their own fundraiser to raise money to send to the Adventist Disaster Relief Agency to help support disaster victims.
HMA's newspaper editor, Allan Yang, disturbed by a photograph depicting houses under water, planned two fundraisers for Katrina victims. He asked choir teacher James Woods to help organize a religious concert fundraiser.
On Oct. 22, HMA's chorale sang in a special benefit concert at the Manoa Seventh-day Adventist Church. The program featured hymns and some special songs from staff and faculty, including a solo by assistant business manager Jean Granum and a duet with Woods and another teacher, Raul Zanatta.
The second student-generated fundraiser was a car wash held in the parking lot of the school the day after the benefit concert. Students did not charge for washing cars; instead, they asked for donations. For most, the morning seemed too gloomy to hold a car wash. The sky was dark, with no sign of any sunshine.
"All I thought about was how I was going to send volunteers home," said Yang.
Volunteers came in at 9 a.m., and by 10 a.m., to the students' amazement, the sky had cleared.
The event started out slowly, but by noon, cars were rushing in one after another. Some students stood outside the school on corners and sign-waved, while the rest washed cars. By the end of the car wash at 4 p.m., volunteers had washed approximately 60 cars over a six-hour period.
Overall, with help from student leaders such as publications editors Yang and Jordan Patricio, and Joycelyn Ampon, president of Rotary Interact (a Rotary service organization), HMA raised $2,339 for ADRA's Katrina Relief Fund. Money collected in the student-generated projects will help victims rebuild their homes and city.
Students also constantly help the local community by collecting for food drives; volunteering at hospitals, the local YMCA and humane society; and through the Christmas gift project to financially challenged families.
As a school ohana, HMA students, faculty and staff have helped people in their local and world communities, "making a difference for time and eternity in service for humankind and God."
Students see real gains in study of economics
A Web-based game gives players $100,000 to play the stocks
By Heather Galbreath and Symphony Valencia
Hawaiian Mission Academy
"Yes, I just made a million dollars!" said a Hawaiian Mission Academy student who surpassed his goal.
Senior Allan Yang watched his diversified stocks rise and fall in an investment game he played in an economics class.
The one-semester class teaches real-life lessons in dealing with the economy. The course taught by Ron Childers was an elective class for two years but will be required, beginning with this year's seniors.
Students study the basics of microeconomics, which explains how individuals fit into the economy and how the economy affects them.
Class members look at how supply and demand affects the free market. They also look at interest rates and how they affect how much money one can borrow and how much more money one can make with compounded, instead of simple, interest.
The class then explores money management, and that is where the games come in.
The two Web-based games the students play, StocksQuest and Simu Stock, deal with actual, current stocks and simulate real-life situations. Each student receives a virtual account with $100,000 to buy stocks in different companies. Stock buyers must research to find the best possible companies to fit their needs before purchasing shares.
Students are also allowed to trade and sell their stocks as they follow the day-to-day stock prices. When the stock goes down, the buyers lose their "money" and vice versa.
COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN MISSION ACADEMY
Senior Micah Winslow works on a lesson in investing in Ron Childers' economics class.
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HMA's record holder is Yang, who made more than a million dollars in StocksQuest in less than one semester.
"I kept close watch on company mergers and acquisitions," Yang said, "and the companies that announced quarter profits higher than expected."
After the class completes the section in microeconomics, it moves on to macroeconomics. This section presents the economy as a whole, with topics such as how government policies, taxes and loans affect businesses, which in turn affect the average person.
"After the class is finished, the students should have a better understanding of how our country's economy works," says Childers, "and they should have a better feel of how to manage their finances."
Childers says he enjoys teaching the class, finding it fun and stimulating. He also says that he learns from his students' ideas and strategies.
"With the games and interactive programs, the students can't help but leave the class having learned something of value," he said.
YOU ASKED
"Why is it important for high school students to keep up with current events, especially in relation to Iran and Iraq?"
Cami Muller
Freshman
"Our troops are there. War between the two countries would mean more U.S. military involvement."
Kaleb Lane
Freshman
"If war broke out between Iran and Iraq, the U.S. will have to choose sides. We would probably support Iraq because we've started them on the road to democracy."
Brittany Asatani
Sophomore
"It is important for us to know what is happening in Iraq and Iran because biblical prophesy says that the last wars will be fought in the Middle East."
Steven Mata'utia
Sophomore
"If Iraq or Iran declares war, the U.S. would get involved, and we would have to spend money on supplying more troops."
Esther Tak
Junior
"We live in this world, so we should know what's going on. If war broke out, we'd have to send more military aid."
Chad Yazawa
Junior
"We young men could get drafted if Iran and Iraq went to war."
Jenna Seibel
Senior
"All our guys (seniors) will have to sign up for the draft if we had to go into Iran."
Matt Huizingh
Senior
"What affects Iran and Iraq affects the U.S., which would affect our future."