[ HAWAII'S SCHOOLS ]
Memorable mural It is difficult to refer to today's high schools as "microcosms of society." After all, there is nothing "micro" about thousands of students jammed together in sweltering classrooms.
Despite setbacks, alumnus
leaves behind a 'gift'2002 seniors savor a memorable luau
You asked: Single or Relationship?
By Rachel Brandon
Trojan TimesIt's more like a massive cultural melting pot, an inferno of passionate personas. Every day, 2,116 individuals dance a ballet of fire and ice where divergent beliefs and ideas clash at Mililani High.
In this environment it is difficult to foster a society where the features that define us are embraced and students feel like they are an ohana. However, one Mililani student felt this sense of community and portrayed it using his talent.
Alumnus Stephen Ludwig began work this spring on a mural titled "Respect Our Memory," a celebration of the different cultures of the class of 2001.
"It was my gift to the class," Ludwig says. "I just wanted to show how we got through (high school) together and how everyone got along."
He explains that much of his art is based on the problems that he sees in the world, but works like "Respect Our Memory" are based on things he can "appreciate."
"Different cultures are one thing I really enjoy, so I wanted to represent that in the mural."
Four smiling faces of different ethnicity are pictured against a backdrop of Oahu's scenic beauty: majestic cloud-scapes, jagged Pali cliffs and island flora.
Ludwig's photography teacher, Francine Masuda, praised the mural's theme, saying it "shows the different races that we have in Hawaii in a positive way."
Biology teacher Garrett Fujii, whose classroom borders the mural, appreciates the skill put into the backdrop as well as the animated figures.
Most of the student body admires Ludwig and the time he spent working on the mural. However, during the painting process, a large section was defaced by ruffians.
"I had to redo quite a bit because (of the graffiti). It slowed me down and took me a few extra days," says Ludwig.
Masuda was upset when she discovered the mural had been defaced. "I think the majority of people are respectful to it, except a few who have (vandalized) it because of their immaturity or jealousy. They just don't understand it," Masuda explains.
She praises Ludwig's ability. "There have been only two students that I know who are talented in both two- and three-dimensional art. ... Stephen is the second student that I've ever met who has that multitalent."
"He is very humble, the kind of student every teacher wants," Masuda says.
Even after seniors strut down the aisle in their golden graduation gowns, the Senior Luau likely will remain a memorable highlight of their final year in high school. 2002 seniors savor
a memorable luauDancing holds sway as students
kick off their final school year
at an oceanfront partyBy Brandon Hanagami
Trojan TimesThe annual luau was held Sept. 2 at Paradise Cove in celebration of the Class of 2002 Dragons.
Even though the seniors had to ride buses to the Waianae Coast, they held on to their optimism and filled the ride with wild laughs, rapid conversation and pulsing camera flashes.
On arrival they walked single file down a short path, reminiscent of kindergarten years.
At the end of the rutty path, they were greeted by a lush, open field and the blinding sun descending below the horizon. It was a classic Hawaiian landscape, with coconut trees and breaking waves in the distance.
"It's really beautiful here," Andrea Eng said. Continuing with a laugh, Eng joked, "It makes you feel Hawaiian."They hesitantly ate authentic Hawaiian food as the sun fell out of sight, creating streaks of orange and pink in the darkening sky. Usually tucked away in the center of the island, the Mililani residents relished the special treat.
Later there were goofy picture-taking sessions, amusing Hawaiian games and intricate body-painting. The faces of many teens reddened with laughter as they shouted encouragement for the brave teachers who participated in a Tahitian dance-off.
"Ms. Tanaka can get her groove on like I've never seen before," said John Ahn with a grin.
Once the night cooled and the tradewinds began to waft, the students shamelessly rushed to the dance floor. The outpouring of energy from the seniors lasted throughout the night as everyone danced with one another until the blaring music stopped. It was a poignant moment when, after the last song, the seniors refused to budge, turning their heads to one another, longing for the music to continue.
Upon the principal's demand to get back on the buses, the seniors, all dressed in aloha attire and wearing identical lei, trudged back to the parking lot. Though it was the end of the night, it was just the beginning of many memorable activities to come in their senior year.
Janice Okimoto, sophomore: I want to stay single because I look at all the relationships around me, and I see all the problems they have. High school is about academics. We can worry about all the relationships in college. YOU ASKED
Would you prefer to remain single
or be in a relationship, and why?Brandon Birgado, senior: Single, because you can flirt, and you have less responsibility and more freedom.
Christina Pancho, junior: I like being in a relationship because my boyfriend is not just a boyfriend ... he's also my best friend. We have more than one thing in common.
Maya Yoshitake, junior: Being single is nice because you're not restricted, yet at the same time I know I'll always crave the closeness of a relationship.
Leslie Fukuyama, sophomore: In a relationship, because it's good knowing that someone loves me back. It's a feeling no friendship could ever give.
Christopher Massad, sophomore: If you're single, you can concentrate more on school and education. Relationships cause distractions.
Jordan Paschal, junior: In a relationship, because I don't want to be lonely. I've been lonely for three years, and now I have someone who cares for me and shows me love.
Crystal Black, senior: Single right now, just because I don't like too many emotional factors in my life. If there's no guy, I have more time to be self-centered and just spoil myself rather than have to pamper someone else. It's just selfish time.
Nicole Lender, freshman: Single, I guess, because I like to be independent and get to know people before I make decisions.
Ryan Chun, junior: Single, so you don't get nagged by your girlfriend, worry about taking care of them, and so you don't get cheated on.
Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers will tell us about their high school. This week's school is Mililani High. ABOUT THIS PAGE
Newspaper: Trojan Times
Editor: Brandon Hanagami
Faculty adviser: Faye Tanaka
Next week: Farrington High
Mililani High
Address: 95-1200 Meheula Pkwy., Mililani, HI 96789
Phone: 627-7747
Opened: September 1973
Faculty remaining from opening day: Paulette Chun, Glenn Nitta and Edward Sawada
Mascot: Trojans
Colors: Brown and gold
Yearbook: Na Mana'o Poina 'Ole
Principal: Robert L. Ginlack
Vice Principals: George Okino, Leighton Kawai, Heather Wilhelm
Class Mascots:
2005 -- Viper
2004 -- Tiger
2003 -- Cougar
2002 -- Dragon
Homecoming Game: Sept. 28, 2001; traditional Homecoming floats have been replaced by three-dimensional banners.
By the numbers
2,116 Number of students
110 Number of teachers
900-1300 Lunches served daily
6-10 Lunches containing chicken that are served monthly
21 Clubs on campus
17 Soda machines
52 Number of stairs in an average building
7 Minutes allowed for passing between classes
220 Students with cars and parking passes (Nicest cars are driven by students, not teachers!)
1 Number of fights on campus every two months
Compiled by Ashley Soeth and Elizabeth Hartnett
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