Marauders challenged
to break barriers

The program will work with
Waipahu students to bridge
gaps between cliques

Waipahu dispels bad reputation

YOU ASKED
ABOUT THIS PAGE

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By Maria Rivera
Cane Tassel Co-Editor-In-Chief

Is it a football game? An academic quiz?

While the name Marauder Challenge might suggest a physical competition, it is more of a mental challenge. It is, however, very intense, as its name suggests.

Adapted from a national program, the Marauder Challenge will soon be offered to select Waipahu High School students who are referred to the program by their teachers. The main goal for the students, teachers, parents, administrators, counselors, and members of the community who are a part of the Marauder Challenge, is to address the issues of violence, racism, and stereotypes within the school.

WHS will be the first school on Oahu to provide this unique program to its students. The first challenge program in Hawaii took place at Hawaii Prep Academy on the Big Island last school year and was a huge success. Waipahu's Marauder Challenge will be held on November 28, 29 and 30 in the school's gym, serving approximately one hundred students per day.

High Risk Counselors at WHS, Susan Arashiro, Annette Kauahikaua, and Lisa Yahiku-Hiromoto discovered the Challenge Day Program through a video. With the support of the administration it was able to get off the ground. They personalized the program and dubbed it the Marauder Challenge.

Facilitators use a variety of games, activities, group discussions, icebreakers and trust-building exercises to help participants learn more about each other and themselves. By using these methods, students also build strong bridges with their parents and teachers. By making these connections with others, students are encouraged to break down barriers between cliques.

Another component to the Marauder Challenge is a Smoking Cessation Class. A special tobacco counselor was hired to address the issue of students and smoking.

This counselor will help educate students about the dangers of smoking and also provide methods to quit. In the future, any student caught smoking on campus will be referred to this counselor.

The third component of the Challenge Program is community service.

This segment will be open to all students and already involves drug-free programs at WHS including Students Making Individual Lives Extraordinary (SMILE) and the REACH Program. The community's role in these service projects will be canvassing stores and snack vendors in an effort to urge these establishments to stop selling cigarettes to minors.

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Waipahu dispels bad reputation

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By Kim Okahara
Cane Tassel Features Editor

Waipahu High School is not living down to its reputation. The negative images and stereotypes that surround the Waipahu campus are simply not true.

In fact, Waipahu High School is home to talented teachers, a diverse and creative student body, and several nationally recognized programs. Yes, it is true! Waipahu High School is one of the premiere schools, pioneering several new educational courses in the state.

One such class, Telecommunications, emphasizes the use of technology as a tool in communicating ideas and concepts. Students taking Telecommunications have the opportunity to create an electronic portfolio, which documents their high school achievements, activities and projects.

"I'm glad to be a part of the only Telecommunications course offered in the state of Hawaii," said senior Elmer Constantino.

"The activities that we do in class teach us to become better problem-solvers, which will prepare us for the real world and life."

Other topics covered in class include Ultimedia, or the literal and symbolic interpretation of the classic epic, Ulysses, as well as Desktop Publishing, where students produce a community newspaper addressing issues they consider important.

In the latter part of the year, students also create a Web page, incorporating significant issues and subjects into their Web design. Students also use basic computer programming and javascript in many of their projects.

In conjunction with Waipahu High School's Academy of Travel and Tourism and Academy of Finance, Telecommunication students will participate in an interaction day entitled, "Cultivating Waipahu's Youth." The activity is designed to allow students to gain a better understanding of the history of Waipahu, establish a continued effort in community improvement and increase pride within the Waipahu community.

The students also take part in a walking tour of Waipahu and a tour of Hawaii's Plantation Village with docents.

"We want Waipahu's youth to appreciate and learn about Waipahu's history so that they may pass on this knowledge to the next generation," said senior Crystal Trow. "We want them to make connections, to give them some idea of how Waipahu's plantation past has affected who we are today."

Telecommunications, the Academy of Travel and Tourism and the Academy of Finance are not the only educational programs making a difference in the Waipahu community.

There are many clubs and organizations on campus that continually make an impact on Waipahu High School students and Hawaii's youth.

Waipahu High School is home to a diverse student body and faculty.

The classes offered at the school provide students with many opportunities to succeed. Clubs and organizations on campus play a great role in creating a sound learning environment and, in many cases, succeed in dispelling the stereotype that has clouded the Waipahu image.

"We try to overcome our stereotype by bringing to light the positive aspects of our school," said senior Desiree Leehang.

Now, when you hear the words "Waipahu High School," what will you think of?

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YOU ASKED

As governor, what would be the changes you would make to improve our state?

Andrea Kelekolio
Grade 10

I would show the students that I actually care about them by making time to talk to them and sponsoring various workshops that would help them have a greater appreciation for political issues.

Denise Kapua
Grade 11

I would lower prices on things like bus fare, school lunches and gas to make the lives that are affected by the Sept. 11 tragedy easier in these financial hard times.

Brigette Ramirez
Grade 12

I would pass a law demanding that the BOE hire only certified teachers to teach in public schools in Hawaii.

Greyson Data
Grade 9

I would change all of the construction. A lot of the construction is to create new things. We should try to improve on what we already have.

Nicole Keaunui
Grade 11

I would put more money toward educational programs instead of putting money toward unnecessary things such as turning a golf course into a park.

Tanya Rivera
Grade 10

As governor, I would focus more on balancing the state's budget. Rather than spending taxpayers' money on recreational projects, I would focus on the more important areas, like education.

Thomas DeCastro
Grade 9

As governor, I would convince people that we could improve our state by making people realize that this is our home and we need to take care of it.

Joseph Lucas
Grade 11

I would clean up the state. Parts of Hawaii are in poor condition. For example, Kalihi's roads are too narrow and Waipahu's roads need work. This will take a lot of money, volunteers and time, and we can't get all of Hawaii, but if people help out with aloha, this dream can become a reality.

Clark Agena
Grade 11

The one change I would make to improve our state is in the education system. I would expand the spending on education and have cutbacks in other departments to accommodate the education department.

Rowena Ballesteros
Grade 12

I would stop spending people's money building unnecessary things and use the money for our children's future by giving most of it to the Department of Education so that Hawaii will have a brighter tomorrow.

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ABOUT THIS PAGE

Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their high school. This week's school is Waipahu High.

Newspaper: Cane Tassel
Co-Editors-in-Chief: Lorinda N. Dalipe and Maria Rivera
Faculty adviser: Vail Matsumoto
Next week: Roosevelt High

Waipahu High

Address: Waipahu High School

94-1211 Farrington Highway

Waipahu, HI 96797

Phone: 675-0222

Principal: Patricia Pedersen

School Colors: Blue and Gold

Mascot: Marauder, named after U.S. planes that flew over Pearl Harbor

Enrollment: 2,264 students

Faculty: 158

School Annual: Ka Mea Ohi (The Harvester)

Mission: To provide favorable learning environments where democratic ideals are lived and where people want to be. Waipahu is a school where self-esteem is valued and where people care for and respect each other; where learning occurs because teaching is relevant to present and future needs and where the best possible teachers are provided; and where collaborative efforts and partnerships are promoted and honored.

History: Founded in 1938 to give students in Aiea, Pearl City, Waipahu, Ewa, Nanakuli and Waianae better educational opportunities. The school was first located at the present site of Waipahu Elementary School. In September 1969, the school moved to the present site to accommodate the growing enrollment.

Clubs

Aloha Close-Up Club
Art Club
Club Med
DECA (Distribution Education Club of America)
Engineering Club
FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America)
FHA (Future Homemakers of America)
Fil-Am Youth Club
Guitar Club
Lei Hali'a Aloha (Hawaiian Club)
Leo Club
Math Team
Media Club
Mediation Team
Mock Trial Team
National Honor Society
Paradise Pursuit
Polynesian Club
SMILE (Students Making Individual Lives Extraordinary)
S.O.A.R. (Society of Avid Readers)
Spanish Club
The Cane Tassel
96797 Dance Team
WHS Band
YFS (Youth for Safety)
Yearbook Staff (Ka Mea Ohi)

Class mascots and colors

2002: Eternal Knights; Blue, White and Silver
2003: Raging Wolves; Silver, Baby Blue and Lavender
2004: Blazing Dragons; Red, Black and Silver
2005: Mystical Warriors; Blue, White and Purple

Upcoming Events

Junior Night: Nov. 16 at the Okinawan Center
Senior Luau: Dec. 1 at Treetops Restaurant
New Year's Ball: Jan. 12 at the Pacific Beach Hotel
Freshman/Sophomore Banquet: March 2 at the Manoa Grand Ballroom
Junior Prom: March 9 at the Marriott Hotel
Senior Prom: April 27 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel
Class of 2002 graduation: June 2 at Neal Blaisdell Center

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Compiled by Lorinda N. Dalipe

Cane Tassel Co-Editor-in-Chief

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calendars and events.