[ HAWAII'S SCHOOLS ]
Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters
and photographers tell us about their high school.
This week's school is Lutheran High School.Next week: Roosevelt
Lutheran High As the 2001-02 school year came to a close, the students of Lutheran High eagerly anticipated a summer free from the stresses of homework, 30-page reports and projects.
kids go abroad
for summer
Some students help build
School facts and figures
a classroom on a trip to MexicoBy Jenna Ono and Stacia Baek
Lutheran High SchoolStudents traveled, attended summer school or found a job, while others concentrated on strengthening their leadership and social skills.
Some students attended the National Youth Leadership Conference on the East Coast. Students from all over the world came together for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The conference lasted 11 days, during which students dealt with current issues and events. Students also demonstrated their leadership skills by conducting a model Congress.
Senior Krystyna Koba was one of the students nominated to participate.
"I learned to deal with different types of people and their personalities," Koba said. Her advice to future nominees was to "take the opportunity, if it is given. Seize the day."
Senior Shane Sato, yearbook editor in chief, also attended this event. His group visited the Korean and Vietnam war memorials, Arlington National Cemetery and the Major League Soccer All-Star Game.
"I learned about how government works and more about politics," Sato said. "I met people from all over the United States, and I had to learn to get along with those who were different from me. It was a good learning experience."
Lion Print Editor in Chief and senior Travis Watanabe took part in a similar event, the National Student Leadership Conference, on the East Coast. For two weeks, Watanabe visited embassies and the United Nations; toured Washington, D.C., and New York City; attended seminars and workshops; and participated in a Model U.N. session. He also visited historic sites like Union Station, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Georgetown, Capitol Hill and the Holocaust Museum.
Watanabe discovered the difficulty of solving international problems and learning to get along with others. He learned about leadership and developed new relationships.
Watanabe said: "At first I thought I would never survive, but after a few days I had the time of my life. I had a lot of fun, and I learned a lot about international affairs as well as myself."
Other students helped those less fortunate during their summer free time. One group traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, to construct a small kindergarten classroom for 60 children and two teachers. The students managed to complete the mission project over a period of three days, giving the children and their teachers a safe place to gather.
"I attended the mission trip because I wanted to serve God, and the best way I could was to take this opportunity," junior McKenzie Pond, a mission team member, said. "The hardest part was the work, and the best part was giving the toys to the children because they looked very touched and excited.
"This experience made me thankful for the things I own, because I realized what I had. I've been out and have truly seen the real world, and now I am no longer caught up in my own little bubble."
Sophomore Jessica Ensing, who also took part in this mission trip, said: "For me the hardest thing was adapting to the environment. It was so different from what I'm used to. I had to learn how to respect the Mexican culture. It was a fun experience to see how people lived and to live like them, always doing things for other people while expecting nothing in return."
Another mission trip member was senior Mike Bruner. Bruner learned teamwork and service. He enjoyed the excellent food, spending time with friends and helping those in need.
Bruner also attended the Naval Academy Summer Seminar. Out of 15,000 applicants nationwide, he was one of only 1,000 people who were accepted. It was a weeklong indoctrination into the U.S. Naval Academy program.
"I participated in classes, woke up at 5 every morning, went sailing on naval ships, worked out with Navy SEALs, got yelled at and had to do push-ups," Bruner said. He learned discipline, dedication, honor and commitment at the seminar.
Principal Arthur Gundell said of the students' activities: "These students have taken their summer vacation time to expose themselves to some good learning and serving experiences. The students expanded their knowledge of the world. These events have prepared them for what is ahead and helped to shape them as Lutheran students."
BACK TO TOP |
Newspaper: Lion Print Lutheran High School
Editor: Travis Watanabe
Faculty adviser: D. Utsumi
By the numbers
Address: 1404 University Ave., Honolulu 96822
Phone number: 949-5302
Date founded: 1970
Mission statement: "Educating for life, promoting the faith"
Principal: Arthur Gundell
Students: 139 (80 male, 59 female)
Faculty and staff: 19
Average class size: 13
Mascot: Lion
School colors: Navy blue and white
Click for online
calendars and events.
