COURTESY OF WAIANAE HIGH SCHOOL From talent shows to student council activities, Waianae students have much aside from classes to keep them busy.

Campus life spins
in a funnel cloud of fun

Dances, recitals and trips rank
among the whirlwind of activities

Waianae to go to block schedule

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By Ilaisa Chang
Waianae High School

As seniors scramble to maintain their GPAs and fill out numerous college and scholarship applications and underclassmen look forward to spring break, many students reflect back on the activities in which they have participated and the memories they shared.

At Waianae High, students were busy with talent shows, student council activities, assemblies and other events.

"I think there were some fun activities this year that made the freshmen like myself fit in," said Serita Ulu.

The Freshman Orientation Assembly started off the 2002-2003 school year when student council officers taught the class of 2006 the alma mater. Then there was the Welcome Back Assembly on Aug. 9 for the entire student body, where council officers put together a fashion show with students modeling the standard dress top.

Although many students are not familiar with the legislative process, four students were selected to represent Waianae in the Secondary Student Conference held in December at the state Capitol and UH-Manoa. They went to pre-conferences in September and October to learn about the legislative process and drafted resolutions that were debated during the conference. They joined other student leaders from across the state to discuss and debate issues concerning the educational system. The resolutions passed were drafted into House bills and are now being reviewed in the Legislature.

Seariders showed off their talents at Talented Riders Live on Nov. 27. The three winners of TRL automatically qualified for the school's Star Quest competition, which was held on Feb. 10. The community gathered in the cafeteria to watch students battle for the chance to represent Waianae in the state Star Quest competition. Out of the many performances, freshman Navella Pomisino won the competition with her rendition of "I Love the Way You Love Me," by Faith Hill.

To end 2002, students wore Santa hats and dressed up for the "All I Want for Christmas Is You" Winter Ball, held at the Ala Moana Hotel on Dec. 23.

"I liked the little Chinese takeout boxes that were party favors," said sophomore Natasha Crace.

The new year opened with motivational speaker Scott Greenberg's presentation on "Bouncing Back" to select classes on Jan. 28.

Greenberg shared the story of his battle with cancer, and he inspired the students to be strong, appreciate others and themselves.

"From him I learned not to be ashamed of who you are and just be glad of yourself," said Kawaiaea.

Fans of Shakespeare took part in a festival in the library on Feb. 3, reciting a 14-line monologue. It was a tight competition, but Chris Spake won, with Jonathan Koch and Lonona Brown tying for second. Spake will take part in a competition in March at Punahou.

Brown said, "I was really nervous about my performance, but my friends assured me they enjoyed it."

For Valentine's Day the Art Club and Student Union sold scented candles, tiny bears, roses and lollipops. A Prom Fashion Show was also held in the gym, where students modeled dresses from Stone Gear and tuxedoes from Gary's Tuxedo. The Senior/Junior Prom will be held on March 17 at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel.

Besides student activities sponsored by the Student Union, Seariders also participated in various activities and trips put together by the numerous clubs on campus.

With the many activities Seariders were involved in this year, they never tired out. If there was nothing going on, they looked for something to do.

Seniors count the days with teary eyes till their graduation, while underclassmen cannot wait to become one grade higher.

So, if you are ever bored, feel free to drop by. We'll have something for you.

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