[ HAWAII'S SCHOOLS ]
COURTESY OF SACRED HEARTS ACADEMY
Service clubs at the academy enable students to reach out to the community and gain responsibility. These clubs provide students with opportunities to become influential leaders in their local environment. Academy club presidents work with presidents of civic organizations on future projects. From left, Bobbie Cosco (Zonta Club of Honolulu), Selena Chang, Jamie Felicitas, Jessica Latief, Faye Chiogioji (SIWI), Jackie Ingamells (Rotary Club of Diamond Head), Kimiyo Arnold (Kiwanis International) and Mazie Tsang.
Making service
a lifestyleClubs promote civic involvement
with projects that range from
sewing dolls to reading
to schoolchildren
As part of Sacred Hearts Academy's philosophy, students are called to grow in understanding of others and to care for the world in which they live.
In part, the school fulfills this mission by sponsoring service clubs for students to reach out to their community. Among these are the Key, Soroptimist, Zonta and Interact clubs.
The most recent project for the Key Club, the student counterpart to Kiwanis International, was sewing dolls for children at Kapiolani Medical Center.
"The dolls are given to children who enter the hospitals' emergency rooms so they will not have a traumatic experience that could cause psychological damage," said Sacred Hearts senior Mazie Tsang, Hawaii's recently elected state Key Club lieutenant governor.
"The goals of the Key Club train us to make service a part of our lifestyle rather than a casual event," Tsang said.
Soroptimist International of Waikiki also sponsors a community service club.
"We sponsor the 'S' Club at Sacred Hearts because our goal and focus are directed toward the betterment of women. Since it is an all-girls school and located in our area, Sacred Hearts is the right fit for us," SIWI President Judy Lee said. "Our goals match those of the school."
The "S" Club has more than 50 members and incorporates activities that emphasize the role of women in society. Besides its commitment to service at Shriners, Easter Seals, YWCA and Palolo Chinese Home, club members host monthly guest speakers, women who are community leaders and good role models for the students.
Club adviser Randall Fong said: "The 'S' Club has had the opportunity to meet with a number of women who have made an impact in their communities. Club members have met and spoken with such leaders as former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, state Judge Sandra Simms, Jiffy Lube Hawaii owner Jean Ito and President Leah Bernstein of Mountain Apple Co."
Another service club that also focuses on improving the status of women is the "Z" Club, mentored by the Zonta Club of Honolulu.
Zonta Club Treasurer Bobbie Cosco said: "Sponsorship of the 'Z' Club brings a refreshing vitality to the Zonta Club of Honolulu, a civic organization since 1948. Often at our monthly meetings, the girls attend the program segment, usually on topics of interest to women. If we participate in a community service project, the girls are by our side."
"Z" Club adviser Nancy Rocheleau agreed: "We just finished the Race for the Cure, a fund-raiser for breast cancer research. The students helped distribute packets to the participants the day before the race. During the race, we were in charge of the water station at Kapiolani Park."
"Z" Club members have also helped at women's shelters, the Salvation Army, the Ronald McDonald House and other nonprofit organizations. Students promote literacy by participating in reading programs at Palolo Elementary School.
"I like the 'Z' Club because I'm convinced that when women and girls work together, we can make a tremendous difference in the community," Rocheleau said.
Rotary Club of Diamond Head is the latest community organization to come to Sacred Hearts Academy.
"The idea of helping young women at the high school level in our local community just seemed a perfect fit," Rotary Club of Diamond Head President Jackie Ingamells said. "We meet in Waikiki and like the closeness in proximity to Sacred Hearts. The enthusiasm of the girls is a boost to each adult."
Interact Club adviser Celeste O'Brien said: "Although we have just begun, the girls are very excited. As their first activity, they will join the Rotarians in tutoring and reading at Ala Wai Elementary School.
"These service clubs enable students to be actively involved in their community, view reality quicker and grow more as persons, always working toward a better future," O'Brien said.
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Learning fosters
a social conscienceEven kindergartners embrace
a curriculum built on benevolence
At Sacred Hearts Academy, service learning is an everyday word. This practice, which combines classroom curriculum with community service for students of all ages, enriches learning, teaches responsibility and strengthens our communities.
Even students as young as kindergarten participate in community service activities to expand academic boundaries and foster self-awareness and individual commitment to helping others. At the academy, service learning is embedded in classes through programs that are age-appropriate and student-centered.
Kindergartners participate in a range of activities, from making dog biscuits for the Hawaiian Humane Society to making activity bags for pediatric patients at Kapiolani Medical Center.
"Making the dog biscuits is an all-time favorite for the girls; they really love it," said teacher Robin Campbell. "They do every step of the process themselves, and all of it is hands-on. That's the best part. They try out the recipes, design and sculpt their own doggie biscuits and wrap each one individually. They deliver the biscuits personally to the dogs at the Humane Society."
COURTESY OF SACRED HEARTS ACADEMY
Academy students are encouraged to care for their community and world even at a young age. Kindergartners Malia Libby, left, Anne Fanelli and Hailey Monaco make dog biscuits for the Hawaiian Humane Society.
Service learning is integrated into lesson plans, building on children's natural inclination to help others. It offers an opportunity for the children to touch their community, make a personal contribution and leave a lasting impression.
Operation Christmas Child, sponsored by Samaritan's Purse, has become a favorite service learning project for students in grades 4-6 because it lets them reach out to suffering children in countries around the world while focusing on the spirit of giving.
"We collect a variety of fun items and materials appropriate for younger children and place them into shoe boxes we decorated," sixth-grader Makena Hamilton said. "Last year, my shoe box contained items like pencils and Kleenex and a bracelet."
Kelley Fitzgerald's fifth-graders are establishing a hydroponic and Earth Box vegetable garden, combining science and service learning. The vegetables will be shared with the kindergartners and first-graders, along with a small lesson on gardening.
Fitzgerald concluded, "If the harvest is bountiful, some of the vegetables grown will be donated to the Institute of Human Services."
Marily Bartell and her first-graders spent weeks perfecting songs, growing plants to use as table decorations and learning dances to entertain senior citizens at the Ponds at Punaluu, an assisted-living community.
"The experience gave the children a real appreciation for their kupuna as well as a chance to appreciate the cultural diversity," Bartell said.
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About this Section
Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their school. This week's school is Sacred Hearts Academy.
Newspaper: Ka Leo Editor: Erica Koike Faculty adviser: Gaylen Isaacs Next week: St. Andrew's Priory
Lancer Facts
Address: 3253 Waialae Ave.,
Honolulu 96816Phone: 734-5058 Founders: Sisters of the Sacred Hearts in 1909 Principal: Betty White Colors: Gold and white School motto: Orare et laborare (To pray and to work) Nickname: Lancers Enrollment: 1,150 By the numbers
98: Percentage of seniors going to college
35: Percentage of seniors who enroll in mainland colleges
6,500: Total number of Sacred Hearts graduates
50,000: Hours of community service performed in 2002-03
200: Number of organizations involved in service learning projects
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You Asked...
"What do you do for
community service,
and why?"
Kristina Sault
Sophomore
"I act, sing and play the violin in various charity events using my talents for the good of the community. I hope my performing helps people forget their many pressures and packed schedules and escape the stresses of the ordinary day."Cici Mento
Eighth grade
"I work with my mom and dad and friends on weekends cleaning beaches. I like going to the beach and want other families to enjoy them, too. I want to make the beaches less polluted and more enjoyable."Cindy Lee
Junior
"I volunteer at Leahi Hospital working with elderly people, and I play games and cards with them so that their day will be enjoyable. I receive knowledge about their lives and what it was like when they were young. I also gain responsibility and experience, maybe for a career in medicine."Allison Castellano
Junior
"I was a Junior Leader at Waianae District Park Summer Fun. I enjoyed being a 'mother' to 24 fourth-graders. I gained patience and trust in myself as I worked with kids, their parents and the senior leaders."Stefannye Slaughter
Sophomore
"I volunteer at the Hawaii Humane Society in the cat house. I enjoy working with animals because cats are comforting and help me to relax. I can get away from the pressures of school, and I gain self-reliance and people skills because I also interact with customers."Rebecca McCabe
Junior
"I sing for my church community and help with church camp. I have a lot of fun helping kids and playing with them. I learned responsibility through this service and realized that I can make a difference in children's lives by influencing them for good."Sierra Mamiya
Junior
"I helped at Anuenue School in Palolo, a summer school program for low-income children. They really appreciated my presence. I am planning to go there again to help with the A+ program. The children teach me a lot because they only speak Hawaiian."Kimberly Ikemori
Senior
"I helped organize papers, run errands and greet tourists at the Judiciary History Center. I also ran errands for Aliiolani Hale, and I learned how the court system works. The best experience was watching preliminary hearings. I learned to be better organized and to be punctual."
Compiled by Erica Koike
Sacred Hearts Academy
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