COURTESY OF MILILANI HIGH SCHOOL
Freshman Edmund Martinez, seniors Emily Destefano and Janice Okimoto, and sophomore Jared Parker practice "At the End of the Day" for the Tri-School musical "Les Miserables."
Mililani High covers
all the basesFrom Java to "Hola," students
have access to myriad activities
At any given time, Mililani High School students are drawn toward high-profile activities like school trips and fairs. However, the true value of the school is in its diverse academic opportunities and everyday classroom experiences.
For the third year, students are taking advantage of the liaison between the Oracle Corp. software company and MHS. Oracle focuses on developing databases and has started providing high school students with the opportunity to take professional-level business courses.
Oracle Adviser Cindy Mochida emphasized that the students in her classes are getting a "great deal on an advanced education." First-year students learn the basics of data modeling, then work toward designing and building their own databases. Second-year students work with the Java language and create their own miniature programs.
"I learned how to work well with students who have different ideas than my own and to get more comfortable when presenting to others," said senior Christie Mattos, a second-year student.
Oracle students focused this year on real-life applications of their knowledge. They created the database for the Curriculum and Career fairs earlier this year, in which students previewed course offerings in three sessions.
A dozen Oracle students volunteered to work with Russ Sumida, an entrepreneur hired to create a database for the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank. The blood bank was founded by Dr. Randal Wada, who is studying the medical benefit of umbilical cords for individuals afflicted with leukemia and cancer. The students met with Wada and learned more about the project.
"This project really is giving the students the opportunity to apply in a real-life situation what they are learning, along with working with two amazing professionals," Mochida said. She hopes to expand the Oracle program in the future.
Members of the after-school Play Production class, more commonly known as Tri-School, also dedicated much time to their latest endeavor. The class is open to students from Mililani, Waialua and Leilehua high schools.
During the school year, Tri-School generally produces a fall play and a spring musical. Their spring production is the musical "Les Miserables."
The nature of "Les Miserables" is different from the lighthearted pieces Tri-School is known for producing. "I wanted to try something with a little more depth and drama," said Tri-School Director Stephanie Baker.
To make this production possible, Tri-School is enlisting the help of Mililani choir and music director Frederick Murphy. Music director Bryan Hirata will be in charge of the orchestration.
Rather than being intimidated by the magnitude of the piece, Tri-School has risen to the occasion.
"When artists try to take a well-known piece and adapt it, it comes under heavy scrutiny," Baker said. "It should be the opposite. We should be praising a unique perspective."
"Les Miserables" will run from April 30 through May 7.
This year, a directed-studies business course revived the Mililani High School store. The store, named Warchest, sells shirts and sweaters with the school colors and mascot.
Each of the eight students in the class has a specific position on the Warchest staff. Junior Amy Adams, the store manager, cited that she gains the most satisfaction from "knowing that you started something." Office manager Alan Alexander, a senior, feels the biggest benefit of taking the class and managing the store is that "it leads up to future plans and gives you experience as far as business ins and outs."
Members of the Mililani High School Music Department will be busy this spring break participating in the Sydney Goodwill Festival in Australia. They were one of the groups from around the world that will be performing in the renowned Sydney Opera House.
During their six-day stay, the Mililani students will spend much of their time enjoying all the things the "land down under" has to offer. Music director Curtis Hiyane emphasized the educational significance of the trip: "There are musical objectives -- being a representative of not only Mililani, but the state (of Hawaii) and United States in this case."
Meanwhile, Spanish and French students will immerse themselves in European culture. Last year, Spanish teacher Emma Brown led a trip to Spain. This year, 53 students will attend with the support of French teacher Norma Young and an added trip to Paris.
The trip will be educational and recreational, with a strong emphasis on putting the languages learned in class to use in real-life situations. Brown hopes to "show people that using the language works if you get over there in the country. It's proof that what you're doing is worthwhile."
After visiting Spain and France, some students will return home, and 31 others will continue on to London for a few more days of sightseeing.
There's something for everyone at Mililani High School. Whether it's participating in exceptional Trojan athletics or the seemingly limitless academic programs, every student has the opportunity to find his or her niche.
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Dedicated team builds
robot for competition
For one group of dedicated individuals, the arduous school day was followed by an extended stay in the classroom, amidst piles of tools and papers. Their task dragged on for hours -- often past midnight -- before they could finally go home and start on homework and other responsibilities.
For the members of the "Ka Mikini Hui O Mililani" robotics team, their efforts paid off. The long days, nights and weekends spent constructing their robot, "Ka Mikini," for the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) competition proved to be a challenging and rewarding experience.
Each year, FIRST creates a unique game involving specific tasks that their creation must accomplish. This year's contest, called "Raising the Bar," involved robots transporting balls to team members, who must then throw the balls into a goal, which the robot can also move around. To earn additional points for their team, the robot must hoist itself up on a 10-foot vertical bar and remain suspended in midair.
"It was challenging because we had to try different ideas, and you had to keep within the rules, which were really complex," senior Rajat Jetley said.
The planning and building process proved to be the most difficult part.
"The team changes every year; there's definitely some camaraderie among the returning members," explained junior Samantha Sneed.
Despite numerous setbacks, they remained optimistic. "It was harder having to work in isolated groups, so communication was hard," said Sneed.
COURTESY OF MILILANI HIGH SCHOOL
Senior Brian Davis and freshman Nolan Nanbu take a moment to evaluate the capabilities of the robot "Ka Mikini." The robot's efficiency will be put to the test at the FIRST Robotics competition starting tomorrow in Denver.
A plan eventually came together, and the crew devoted countless hours to completing the project in time for the Feb. 25 deadline. The universal starting date was Jan. 10, so it became a sprint to the finish to complete the task in time. To cope with the late nights, the team turned to a familiar friend: Starbucks.
"We must spend almost a hundred dollars there every night," laughed freshman Joshua Beiseigal.
When asked how they managed with the lack of sleep, senior Pamela Pang joked, "I sleep during class."
Bonds formed over time. "It's not all stressful; it was fun and entertaining," Jetley said.
In addition, team members, many of whom intend to pursue engineering in college, gained invaluable experience.
"You learn a lot more about engineering," said Pang.
Sneed added, "It's good because the professionals are there all the time, and you get to work one on one with them."
After sending in their robot, the team gained some time to relax before the competition, which will be held tomorrow through next Monday in Colorado. The group looks forward to the FIRST challenge.
"Things were tougher this year but we'll have to see," said senior Toy Lim.
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About ‘Hawaii’s Schools’
Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their high school. This week's school is Mililani High School.
Newspaper: Trojan Times Editor: Kelli Ann Harada Adviser: Faye T. Tanaka Next week: Moanalua High School
Trojan facts
Address: 95-1200 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, HI 96789 Founded: 1973 Principal: Robert L. Ginlack Phone: 627-7747 Colors: Brown and gold Mascot: Trojan Enrollment: 2,303
(1,081 girls,
1,222 boys)Faculty: 138 Other notes
» The alma mater is sung to the tune of the Canadian national anthem, "O Canada."
» The current Hawaii State Teacher of the Year is social studies teacher Robert Hu.
» There are 20 water fountains at Mililani High School, 19 of which are working.
» Mililani High School has 24 restrooms.
» Over the course of the school's 31-year history, athletic teams have amassed 77 Oahu Interscholastic Association championships, 16 state runner-up awards and eight state titles.
» The boys soccer team has reached the state title game every year in the past four years and won each time, while the girls soccer team has challenged for the title four times, winning the state championship twice.
» Of the 20 school days in February, 14 of them offered chicken as the school lunch entree.
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You Asked...
Which superhero would you want
in the Oval Office, and why?Catherine Roddie
Sophomore
"Superman -- he's used to an office job!"Zachary Helms
Freshman
"Batman, because he has a cool head in crisis situations and can think his way out of problems."Ryan Hung
Senior
"Batman, because he already runs a company. He's generous to those around him, and he knows martial arts."Drena Wong
Junior
"I would vote for Storm or Jean Grey. Firstly ... it would be a woman president ... and then they're both pretty and strong and capable of ruling anything. They both have style and powers, and gain lots of respect from people easily."Joshua Peacott-Ricardos
Junior
"I choose the Hulk. No one would mess with us (America), because if they did, the president would 'Hulk smash' their whole country."Alan Nakamura
Junior
"Hmm ... Wonder Woman, because she is a hottie!"Lauren Cheape
Junior
"Wonder Woman, because we need a woman president. She can have the sensitive side of a woman, but she is also strong enough to withstand the problems our country will face."Aileen Tanaka
Junior
"None of them, because they're all stupid and make-believe."Matthew Miyakawa
Senior
"Superman, because he is the ideal figure of justice and fairness."Roy Matsunaga
Unknown
"Professor X because he can see through deception and he understands people."
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