With a century of rich history, numerous renovations on its campus and the latest technological developments in its curriculum, Sacred Hearts Academy, the largest all girls' school in Hawaii, kicked off a year of centennial celebrations on Sept. 12 with a commemoratory mass and the dedication of a new Performing Arts Center.

“;It is awesome to ponder how the Academy has continued to serve the young women of Hawaii through the many societal changes of the past 100 years—the development of cars, electricity, telephones, two world wars, the depression, statehood for Hawaii, the technological revolution, the global society, the women's movement and more—while remaining true to its founding vision and mission,”; said campus minister Sister Katherine Francis Miller.

“;During the 14 years that I have been at Sacred Hearts, there have been so many changes, especially in technology and upgrading the facilities on campus. Only recently one of our tech labs was upgraded to accommodate more sophisticated features in video production; the change from PCs to Macs provides graphic arts, journalism and yearbook classes upgraded programs like Final Cut Pro with which to work,”; senior Grace Cho said.

Although the campus, curriculum, uniforms and students have changed over the years, many of the traditions and pranks have not.

“;It was April Fool's Day in 1981,”; said 1981 graduate and high school dean Chantal Seitz. “;We took mannequins from the auditorium and placed them all over school. We also took our parents' underwear and wrapped them around the faculty license plates. Our current school principal, Betty White, did not see it and drove all the way home with her license plate adorned.”;

Now with Seitz in charge of student discipline, she concludes that the Academy's mission in educating young women to make a difference in society never ceased, even though the pranks changed through the years.

“;The founding spirit and purpose have not changed—an educational institution based on forming the mind and hearts of young women to love and serve the world taking as their models, Jesus and Mary,”; Miller said.

The way this is done, of course, has changed as Hawaii and the world have changed. In its early years, the Academy had a boarding department; today, it does not. Before the '50s, the Academy had a strong commercial department that prepared women for the world of business fresh out of high school; today it is college preparatory, preparing women for the multitude of different fields that are now open to them.

“;From 12 students, it is now a school of 1,100; from a community of 60 sisters who managed and taught in the school, it now has a lay administration and staff with only two sisters teaching,”; Miller said.

Not only will Academy teachers, faculty, staff and students spend the year commemorating the past, but they will also just as enthusiastically celebrate the beginning of a new century during this centennial year.

“;In today's global society, the mission of the Academy is ever more relevant and vital—to educate young women who can help bring peace and love to their families and to the world,”; said Head of School Betty White.