Wednesday, January 24, 2014, Sacred Hearts Classes of 2014 and 2015, journeyed in the rain to Kamehameha Schools. We went to lokomai'kai, to share our knowledge with the 4th graders. For our entrance chant we greeted them with I'a Wa'a Nu'i and were greeted with a response chan. The Hokule'a and what it means to us was the presentation, like we did at Holy Nativity School in Oahu, hoping to inspire them to step outside of their comfort zone and to help and better our world. We hope that the 4th graders were motivated and that they spread what they know out in the universe. The ripple effect is continuing and we are just another source hoping to convey our message throughout the Island of Maui and hopefully the world!
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On Wednesday, December 11, the Sacred Hearts Class of 2014, visited and shadowed freshman students of Seabury Hall. The experience was fascinating, we followed a student that was matched to us depending on our hobbies. I shadowed a student leader who lead me to her first class, history. The history class was all right, it featured a concept called heart discussion. This meant that the students led the conversation about what they read in their homework assignment. The next class was geometry. Geometry was quite interesting because it was something very new and different. The class focused on the concepts of arcs and angles. After geography, we revisited the Cooper House for snack. The next class was english, my favorited class of the day, it was a mixture of english, literature, and religion. The lesson was about writing an in-class paragraph. The paragraph needed to explain whether the characters from their stories were happier because of their journey or happier because of the outcome. I thought about the concept, "Are you happier because of the things you receive or the opportunity" found in David Steindl Rast's TED talk on gratitude. After class, we walked to the chapel to discuss more about registration and the different electives offered at Seabury Hall. At the end of the day, I felt I had a better understanding of Seabury and high school. Thank you Ms. Nelson, student leaders, and Seabury Hall! "Wow, I didn't know learning could be so fun!", "I liked how we even learned about different languages", "This was the best day ever!"
These were some of the comments and feedback we had received from St. Anthony's 6th graders. On Tuesday, November 19, the 6th grade class of St.Anthony visited our our school. They wanted to satisfy their "wonder" in what our 8th graders were doing to impact our world. Excitement was in the air as the 25 students filled our music class. Introductions were made and I knew that there could be only two outcomes; first they would either be very excited and learn a great deal from us or the whole day would be awkward and they would not understand or point of revolutionizing education. As the day progressed and presentations were given, I started to notice the "Hokule'a bug" started to bite some of the students. When time ended and thank you statements were made, I saw and felt the spark of motivation in the eyes of students. I then realized again, I am the change! On Friday, November 22, the class of 2014 made another journey to O'o Farms. This adventure was going to be different, this time we were in a state of celebration; there to throw a birthday party for Ms. Enriquez. We were planning to decorate the pavilion and make a trail of balloons leading to the pavilion. I could tell the the girls were exceptionally excited about it. Once Arriving to the farm. I was excited to start the decorating and to make sure all was in order. While we were harvesting in the garden, Ms. Enriquez drove up the hill and greeted us with a smile worth remembering. This journey I feel I learned more about the everyday lifestyle of a farmer, like chopping wood, building fires, and harvesting crops from this trip. Leaving the farm, there an emotion of sadness especially in a particular dog, Makana. Even though we all enjoyed ourselves, I think the person who appreciated it the most was Ms. Enriquez or Makana .
We received a surprising visitor today, December 3, 2013. Mr. Bill Brown, the producer for the movie The Hiding Place, visited the 7th grade English class to lecture about his life experience with Corrie ten Boom. The Hiding Place was originally a biography about Corrie ten Boom and her family during World War II. The ten Boom family, even though were not Jewish, cared and risked their lives to help anyone passing by. The key words I got from the talk was the importance of LOVE and FAITH. Not only was his speech inspiring, it was held at the perfect timing, since Christmas is just round the corner. It gave me a moment to reflect upon who I LOVE and the importance of Jesus living through me. Who do you LOVE? What can I do to help my neighbors?
What do you do in the morning? Well this morning, I felt an enlightenment in our morning searches. I watched a TED radio hour on NPR on Rev. Billy Graham, an amazing key speaker. Mr. Billy Graham has spoken to many well known people around the world (including the presidents of the United States). He said, "Belief is something intellectual that your mind thinks of. Faith is something your heart decides and is an instant." These two subjects I feel were the key points of the edition. It brought me to a lighter way of thinking, that I should look at things in both perspectives with my left and right side of my brain. Jean Vanier, who started L'Arche, instantly came to mind while I was listening to Billy Graham. Both men went on spiritual journeys and both journeys instantly changed their lives. Billy Graham then made the Bible his Book of Life. He then could understand and see the truth in many people, he could see through the faith of many. I am faithful that this talk connected to my spirit and brought me to a lighter way of thinking.
I cannot believe what just happened. On Tuesday, November 19, the same day St. Anthony School visited, Ms. Enriquez, our eighth grade facilitator, encountered an unlikely visitor. A man introduced himself as, Canon Moreau. ( a canon is a honored ranking in the Catholic Church. The title of a canon is right under a bishop.) The man was dressed in all white robes. As he watched us perform our daily morning prayer, he stated that he started to swell with tears. He had invited us to join his latin mass. Unfortunately, we could not join because of our special visitors (St. Anthony's 6th graders). He then invited us to join another mass on Thursday, November 21. On Thursday, November 21, as we were strolling toward the church to attend the Mass. Questions started to "popcorn" in my head like "What would it be like?", "Will I be able to understand anything?" As we were in church, I did not realize the holiness of the Mass. This was the mass performed over six hundred of years ago. As we exited the church, it really sunk in that "Wow, I just attended an ancient Mass!" We were then informed that Canon Moreau wanted to visit the classroom. Before the Mass, the Canon had asked us an essential question, "What language do you think we would speak in heaven?" I think this question really boggled me and I it was stuck in my mind the whole day. When I heard he was going to visit our class I was quite excited and could not wait for the visit. November 7, 2013, most of the class of 2014 visited Holy Nativity School in Oahu. Arising at 4:30 am, the energy was anywhere but awake. As soon as the group passes through the gates of the airport the tension in the air was uplifted. We were going to visit Holy Nativity School located on the island of Oahu. Our mission there was to lokomaikai or to share the importance of the Hokule'a and how we are revolutionizing education. We wanted to share with the 5th and 6th grade class that this knowledge is whatever you make of it, however you interpret it. We were first greeted by Ms. Ogata and her daughter Holly, their energy was very upbeat and gave me a push toward the day knowing that all would be well. When we first entered the school, I could feel a sense of sacredness and it was a huge coincidence that the campus was so similar in the looks aspect with our school before the fire. We then met Ms. Overton another enthusiastic teacher excited to revolutionize education with the help of Hokule'a. To start off our presentation, Ms. Enriquez introduced herself and her role in the Hokule'a and A'o program. I could really see the fascination in each students eyes, learning about what was really in their own backyards. We continued the presentation by introducing to both of the 5th and 6th grade classes our website; (this website is one our biggest accomplishment of this year and certainly my favorite.) Time then flew, and soon it was the students' recess. During this period, the class constructed a star compass in the courtyard of the campus. This activity was not only a learning experience for them but for us. We need to know exactly where each house and directions of the compass is. After this activity (which I thought was the highlight out of the whole day), we then returned back into the classroom to show the students a little about the essence of Hokule'a. After this time traveled by us and soon we knew that our day was beginning to close. The 6th grade class showed us their malama honua "care to the earth" by letting us venture through their garden. The 5th graders showed us their use of technology in the classroom by presenting their voyaging map. All I can say is, this experience was definitely worth it and I was glad I could see the spark of light for education in other people. This experience also brought me to the conclusion that what we send out into the world makes a true impact around us.
"Taken By Wonder" is a art exhibit with a twist of genius created by Wes Bruce. It featured an amazing fort with many different passages, hiding places, and thing you would not see in an ordinary building structure. The fort was almost like a labyrinth or maze; I never knew how far I could travel and every step I took changed my destination. At first glance the building looked very predictable, but as soon as I made a decision for my pathway, I was bound to be surprised in every aspect. When I first stepped into the fort, I could see it was a complex with rooms and some decor that were dated far back, but the further I traveled into the fort it became more intricate featuring numerous hiding places, ladders, and a staircase to be uncovered.. Although this structural installation was fascinating, the biggest shock was that Wes Bruce built the whole fort in one month, and on top of that, he created more than ten pieces of two-dimensional art pieces in two days!! My curiosity or "wonder" certainly overwhelmed me has I ventured throughout the gallery's installation..
Saturday the 26 of October, JP Hill, Isabella Lallo, Ms. Enriquez, Mrs, Hendricks, Frank Hill, and I attended the 2013 Lacey Veach Day of Discovery at Punahou Schools in Oahu. From the experience I learned a great deal; it was truly a "Day of Discovering" a new way of looking at things, and revealing new ideas for a reformed education. Once at Punahou, we attended the opening assembly which was basically about the start of the "planting of the seeds" of Day of Discovery and Charles Lacy Veach's passion and spirit. The keynote speaker was none other than... Mr. Nainoa Thompson, the president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Pwo Navigator. As Nainoa Thompson spoke, I could really feel the sincerity in his voice. He was just a person talking about the impact of his beloved friend, Lacy Veach. When the assembly ended, I did not know what could get any better.
We arrived at our first session, Launching a Water-powered bottle rocket. The bottle rocket experiment was overall just plain fun. We attached two plastic bottles together using tape (one larger bottle, one smaller bottle). Then, we needed to connect the wings on to the bottle using tape. We filled the larger bottle half full with water and the smaller bottle with water just about two fingers in height (to keep the bottle on course;. if it was too top heavy it would not have a lot of air). My first trial was an almost complete failure. My wings were so off that instead of going up and straight it, went up and right. The next trial was completely different. I made major modifications (tightened and straightened the wings and added more water) and it was one of the rockets that went the farthest. The second session was all about what happens to our food after we eat it. The lab consisted of three different chemical compounds fiber, protein, and lipids (fat). The lesson to this lab was that there are many types of chemical compounds and that they all have a function in our bodies. Afterwards, we visited an art gallery about Hokule'a. It was so creative; all the art the students did were so "out of the box". We then visited the Hokule'a display where Kumu Tai taught us how to lash the deck.. To conclude the festivities, there was an assembly. It was a presentation about the new robotics program. The robots were controlled by remotes and needed to complete a game. The objective of the game was to pick up a ball and score points by putting the ball in a basket or putting it in a corner of the board. After the presentation, there was another presentation that was all about different science experiments. We then concluded the day and headed back home; enthusiastic to share our day with the rest of our peers. |
AuthorMy name is Erin. I attend Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina, I have a passion for music. I play the flute and piano and I am ready for a new year in 8th grade. I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. Categories |