The clock expired after HPA senior Jonas Skupeika (Kaunas, Lithuania) hit a floater in the lane to give his team the home win over Pahoa High School (Daggers) 38-36 on Senior Night, February 6. In what was perhaps their most complete effort of the year, Ka Makani shot a sizzling 54 percent from the field and pulled down 18 rebounds (nine offensive) while limiting the turnovers to just seven for the entire game.

After a tightly-contested first half filled with fast breaks and efficient passing, the score favored HPA 22-21. The third quarter yielded just 11 combined points between the two teams as HPA mixed in full court traps with an aggressive zone, while Pahoa continued to keep the game close with disciplined floor spacing and a patient offense.

We were tough when we needed to be. We have been inconsistent at critical times all year, but tonight we competed with an increased sense of urgency. What a great last home game for our seniors, they deserve the win. - Coach Fred Wawner

Freshman wing Matija Vitorovic (Belgrade, Serbia) tipped in a miss to give HPA their biggest lead of the game, 32-26, with just under six minutes remaining in regulation. Back to back Pahoa three pointers tied the game up until sophomore guard Michael Hanano (Kamuela, Hawaiʻi) answered with a layup to give HPA the lead with 4:46 remaining in the quarter. After the visiting team scored four unanswered points to tie the game, Skupeika torpedoed through the lane and finished with a finger roll to knot the score once more at 36-36 with just under three minutes remaining in the contest. Pahoa stalled on offense for two minutes before missing a layup attempt, HPA called timeout after freshman forward Nakoa Parrish grabbed the rebound with 26 seconds remaining in the game. After moving the ball on offense, HPA called another timeout with 4.4 seconds left on the clock to set up one final play.

Skupeika inbounded the ball to Vitorovic, who handed it back to the 6'2 senior as he slashed to the basket to finish off the regular season with a flourish.

Skupeika finished with 14 points and five rebounds, junior Dylan Dikobo (Villiers Le Bel, France) narrowly missed out on another double-double with 8 points and 10 rebounds to pair with a steal and block. Sophomore Jonah Hurney (Kamuela, Hawaiʻi) contributed 4 points, three steals, and an assist. Vitorovic had 7 points and shot 60 percent from the field, Michael Hanano chipped in 5 timely points with two rebounds and an assist.

The win places HPA in a great position entering the BIIF tournament, and the team as focussed as ever.

Our daily goal is excellence. We talk about it everyday. When we break things down possession by possession, we can be good. It will take extreme focus to be successful, but it is the time of year to be tested. We will work hard this week and give our all. - Coach Wawner

About the Writer: Aaron Poria recently moved to Kamuela from Rochester, NY. He previously worked as a sports reporter for SUNY Cortland's Dragon Chronicle and continues to be an avid high school sports fan.

The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and school spirit down at the soccer pitch on Tuesday, February 2, as the Ka Makani Boy's senior soccer game played their final regular season game of the year against Parker school. Crowds of fans, from students, to parents, to teachers, all gathered to show their support of the boys soccer team. Waving colorful posters and cheering words of encouragement from the sidelines, the crowd inspired and energized the team throughout the game.

The vibe on the bench matched that of the fans on the opposite side of the field. The underclassmen were excited to compete and supportive of their upperclassmen, while the seniors were fired up to show their prowess and the skills they learned throughout their career as HPA soccer players. Small talk on the bench was filled with words of encouragement and praise as players went off and on the field.

The seniors shined throughout game, showing off their pride and technical skills. Five of the six seniors on the team scored goals (Alex Brost, Kyle Hollister, Justin Perry, Dylan Ryan and Zen Simone), as well as junior Ghar Pautz, sophomore Ilan Naibryf, and freshman Stormer Horton. Each goal was met with a roar of applause and cheers from the fans as well as well teammates. With their spirits high, the team was unstoppable, and swiftly claimed victory with a score of 9 - 0.

After the game, the team celebrated with friends and family. Posters, leis and other gifts were given to the seniors, and everyone wanted to snap a photo of the triumphant winners.

When asked about his experience after the game, team captain Zen Simone ('16) commented,

"It was fun. It was a good time. Everybody had an extraordinarily positive attitude, and overall, I would say it was just a really focused and fun match."

Zen's attitude was matched by the entire team, and everyone left the field in high spirits.

By Jordan Virtue '16

The HPA girls soccer team's seventh consecutive Division II BIIF championship win on February 6 is extraordinary by any standards. The feat is even more impressive, however, with an understanding of the season that led up to their most recent victory.

The season, as always, started with a theme. Stephen Perry, HPA's athletic director and girls soccer coach, chooses a phrase that will help to define the mindset for the season.

"Coach picks the theme, and it is up to us as a team to embody that theme and work towards it," explains Kau'i Taylor '16.

"The motto for the year is 'one,'" says Perry. "One team, one practice, one drill, one thought and goal for the day."

The simplicity and focus of that theme guided the team for the duration of the season, bringing a high level of energy and competition to practice that allowed them to execute in games. "The season started with a new energy," Perry states. "We graduated a lot of girls last year, but we got a lot of girls back. That was the key—they were key members last year as well, so it wasn't like we were reinventing the wheel out there."

The preseason began with the Ka Makani Soccer Classic tournament, drawing teams from around the state. The girls finished second in the tournament, defeating Maui and Mid-Pacific Institute before falling to Punahou. After battling several Division I schools, the team "felt good about our potential and what we could accomplish," remarks Perry.

In the first game of the BIIF season, the girls were dealt a difficult loss to Hilo, who "came out flying and beat us 2-1," says Perry. "We controlled a lot of the game but couldn't score. But, that's soccer. It was a tough start, but it probably helped us in the long run to realize that we needed to work harder and what we needed to work on."

After two regular season wins, the team traveled to Arizona over winter break to compete in the Arizona Showcase Classic. After winning five games in as many days, the Ka Makani girls team returned to Hawaiʻi as tournament champions. They did take time, however, to enjoy themselves and attend a hockey game between Phoenix and Winnipeg. "We needed some confidence and we got it. It was a successful trip," declares Perry.

The HPA girls remained strong for the rest of the season, closing out important games to earn them a bid in the BIIF playoffs. Games against Konawaena and Waiakea, two physical Division I competitors, were crucial for setting up their playoff run. Marlie Mandaguit '16 cites the Konawaena game as one of the most impactful events of the season.

"There was a lot of pressure—it was our senior game and we know their team well, so we really wanted to win. There's always a rivalry with Konawaena," Mandaguit explains. "We weren't really thinking about the fact that it was our senior game. We were just excited to play them and thinking about how we could win the game. A little nostalgic, but very happy with the win."

Another 5-0 win against Honoka'a affirmed HPA's place in the BIIF finals on February 6.

Now the stage is set for the BIIF final game against rivals Kamehameha.

After controlling the first half with a 2-0 lead, Kamehameha got a break to score in the 68th minute. "They were all excited and we were a little rattled," Perry says.

A penalty kick with a minute left in the game threatened to tie the score, but the ball bounced off the crossbar. "It was nerve-wracking," Perry admits.

The referee's whistle appeared to signal the end to the game as the HPA team charged the field and celebrated. However, more time was added to the clock and the team returned to play the remaining three minutes of the game. They protected their lead to secure their seventh consecutive BIIF title.

"Our BIIF championship game was the highlight of our season," Taylor contends. "Not just in a cliche way because it was BIIFs, but because it was our biggest challenge, so it was the most exciting and the most rewarding."

Taylor, who scored a goal in the game, emphasized the importance of her practice and teammates in her growth as an athlete. She recently signed her National Letter of Intent with Baylor University and will continue her soccer career there this fall.

"The more touches I get on the ball the better," Taylor explains. "The more I am able to play, the more my skill set grows so I'm able to compete on that level. We're a small Division II school in Hawai'i, but my teammates are talented. They have pushed me and prepared me for everything."

The work ethic displayed by the girls soccer team propelled them to their BIIF win. "They have a drive to get better," Perry declares.

It is this drive that has led to their successes all season, and it will continue to bring them success in the future. We wish them all the best as they travel to Oʻahu February 17-20 to play for the HHSAA Division II Girls Soccer Championship title.

Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy (HPA) seniors Tristan Kilkenny, Jordan Virtue, and Will White have been named finalists in the 61st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Martin Ferrell, HPA's dean of academics, made the announcement.

Kilkenny, Virtue, and White will continue in the competition for 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered this spring.

Kilkenny is the son of John Kilkenny of Kailua-Kona and Katherine Tangman of Portland, Oregon; Virtue is the daughter of Rodger and Melissa Virtue of Kapaau; and White is the son of John and Laurie White of Kamuela.

The selection of Merit Scholarship winners from the group of more than 15,000 finalists is now in progress. National Merit Scholarship winners of 2016 will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July.

Very important people, none other than 85 grandparents, visited students grades K-5 at the Village Campus on February 12. They came from near (Kamuela) and far (Japan and the mainland) especially for Grandparents Day at HPA—a day for them to learn what their grandchildren engage in at school every day.

Grandparents experienced class work using the iPad and laptops, utilizing the resources of the Lynn Taylor Library, listening to a concert in music, planting in the Ulumau Garden, participating in hands-on learning activities, creating an art project and exercising in PE.

A performance at GPAC culminated the fun-filled Grandparents Day for the Lower School.

The Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy Community Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, in the Dyer Memorial Library, Upper Campus. Community Book Club meetings are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served and participants are invited to bring a snack to share.

Lois Inman, Dyer Memorial librarian, and Jaime Johnson, Upper School English teacher, will lead the group. The current book selection is A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James, winner of the 2015 Man Booker Prize, a recipient of the 2015 American Book Award, and a New York Times Book Review Notable Book.

On December 3, 1976, just weeks before the general election and two days before Bob Marley was to play the Smile Jamaica concert to ease political tensions, seven men from West Kingston stormed his house with machine guns. Marley survived and went on to perform at the free concert. But the next day he left the country and didn't return for two years.

Inspired by this near-mythic event, A Brief History of Seven Killings takes the form of an imagined oral biography, told by ghosts, witnesses, killers, members of parliament, drug dealers, conmen, beauty queens, FBI and CIA agents, reporters, journalists, and even Keith Richards' drug dealer. The story traverses strange landscapes and shady characters, as motivations are examined – and questions asked.

For more information, contact Jaime Johnson at jjohnson@hpa.edu.

Five Middle School students were invited to participate in the 2016 East Hawaiʻi District Science and Engineering Fair held at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo on Saturday, February 13.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Beach Boysʻ seminal album, Pet Sounds, the theme of Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academyʻs 23rd Annual 'Ukulele Festival is "Beach Boys: The California Sound." The performance, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at the schoolʻs Gates Performing Arts Center (Upper Campus).

"This annual show truly takes the 'ukulele to new heights by presenting an entire program of music interpreted through the ever-versatile 'ukulele," said Dagan Bernstein, event co-director.

More than 120 students from Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, Kealakehe Intermediate School, and Waikoloa Schools will perform under the direction of Bernstein, Barbara Kopra, and Georgia Poláková (HPA); Gloria Juan (Kealakehe), and Lani ʻOpunui (Waikoloa).

The show will feature selections from the Beach Boysʻ illustrious career, including early favorites Be True to Your School and In My Room and material from Pet Sounds, with arrangements of Wouldn't It Be Nice and God Only Knows.

Other highlights will be a rollicking version of the instrumental surf-rock tune Misirlou, along with a medley of the groupʻs classic surf tunes titled "Surf's Up!" which expresses the Beach Boysʻ affection for the beach, hot rods, and good times.

In addition to 'ukulele music, the performance will include choral singing, dancing, and narration.

For more information, call 885-2500 or 885-2501, or visit www.hpa.edu.

On February 16 and 17, students in grades K-5 enjoyed working with Red Grammer whose songs about oneness, character, conflict resolution, and community are popular around the world. Grammer spent time with each class and talked about being a "bucket-filler" or someone who gives positive messages to others, spontaneously wrote songs with the studentsʻ assistance and sang many of his songs that were favorites with the students.

Grammer culminated his visit with a special, hour-long concert at the schoolʻs Gates Performing Arts Center on February 17. The performance featured students singing along to the songs they learned during his two-day visit and many other foot-stomping, hand-clapping tunes that the audience loved!

Three Hawai'i Preparatory Academy students will travel to Peru to present their projects at the 36^th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation February 29- March 4.

The students, eighth graders JuliaAnn Salvador and Anna Sorensen and senior Elizabeth Jim, will be among the youngest presenters at the event. Marc Rice, director of HPA's Sea Turtle Research Program, and Laura Jim, Middle School science teacher, are accompanying the students.

To date, 15 HPA students have presented at the symposium, which is held in various locations around the world. The event draws participants from many countries, from across disciplines and cultures to a common interest and objective—the conservation of sea turtles and their environment. The symposium encourages discussion, debate, and the sharing of knowledge, research techniques and lessons in conservation, to address questions on the biology and conservation of sea turtles and their habitats.

"It has been my privilege over the last 30 years to work with HPA students studying the Hawaiian green turtle (honu) and helping to protect and conserve our marine environment," said Rice. "Our students have been instrumental in carrying out this work and it is through their efforts that we have enjoyed so much success in honu conservation. These three young ladies have worked hard to produce two projects that are very important and worth sharing with the world through the symposium and published proceedings."

Salvador and Sorenson, who started working with the program in seventh grade, will present "HPA/NOAA: A Successful Collaborative Program Spanning Twenty-Nine Years," which focuses on the schoolʻs partnership and work with NOAA and scientist George Balazs. Since its inception, HPA's Sea Turtle Research Program, directed by Rice, has provided students in grades 6-12 opportunities to participate in unique field research projects, which have included 249 tagging trips around Hawaiʻi Island where more than 3,900 honu have been captured, tagged, measured, and safely released. Students also have assisted with research on Lanaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and internationally in Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, Singapore, and on Midway Atoll.

The students also will share information about the program's community outreach initiatives and independent student research focused on the biology of Hawai'iʻs green and hawksbill turtles, and the schoolʻs participation in the Hawaiʻi Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network.

"I'm really looking forward to the overall experience of presenting at an international symposium," said Sorenson.

Classmate Salvador agreed.

"I'm ecstatic about going to Peru," said Salvador. "It's amazing to be able to do this in eighth grade."

Elizabeth Jim, who has worked with honu for many years, will present "Na Honu O Kahaluʻu: A Community-Based Research Project," which focuses on the Kahaluʻu Bay Education Center (KBEC) and its ReefTeach program, established in 2011, which educate visitors and residents on how to avoid damaging corals and how to take care of the green turtles of Kahaluʻu and other reef animals. The project is a good example of how community volunteers, visitors, and the scientific community can work together to clarify management priorities and procedures to protect the environment.

Jim is excited about sharing what she learned at the symposium.

"The turtles at Kahaluʻu Bay are more friendly than turtles in other areas of the island," said Jim. "The interesting thing about this program is how the Kahaluʻu Bay Education Center uses community volunteers to help achieve their goals."

For more information about HPA's Sea Turtle Research Program, visit www.hpa.edu/academics/sea-turtle-research. For more information about the 36^th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, visit http://www.internationalseaturtlesociety.org/#/

Jordan Virtue '16

Helicopters whir over campus, students shout with delight soaring across lush gulches on a zip-lining adventure, fresh ingredients sizzle in preparation of a delicious lunch, and waves crash as students delve into the undersea world. Such a combination of activities can only be found one week of the year- Theme Week.

Theme Week is dedicated to giving students time and freedom to explore their passions around the Big Island. Every spring, this week emphasizes immersion in activities unique to Hawai'i and the closeness of the HPA community.

From February 8-11, students faced the agonizing task of choosing between nine spectacular offerings for the week. Theme Week appeals to a vast array of interests, with everything from horseback riding up the slopes of Mauna Kea to exploring the culinary arts at local restaurants.

A writer's retreat for budding authors set in the rustic cabins of Kalopa State Park provided a serene place to write, using the beauty of Laupahoehoe Point, Honoka'a, and day hikes around Kalopa as inspiration for their work. A different form of art took place on campus, with students honing their artistic skills while creating silk, batik, and fabric design pieces.

"Theme week is one of my very favorite times of year," faculty leader Jane Taylor reflects. "For that week my students and I are immersed in the creative process. I think the most important aspect of doing art is that its pursuit opens avenues of knowing and seeing that might otherwise remain unexplored. Art is about seeing in your own unique way and sharing that vision."

For outdoor thrill seekers, the "Come Fly With Me" Theme Week featured an introduction to flight, aeronautics, and navigation. After two days of condensed lessons, students worked with pilots as they flew helicopters down the Kona Kohala Coast, hovering over Hapuna Beach before they returned to campus. "We flew over my house in Kamuela View Estates!" exclaimed Jona Patig '22. The next day, they traveled to Kona to get a tour of the control tower and fly small Cessna planes.

Faculty leader Matt Piercy attested to the power of the opportunity, citing his own personal experiences. In middle school, he was given the opportunity to fly and "from there, I loved it," explains Piercy.

"Remembering back, I thought it would be amazing if these guys could have that same opportunity. The kids are getting a 360 view of what it takes to be a pilot"

Six middle school students earned their PADI Open Water Scuba Certification over the course of the week as they worked with faculty member Laura Jim.

"They were able to take advantage of Kona's beautiful blue waters, working with Big Island Divers to complete their ocean dives," Jim explained. "Their first dive as fully certified divers was a reef night dive filled with sleeping fish, a friendly octopus, a gliding helmet shell, and many other wonders. If one measures success by smiles, this theme exceeded all expectations!"

The ocean is an integral part of living in Hawai'i, and the ability to scuba opens up a whole new world of undersea exploration. "Sylvia Earle wrote that 'Every time I slip into the ocean, it's like going home,'" Jim added. "This is just the first of many adventures destined for these young divers."

In yet another outdoor option unique to Hawai'i, two different groups enjoyed "Food, Fun and Fitness" as they learned about the interconnectedness between healthy living and fun. Students participated in Crossfit workouts, yoga routines, and food preparation, but still managed to fit in some much-needed beach time. They also traveled to North Kohala, gliding over lush forests and gulches on a guided zip-line tour.

Many high school students cite Theme Week as one of their most impactful HPA experiences and the spark of many passions that continue today. It is a week of adventure, fun, friendship, and learning that will be cherished by all HPA students for years to come.

By Jordan Virtue '16

I had a highly unusual 2016 Super Bowl weekend. It was spent with Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, Coco Vandeweghe, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

Some of these names may be more familiar to the typical sports fan than others. However, this group of women travelled to Hawai'i as some of the best tennis players on the face of the planet, and we were able to witness their abilities first-hand at the Holua Resort in Kona.

The United States played Poland in the Fed Cup on February 6th and 7th, with the winner advancing to the World Group Playoff in April. The U.S. dominated play, clinching a 4-0 victory.

The event began with Keiki Day on February 3rd, where hundreds of local youth were invited to hit with some of the top players on the women's professional circuit. The U.S. players led drills and games with the kids, rallying with them and encouraging them throughout the event. "I hit with Venus!" exclaimed Jona Patig '22. "Mary Joe Fernandez played a little bit too. It was nice!"

All of the players were remarkably thoughtful and friendly, stopping to give autographs and take pictures for fans. One of the highlights of the day was taking a group video with Sloane Stephens, the current World No. 26 in WTA rankings. She later posted the video to her Twitter page.

Perhaps the most personal moment of the weekend was spending a few minutes talking to Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who has won multiple Grand Slam doubles titles. With pink hair and a warm smile, Mattek-Sands talked to me about her attitude on the court, explaining that she "tries to keep it light and just have fun." All of the players recognize their ability to personally impact and inspire kids to reach for the next level."You're in awe of the players," states Hayden Virtue '19. "Watching Sloane come back from 0-4 down, watching Bethanie and Coco make a dramatic comeback in the second set, and seeing Venus clinch the title for the entire team at 35 years old... Watching all of that in person gives you hope in future experiences. It makes you think 'Oh, just do it like Venus' because they're so close to you, and you can see that they did it."

Team USA paired an incredible amount of talent and work ethic with a sense of fun. After getting over just how starstruck we were, we were able to see the personality and individuality of each of the players. "I remember we were on court with Sloane," says Hayden Virtue '19, "and she made it a rule that, if someone hit a winner on you, you owed 10 push ups and you were out. One of the kids missed the ball and she screamed, like a mean teacher 'You owe 10 push ups! Just kidding... But you are out. You can come stand by me though.'"

My brother Hayden and I were selected as ball runners for the event and went through training in advance. There was some nervousness associated with such high profile players and the omnipresent Tennis Channel video cameras, but the experience was defined by a sense of joy. It was powerful seeing players in person, especially when you are physically on the court. The sound of the ball being struck echoes through the stands, and you gain an entirely new perspective on the physical and mental strategies of each player.

We were in complete awe of the opportunity, the players, and the sheer amount of energy from the 2,000 people who crowded into the stadium. I had the honor of carrying the American flag and leading Team USA onto the court for the opening ceremonies. I had to try to contain my excitement as a huge smile spread across my face.

Players, both from the United States and Poland, repeatedly expressed their excitement to be in Hawai'i. The beauty of Hawai'i island and the people who live here attracted the premier international team competition in women's tennis. This is a rare opportunity afforded to a small community, but the success of this event will hopefully result in many more to come.

HPA junior Jackson Evans earned a spot on the USA Swimming Scholastic All-America (SAA) Team with a time of 58.59 in the men's 100 yard butterfly while maintaining a 4.0 GPA during the 2014-2015 school year.

Evans is one of 905 student athletes from across the United States on the 2014-2015 Men's Scholastic All-America Team and one of two from Hawaiʻi. To qualify for the honor, Evans met the following requirements:

• Maintained a minimum 3.5 grade point average.
• Swam a pool time equal to a 2011 Junior Bonus qualifying time in any event.

"This achievement means a lot to me. It is a national-level recognition that encapsulates both my life as an athlete and as a student. Achieving goals like this makes all the work enjoyable and makes the future work exciting," said Evans, who also is hoping to make the 2015-2016 Men's SAA Team.

Learn More

Lupe Diaz, veteran boys cross country coach at HPA, was recently named a state winner in the second annual High School Coach of the Year awards program for cross country. The award sponsor, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), made the announcement.

One boys coach and one girls coach from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia were honored for their successes during the fall 2015 season, as selected by a committee of experts from around the nation.

State-by-state winners were selected based on their teamʻs performances throughout the 2015 cross country season. Among the factors taken into consideration were team score and placement at the state championships, margin of victory, performance against rankings, if available, individual championships, and how their teamʻs performances stacked up to previous years (e.g. first title in school history, consecutive titles).

Diaz, a math teacher at HPA since 1981, has coached boys cross country at the school since 2001. His teams won three consecutive BIIF championships in 2013-2014 (Division I, co-head coach with Kimo Higgins), 2014-2015 (Division II, head coach), and 2015-2016 (Division II, head coach) and two consecutive state championships in 2014-2015 (Division II) and 2015-2016 (Division II).

"I share this award with all of my dedicated runners—past and present—whom I have had the privilege of working with over the years. I owe it all to them!" said Diaz. "There are too many of them to name here, but I share this honor with all of my ʻmuchachos.ʻ"

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association is a non-profit professional organization representing cross country and track & field coaches of all levels. The organization represents more than 9,000 coaching members encompassing 94 percent of all NCAA track & field programs (DI, DII, and DIII) and includes members representing the NAIA and NJCAA, as well as a number of state high school coaches associations. The USTFCCCA serves as an advocate for cross country and track & field coaches, providing a leadership structure to assist the needs of a diverse membership, serving as a lobbyist for coaches' interests, and working as a liaison between the various stakeholders in the sports of cross country and track & field.

For more information, visit http://www.ustfccca.org/2016/01/featured/2015-state-by-state-high-school-cross-country-coaches-of-the-year.

By Kate Sensenig '16

As a new senior at HPA, I have been amazed at the opportunities I have been given within just a single semester. I've acted in student videos, performed stand-up comedy, and surfed waves in a Hawaiian canoe. But the experience that stands out most from my incredible first semester at HPA, is my internship with Fred Barbash, an editor of the Washington Post and creator of the news product Morning Mix,

On my first day of the internship, I sat across editor Fred Barbash, attempting to appear confident in myself and the situation at hand. In reality, I had no idea what to expect. He immediately had us pitch him news stories that could potentially be published the next morning in the Morning Mix. The Morning Mix is Barbash's brainchild, a news blog that brings the peculiar and fascinating stories of the day to our laptops and smartphones. The other interns, Will White '16, Jordan Virtue '16, and Logan Minor '17, and I realized early on that for Barabash, the weirder the news, the better. Vampire communities in California, a woman who claimed she could smell Parkinson's disease, a daycare in Detroit that thought a kid was a doll. After about a half an hour of laughing and joking about the strange things going on in the world, Barbash called up his top journalists to talk about the stories they wanted to write. We eagerly listened in on the conversation, leaning forward precariously in our chairs to capture every word. After the conference, we copy-edited stories, talked with Barbash about his life as a journalist, and consumed copious amounts of pizza and coffee as the day dissolved into darkness.

From HPA's Digital Journalism Class, edited by Jordan Virtue '16

Students of the HPA Digital Journalism class were privileged to have Fred Barbash, creator and editor of the Washington Post's Morning Mix section, co-teach their class for several weeks in October 2015. As a former National Editor and London Bureau Chief for the Washington Post, Barbash can attest to both the rapidly changing digital landscape and the opportunities afforded within the new journalistic world. Students were presented with a completely unique and personalized experience, which sparked new academic passions that directly and positively translated into classroom work.

During his time at HPA, Barbash worked with students in a variety of capacities, designing lesson plans to highlight the journalistic process, and working with other guest lecturers. Students participated in a Skype call with Gene Park, social media editor and engagement producer at the Washington Post, receiving an expert's analysis of how content goes viral. Students interviewed Barbash about his field, allowing for greater exploration of the nuances of the craft, as well as practicing strong interviewing skills. Barbash spoke about the digital and social media shift within the industry, the advantages and challenges of reporting overnight, the increased power of the consumer, and the danger of the "trivialization" of news.

When asked about the digitalization of media, Barbash replied, "In terms of just the thrill of the game, I love this. I love the speed."


Video envisioned, directed, and produced by Jasmine Buerano '16 and Daniel Matsumoto '17.

Additionally, several students were offered the opportunity to intern with Barbash outside of class. These students listened to conference calls with his team of reporters, gaining unprecedented insight into news-writing. Students were even asked to copy edit real-time news stories and witnessed the nightly process of writing and publishing news stories firsthand. Barbash asked students to pitch story ideas with Hawai'i slants that had the potential to be published in the Washington Post. After extensive research, interviewing, and writing, three of these students had pieces featured in the Washington Post. Kate Sensenig '16 and Will White '16 had articles published in Barbash's Morning Mix section, while Jordan Virtue's '16 article ran in both the online and Sunday print version of the Travel section.

In following class periods, Barbash detailed the process of creating a story from an interview or existing news event. Students learned reporting techniques within the context of a feature story as they discussed methods to take isolated events and piece them together until a larger picture emerges. The process, which Barbash calls "gaining altitude," allows for the creation of a human connection that lends greater significance to a piece. The ability to weave depth into the journalistic yarn applies to the class experience as a whole, where the opportunity to work with a renowned editor and journalist increased students' perspectives on the applications of journalism and inspired them to go above and beyond expectations.

A Student's Perspective Of Her Internship With Fred Barbash

Barbash also offered insight into the current state of journalism, a field that has been forced to evolve with the digitization of news. "In the pre-digital era, before we could measure audience response to our stories, we worked in a kind of vacuum, without a good sense of what interested readers. In the absence of that knowledge, we decided for them. Now that we can measure audience interest rapidly, I think we're more responsive to their needs. There are positives and negatives to that, but it's dramatically changed our approach in ways that I fundamentally like."

One thing that hasn't changed is the level of integrity that Barbash and the Washington Post value. In one of his many quotable moments, Barbash stated, "I don't mind offending people, but I won't offend them needlessly." This is a difficult task, and one that must be dealt with carefully. If a more acceptable or accurate terminology or account can be articulated, it should be. However, this objective should never detract from the truth, and we should not live in fear of saying what is right. This mindset is something Barbash emphasizes within the journalistic world; the Washington Post is a highly reputable news organization, and must speak the truth to retain its audience and prestige.

For Barbash, the ethics of journalism remain the same as he seeks to "report the truth, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable," Jasmine Buerano '17 explains.

Barbash's visit not only resulted in three HPA students being published in the Washington Post, but also gave the digital journalism class tangible skills that are directly linked to their HPA Products, the digital media culmination of their semester's work. The HPA Product is an innovative, student-led project initiative that creates a convergence of content, which appears on the school's website and social media while providing hands on learning opportunities for students.

"Not only did his lectures help my product evolve, but they also taught me a lot about a new style of writing; short, quick to the point, and efficient" Sebastian Restrepo '17 attests.

These tangible, professional-level skills will allow students to advance in the academic and professional worlds.

Spencer Lanoue, a professional content marketer at UserTesting and class guest lecturer, was highly impressed with the quality of opportunities afforded to students and their eventual products. "The fact that students are getting their hands dirty by working on real digital projects that are being used by real people blows me away. The only way to stay ahead of the curve is to always be experimenting and learning by testing the digital landscape for yourself. These students are going to be light years ahead of their peers."

By Chris Rowe '16

Monday March 7. The last Monday before spring break. The last day of classes. All of HPA is jittery. The feet of students tap ceaselessly as their vigilant eyes command the clock to move faster. As one class finishes, they scramble to the next and as the lesson ends, they immediately resume their clock stare-off. Why?

Because in just a few hours they'll be participating in the euphoric Opening Ceremony. This event kicks off one of the most anticipated HPA events of the year: Olympics. Water-sliding down the hill, archery, paintball, color tag, Bubble Ball, and an epic student lip sync/talent show are only a few of the dozens of exciting Olympics events. All students, freshmen to seniors, give their all to win events fighting for their class to be crowned the best. Exciting, unrestrained fun. And it all starts with the Opening Ceremony.



The Evening Schedule:

Hula Competition
Class Cheer
Minute-To-Win-It
Basketball: SR vs SO
Ukelele Competition
Zumba
Basketball: JR vs FR
Nose-Egg Roll Contest
Dunk Contest
Basketball Finals
Kendama
Dodgeball

By Benjamin Newton-McGrath

Movement and form are the two words that sum up the second day of HPA Olympic events. As the events continue and competition between grades grow, hundreds of students flocked to Hapuna Beach. The fluid movement of soccer players, or the clunky and downright hilarious bouncing of the Poor Man's Sumo Wrestling. The form of the Body Surfers and even of the Sand Sculptures is something to be admired. The mid-day sun may have been hot, but the competition was hotter as we moved into the 3-Legged Sack Race event and the Egg-Relay. Of course, being at the beach was an important factor for the competitions; competitions like Beach Volleyball, and Hukihuki which the juniors dominated in. Taking a break from the contest, many students participated in more relaxing activities like the Beach BBQ Dinner or the 'grATTITUDE' Project of Opala Picking.

Back on campus, minds clashed as the game of Taboo tested students' wits and the Engineering competition tested their smarts. However, you don't need to be at the beach for things to get wild! One of the most anticipated events of the Olympics happened today as well, as the first games of the Soccer tournament played out with the underclassmen winning their games in a blaze of glory.

By Alexa Montenegro '16

The final day of the HPA Olympics, Wednesday March 9, kicked off with Circle Sit, where students from all classes embodied skyhigh sportsmanship and enthusiasm in their efforts to portray class unity. Students then dispersed and headed to their next event, whether it was something adrenaline-fueled like indoor soccer and bubble ball, or an intense session of Cranium. Many students found themselves hopping from an extreme round of musical chairs to the serene environment of Sidewalk Art, where the best artists from each class made the GPAC entrance come to life with their creativity.

Eventually all the morning activities came to an end and the student body headed to the dining hall in search of energy to keep the final day of Olympics going. The students were slowly eased into the final activities before the Talent Show, starting with the water balloon relay where you could truly see a class become a team. All the while, fans in the fields supported their favorites in the Soccer and Whiffle Ball finals. Alliances between classes formed during the Water Balloon Relay, which brought all ages together leading to a very soaked, but cheerful, ending, followed by the all-time favorite Water Slide. The day continued at the pool with tough Water Soccer matches and a joyous Inner Tube Relay, bringing out all the class cheers.



"Win or lose, everyone had the opportunity to shine and make memories unique to all HPA students," laughed water soccer player Louisa Duggan '16 after a tough match for first place against the junior class.

Tensions built as powder-covered students from Color Tag, exhausted arm wrestlers, and Chicken Fight competitors anxiously awaited the Talent Show, the closing ceremony of the 2016 HPA Olympics. Spreading smiles for miles, bonds became thicker after an entire day of fun and 'ohana (family).

By Alexa Montenegro '16

Minutes before the show started, students quickly filled in GPAC's empty gaps. There were no predefined seating arrangements, just friends sitting with friends whether they were wearing the same colored shirt or not. As the lights dimmed, cheers bounced off the walls, bringing the Lip Sync competition and talent show to life. The emcees for the night, Juan Miche Rosales '16, Zen Simone '16, and Kengo Depuis '16 kept the crowd going with their comedic bits prepping the HPA community for the incredible performances that led the crowd to tears and cheers.

After all classes performed their breathtakingly spot-on acts, Noa Walker '17 entertained the crowd with his comedic and musical talent as he serenaded the night away while the judges tallied points. Minutes later it was time to reveal winners starting with Penny Wars, which saw the senior class finishing on top with $100+. This was then followed by the most heartwarming portion of the night as students happily accepted Director of Student Programs "Aunty" Arati Clarry's '96 praise for all their hard work leading up to the most prestigious award of the night. All students cheerfully joined Clarry as she presented the class of 2019 with the 'Ohana Award, which exemplifies good sportsmanship, ethics, and collaboration.

HPA students stood together holding hands as they awaited the final results, starting with the juniors' win in the Lip Sync competition and the seniorsʻ win for their lighthearted and moving Talent Show performances. The overall Olympics winners were then announced, starting with the sophomore class in fourth place, the freshmen in third, the seniors in second, and the juniors in first. After the announcement, GPAC was full of love as HPA brothers and sisters congratulated each other for their hard work.

"The most rewarding experience for me is having people come up to me after the talent show telling me how much they really liked it, just seeing them smile makes me really happy," explained musician Jasmine Buerano '17 after the closing festivities.