Chi Rho Knoller

by: Elizabeth Mueller

On February 14^th, Valentine’s Day, love was not the only thing in the air. The class of 2013, clad in their new blue aloha wear, walked in pairs into the Maryknoll Community Center to be officially committed as juniors becoming seniors. After an hour of intense practicing before the end of school, seven o’clock rolled around and the juniors began lining up. The feeling was mostly of a heightened buzz knowing that walking through those doors began the official path that meant when school year ended a new batch of seniors would return in September.

The ceremony itself was touching, with a speech from knowledgeable Sister Rosario Daley and the distribution of class rings and pins from junior class advisors. The mood was lightened with the sentimental moments between advisor and student as each advisory received their class rings. The juniors stood tall and proud as they returned to their seats to sing the alma mater and truly seal themselves as committed future seniors. As the ceremony ended there was a different sensation than the one when the juniors entered. Heads were held high and parents looked proud and there was a relieved buzz instead of a nervous one. As the class of 2013 burst out of the gym doors it was a happy occasion and the smiles on faces were those of juniors who were content to stay that way just a while longer.

by: Emerald Leong

The Secret World of Arrietty

By Yvonne Simon, Cami Kanehele, and Kaimana Kirkeby

On December 21^st, the 2011 Maryknoll Winterball, “A Tale as Old as Time” was held at the Ko’olau Ballrooms. The fairytale inspired ball featured a color scheme of pastel blue, pink, and green inspired by the fairy godmothers in Sleeping Beauty. The venue was elegantly decorated with centerpieces filled with pebbles, white roses, and white branches and individually wrapped cupcakes adorned each table. The guests’ attention was kept entertained with a giant screen projecting pictures taken throughout the night and music videos. The winterball presented a tantalizing array of food that seemed to satisfy appetites as people returned to the buffet for seconds and even thirds. Bodies crowded the dance floor, forcing tables to be moved in order to accommodate the massive amount of guests. Admist the dancing, the DJ constantly interacted with the crowd by hosting a dougie competition and providing prizes to people who brought up various items per his request. Seniors Giordan Kitts, Kylie Storfer, Jenna Hedlt, Ivy Ho, and Matthew Ong commented “some songs were good and some bad, but the cupcakes were good”, “it was really fun and I like how they have the screen to watch the music videos”, “I really liked the bubble machine”, “it was really good, I enjoyed it”, and “it was fun”. Sophomore Madie Aiu raved that “it was really organized and the center pieces were really nice”. The success of the winterball is due to the hard work and efforts of the Winterball Committee!

by: Lauren Freitas

The Christmas spirit was in the air during Christmas Aloha.  The day began with a school-wide prayer service, with great performances that got many students into the spirit of Christmas.  The next activity was the talent show, with numerous students displaying just how talented they are.  Acts include both singers and dancers whom provided great hair-raising and humorous entertainment.  There was also an iron chef competition for the best ginger-bread houses, and other side activities which helped to provide other forms of entertainment to ring in the Christmas spirit.  However, the best competition was saved for last, which was the Christmas song contest among the different divisions.  Each grade had different aspects to their performance to make it purely unique to themselves, though as always the seniors prevailed in winning as per usual.  As Christmas Aloha wrapped up, students showed signs of having tremendous Christmas spirit, and were eager for Christmas break to begin.  Overall, the student senate planned a fun-filled day and lived up to its expectations.

by: Emerald Leong

Winter Wonderland

So, during the break I did five things; I slept, ate, did homework, went to work (even on Christmas and New Years), and saw a diverse group of films. Here are my thoughts about all of them…

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol

Directed by: Brad Bird (The Incredibles)

Staring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, and Simon Pegg

PG-13, 2hrs. 13 min.

Ethan Hunt is back in the fourth installment to the Mission: Impossible franchise. An implicated global terrorist bombing shuts down the IMF. Hunt (Cruise) and his team must clear their organization’s name, all the while fighting bad-guys, car chases, cool gadgets and scaling buildings. You know. The usual.

Even without seeing the first three M.I. films, I could still keep up with all of the characters and feels like a stand-alone movie. I really liked the James Bond-esque opening titles and the overall plot of the film. There are a couple of twists I didn’t see coming and some really great action scenes. Simon Pegg is great as the comedic relief. I was excited the whole time I was watching, which is probably a good thing. A must see for anyone looking for a solid suspenseful adventure.  A- (see in IMAX or Titan, its better)

Hugo

Directed by: Martin Scrosese

Staring: Ben Kingsley, Asa Butterfield, and Sacha Baron Cohen

PG, 2 hrs. 6 min.

Hugo (Butterfield), an orphaned boy living in a Paris train station, tries to find the key behind his father’s secret. SPOILER: His search for answers leads him to discovering Georges Melies (acclaimed French filmmaker) and his contributions to early cinema.

I personally really liked this movie because of its underlying message about the importance of film preservation and how movies in general have influenced us and made our wildest dreams reality. I hope that this film opens the doors to people re-discovering silent films and appreciating the medium as an art form. I encourage everyone to give it a try. A (this is a somewhat bias grade)

The Adventures of Tintin

Directed by: Steven Spielberg (Indiana Jones, Jaws)

Staring: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, and Daniel Craig

PG, 1 hrs. 44 min.

Tintin, boy reporter is thrust into an adventure for the lost treasure of the Unicorn, a ship that sank hundreds of years ago. Captain Harddock, Tintin and Snowy must find the clues before the evil Rackham does.

From the beginning all the way until the movie ends, it is just non-stop action. Sometimes it feels a bit much and I didn’t have a chance to breath. Tintin is somewhat stylized but is still aesthetically pleasing. The attention to detail is amazing. With the help of motion-capture, Spielberg was able to produce some unreal shots that would have otherwise been very costly. Everything is well choreographed, especially the chase scene in Bagghar. This is what Indiana Jones would have looked like if motion-capture were available in the 1980’s. As Spielberg’s first animated feature, I think that he did a job well done. B+ (see it in 3D)

War Horse

Directed by: Steven Spielberg (E.T., Saving Private Ryan)

Staring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, and Peter Mullan

PG-13, 2 hrs. 26 min.

Originally a play, War Horse is adapted for the big screen. Albert’s father buys a horse to plow his field for the harvest. It turns out that this is no ordinary horse. Albert and his horse, Joey (lame name for a majestic horse) are separated by the start of WWI. Joey inspires the people that he meets during the war including both British and German soldiers.

War Horse is an epic production. So epic, that it has to tell you how epic it is every five minutes. It is very emotional. So emotional, that it plays the emotional music every time something emotional happens. I felt like I was being told what to feel at the exact times I was supposed to feel them. There are a few heart-pulling moments and an unforgettable scene in No Man’s Land, the best in the entire movie. Some things that happen to Joey are very hard to watch but Spielberg shows some of the harsh realities of war (without most of the goriness). Sometimes, plays aren’t meant to be adapted into a movie. It’s just not the same. C+

The Descendants

Directed by: Alexander Payne (Sideways)

Staring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, and Amara Miller

R, 1 hrs. 50 min.

Set in Hawaii, The Descendants follows the journey of Matt King (Clooney) as he deals with his two daughters after his wife goes into a coma and finding out that she cheated on him (but really, who would cheat on George Clooney). All the while making a multi-million dollar decision to sell-off his families untouched Hawaiian land.

There is some huge Oscar-talk about this movie, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress. I didn’t like that every time the movie was transitioning from one scene to the next, they would play some really bad Hawaiian music with a three-minute montage of Hawaii. The pacing was too slow for my taste but I guess their trying to infuse the laid-back nature of Hawaii in the film. There are no Asians to be seen in this movie except for a hand-full. I didn’t feel any sympathy towards anyone in the movie except King’s daughters. If King had paid more attention to his wife, she wouldn’t have cheated, and if his wife didn’t fool around, then there would be no problem. In a movie that is supposed to be emotional, I did not shed one tear. If I had to give an award to someone, it would be Shailene Woodley, playing King’s older daughter. She cries underwater! This movie is geared towards older audiences, particularly parents that have had to deal with family issues and does a great job at showing how messy life is. B

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Directed by: David Fincher (The Social Network)

Staring: Daniel Craig, and Rooney Mara

R, 2 hrs. 37 min.

Mikael (Craig) is an investigative journalist who is chosen to solve a forty-year-old mystery with the help of Lisbeth (the girl with the dragon tattoo) to find the secrets behind the Vanger family.

This movie is a great mystery thriller filled with many plot twists and excitement. Some points in the story feel long at almost three hours and there are at least four endings before the movie is over, the last being the most underwhelming. WARNING: there are some really adult themes that are not suited for everyone and are very uncomfortable to watch. Sony has already stated that they will turn the other two books into film adaptations as well. B+

We Bought a Zoo

Directed by: Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire)

Staring: Matt Damon, and Scarlett Johansson

PG, 2 hrs. 4 min.

Based on the true story about a single dad, Benjamin (Damon) who is in need of a fresh start after his wife dies. He and his two children move into a zoo and need to return it to its former glory.

We Bought a Zoo is a story about Benjamin and his relationship with his family, not so much about a zoo. There are some tear-jerking moments and Matt Damon gives an excellent performance. His younger daughter Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth-Jones) has to be the cutest thing I have ever seen. It is a very predictable movie, however the characters hold the film to the end. The movie runs long at two hours and kids might get antsy. B-

by: Megan Montoya

by Tia Lau

After three months, the first trimester has finally ended, sparking mixed feelings among faculty and students. Although students are relieved to be done with the stress that comes with cramming for exams and rushing to complete final exhibition projects, the end of the trimester often is a bittersweet event, as classes who have spent entire trimesters together now have to go their separate ways. Of course, they can still see each other in the halls, but nothing is quite the same as having those people gathered together as a class.

Many upperclassmen are apprehensive about their second trimester classes, as this is often when Advanced Placement classes begin. For juniors taking AP classes for the first time, this is a new nerve-racking challenge to face. For seniors, this trimester marks one-third of their final year in high school. This brings them closer to senior project presentations, college acceptance letters, and their long-awaited graduation. Needless to say, however, the end does not always have to be bad. As said by Writing for College teacher Mr. Donald, “The end of each trimester isn't a bad thing; the end is an opportunity for new beginnings, so it could be a good thing.”

Some feedback from students about this trimester ending:

“I'm happy honestly, because I had so much homework this trimester and it was hard to manage everything between schoolwork and sports. I know next trimester will be much less stressful.” -Heidi Pederman, grade 10.

“It depresses me because I won't have Econ again until third trimester!” -Reuben Pascual, grade 11.

“I'll miss being in Mr. Bow's Forensics class, and I will really miss seeing the people in my classes all the time.” -Gordon Inouye, grade 12.

“I'm a bit sad that the trimester is ending because I made new friends and I had just gotten so used to this trimester that the change feels weird.” -Hawkins Ko, grade 12.

by: Rebecca Lewis and Tia Lau

On August 21, 2011, select Maryknoll students were invited to attend The Women’s National Leadership Conference. This conference is comprised of women who have been successful in life, with jobs that a woman wouldn’t necessarily have been able to have in a world of men. A lot of these women share inspirational stories about their struggles and rising to the top in either their fashion business in Singapore like Elim Chew, or recovering after a nasty injury and working towards your dream career despite your luck like Nicole Marquez. The students who attended this conference were Jayna Funakoshi, Megan August, Tia Lau, Jamaica Go, Alana La’anui, Are’a Amaral, Priscilla Ong, Kasey Cachola and Rebecca Lewis, and chaperone Sara Smitherman, could all agree that Marquez was the most inspirational.

Most of the women who spoke at this conference earned their position in their jobs through pure hard work and studying. While inspiring, it was also hard to relate to, considering we’re all teenagers. Nicole Marquez got up on stage and showed us a video of her story. This woman fell from he sixth floor of her apartment building, as she was scaling it, trying to get to the window, because she had locked her keys inside. She was left in a musty shaft for eight hours before someone came to aid her. She was told that she would never walk again. This news was traumatizing for Marquez because she had just moved to New York City and was finally ready and trained well enough as a dancer, to audition to be on Broadway.

As Marquez told her story, she kept it purely honest. She talked about how discouraged she was when she hears the news that she may never walk again, and for months she continued to lie in a hospital bed, waiting for something to change. She told the audience that she doesn’t really even remember the fall, just brief moments of being brought back to consciousness and thinking that it was all just a really horrible nightmare. She didn’t think any of it was real, until she woke up in the hospital.

Marquez told everyone never to give up on his or her dreams, and to “not believe in the word ‘No’ or ‘I can’t’”. After so many months in the hospital, she began to feel her legs again. She started muscle therapy to regain strength in her legs and back again. Even though she was in a brace for a long time, and isn’t fully restored to this day, she says, “I can honestly say that I’m happy.” Moreover, “A thing worth having is worth working for.” So there is no telling what life has in store for you and you never know which day is going to be your last. Marquez not only had to work hard to achieve her dream physically, but she had to mentally prepare herself for the fact that her dream may never be achieved. Everything she ever worked for could have been lost in that split second she fell, trying to get back into her apartment.

Other notable speakers included Singapore fashion entrepreneur Elim Chew, who uses her business as a model to solve social issues. Navy woman Marty Evans discussed the need to not let others define you or your successes, to be open to criticism and inspiration, and to know that although “you may not be able to control your life, you can control what happens”.  Journalist Leslie Jane Seymour added that success comes slowly, but never let fear get in your way.

Much advice was given and received that day, and much inspiration and admiration was shown. Strong women, with strong characters…the definition of “Girl Power”!

by: Kaili Akeo

On Monday, October 31, 2011, Maryknoll School celebrated Halloween with fun filled activities. To start the day, the juniors class officers got all the students and faculty in the Halloween mood by putting up festive decorations around campus. The next activity, which took place in Roger’s Hall during advisory, was the costume contest. This challenged all advisories to see who could come up with the most creative costume for their advisor.  All teachers who participated in the contest were good sports and had very creative costumes, but unfortunately there can only be one winner: Mrs. Wong’s advisory took first place with her gangster costume. Other notable costumes included Mr. Cramer as Alan from the Hangover II film, Ms. Simpson as a slurpee, and Mrs. Worley and Mrs. Nakanishi-Sarae as Mario and Luigi.  Last on the agenda was the advisory pumpkin carving content. Students from each advisory are given the chance to come up with a unique and creative way of showing their artistic abilities, by carving a design into a pumpkin. The winner of this contest was Mr. McGivern’s senior advisory. Overall, the day was fun and definitely a laugh!  Hopefully the costumes and festivities will be as great as this year’s.

by: Sara Q. Smitherman, advisor

On Friday, 10/28, three Maryknoll students attended the APEC Women in Economics Conference at Sacred Hearts Academy. In the school gym, surrounded by many eager and promising young women, Maryknoll students Theadora Lau, Brandi Chun, and Kylie Ojiri, chaperoned by Sara Smitherman, were given a glimpse into the leadership and expertise of four prominent women in the field of world economics. Topics discussed included the increasing role of women in leadership positions, challenges the women have overcome, the importance of global communication, and the influences of APEC on Hawaii’s economy.

The women all offered some wonderful words of wisdom to the young women.  “Life will always throw you detours, and someone will always find something wrong with you, but only you can determine your future. Listen to your passion. Your hard-work will determine your future,” said Ambassador Lauren Kahea Moriarty. Dr. Denise Eby Konan believed that luck, prayer, being open to opportunity, and taking risks would open up new doors. Dr. Nancy Davis Lewis reiterated this. For the young women in attendance, Ms. Adrian Yi had the most resonating ideas:  it is the youth that offers new views to current and old problems.  Youth today have “a global connection that past generations did not, and this is key to solving and helping current decision making processes”.

by: Elizabeth Mueller

Maryknoll's annual Spartan Cabaret for this 2011/2012 school year was a sure-fire hit and many of that credit goes to the students, the directors and the support of our peers. For some of us it was a first show and for others it was the last. Still, numerous memories were made to last a lifetime! Preparation began in mid-September and the show comprised of thirty-two numbers that featured the grade and high school cast, pianist and sophomore Isaac Taira and an after-intermission hula from fellow sophomore Anissa Leehang. Thanks to additional funding by administration, our cast was able to utilize two weeks in Central Union Church to put together a brilliant show. In the end, the seats were filled and the students were nervous, but the show came together beautifully. Friday night the cast met with donors to Maryknoll's programs while they were finishing up their delicious-looking dinners. After both shows, students mingled with family and friends at a glowing reception. Many younger attendees found themselves starry-eyed and planning to join Cabaret once they were old enough. Fellow high school classmates attended to cheer on their favorite numbers, adding a healthy amount of noise. Overall, the performance was rewarding and the show was received with shining smiles. Maryknoll students from both campuses helped build a show they are proud of and are sure to create more magic next year.

Don't forget - in a few months time Junior/Senior One Act casting and rehearsals will begin, featuring plays written by high school students, using their peers as cast members. In the Spring the Theatre Club will begin auditions for the Spring Play/Musical with the title still to be announced. We hope to see you there!

by: Sophia Oak

The dreaded SAT is a senior’s worst nightmare. Nobody in the right mind would want to be locked up in a congested room for three and a half hours, analyzing James Joyce and solving quadratic equations. But unfortunately, everyone has to take the SATs (or ACTs) for college admissions. So to guide you on your quest to higher education, I give you five tips that helped me the most.

Tip #1: Take rigorous AP courses.

I highly recommend you take AP Language (or AP Literature) and Composition and AP Calculus. AP Language will really help you in critical writing; and throughout the class you will review complex grammar rules that will help you a lot in the writing section. Despite the heavy workload, it’s definitely worth it. Same goes for AP Calculus. Don’t be afraid of its daunting title, AP Calculus isn’t as scary as it sounds. It’ll prepare you well enough to breeze through the math section. Trust me, after you conquer AP Calculus, SAT math will be a piece of cake. 

Tip #2: Start Studying Early

I recommend juniors to start study during the summer. This way, your schoolwork and your SAT study won’t collide. Studying early was one of the best decisions I’ve made. And for seniors, study whenever you have the time. Whether it’d be during advisory or during small breaks, pick up a pen and start solving problems. Don’t rest your brain.

Tip #3: Set Goals

Set your goal score and be realistic. Your first goal score should be close to your PSAT score. Don’t aim for a 2400 on your first try. This will only discourage you. Set a reasonable goal and increase it every time you retake the SAT.

Tip #4: Read Classic Books

Nothing helped me more than reading stacks of classics. Choose classics that you find interesting. Research the book before you buy it. I highly recommend reading anything from Dickens, Fitzgerald, Twain and Orwell. And if you’re not into reading or you simply don’t have the time, look over short stories from famous writers and analyze their work.

Tip #5: Deactivate Your Facebook Account on the Month Prior to Your SATs

If unread notifications deter you from studying, just deactivate your Facebook for a month. It’s not the end of the world. And chance are, you won’t be missed, because there are literally millions of other active users. Facebook, as harmless as it sounds, can bring about detrimental results. As a reforming addict myself, I know what it feels like to read a new notification or ‘like’ a funny status. But at the end of the day, you’re going to regret all the useless times you spent on Facebook, ogling over new profile pictures, and poking random friends.

by: Megan Montoya

Have you heard of Kairos yet? Many of our upperclassman have, but many still do not know much about it. Details of the retreat are kept a secret, as the activities are meant to be a surprise.

Two seniors, Tyler Ah Loy and Rachel Ramones, who participated in the most recent Kairos retreat (#3), called it "an adventure", while Rachel described it as "amazing". Ask any Kairos participant, and only positive responses will be given. Other participants that chimed in their responses also appreciated the experience and felt closer as a class and with the other participants. Rachel added that when she returned from the retreat, she saw a lot of change in herself: "I felt clean, and holy, closer to myself and to God. That sounds so corny but its true". Tyler's experience was similar to Rachel’s; he said, "I felt like I wanted to make a change in the world". The two were asked to give advice to people who still have not decided to go. Rachel wants people to know that "its defiantly worth it". Tyler simply said, "Just go". The Kairos experience is an epitome of what Maryknoll is all about: love and trust within one's self and within the community.

If you have not yet gone to Kairos, there is still a chance. The next Kairos retreat (#4) runs from December 13 to 16; #5 is March 20 to 23. To find out more information and details, see Mr. Delgado or Mr. Casupang.

by: Lindsey Green

            Life today is much more advanced with technology. Students have become influenced in different ways, and modern research states that students are more likely to cheat, steal and lie today than ten years ago. The willingness to steal seems to be more frequent, perhaps due to the economic crisis.  and students not being able to afford new electronics. Are students disgraced or dishonored about such behavior? School is said to be a fun, safe learning environment with nothing to worry about but getting a good education. But when items are “lost” or “stolen” while on campus, how can students feel safe in a school?

by: Rebecca Lewis

New students flood the halls now that we have a new group of freshman here at Maryknoll. The class of 2015 brings lots of energy and promise of success to our High School. We have students with a wide range of talents, from singers like Ari Yago, to those who show amazing leadership like those who are in student council. But being a freshman isn’t only about the fun and games; it’s about coming to a place with a close community to prepare for a bright future.

by: Rebecca Lewis and Kaili Akeo

On Thursday, 10/13, students spent their day discussing positive attributes about Maryknoll.  The day began with a breakfast bento in advisory, and shirts that read “I Heart Maryknoll”.

Students' creativity was urged during advisory, as they made banners and posters to show their school spirit. Groups from each grade got together to produce clips of videos that were later displayed at the pep-rally. Discussions on the power and responsibility of using social media were a talking point.

Posters included responses like: “Maryknoll is a big ohana!”  “Maryknoll is a big box of fun!”  “Maryknoll is like a rocketship blasting off to a good education!” And more! 

After being treated to a lunch from McDonalds, students walked over to the gym to watch the student-made videos. Videos that were posted consisted of interviews on why Maryknoll is such a wonderful place to attend school, and each class added their own creative ideas to make the clips enjoyable for all. There were performances by the Maryknoll Spartan Cabaret (performing Freak Flag), dances by Athena Adora and Jennifer Cajimat, along with amazing singing from Ari Yago who performed “No One” by Alicia Keys.  The students went wild and everyone had an amazing day. Thursday seemed to bring out aloha in everyone, which is all part of the Maryknoll experience.

"I loved it. It was super fun and it increased my school spirit. I was well put together." (Sophia Oak)

"I thought it was a good way to bring the school together..." (Derek Thipphavong)

"...it was a good idea to help rebuild morale."  (Mrs. Morey)

by: Cindy Wang

On Saturday, September 3, the AOP Air Riflery team shot their first and second match at the Saint Louis Rifle Range. The AOP Air Riflery team consists of members from HBA, AOP and Maryknoll. Since it was the first match day of the season and the two matches were back to back, new and returning shooters were nervous. For those who do not know how the process works; there are three positions that each member must shoot and the targets are 30 meters away. Prone (when one’s body is on the floor), kneeling and standing. There are 2 “sighter” shots which are to check for accuracy and 10 record shots in each position. Each record shot is worth 0-10 points, but you can score negatives if you load two pellets instead of one.

“It was a very interesting match, first match of the season, we were just getting the feel of shooting again after a 1 year break.  It’s interesting because we found out how it was to shoot a competition match again. We made some mistakes due to malfunctions with several of our guns due to it breaking on us” –John Leong

by: Cindy Wang

On Saturday, September 10, the Asian calligraphy class and volunteers from previous fan dancing performances preformed at the Chinese Cultural Plaza located in Chinatown. As other people were showcasing their talents (storytelling, lion dancing), we were frantically getting ready, as some people were late. From Maryknoll, there were 3 sets of dances; the ribbon dancing (by volunteers), the kung fu fan dancing (the Asian calligraphy class) and our own Lao Shi doing a traditional Chinese folk solo.

People who ribbon danced said:

“I was pretty confident in myself for the dance, but the wind made me nervous because it makes the ribbons harder to control.” –Anonymous

“I liked the experience of being able to perform in front of a audience. Along with the three dances that I have learned throughout being taught these dances which are the original fan dance, kung fu fan dance, and the newest one, ribbon dance.” –Tiffany Lam (who participated in both kung fu fan dancing and the ribbon dancing)

“I was nervous at first; but when I got on stage, I felt confident and felt that whatever happens, happens. And there were some obstacles such as the strong wind and when people stepped on the ribbon and made it harder to dance. I liked the feeling of accomplishment after the dance was done.” –Christie Dang

People who fan danced said:

“Kung fu fan dancing is just like martial arts. I thought it was a pretty fun experience. Performing something you like really is a great feeling.” –Adam Elaydo

“It was really fun and it was different to be able to perform on stage. Kung fu fan dancing isn’t really like dancing because it’s not all flow~y, if you know what I mean.” –Tiffany Wang

“It was fun.” –Emerson Lau

by: Alana Laanui

This year’s Spirit Week was definitely one to remember.  There were wins, losses, bonding, and rivalry.  Monday started off with a bang with Maroon and Gold free dress.  The juniors also showed the power of 2013 with their first rounds of dodge ball.  However the seniors gave everyone a taste of their class pride on Tuesday during their dodge ball tournament.  Throughout Tuesday and Wednesday the sophomores and juniors were taking their class pictures with Maryknoll’s new photography company.  Wednesday during lunch there was a lot of excitement not only for the final four Sophomore and Freshmen Dodge ball games but for the free otter pops.  After school teachers, parents, and students from the Freshmen and Sophomore classes gathered for their parent teacher night.  Students were eager to get home because they wanted to plan their clothes for the next day, Twin Day.  Thursday was maryknoll’s first twin day and it was definitely a success.  When you walked into school you would see nerd triplets, plaid quadruplets, and tons of matching t-shirts.  The real fun in Twin day was the competition.  Seniors Troy Wong and Lisa Tagaki won with their original matching costumes.  With all of this excitement going on the Juniors and Seniors had to keep their heads in the game as their final four played in a spot for the spirit day pep rally.  The day went on as the Juniors and Seniors Parent teacher night   took place after school.

Friday morning was full of excitement as herds of yellow, green, blue, and red shirts funneled into school.  Students eagerly awaited to show off their class pride in the upcoming pep rally.  As lunch rolled a long spirits were getting higher as students represented their class by wearing streamers and other decorations.  Finally the time had come for Maryknoll’s 2011 Spirit Day Pep Rally.  Grades began to enter the MCC with their competitive banners.  Once everyone was in the gym the seniors led the way with their surprise glow stick show.   Class officers showed off their signs and classes screamed for spirit recognition.  In the end the senior’s class unity won the banner contest.  Then it was time for the main event, the dodge ball tournament.  The freshmen and sophomores went first, and fond the wining advisory.  Then it was the juniors and seniors and soon each grade had an advisory to represent them.  It was time for the real competition.  Sophomores vs. seniors and freshmen vs. Juniors.  The seniors and freshmen survived the first heat.  It was then a fight for third with the sophomores and juniors.   After a very close game the juniors were able to redeem themselves.  Then it was time for the main event the seniors vs. the freshmen.  The freshmen were definitely the under dogs in this match but they played the best they could.  After a very close game the senior’s maintained their crown of dodge ball champions and Mr. Chamizo was able to have the dodge ball trophy in his room for another year.  After a week filled with class rivalry we all sang Maryknoll’s Alma Mater that reminded us who we all are…Spartans. Joyce Zhang said “I enjoyed how Spirit Week brought out unity and spirit throughout the Maryknoll community.”  Many people will agree with her because in the end we all left with a sense of Maryknoll Pride.  Spirit Week is a time of competition but more importantly it teaches us to rise above class rivalries and realize that we are all united through Maryknoll.               

by Emerald Leong

The Help, based on the #1 New York Times best seller of the same name by Kathryn Stockett, stayed at number one for three straight weeks earning a total of $118 million. The film excels in acting and I wouldn’t be too surprised if one of their names popped up for an Oscar Nomination.

It tells the story of Skeeter (Emma Stone), a white college graduate from Jackson, Mississippi who forms a risky and unlikely friendship with Aibileen (Viola Davis) and Minny (Octavia Spencer) around a secret writing project about The Help: black maids raising white children but are being mistreated, underpaid and over worked. Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard) is the president of the Junior League in town and tries to use her power to pass a law stating that the help cannot use the same toilets as the whites and wants to preserve the South’s way of life. The acting in this movie is spectacular. All the characters feel real and I really did care about what would happen to them. Except for Hilly, whom I think is the Devil’s Child.

The movie is very realistic to the time period in the cosmetics but not so much in the story telling. If this was a true story, chances are slim to none that any black person would speak out against Jim Crow in fear of death. They do however, paint The Help as being courageous, and wanting to make change in times of adversity. The movie portrays that the book was one of the main reasons of the Civil Rights Movement, which it wasn’t but does show what an impact a book can have on society.

There are some parts that felt longer then necessary but other bits and pieces of pure gold. Spencer’s character is on the border line of being over-the-top but is a good comedic relief for such a heavy movie. The running gag was used too often and became not-so-funny after you hear it for the tenth time. Some of these technical issues bring a damper on a this unique and inspirational film.

There are many great aspects of this blockbuster: acting, soundtrack, morals, themes, casting, directing, the list goes on...A flawed masterpiece. (86%)B+

by: Elizabeth Mueller

If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.

Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour.

In the Caribbean there are oysters that can climb trees.

They have square watermelons in Japan because they stack better.

Iceland consumes more Coke per capita than any other nation.

Armadillos can be housebroken. (hey pet armadillo!)

The average person has over 1460 dreams a year.

One in every 4 Americans has appeared on television.

Ants stretch when they wake up in the morning.

Thomas Edison was afraid of the dark.

In space, astronauts can't cry because there is no gravity, so tears can't flow.

Recycling one glass jar saves enough energy to watch TV for 3 hours.

It's against the law to slam your car door in Switzerland.

In Bangladesh, kids as young as 15 can be jailed for cheating on their finals. (Eyes on your own paper!)

In Tokyo, they sell toupees for dogs.

In England, in the 1880s "pants" was considered a dirty word. 

In 2003, there were 86 days of below-freezing weather in Hell, Michigan.

The Starbucks at the highest elevation is on Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.

An average American will spend an average of 6 months during their lifetime waiting at red lights.

by: Kaimana Kirkeby

Walk in the room. Sign in. Bags on the table. Hands above the desk. Heads always up. No sleeping. No eating. No drinking. No reading. No writing. No homework. No anything. This is what you get when you are in detention. Detention has been the new punishment for unexcused tardiness in efforts to reduce the approximate 8,000 tardy figure from last year. Being tardy is no longer being taken leniently in Maryknoll Highschool. Whether you are late by 5 minutes or 50 minutes, your punishment will be detention. And if you so happen to miss or skip your detention, an additional one will be given to you. Not only does detention serve as the punishment for being late, but it also applies to uniform infractions. If you happen to be out of uniform, you will gladly be invited to a mandatory detention that you will have to serve after school.

Detention has caused huge controversy between staff and students. Students constantly complain about how unfair detention is and how it is basically a waste of time. But is it really? On the first day that detention had become effective, there were a total of 55 students that were tardy. This number was drastically cut in half immediately the second day of detention when only 24 students were tardy. It has gone down even more as the days have gone by, and average now, less than 7.

Besides that fact that detention’s effectualness can be represented quantitatively, it can also be represented conceptually. What teachers want students to get out of detention is not about serving time because you are late and you need to be punished, it is to teach you two very important qualities that will benefit you throughout your whole life; promptness and dressing properly. Although students will argue that promptness and appearance are not top priorities in their lives, they are important in the real world. Whether students choose to understand the real reasons behind detention, or continue protesting against it, I am sure that the staff is planning on keeping it around for many years to come.

by: Lorelei Zabanal 

The Pac-Five team began their season playing against Lahainalua High School, with a score of 14-0. This exciting victory was soon followed by two other wins and three tragic losses.

Head Coach Kip Botelho has high hopes in this season and the team he has gathered. “We have great potential this season. Our goal of winning the Division II title is still there, we just have to win all of our games. We have a good football team, we just need to clean up some of the mistakes that are being made.”

When asked what he would like to get accomplished this season, Botelho answered with the following: winning all of the games, improving on offense and turning over the ball, and to possibly play in states.

For all you Maryknoll students, show your support by showing up to the games! The next game is on October 8^th at Punahou, 3 pm. Don’t forget your Maryknoll I.D. and your school spirit! Hope to see you there!

Q: My grades are low and I am scared that they will keep dropping.  What can I do?

A: It is important to ask your teacher or friends for help. Asking your teacher for help is really important because they know you want to improve your grade and they also know you're trying. Your friends and study groups are helpful in keeping you current in class work.

Q: I sometimes feel that my friends exclude me from their group but I don't want to say anything. What should I do?

A: I  wouldn't react right away. Take some time to carefully look at the situation. Maybe they're in a bad mood, maybe you're annoying them, or maybe you're just overreacting. The best thing to do would be to ask one of your friends that you feel closest to, to find out what's really happening.

Q: I am having  a difficult time with my group partners.  What should I do?

by:  Rebecca Lewis

The Poet by Michael Connelly

Serial killers are always a fascinating topic. If you like mysteries and detectives along with some bloodshed and paper trails that lead nowhere, The Poet is the book for you. The first sentence, “Death is my beat,” is a great hook to a great book. The main character, Jack McEvoy, is an investigative journalist. He was at work when he got the news that his twin brother who works at the Police Department, had committed suicide. Devastated, he goes with the police department to tell his brother’s wife the news. As time goes by, Jack realizes that he never knew his brother to be a suicidal man. There was one case that his brother was working on that drained him of his time and energy, a case about a little girl who was murdered, but he never would have taken his own life.

The suicide note that Jack’s brother left on the inside of his car windshield read “Out of Space, Out of Time,” which is a line from the famous poet Edgar Allan Poe. This and a series of other similar cases leads Jack to believe that maybe his brother didn’t commit suicide. Jack begins to search deeper into his brother’s case and isn’t happy with that he finds. Working side by side with the FBI, Jack promises to keep his story about The Poet off the newspaper stands as long as they keep him in the loop on their findings and promise not to talk to any reporters. After all—death is his beat.

This book promises suspense and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. This book is a real page-turner and is a great novel to have in your library at home.

By: Tia Lau

The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian

There is always that one summer reading book that’s more preferred than the other and this year that book was The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian. The story of Josh Swensen is engrossing to most students, most likely because of its moral, which was to not choose materialistic things over what’s really important, and because it incorporates problems that are easy for a high school students to relate to. The story starts out fairly lighthearted, and gets darker and more serious as it progresses. Consumerism is not something that many of us think about, but in this novel, Josh, the protagonist, uses the power of the Internet to fight against it.

Many individuals in today’s society, particularly young adults and teens, allow their computers and cell phones to control them. Most students would cringe at the idea of having to live with only 75 possessions, which is what Josh does in the novel. As the audience picks up The Gospel According to Larry, they expect a generic, cliché young adult novel. I was pleasantly surprised at the unique twists in the story; Tashjian makes it difficult to predict the outcome of events in the novel. One negative aspect of the novel was its ending, which was a disappointment to many readers. Certain people also may thing that some of the situations incorporated into the story were a little unrealistic. Regardless, The Gospel According to Larry is a gripping, insightful novel I would highly recommend to any avid reader.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice by Phillip Hoose

Despite its nonfiction genre that many high school students find bland and uninteresting, Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice is an intriguing story of a Claudette Colvin, a young black woman in Alabama during racial discrimination. This book shows a new perspective of the American Civil Rights movement that very few people are aware of. Throughout middle and high school, we learn about this movement, typically focusing on political figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. In this novel, however, we see the movement from a fresh new perspective—from the perspective of the young African American girl named Claudette Colvin.

Claudette is a bright and outspoken teenager living in racist Montgomery, Alabama during the time of segregation and Jim Crow Laws. Claudette is arrested at the young age of fifteen years old, and is the only one who was brave enough to speak up against the injustice in her community. Getting deeper into Claudette's story, it makes you wonder why she has never been recognized as a “hero” like Rosa Parks. Any reasonable person who knows the story of Claudette Colvin would agree that she played just as important a role as Rosa Parks; perhaps more.

Although only three out of ten students that were surveyed claimed to have enjoyed the book, I personally found the book inspirational. The only negative aspect was that I thought that for a high school summer reading book, the novel was at a rather elementary reading level. Despite this, Claudette Colvin is an educational book that teaches us about a huge part of America's history from a perspective that hasn’t been explored to the extent it deserves, and that we can relate to; the perspective of a teenager.