IMUA‘IOLANI October 20, 2014
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Volume 90, Issue II
#HOMECOMING
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Friday Festivities
Imua ‘ Iolani
Raiders take down the Saints
Raiders: 44 SAINTS: 7 By Conor Hannum ’16 For the ‘Iolani Varsity football team, the entire Homecoming week feels like a pre-game. After all the activities leading up to the Friday match-up, it’s up to the players to put on a show. Head Coach Wendell Look ’78 remembers Homecoming from his years as a player. “We had a lot of pride in our school, and the game was a way to show your pride and love for our `Iolani… It’s good to see alumni come back for the game; it’s our job to play well and make them proud.” In the stands, graduates from across the generations mix with current students, all wearing the same school colors. Quarterback Austin Jim On ’15 said, “It’s the game that most of the student body comes to, so it is important
to play well for our classmates.” The environment of the game energizes the team because it is on campus, right after school, and the players see ‘Iolani fans up close to field rather than just scatttered red shirts in the far-away stands of Aloha Stadium.
Ho ‘ olaulea top photo: Riley Sakamoto bottom three photos: Amy Nakamura
“Even if the costumes are itchy, like super itchy when you’re dancing, you can’t even feel it because you’re having too much fun!” - Mari Haga ’23
“I like to see the excitement on people’s faces in the crowd. I think that I’m doing a good job because I’m making them smile.” - Michael Hicks ’23
Senior Captain Nathaniel Oishi ’15, who has been with the team since he was a waterboy in 2nd grade, said, “The `Iolani community comes together for the game and you have the entire school and alumni on your side. We get a very special opportunity that is unique to the football team because we get to represent `Iolani, and anyone who has ever been a part of the `Iolani family.” The Homecoming game counts on the record just as any other regular season game, but for the team, it is way more than that: it is a chance to represent ‘Iolani’s past and present and to bring the ‘Iolani ohana together.
Imua ‘Iolani
Friday Festivities
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Lighting the I without exploding the school By Lauren Yamaguchi ’15 Homecoming week was an amazing experience. Let me just tell you, the seniors rocked it. The week contained a huge list of lasts for the senior class: our last Lipsync, Cheerfest, and our last Burning of the I. When Friday evening finally came, I began to get emotional. This was our last homecoming. To me, the burning of the I really epitomizes the essence of homecoming and our school spirit. Before the ceremony, Mr. Uejio introduced me to the Lower School sportsmanship award winner, Christina Au ’21. Spirited and extremely friendly, Christina stayed with me during the whole
Seniors and torchbearers pause for a picture just feet away from the flames
ceremony. While sitting in the chapel pew I asked Christina, “Are you scared you’re going to make the whole school explode?” Christina giggled and said, “No, but I’m still scared.” I reassured her, “This can just be practice when you light the I again for your senior year.” Seniors arrived at the chapel shortly before the burning of the I. Seniors passed to one another the flame of the same candle used to light the I until they all held a lit candle. Together we reflected on what it meant to grow together as a class at `Iolani. Then it was time. As soon as I heard the band play outside at the courtyard, my nerves tensed. Fun fact: torch bearers must wear covered shoes, long pants, and a long sleeve shirt to the ceremony so they don’t burn themselves. Another fun fact: torch bearers must hold the torch a certain way so they don’t burn the school. As the music was playing, I started walking (admittedly tearing up) through the chapel with Danny Leong, Spencer Ho, Scott Wo, Christina Au, Alumni representative Mr. Cheng, and Faculty representative Colonel Rankin, toward the I. We had made it to the inner circle. Colonel Rankin lit our torches, then we
We before “I” Before the Burning of the I, the seniors gathered in the chapel to preform a special lighting ceremony of their own. Here is a excerpt of senior prefect Kady Matsuzaki’s speech which led the ceremony. The Burning of the I is one of many longstanding, `Iolani traditions. It began in the fall of 1961, making this year the 63rd anniversary. The Burning of the I not only marks the end of homecoming week, but it also represents the culmination of the One Team spirit. Faculty, a lower school student, alumnus, and seniors stand circled around the I as it burns, each an equal, united in a feeling of school pride. Seniors, we are so happy that you were able to come tonight to take part in a symbolic lighting of the I. You are continuing in a beloved and timeless tradition. The candle you are holding will be lit from the flame that will eventually set the I ablaze. One by one, you will light each other’s candles with your own flame. When your candle is lit, please pass the flame on to the person next to you. Please take a moment to reflect on your time at `Iolani. We hope that it has been an enjoyable and memorable one.
Karley Devens ’15 and Kristen Hori ’15 light their candles at the senior ceremony
gently placed them on the I. Right there in that moment, all six torch bearers looked at each other and all felt it. First the honor; then the heat. I had no idea how hot burning the I would be. It’s just something I’ve never bothered to fathom; standing three feet away from a huge burning I gets toasty. But as we stood there as a class looking at the flames, I couldn’t help but feel pride. Then the seniors chanted our (first place) Cheerfest cheer and screamed together as the class of 2015. In the midst of the heat and the spirit of the night, I looked back at Christina and she was no longer scared.
Homecoming Dance
“It was a fun experience to be with other classmates and friends outside of class.” -Kendall Holmstrom ’17
“After watching great lip sync performances, cheering on our football team and bonding in the ceremonious tradition of the Burning of the I, the Homecoming Dance was a perfect way to end a week filled with raider spirit.” -Alex Lee ’15
“It was my first time and it was even more fun and crazy than I expected. I’m already excited for next year.” -Zachary Cable ’18
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#Homecoming 2014
#Monday
#Homecoming 2014
#Tuesday #Wednesday #Thursday
#Friday
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Imua ‘ Iolani
Lip Sync
#LIPSYNC First: 12th
Second: 10th
Third: 8th
LipSync: feat. Sterling, Guy, and Simba By Jasmine Banner ’15 and Taylor Lau ’18 The moment Storm Lotomau ’15 walked on the stage with his disposable camera, he became Sterling, and the crowd erupted in a roar of cheers and laughter. When first grader Alexa Tamanaha ’26 joined eighth graders on stage as Young Simba, spectators let out a collective, “Awww!” “Oh my gosh she was so cute,” said Julia Lim ’19. “That was the cutest thing ever!” The energy vibrating through the air
during Lip Sync had been building all week. First time Lip Sync performer Alyssa Sakamaki ’17 said, “Lip Sync made me more confident. I feel like I have a lot more spirit this year. Last year I was kind of shy.” Some students are intimidated by the commitment to lunch practices and performing in front of the Upper School; however, Lau-
ren Devens ’18 said, “It takes a lot of time and preparation but it’s really fun when you do it!” Lip Sync is also fun for everyone in the audience. “I always love watching what the different grades come up with and seeing what talents are hidden in each different student. I think the seniors are always the best,” says Siobhan Mercado ’16. The class of 2015
A peek at the judges’ panel By Arupa Poudyal ’18 The Lower Gym bleachers quivered with the thundering energy of the upper school students as they chattered with excitement. The anticipation for the hilarious and creative competition was almost palpable. The four Lip Sync and Cheerfest judges, Dr. Gaby Toloza, Ms. Allison Blankenship, Mr. Tom Blickos, and Dr. Aster Chin were tasked with the difficult job in rating and ranking each grade’s performances. Ms. Blankenship said the “range of creativity... was impressive,” and she “loved how the grades were supportive of each other.” Mr. Blickos described the performances as “classy and entertaining,” and Dr. Toloza said they were “difficult to judge” because there was “lots of energy, lots of school spirit and class pride!!” The judges were all impressed with the spirit and enthusiasm of the student body. The actual results of this year’s competitions were surprising. As expected, the seniors swept Lip Sync and Cheerfest. The 10th and 8th
graders were awarded second and third places respectively for Lip Sync. The juniors won second place in Cheerfest, but it was the third place Cheerfest results that were truly shocking. The 8th, 9th, and 10th graders all tied! According to Dr. Chin, the judges did not discuss their scores with each other. She said, “The three-way tie just means that we all happened to feel that the 8th/9th/10th graders each received a vote from one of us which places them in the same, third place position.”
This Lip Sync was Dr. Toloza’s first, and she said it was “very entertaining,” in agreement with Mr. Blickos. As Ms. Blankenship said, “... that’s how an `Iolani Homecoming should be!”
especially loved their last performance at the school Lip Sync. Sunshine Saucedo ’15 said, “It’s exciting to watch everyone get into it, especially for senior year.” The Seniors’ efforts paid off with a first place win. “They definitely deserved it. I was surprised that they could beat [their cheer from] last year!” said Evan Tsuzaki ’18.
Imua ‘Iolani
Cheerfest
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#CHEERFEST First: 12th
Second: 11th
Cheers excite all! By Julia Lim ’19 This year’s Cheerfest ran through its controversy-free, spirited rounds that were full of creativity. The tenth graders kicked off Cheerfest with their own twist to Beyoncé’s song, “Yonce.” The eighth graders rocked the lower gym (quite literally) in their first Cheerfest. “It was a pretty awesome feeling to participate this year... I can’t wait for next year’s spirit week!” said Mariko Jurcsak ’19. The ninth graders were missing
Third: 8th, 9th, 10th
happened that when it dropped, it was upside down. Of course it their drummer due to illness, was a little disappointing.” The seniors brought their A-game and but no one noticed because cheered their hearts and voices they quickly adjusted to his out. “Since this was my last cheerabsence. “I think the cheer fest, Friday was very nostalgic. was performed way better than how we first practiced it When I listened to all the other during long homeroom,” said grades’ cheers, I couldn’t help but think about our past ones. It was Teshera York ’18. The seventh graders didn’t very exciting, but I left the gym with a heavy heart. However, I’m compete this year, but they still showed their Raider pride so happy our last Cheerfest was an and cheered with the student amazing one, and I’m very proud of my senior class!” said Ellie body. “It was really fun, it Barrientos ’15. was like we got rewarded for participating even though we didn’t get to compete,” said Olivia Medeiros-Sakimoto By Riley Sakamoto ’15 ’20. The juniors had great As I walked through the props this year which includthreshold of the gym, I was suded large white pompoms a huge, yet upside down, Raider denly taken back to the first time heard of Cheerfest. I remember Nation banner. Jon Abe ’16 watching his senior class performsaid, “We tried to be innovaing it to thundering applause. tive and try something new with the banner. But it just so As a mere 6th grader, I had no idea what the whole deal of this “Cheerfest” was, but what I did know is that I wanted to be a part of this explosion of school spirit and class pride. Seventh grade was my chance to become a co-chair of the Cheerfest committee for the class of 2015. I made sure I was one of the first to put my name on the list. You could say the rest is
After all the wonderful cheers, many believed that the Seniors would triumph. “I think the seniors will win because they are always in the spirit, and it’s their last year to shine!” said Lauren Carson ’19. And she was right. With their last, but expected win, the Seniors ended their final homecoming with a bang. They’ll be able to look back on this cheerfest with pride, for they left everything out there on those bleachers and didn’t only come back winners, but champions claiming their righteous title.
The six year journey history. Creating a great cheer is actually a tedious process. There’s deciding what songs to use, rewriting lyrics, making choreography, coordinating a band and at the end, teach an enire class to cooperate and learn a cheer is a taxing and tiring process. The planning of cheerfest starts from the end of summer and doesn’t end until homecoming is over. Though unenthusiastic at first, as years go on, Cheerfest becomes the one of the great highlights of the week. It’s the event that has the student body screaming their hearts out. It was hard in the beginning, yet year after year, I wanted to lead my class cheer. Cheerfest is more than an event to show off school spirit. It’s about an entire grade coming together as one to reach a common goal. Whether it’s trying to win Cheerfest or just have fun as a class, Cheerfest one of the many things I will miss after my time at ‘Iolani is up.
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Imua ‘ Iolani
Lower School
What is your favorite thing about Homecoming? “Work it Wednesday. I’m gonna be an engineer.” Kai Waters ’20
“Work it Wednesday. I’m gonna dress up like my dad. He’s a fisherman.” Matthew Otani ’19
“I like when we can dress up for career day and our class color.” Hoku Hulihee ’19
Imua ‘Iolani is published by the students of ‘Iolani School, 536 Kamoku Street, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96826. Established 1923, printed at Hawai‘i Hochi Ltd. Print Editor-in-Chief: Lindsey Combs Online Editor-in-Chief: Riley Sakamoto Senior Editor: Lauren Yamaguchi Chief of Correspondents Max Wei
Lower School students celebrated homecoming writh dress up days, dance contests and a live televised pep rally. The news camera scanned the crowd of students dressed from head to toe in red, black, and white. Fifth grader Kacie Frith had started off the cheer as Lower Schoolers from all grades showed their Raider Pride through signs with cheers. Members of the marching band also made an appearance, playing songs such as "Wipeout" and the "Hey Song." The Lower School continued the homecoming celebration by having their own version of cheerfest later that day.
“Oldies Day. I’m gonna do a rock or disco person. I’m probably gonna be a rock person because I have a guitar.” Joshua Sadler ’19
“Work it Wednesday. We can dress up for what you wanna be. I’m gonna be a movie star.” Rylie Kubo ’20
Manging Editor: Amy Nakamura
Arupa Poudyal Kylie Sakoda
Staff Writers: Jonathan Abe Jasmine Banner Conor Hannum Eve Huddleston Sara Hui Leia Lau Taylor Lau Julia Lim Samantha Masca Ryan Miller David Pang
Cartoonist Kyla Smith Advisors: Ms. Lee Cataluna Mr. Taylor Wong Mr. Cyrus Won Mahalo to: Catherine Creadick ’15 Naya Dong ’19 Cover photo by: Julia Lim
“I like dressing up and getting into spirit.” Broke Awaia ’22
“Homecoming means to get spirit for Friday! “
Jackie Tomura ’23