THE PINION Vol. 89, No. 9
McKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
May 17, 2011
Close-up trip opens students’ eyes
Jia Min Li (11), Qiu Yan Liang (11), Nikki Miller (11), Lisette Basalan (11), Angelica Abordonado (11), Lana Pascua (11),Christian Gamponia (11), Jenna Kruse (10), Christina Vongsaphay (12), Lise Ofagalilo (12), June Acosta (12), Nicholas Jones( 11), Dennisa Manuel (11), Paulo Francisco (11), Anthony Ababa (10) were in Washington, D.C. during spring break.
by Peiru Lu While other students were cruising the malls or hanging out at the beaches during spring break, 15 McKinley High School students expanded their minds on a trip to our nation’s capital. David Blanchard, social studies teacher for Academy of Finance/Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, said the main purpose of the trip was “to go to the mainland, and see the national capital, and how the laws are made.” He said that the students met a lot of important people in Washington, D.C. along with learning about U.S. history. Sophomore Anthony Ababa said, “ It’s
a total opposite from Hawaii. Instead of mongoose running, you see squirrels instead of tropical weather, Washington, D.C. is cold with strong winds as if you’re in the Costco freezer.” The Close-up Program is an educational trip for high school students. It’s our school’s first time to do it after at least 10 years. Our school used to do it once every two years. MHS students went there along with many other high school students from the mainland. Both juniors Nikki Miller and Lana Pascua said they had a great time in exploring our nation’s capital. Miller said, “I joined (the trip) because I never went to Washington, D.C. before.
And I thought that it’s kind of interesting to see all the monuments and the statues. Everything in person is better than seeing it on TV. ” Pascua said that they visited the Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, etc. She also said that she got to know different people from other states such as Nebraska, Texas, Massachusetts, California, and Iowa. Pascua said she learned more knowledge about what the government does and the different issues that may affect her in the near future. Students learned about politics and government, what happened in American history, and how important it is for them to learn the bloody lessons of wars from history. Ababa said, “We got up-close to the government, visited the capital building and a lot of memorials. We met the king and queen of Hawaii. They showed us the actual flag that was brought down on the day of the annexation. It was never cut up and distributed.” Junior Dennisa Manuel said, “(What) I could not forget is that if you become active in the government, letting your thoughts speak, you could be the person to make the world better.” Junior Qiu Yan (Miki) Liang said, “I learned to express my opinions and get more involved in the community.” The cost of the trip is about $2,700, but students that receive free meals are able to get a $500 reduction. Payment plans are available. Students can do fund raising to reduce the payment before and even after the trip. Despite the expense, Miller said that this trip is a “once-in- a-whole-life opportunity.” 11-1331
2 THE PINION May 17, 2011
High school is precious But sorry, I’m out of here I graduated!
~Jocel Nicole Siapno (10)
A day for winners Who won the game in 12 years Knowledge is the prize.
~Khiem Huynh (11)
Winners of the Graduation Haiku Contest
Climbing towards my dream As I finish one struggle Towards my bright future.
~John Carlo Siapono (9)
Make the most of summer Illustration by Wiki Han (10)
by Amanda Muramoto
When school is back in session, the question “How was your summer?” can be heard throughout hallways followed by -- “It was boring.” If you find yourself answering the same, you can do things this summer to make it worthwhile. “It’s an adventure for me in different ways, so many things to come and no way to predict them,” said John Vo (10). You could help the community. There is volunteer work, such as at the Hawaiian Humane Society or at senior homes. It is a good way to give back to the community and feel proud of yourself. Getting a job is also popular with stu-
dents, since there’s no school to interfere with work. According to EzineArticles.com, “Getting away from the hectic schedule of high school can mean more time to do those things you always wanted, but never had the time.” For example, if you always wanted to play this new video game, now you have the whole day to enjoy it. Like underclassmen, seniors should spend their summer wisely. If they plan to go to college off-island, they can get together with friends and family and enjoy local spots.
For all, summer should be spent with the people you care most about. During the school year, homework and projects seem to take up a lot of your schedule, leaving you with limited friend and family time. Now that you are more available, you should make it a priority to spend time with loved ones, whether it be the best friend you never got to hang out with this school year, or the grandparents who have always cared about you. There’s many ways to spend your summer vacation. It’s up to you.
See what your classmates have planned for summer at myhsj.org/pinion
3 THE PINION May 17, 2011
Music devices might jazz up Tiger Time by Stacia Mahi Although iPods possibly have the ability to help students concentrate better, they along with any other music devices are banned from the classroom. To help students focus more, I’m suggesting the administration allow iPods and other music devices in Tiger Time. IPods do not distract a student from their work but instead help them focus on it. They help simulate the brain. So when the teacher is no longer talking, and the whole class is doing individual work, why can students NOT listen to music? It goes without saying that students shouldn’t listen to iPods while the teacher is lecturing. It’s rude to do so. Although the lecture might be boring, teachers still have to know that the students respect them. And if you listen to your music while teachers are lecturing, you won’t be able to take notes on the subject, because you can’t hear them. Now, our school is attempting Tiger
Illustration by Alice Oshiro (11)
Time. Some might look at it as a social gathering after classes. Others might be serious and use the time to do work. What might motivate them and bring
our failure rates lower is the use of iPods during Tiger Time. So many changes are occurring this year: lunch prices, school schedules, Tiger Time, to name a few. Why not have a change that students want? Allowing the use of iPods in Tiger Time could ease problems teachers may have in their classes. It could reduce the amount of talking. Because students don’t want to be responsible for their friend failing, they concentrate on their own work instead of bothering their friend. In conclusion, students should be able to have some say regarding the rules of Tiger Time. So administration, how bout’ it?
4 THE PINION May 17, 2011
Magazine holds memories
by Peiru Lu
The literary magazine is a collection of literary and art work of MHS students’ memories. The magazines have been a traditional gift for the graduating seniors to remember their high school life. This year’s Literary Magazine is “La Diversite,” which means “the diversity” in French. There are five sections and they are: Dedication, Poems, Current Event, Cultural Essay, and Short Story. This year’s Literature Magazine includes about 30 items and will be distributed to seniors this week. Ridge Hayashi said, “It’s important so that we can show that students in MHS have talents in writing.” Barbara Abrew takes her work as literary magazine adviser seriously. She said, “I don’t see it’s fun (of doing the literary magazine). I see it’s important, and it’s helping students to appreciate their works. So you see, other students achieve in sports and the magazine heralds achievements in writing and the arts.” Caitlyn Lee (11), said, “It’s a good way for students to share their work with others. ” She thought it was fun to get to see what others wrote about. In 2005, three of Abrew’s junior students edited the magazine by themselves. Later, one of their parents took the magazines to make copies and presented to the
Front: Ridge Hayashi (11), Caitlyn Lee (11). Back: Wayne Wu (12), Kelsey Hirokawa (10), and Kendra Hiromoto (12). Photo by Alyssa Oh (11).
graduating seniors. The next year (2006), Abrew asked the publisher on campus, Reprographics, to do the printing for them and they did it for free. MHS students are welcome to get pub-
Construction brings changes by Stacia Mahi The inconvenient routes and noise around campus aim to make our school better. Vice principal David Tanuvasa supervises construction jobs being done at school. To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, our school is improving walkways and building ramps. The pathway by W-building has been improved. No longer is it a bumpy walkway but instead a smooth concrete one. A ramp has been attached to the side of W-building also. The project “focuses on building ramps on our campus to ensure access for those that are not capable of using the
steps,” Tanuvasa explained. Even with the inconvenience and noise, our school is reaping benefits. Tanuvasa said, “Our campus benefits as we become compliant with federal laws, Title lX and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It only makes our school a place that takes care of people.”
lished in next year’s magazine. Just see Abrew in W224 or email your stories or poems to literarymagazinesubmission@ gmail.com. You don’t want to miss this chance to share your thoughts.
Pinion Staff
Adviser: Cynthia Reves Editor: Amanda Muramoto Reporters: Oliver Lam,Peiru Lu, Stacia Mahi
Publication Information
THE PINION is published by the Newswriting Staff and printed by the Reprographics Learning Center. The Pinion McKinley High School 1039 South King Street Honolulu, HI 96814 Email comments or questions to mhspinion@gmail.com
Mahalo! The Pinion would like to thank everyone that helped to make it a successful newspaper this year. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks! And have a great summer!!
Check out myhsj.org/pinion Results of the April Opinion Poll Judo Champ Follow up Bridge Building Contest article Physics Olympics article