@lapietraschool shares Top 9 on Instagram
December 30th, 2021
2021 has been a challenging year for many, but looking back on photos of all the wonderful things our community has done in the past year has been a great way to reflect and remind ourselves of all the lessons and memories we'll take with us into the new year. Scroll on to see @lapietraschool's Top 9 photos from 2021!
1. September 9: The anniversary of the opening of Hawaii School for Girls (HSG)
September 9, 1964 marks the anniversary of the opening of Hawaii School for Girls (HSG). An original HSG brochure states that the school opened on that date at Central Union Church and was described as "a modern program of college preparatory courses" designed to prepare students for the nation's best colleges. HSG also hoped to differentiate itself by presenting students with extensive and "unusual opportunities" for study in the arts, music, and drama.
Today, nearly 1,500 women have graduated from La Pietra. Phyllis Tsarnas '78 is one of those women. Read some of her reflections and stories on HSG here.
2. La pietra alum celebrated as state teacher of the year at white house
La Pietra alum Cecilia "CC" Chung '09, Hawaii's 2020 State Teacher of the Year, made her way to the White House this past October to be celebrated alongside other state and national winners of the award from both 2020 and 2021. Congratulations, and so well-deserved! (Read more here)
3. La pietra's graduating class of 2021
It was a year unlike any other, but our class of 2021 stayed resilient and made it to graduation day -- complete with in-person hugs! Families and friends were able to gather safely on campus and watch their daughters take their final steps across the Great Lawn and into their futures.
Alum Cecilia Chung '09, 2020 Hawaii State Teacher, addressed the class and offered this piece of advice:
“Lastly, class of 2021, bring light and love to those around you. This world needs a lot of love and you’re the ones that can do that, I can feel it. Each of you has a spark, a light. It will be an honor to watch that light expand and guide so many of us into the future.”
You can read Chung's full speech to the graduates here, and you can see the online graduation along with messages from the graduating class here.
4. Senior night - varsity volleyball (may 2021)
Seniors on La Pietra's Varsity Volleyball team got to experience their own Senior Night after a year where athletics seemed impossible. The gym was decorated with photos and messages to cheer them on in their final game at home as Lady Panthers!
Athletics Director Ross Kinsler led the way through these uncharted times with grace. He and his team focused on collaboration, school pride, physical activity, and wellness as they designed the new curriculum. Despite the limited availability of sports that could be conducted in a socially distanced reality, the students of La Pietra took the new safety guidelines in stride.
Read the full article on the pandemic's impact on our sports program here.
5. Alum tasi reid '14 opens newest black sheep cream co. location
Owner and La Pietra alum Tasi Reid '14 founded Black Sheep Cream Co. after completing her Independent Project as a junior. Now just a few years later, she has opened the businesses' fifth location in Ko Olina. You can also find Black Sheep Cream Co. at locations in Waipio, Wahiawa, Kaka’ako, and the NEX.
Black Sheep Cream Co. is always innovating, so be on the lookout for new and unique flavors! For National Ice Cream Month in July, she even decided to release a new homemade flavor every day. You can learn more about Reid in our Modern Wahine segment here.
6. STUDENTS SHARE THE SPIRIT OF KAHIAU
Kahiau, or selfless giving, is a value La Pietra instills within its students. Whether they're writing cards to thank or acknowledge, or collect donations for those in need, they are always looking for ways to give back to the community in whatever way they can. Even amongst each other, students share little gifts like lei to lift up another's day.
See how La Pietra students share the spirit of kahiau through community service projects every year on Class Service Day here.
7. LA PIETRA LAUNCHES THE FUTURE IS WAHINE SUMMER PROGRAM
2021 brought the launch of La Pietra's The Future is Wahine Summer program. With no tuition costs, the program was opened up to girls in Grades 5-9 across the island and aimed to help develop a vision of self-purpose and a female-focused future.
Consisting of three one-week workshops held between June and July, La Pietra and its partners engaged students in numerous activities to teach young women how to build their future. From developing a personal mission statement, creating film projects, and exploring the challenges faced by women across the world and here in the islands, students grew their skills and gained place-based perspective.
In one portion of the program in partnership with Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking, students developed new media skills and shared their vision with the community throughout the course of a week in July. You can view snippets from their final short films here!
Lookout for future summer programs here.
8. students learn real-life skills
Talk about hands-on learning! Our teachers know that there are some skills in life that must be learned outside the classroom. And when you're learning about automobiles, there's no better way to learn how to change a tire than to do it yourself!
La Pietra's curriculum is largely based on student demand, so it's always changing based on what students are interested in. You can learn more about our curriculum designed just for girls here.
9. national employee appreciation day
La Pietra wouldn't be the same without its dedicated team of faculty and staff members! Mahalo for all you do to help set our students on a path to discover their purpose. Looking forward to what 2022 has in store. Let's make it a great year!
Follow us on Instagram @lapietraschool to see what's going on in 2022!
