Teams from Maui, Mililani, Waipahu head to national finals
Three public high schools will represent Hawaii in upcoming national competitions, the state Department of Education has announced.
"Our Science Bowl, We the People, and LifeSmarts champions are proof of the outstanding students we have in our public schools," said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. "They are the very best in the state at what they do. And their successes are a tribute to the dedication of our teachers, who selflessly give of their time — many times outside of school hours — for the benefit of our students."
Hawaii Regional Science Bowl
The Regional Science Bowl championship team from Maui High captured its fourth consecutive title and will represent Hawaii in the National Science Bowl competition this month in Bethesda, Md. It marks the sixth championship for science teacher Ed Ginoza’s Sabers since 2002.
The 2014 team members include seniors Bryson Galapon and Riley Camp and juniors Joyce Cebricos, Christopher Kim and Thomas Sturm. Galapon, who serves as captain, will be going to MIT in the fall.
"It’s amazing when I reflect on my team this year," said Ginoza. "To think we are able to produce students who are willing to sacrifice their life and time to spend a couple of hours a day, four hours on Wednesdays, vacations — including summer — preparing for one chance to win the Science Bowl and advance to the nationals."
We the People
Mililani High’s civics education team heads to Washington, D.C., later this month for the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution 2014 national finals. The program is developed by the Center for Civic Education to teach young people about the history and principles of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Mililani Advanced Placement Government and Politics class members, taught by Amy Perruso, will serve as experts in an specified area of American constitutionalism, testifying before a panel of judges acting as U.S. congressional representatives at the national finals. The Feb. 1 state finals consisted of a four-minute essay and a six-minute question-and-answer period.
LifeSmarts Consumer Education
Waipahu High won the 10th Annual LifeSmarts Consumer Education Competition held recently at the state Capitol. The team will advance to the national competition, set for April 26-29, in Orlando, Fla.
The Waipahu team is coached by Cindy Takara and includes members Roel Jake Ibanez, Maximiano Saludares, Mark Abucay, Marc Dave Ramierez and Cia Dela Cruz.
LifeSmarts is a game show-style competition on topics like personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology and consumer rights and responsibilities.
