Farewell Dance 2026 "Experiment 2026: One Last Dance"

As the 2025–2026 school year comes to an end, students at Highlands Intermediate celebrated together at our final dance of the year, “Experiment 2026: One Last Dance.” Inspired by Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, the daytime dance brought students together for an afternoon full of fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories. From the moment students arrived, the campus was filled with excitement. The cafeteria transformed into a lively dance floor packed with students singing along to music and joining in on popular line dances. Everywhere you looked, friends were laughing, dancing, and making memories together before the school year officially comes to an end. The fun did not stop at the dance floor. Down at lower campus, students lined up to participate in games and activities that kept the energy high throughout the event. In the student council room, an arcade setup gave students another place to hang out and compete with friends. Meanwhile, the band room played Lilo & Stitch, creating a calmer space where students could relax and enjoy the movie. Inside the cafeteria, photo booths allowed friends to capture memories from the day, while the final glowing fun sales added even more excitement and color to the event. Glow sticks, necklaces, and accessories lit up the dance floor and helped make the celebration even more special. “Experiment 2026: One Last Dance” was more than just a school dance — it was a celebration of friendships, memories, and the experiences students shared throughout the school year. As the event came to an end, students left with smiles, photos, and memories they will carry with them long after middle school. — Avery Chagami, Dance Committee

Farewell Assembly 2026

The Highlands Intermediate farewell assembly began with a powerful wave of school pride as our community stood together for the national anthem and Hawai’i Ponoʻī. The energy peaked during the traditional 8th-grade final campus walk, which featured an unforgettable surprise appearance by Mr. Phung, the beloved former Laulima social studies teacher. The crowd erupted again during the highly anticipated Spirit Cup announcement, officially crowning 8th-grade team Koa Lau Lio as this year's champions! The celebration continued with incredible performances by our talented staff. One of our wonderful teachers moved the audience with a beautiful song, which was followed by a surprise group dance as teachers took the stage to perform to "ABC 123." Students cheered and laughed as their instructors showed off their synchronized moves, bringing incredible energy to the entire auditorium.
The assembly concluded with an emotional trip down memory lane as we watched a school year recap video showcasing how we truly "lived the dream" in 2026. After a final video showing each student committee officially signing out for the year, everyone gathered together to capture the moment with a massive group photo. Sophia Marie Kim, Student Government Secretary

The 8th Grade Walk 2026

The Final Footsteps: Remembering the Highlands Intermediate 8th Grade Walk...There are moments in middle school that seem small while they’re happening, but years later become the memories everyone talks about. The Highlands Intermediate 8th Grade Walk was one of those moments. The entire 8th Grade Class of 2030 gathered in the cafeteria, surrounded by the classmates we’ve laughed with, learned with, and grown up with over the past few years. Excitement buzzed through the air, undercurrented by a wave of real emotion. This wasn’t just another school activity—it was our final walk as middle school students before stepping into high school. As we began moving across campus together, every hallway and corner suddenly felt different. What usually looked like a routine path around school now carried memories at every turn:Classrooms reminded us of favorite teachers, funny moments, stressful tests, and the friendships built over time. The blacktops, pathways, and lunch areas echoed with past conversations, games, and the everyday moments that made middle school unforgettable.What made the walk truly special was the support from the 7th graders. They lined up across campus holding signs, handing out candy and lei, and cheering us on as we passed. Their encouragement filled the campus with energy and warmth, showcasing the deep school spirit and connection that defines Highlands Intermediate. Some students smiled through the entire route, while others became emotional as the reality of the chapter closing set in. It was a beautiful reminder that middle school was never really about the buildings or the daily schedule—it was about the people, the experiences, and the community we created together. The 8th grade walk was more than just a tradition; it was a celebration of how far we’ve come and a meaningful sendoff into the future. As we leave Highlands Intermediate for high school, we carry these moments with us. No matter where life takes us next, Highlands will always be a part of our story.  — Avery Chagami, Dance Committee

Congratulations to Team Koa Kau Lio: Highlands Spirit Competition Champions 25-26

We want to thank every student, staff, teacher and administrator who came out to participate and/or support student activities throughout the school year! Whether it was Penguins, Shrek, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda, Monsters And Aliens, How To Train Your Dragon, or Turbo - you all were so great participating in all the amazing cartoon-themed activities this year! It is our hope that we all created memories to last a lifetime… Now, we can’t think of a better time to announce the Highlands Intermediate Spirit Cup Champions for this 2025 -2026 school year! The winner is the team that accumulated the most spirit points all year long! They did not relent! They stayed together as a team the whole year and competed in every event with maximum skill and enthusiasm. And that team is none other than...drumroll please..... Team Koa Kau Lio! Huge props to Team Koa Kau Lio for taking the Highlands Spirit Cup to their team until next school year! As a result, Team Koa Kau Lio are the Highlands Intermediate Spirit Competition Winners 26-27 sy!!! They were able to choose first in the Team Character Draft for the upcoming school year!  — Chloe Sellona, Assembly Committee

 

Fun Friday 2

Fun Friday 2 at Highlands Intermediate was an exciting and memorable way to celebrate the end of the school year. The event brought together students from both grade levels for a lunch full of energy, school spirit, and fun activities that kept everyone engaged from start to finish. Everywhere you looked, students were participating, cheering, and representing their teams. The lines for activities were long, which only showed how popular and successful each station was. Along with the fun, students were also competing to earn spirit points for their teams, adding an extra layer of excitement and friendly competition. One of the standout attractions was the student dunk tank. Many students lined up for the chance to dunk their favorite student council members, making it one of the most entertaining parts of the day. Laughter and cheers could be heard across the campus every time someone hit their target. However, the most popular activity of all was the prize wheel. The line stretched across the entire court, with students eagerly waiting for their turn to spin and win prizes. Its popularity made it the highlight of Fun Friday 2, drawing the biggest crowd and keeping the excitement going throughout the event. To close out the day, the competition for spirit points reached its peak. The 8th grade team, Koa Kou Lio, made history by earning over 1,000 spirit points—the highest total ever achieved. Their enthusiasm and participation truly stood out and made their victory well deserved. Overall, Fun Friday 2 was a huge success. It was a perfect way for students to come together, celebrate the school year, and create lasting memories before heading into the next chapter.  — Avery Chagami, Dance Committee