Student Council Q1 Bonding: Pearlridge 2025

The Highlands Intermediate Student Council started the school year with Quarter 1 bonding at Pearlridge. Each member and their group selected an escape room challenge to test their teamwork. It was a fun, exciting, and interactive event as everyone worked together to solve puzzles and escape. After completing the escape room, we headed to Spirit Halloween to gather decorations and inspiration for the upcoming annual Haunted House. While browsing through the aisles, we saw many unique and creative animatronics. We ended the day at Big City Diner, where everyone had the chance to sit down and enjoy a meal together. — Ashlynn Peralta SG President

  

Q1 eSport: Mario Kart 2025

Racers burned rubber on virtual tracks across the Mushroom Kingdom in our first eSports event of the 2025-2026 school year! Students faced off on Nintendo Switches in a 16-player tournament to determine who would represent their team in the ultimate showdown: a battle between the 7th and 8th-grade champions. Collin, representing Team Hui Haaheo, emerged as the crowned champion, earning 250 spirit points and a $50 GameStop gift card. Congratulations to our top finishers who also raced their way into the rankings:
2nd Place: Kipi (Laule’a)
3rd Place: Gavin (Laulima)
4th Place: Kanoa H. (Koa Kau Lio)
5th Place: Hunter (Kupono)
6th Place: Lynbert (Alaka’i)
7th Place: Kanoa C. (Hui Lokahi)
Great job to everyone who participated in this race to the finish line! Jax Guris, Spirit Committee

Q1 Intramural: Capture the Flag! 2025

The Highlands Q1 Intramural: Capture the Flag 2025 brought excitement and competition as all seven teams faced off against one another in a series of intense games. The intramural included three 8th grade teams and four 7th grade teams, with students showing teamwork, strategy, and school spirit throughout the event. Players worked together to protect their flags while trying to capture the opposing team’s flag, creating fast-paced and competitive matches that kept everyone engaged. After a series of hard-fought battles, Team Alaka'i emerged as the 7th Grade Champions, while Team Kupono claimed the title of 8th Grade Champions. Notably, both powerhouse teams dominant throughout the tournament, finishing their championship runs completely undefeated. Throughout the intramural, students cheered on their teammates and gave their best effort during every round. The games encouraged communication, leadership, and teamwork while also giving students the opportunity to have fun and connect with others outside of the classroom. The Capture the Flag intramural was a successful and energetic way to kick off the first quarter, bringing students together through friendly competition and school spirit.  Shanell Saelua, Student Government Treasurer

Intramural: Capture the Flag! 2024

Capture the Flag was intense – lots of ankles breaking, sliding, juking and just plain SPEED! The mission of Capture the Flag is to penetrate into enemy territory, steal their flags and get them safely to your side. For each victory, teams received 100 spirit points and glory! Lots of fans came out every day to cheer on and encourage their players. The action was intense: the fastest runners were always ready to run forth to capture the flag, always coming up with different strategies to get around the opposing team without getting tagged. Throughout the game, players talked to each other and coaches alike about new strategies. They did not disappoint… Congratulations to Laulima (7th) and Kupono (8th) for being Capture the Flag Champions 2024. Sweety Sony, 8th Grade Council Secretary

eSport: Mario Kart 2024

On your mark, get set, go! Racing through places like Mario Kart Stadium, Bowser’s Castle and the infamous Rainbow Road, players from each Team got the chance to compete for the Q1 eSport: Mario Kart Championship Belt, a $50 GameStop gift card and 250 spirit points! The Student Council Room was inundated with colorful lights as local music filled the room. For four days,16 players from each team competed for the title “Team Champion.” It was so fun to see all the skill and energy each of the competitors displayed each race. Win or lose, they all had fun and showed great sportsmanship. Finally, on the last day, Team Champions from each of the 7 Teams competed to see who would be “School Mario Kart Champion”... After some really close races, an 8th Grader prevailed and was crowned “Mario Kart School Champion 2024!” Congratulations to Maddox from Team Koa Kau Lio and runner up, Kipi from Team Alaka’i!!! Mckenzie Tomimoto, 8th Grade Treasurer