Welcome Back Assembly 2025 "Livin the Dream!"

The Highlands Intermediate Gym was absolutely electric as students and staff gathered for our first official event of the year: the "Livin’ the Dream" Welcome Back Assembly! The energy was through the roof as we officially kicked off the school year with the highly anticipated Spirit Cup Competition. Classes went head-to-head in a series of wild, fast-paced challenges, including the Team Cheer Competition, a DreamWorks Kahoot, Head Shoulders Knees Color, Turbo Relays, Rock Paper Scissors Tag, and the Rock Paper Scissors Race, all to earn those crucial first points. The absolute highlight of the assembly came when our new teachers took the floor for a surprise performance. They showed off their best moves in a short, choreographed dance that had the entire student body cheering, laughing, and clapping along. It was the perfect way for the school to welcome our newest staff members and bring the community closer together through shared laughter and fun. Working together to build class unity while participating in an epic school event made the entire assembly an absolute blast. It was the perfect mix of competition, teamwork, and fun, proving that Highlands Intermediate knows exactly how to kick off the school year right. We truly set the bar sky-high for what it means to be "Livin’ the Dream" on our campus! Sophia Marie Kim, Student Government Secretary

Welcome Back To School 2024

Anxious about scheduled classes, scared to talk to new people, and intimidated by high expectations? These are emotions millions of students feel when coming back to school each and every year. To help everyone out, the Highlands Student Council was out front on Ho'olaule'a Street welcoming everyone to an awesome new year with cheers, posters, and upbeat music helping everyone make what most people thought was going to be an uneventful first day, just a little more memorable. We then were able to get them all hyped up for their first big activity, 7th Grade Orientation that continued with several activities throughout the rest of the school day. This is where they were able to learn about the staff around campus, the rules and exceptions of being a colt here at Highlands, while also getting familiar with their new campus. Now, buckle up and get ready to dive into the adventure of being a Colt here at Highlands Intermediate for the 2024-2025 school year!  Isabelle Rose Mina Student Government Treasurer

Welcome Back to School 2023

Now that Summer is over, it’s time to start fresh with a new school year. Highlands Intermediate 2023 - 2024 school year is officially here! Loads of new students and teachers joined the Highlands 'ohana this year and it kicked off on Monday - August 7th! The Highlands Student Council welcomed them with cheers on the roadside as the entered. Once the bell rang, all 7th Grade students anxiously walked down to the Cafeteria and had their very first assembly, an orientation to get them acclimated to their new school, teams, teachers, and staff members. After an eventful day, the 7th Graders' first day quickly came to an end. The following day, the 8th Graders reported for the first time and they were full of energy! From the looks of it, the 23-24 school year is going to be so "awesome, awesome - totally!"  Rhylie Flathau, Student Government Treasurer

Welcome Back to School 2022!

Welcome Back, Colts! “Back to School 2022” was fun-filled as it was exciting for all: incoming students, current students, teachers and staff! Student Council members welcomed all the students with cheers, and everybody was happy to see their friends and teachers after the very long summer break ;) Most importantly, our incoming 7th Graders had a great opportunity to learn about their new school as the day started with the 7th Grade Orientation in the Cafeteria.  Later on they got to tour the campus, meet the staff and eventually check out their new classes and teacher for the very first time. How exciting and let’s cross our fingers that this energy keeps going the whole year long… Elijah, Assembly Committee

New Teacher Dance 2021 Video

We are now going to introduce to you all the new teachers for the 21-22 school year! There are quite a few, so let’s get started! First up, is team Laulima’s new Social Studies teacher, Ms. Kaley! Ms. Kaley was born and raised in Austin Texas, and came to Oahu to attend college on the North Shore at Brigham Young University, which is where she still lives now. She loves to dance, knit, and nerd out about History and Star Wars. On a normal day, you will either find her reading on the beach or hitting the gym before a loooong night of Netflix. 

Next up, we have Mr. Phung, Koa Kau Lio’s new Social Studies teacher! He graduated from Kahuku High school, and then went on to study at BYU. His hobbies include spending time with his one year old daughter and wife, surfing, Taekwondo, and lion dancing! 

Also joining us this year is Ms. Vijil Hicks, who will be team Laulea’s new Social Studies teacher! Ms. Vijil comes from Baltimore, and after graduating from the University of Maryland, has been teaching 8th grade history for four years. She moved back to Hawaii to be closer to family, and has a 2 year old son named Dante!

Coming up next is team Hui Manao’s brand new art teacher, Mr. Torres! He enjoys drawing, spending time with friends and family, and watching Marvel movies. Welcome to Highlands, Mr. Torres!

Next up is Mrs. Martin, team Alakai’s new English teacher! She actually grew up in South Korea, and loves eating; in fact, she says anyone who likes to go to all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurants can be her friend! Other than eating, she also enjoys working out. Mrs. Martin also admits to being a terrible driver, and warns against asking her to go on highways or freeways, especially H-1. She already loves her students, and is looking forward to a wonderful school year! 

Ms. Taylor, is Hui Ha’aheo’s new teacher! Ms. Taylor is from San Diego, California, and actually just moved here! She’s been a teacher for three years, all in middle school. Her hobbies include traveling, scuba diving, swimming, and going to the beach. Welcome to Hawaii Ms. Taylor! 

Next we have another shining new social studies teacher on team Hui Ha’aheo, Ms. Rodriguez. She grew up in Japan and the Philippines as a military kid, but still considers Kahalu’u home. Ms. Rodriguez is a proud alumni of Mill College in Oakland, California and UH Manoa, earning degrees in Ethnic Studies and Education. While she’s been teaching for 20 years - first in Kaneohe, and the last 16 years in Kalihi, she’s very excited to now be a part of the Highlands ohana here in Pearl City! 

Our next newest teacher is Mr. Shirafuji, team Hui Ha’aheo’s new PE teacher! As a graduate from Aiea High school and UH Manoa, Mr. Shirafuji coached soccer for over 20 years and enjoys golfing in his free time. He’s coming from teaching weight training at Waianae High School for 10 years. So far, he’s enjoying the short drives to work and his new 7th grade students! 

Next up is Mrs. Herman, team Hui Lokahis new math teacher! This is her 6th year teaching, and she’s so happy to be here at Highlands Intermediate! She moved from Missouri to Hawaii this summer and is looking forward to an awesome year ahead! 

Our final teacher is team Hui Lokahi's new English teacher, Ms. Yco. Ms. Yco was born in Manila, grew up in Guam, and went to high school in Hawaii. She got her bachelors in English at UH-Manoa and her Masters at Loyola University Chicago. When she is not teaching, you can usually find her spending time with her nephew, cooking, and obsessing over her new hobby: knitting!

Spirit Competition Kick Off 2021! Video

The Highlands Spirit Competition 21-22 kicked off with the teachers over the course of 1 week battled for the top spot on our Nintendo Switch! For the game, Mr. White chose the super fun racing game based on the Pixar movie: Cars 3! 2 teachers from each team raced the Copper Canyon Speedway track and tried their very best to get the fastest to the checkered flag! The competition was furious as the teachers tried to tap into their inner child for video game skill and strategy! Each teacher played once, and the average team time was taken to determine the winners of the games!

Ironically, Team A (Laule'a) - Cars took first place! Congrats to Mr. Esteban and Mr. Zhang for being our Teacher Champions and bringing eternal glory to your team this year!!!

 

Student Council 21-22 Intro Dance "Say So!" Video

Aloha Colts! First off, we’d like to welcome you all to this 2021-2022 school year! After spending all year online last year, we're so looking forward to everything we have planned for all of you! With everyone back to in-person learning, it’ll be an entirely new adventure for every single one of us. The road ahead is bright, and your Highlands school experience is just beginning....

We challenge you to take a few steps out of your comfort zone - even if it’s just a few steps - and start making the memories that will last a lifetime! In order to help you make those memories, your Highlands school year will be filled to the brim with student activities from start to finish! Colts, look forward to participating in all sorts of games, competitions, and events -- you won’t want to miss it!

And now, we're going to introduce you to some of the people that are going to make these activities happen! Announcing the Highlands Student Council for the 2021-2022 school year! Get ready, Colts because this year’s Student Council wants you to know that if you’re feeling the fun and excitement, you just have to “Say So!” 

 

Student Council Introductions 2021 Video

Aloha Colts! First off, we’d like to welcome you all to this 2021-2022 school year! After spending all year online last year, we're so looking forward to everything we have planned for all of you! With everyone back to in-person learning, it’ll be an entirely new adventure for every single one of us. The road ahead is bright, and your Highlands school experience is just beginning....

We challenge you to take a few steps out of your comfort zone - even if it’s just a few steps - and start making the memories that will last a lifetime! In order to help you make those memories, your Highlands school year will be filled to the brim with student activities from start to finish! Colts, look forward to participating in all sorts of games, competitions, and events -- you won’t want to miss it! 

And now, we're going to introduce you to some of the people that are going to make these activities happen! Announcing the Highlands Student Council for the 2021-2022 school year!

Welcome Back Assembly 2021 Video

The Highlands Intermediate Welcome Back Assembly 2021: “To Highlands And... Beyond!” premieres Thursday - August 19, 2021.

The purpose of this Pixar-themed event is to: 1.) instill team, class, and school pride! 2.) to introduce the new teachers, staff and student leaders! 3.) to introduce this year’s Pixar theme “To Highlands And... Beyond!” 4.) to kick off this year’s spirit competition by giving away as many spirit points as possible! 5.) and lastly, to show that Highlands makes learning fun and enjoyable!

We ask during the performance that you get comfortable, do not talk or play around and cheer when appropriate ;) We hope you love it!!!

Welcome Back to School 2021

The 2020-2021 virtual school year ended and now we are kicking it off with Highlands Intermediate School Year 2021-2022! Every year, our school gets a new theme. If you remember, last year's theme was video games. Can you guess what this year's theme will be? It's Pixar: “To Highlands…and Beyond!”  Last year, our classes were all online. We only got to go to school in-person once a week at the end of the school year. This year, we are all grateful to be back into a full in-person learning environment. Teachers are glad to see students' faces, students are glad to see their friends, and overall, it just feels "normal" again. Highlands Intermediate Student Council was ready to welcome all of the returning 8th grade students and new 7th grade students to our campus. On the first two days of the new school year, Highlands Student Council all got up early and waited by the office parking lot, ready to greet the students on their first day of the school year. We played lots of upbeat music and were doing different cheers to get the students excited to start off their first day of school. Each of the Student Council members put hard work into making a Pixar themed poster to make kids feel welcomed. They all were full with color and were later put up around campus to make kids feel welcomed throughout the year. Marina, Student Government Treasurer