Farewell Assembly 2022

This school year is coming to an end, which means it’s time for our annual Highlands Farewell Assembly 2022 where we say goodbye to our awesome 8th Graders (Class of 2026) and wish them all the best moving on to high school! We also wish best of luck to all the 7th Graders (Class of 2027) moving onto 8th grade. The Farewell Assembly 2022 was once again virtual and was played on the last day of school during Period 7. Organized by Assembly Committee, the assembly contained inspiring messages from our very own Student Council and Committee Chairs, heartwarming videos, and lots and lots of fun! The big announcement came when we revealed the 2022 Highlands Spirit Cup Champions - Team Alaka’i!!! We want to congratulate Team 4 - Alaka’i for taking the Highlands Spirit Cup back to their team this year! Lastly, the most important segment of the assembly was the annual teacher farewells to all the teachers that will be leaving us this year. It was quite a journey, and flew by way too fast, but we were glad to have everyone with us! In the end, the Highlands Intermediate Farewell Assembly commemorated yet another awesome school year. Despite all the COVID restrictions, this year’s Student Council put on THE BEST ACTIVITIES EVER!!! Thanks for watching ;)  MaryChris, Assembly Committee Chair

Thanksgiving Virtual Assembly 2021 Video

Happy Thanksgiving, Colts! Check out these teacher shout outs and special performances for the holiday…

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!

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!!!

Farewell Assembly 2021

We hope you played it safe at home during this COVID-19 Quarantine, participating in all the virtual meetings, classes, assignments and projects? Well, now it’s time to celebrate a little… today we will be featuring Highlands students, teachers and staff members in a celebration of all we’ve accomplished this year and to look forward to the next... The purpose of today’s event is 1.) to say goodbye to yet another amazing school year 2.) to say farewell to teachers that are leaving us 3.) to congratulate the 7th graders advancing on to 8th grade And 4.) and to wish the 8th graders (the class of 2025) all the best in high school next school year. Much love to the Class of 2025! Thanks for all the memories and best of luck next year in high school...

Highlands Talent Show 2021

Welcome, everyone, to this year’s Highlands Talent Show 2021! Are you ready to see & hear the best talent Highlands Intermediate has to offer?!? We’d like to start by thanking everyone who’s watching this virtual event and all those who participated. We know it isn’t easy being online, especially while dealing with COVID, so we’d like to say that we appreciate your efforts! We have for you 7 amazing acts that made it past the auditions -- you won’t be disappointed! The judges will score each performance based on the following criteria... Originality, Artistic Expression, Technique & Precision, Stage Presence, and Overall Performance. The first place winner will receive 250 spirit points for their team and a $100 iTunes gift card. The second place winner will receive 100 spirit points and a $50 iTunes gift card. Finally, the third place winner will receive 50 spirit points for their team and a $25 iTunes gift card. We can’t wait to see who the winner is going to be. So, let's get started! We wish the best of luck to all contestants! Now let the show begin...  Click the image below to see the Highlands Talent Show 2021!

1st Place - Kaele'a (C - Koa Kau Lio): 100 spirit points + $100 Apple Gift Card

2nd Place - Trinadee (C - Koa Kau Lio): 75 spirit points + $75 Apple Gift Card 

3rd Place - Jorden (B - Hui Mana'o): 50 spirit points + $50 Apple Gift Card

Valentine's Activities 2021: Dress Red = Love!

Love is one of the many things COVID can’t stop! This year Valentine's Day came along so fast so HIS Student Government decided to host Dress Red = Love! On Friday, 2/12/21, every person who wore any red was awarded 5 spirit points for their team! After all the entries were counted, it was Team Alaka’i who came out on top with 125 spirit points! This activity was in association of National Wear Red Day, a partnership with the American Heart Association to help raise awareness of women’s No. 1 killer – cardiovascular disease. It was nice seeing everyone wearing red during class, it really helped bring up the muggy mood and added some fun color to the mix! Manoa, SG President

Valentine's Activities 2021: Cupid Cards

Nothing speaks of Valentine’s like Cupid, so why not help the little guy out on passing the love around! From Tuesday, February 9 to Thursday, February 11, students and teachers used their love and creativity and made beautiful Valentine’s Day Cards for 8th Grade council’s, “Cupid Cards!” The rules were simple, all they had to do was to make handmade Valentines day cards and upload it to the Google Form sent to them in an email and boom! They earned their team 5 spirit points per card! Every single card that was sent in was beautiful and they all ranged from sweet little pictures to sweet little messages, even sweeter Valentine’s day puns! I guess you could say the cards were un-bear-able! In the end, Team B, Hui Manao won first with 55 spirit points, with Team 4, Alakai behind with 25 spirit points, Team 1/D, Laulima in 3rd with 10 spirit points, and Team A, Laulea in last with 5 spirit points. We want to thank everyone who participated in our event and from 8th Grade council to you, oh! And Cupid of course, we hope you have a purrr-fect Valentine’s day!  Bailee, 8th Grade Secretary

Valentine's Activities 2021: Valentine's Poem

On Wednesday February 10th, the Spirit Committee hosted a heartfelt activity simply called Valentine’s Poem.  They invited everyone - students, teachers and staff members - to write your very own, original Valentine's Poem for Valentine's Day! They hand-picked some 3 amazing ideas to help them out: Heart Poem Template, Acrostic Poem Template, and Your Choice of Poem (you chose the structure/style: sonnet, free verse, haiku etc...). Nearly a hundred people submitted their poems but there was one thing they all had in common, how truly wonderful all of them were ;) Also we just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you who participated and hopefully your special Valentine's loved it!!!  Victoria, Spirit Committee

Valentine's Activities 2021: Homemade Valentine’s

Valentine’s Day is a day to be celebrated with loved ones whether it’s family, friends, or a significant other. Did you celebrate the day with anyone special? Everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day differently, some people don’t even celebrate it. Tuesday, February 9th, Assembly Committee posted a google form allowing students to submit their homemade, Valentine’s Day-themed creations and gain 5 spirit points. Homemade Valentine’s day creations include heart-shaped desserts, drawings, origami, etc. Even if you didn’t participate, we hoped you had a wonderful Valentine’s and made different items with your loved ones, or just spent the day doing what you enjoyed. We got a lot of submissions to count so we would like to thank everyone that participated and we hope you had fun while making your creations. Assembly Committee definitely had fun looking at all the items you made. Here are the results...  Madisyn, Assembly Committee

Alakai- 230 Spirit Points

Hui Manao- 15 Spirit Points

Koa Kau Lio- 10 Spirit Points

"Level Up!" REWIND $250 GameStop "Level Up!" Prize Giveaway

Students and staff tuned in to our Instagram channel to see which lucky participants would get picked for 5 $50 GameStop Gift Cards!!! We want to thank every student who participated in all the “Level Up!” REWIND activities last week! Every time you participated = more chances to win up to $250 in GameStop Gift Cards! It was also so great to see so many Highlands alumni join us and reminisce about the good times here on campus and in the Student Council Room ;).  Congrats again to today's winners!!!  Click the link below to see the video!

"Level Up!" REWIND Among Us Tournament

The most popular game of this school year is definitely Among Us. Everywhere you looked, you would see people playing it, whether it was on TikTok or Instagram. That's why the Assembly Committee hosted an Among Us Tournament for all the students to participate in. It took place on Thursday - January 28th and students participated in teams via Google Meets. Each team did amazing and all the players really interacted with each other, usually with a lot of drama, comedy and misdirection!  EVERYONE was so sus ;) The main goal of this game was to have fun so each student got spirit points just for participating. You can view the full game on our YouTube Channel @HighlandsColts. Thank you to all the participants and we hoped you enjoyed playing as much as we enjoyed hosting the game!  Madisyn, Assembly Committee

"Level Up!" REWIND Animal Crossing: Musical Stumps!

The sound of everyone's footsteps in the snow filled the Animal Crossing air on the island of Hawai'i.  On Tuesday, January 26th 2021, students joined SG online to play a game called Animal Crossing: Musical Stumps.  It sounds a lot like Musical Chairs because it basically is.  The only difference is that we played it using hardwood tree stumps.  Whilst one person played the electric guitar in the middle of the circle, players ran around the stumps as the music played.  Once the music stopped, everyone rushed to a stump. This winner was Marina, from Team 4 - Alaka’i! Afterwards, the Council decided to host one bonus round, with a 25 spirit point prize for whoever won. In spectacular fashion, Marina won again! Manoa & Taryn, Student Government

"Level Up!" REWIND Video Game Kahoot! Level 2

How well do you know your video game fun facts? Well, on Monday, January 25, students and teachers put that to the test on Google Meets and competed for the chance to win their team 100 spirit points in 8th Grade Council’s “Video Game Kahoot! Level 2!” In this Kahoot, students and teachers were first tested on their video game knowledge with 3 truths and a lie, where they had to figure out which of the 4 options is the lie. After getting through that, they just had a quick, overall test on video game knowledge. And the final test they had to go through, before winning their team a ton of spirit points is figuring out which of the 4 options are a beloved HIS teacher’s favorite video game. Throughout the game, the leaderboard kept bouncing around, but in the end we had Jorden Y. from Hui Manao in 3rd place winning 50 spirit points, next we had Tazekiel G., again from Hui Manao in 2nd, winnin 75 spirit points, and last but not least, Mr. Laskowsky, representing Laulima in 1st, winning 100 spirit points for his team! And even if some students and teachers didn’t win, they had a chance of winning a $50 GameStop gift card, just by participating in the Kahoot, so it was technically a win-win for all! 8th Grade Council would like to thank everyone who participated in our Kahoot and we hope you all continue participating in all the fun activities coming your way!

1st Place: Mr. Laskowsky (1/D - Laulima)
2nd Place: Tazekiel (B - Hui Mana'o)
3rd Place: Jorden Y (B - Hui Mana'o)

Thanksgiving 2020: Virtual Food Drive

Mahalo Nui, Colts Nation! Now more than ever, many Hawaii families struggle financially to put food on their family's table. You heard the call and joined us in the fight against hunger in Hawai'i via our annual HIS Food Drive! Over the course of 3 weeks we collected online donations to donate to the Hawaii Foodbank so they can continue to help families in need. Our combined efforts netted $1,690.55 for those in need just in time for the upcoming holiday season ;) As always, thank you for your help Colts - you did an amazing thing!