The people made the place

Katherine Lum
July 7, 2010
Filed under Features

My dad and two uncles are proud alumni of ‘Iolani.   After graduation, I will be my family’s first proud alumna of ‘Iolani.

During my time here at this school, I had so many more good experiences than bad.  These rather great experiences come from the great people I have met.

The runners from both the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams are foremost the inspiring people I have met since coming to ‘Iolani.  All the people on the team have the will power and the volition to run so long each week.  I have watched my teammates work very hard and improve so much since they started cross-country.  I have also had many great coaches like current coach, Coach Chet the Jet, who have motivated me to do my best and who have made cross-country a lot of fun.

Cross-country truly embraces the ‘One Team’ spirit.  When I was the only ‘Iolani runner in the varsity girls’ race at the Kamehameha meet this past season, I was nervous.  Coaches, parents, and teammates waited until the last race to support me.  Others who could not stay gave me hugs and told me good luck beforehand.  Many also said that I would undoubtedly represent ‘Iolani well.  These people did not know how much these simple gestures meant to me.  This singular experience made me love cross-country and helped me to realize what Father Bray was talking about when defined the ‘One Team’ spirit.

Other people who have greatly inspired me, are my friends from the Peace Project: China Trip, who are my ‘Peace Project’ family.  After being with each other 24/7 for three weeks in a foreign country, we grew really close.  I love the fact that we still keep in touch and have gone to the beach, gone hiking, and attended community service projects.  The students, along with the chaperones, inspire me, because they are the most caring and thoughtful people I know.

Of course, I have to mention my friends from the chapel.  From seventh grade until junior year, we were the massive group of people that could be found sitting near the chapel during free periods and lunch.  We have had so many great experiences like cardboard box sliding at the park and our numerous Christmas parties.  These people are the ones that got me through the homework and stress of ‘Iolani, because they have always been the pillars that kept me from giving up.

Lastly, I have had many teachers who have been great inspirers and motivators during my time at ‘Iolani.  Madame Petit has always been my go-to teacher when I have needed help and has always pushed me to do my best.  Mrs. Uyehara-Ngo motivated me during photography and art, and helped me to win my first gold key at the Scholastics Art and Writing awards.  I am very proud of this achievement after being in photography for so long.  These teachers are just a few who have motivated me to pursue my goals or to be there for help when I needed it.

All these people have greatly inspired and influenced me in so many ways and have truly made my experiences at ‘Iolani great.  I wish that I could somehow repay them for being such wonderful contributors to such fantastic memories and for inspiring me everyday. It is because of these people that I am proud to be an alumna of ‘Iolani.