This
year Aljay and I had the privilege of teaching Castle High and King
Intermediate combined. We are still fairly new to the 'We Are Samoa
Festival' but we gave it our best efforts and enjoyed every step of the
journey...and Yes it was a 'journey'---we
started practices in March and finally had our performance in May :)
and during those two and a half months of practices, rehearsals, Fiafia
night, last minute costume making, struggles with finding boys to
dance, dealing with indecisive-prone-to-drama pre-teens and teenagers, scheduling around Ho'ike
occupied high schoolers, and creating props, I can honestly say that the
journey was worth taking.
At the beginning of the performance.
37
students from King and Castle participated in the performance, with
only a third of them being Samoan- the rest being Hawaiian, Micronesian,
Puerto Rican, Tongan, Japanese, Tahitian, Filipino, and anything else
you can name. But they listened and learned and practiced and performed
as if they'd been Samoan their whole lives. These guys were BOMB!!!
Ending of the performance.
For
many of the students, this was their first time doing Samoan dances. For
several of the intermediate girls it was their first time performing in
a group outside of school. And for several parents/community members,
this was the first time attending this type of event. Yet they gave everything they had and delivered a wonderful performance! We were all so proud of them. I only hope with
continued participation the Samoan community in Kaneohe will draw more
support for these types of events that benefit our youth.
After our performance.
So now your wondering about the results....well...We didn't
win....awww....we didn't even place in the top 3 lol...cannot eeeeevveeeen lie. I was salty (and you can ask my sister Candace...I can get competitive)...but my heart was softened by the optimistic attitudes and happy faces from our Caslte/King kids. Our kids worked hard, had fun, learned more about Samoan
culture, gained a new perspective, met new people, strengthened
relationships, and stepped out of their comfort zones...which sounds
like a WIN to me! *Someone give me an award for best "everyone's a winner" attitude LOL....but forreals though.....Aljay and I were so happy and proud of them. Not just
for their performance but everything else they've learned through this
experience. Besides....its the journey that matters.
"Let us relish life as we live it,find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson
So what now?Well now the few seniors that danced have now graduated and are celebrating their glorious achievement of finishing high school and never having to go back....(just wait til they hit college).... And for the underclassmen... most are hanging out together trying to figure out what to do since they have time on their hands now. I still see a few of them still pop into my classroom just to chitchat. We are planning a Beach/BBQ day together with all the students and their families the day after school ends. Excited to have everyone one last time before we all go our separate ways.
Thank you PCC for graciously hosting this event. The quality of the event is unmatched by any of the other annual special events that occur at PCC. And that is due to the hard work of the committee and the support given to the high schools. Thank you!
Special thanks goes out to all the musicians: Aunty Yvonne- thank you for always supporting Aljay and I and recruiting all the musicians! Api, Zach, Alex, Mili, Tili, Sapati, Norris, Alex Galeai for playing and singing for our students!
Malositoa-Te'o Tafiti aka Kupuna T and LJ Tuia aka Dudu Pie and Julius Skipps! Our BOMB DIGGS Drummers!!! Not only were they drummers, but salu makers, drivers, babysitters, commentators, beatboxers, and choreographers giving pointers to the fa'aluma and dancers LOL Look out for their beatbox tutorial coming soon to a youtube channel near you lol... THANK YOU for your time, talent, help, company, and all the laughs.
Mrs. Sheena Alaiasa! Best principal diss errfff! She sewed all the tops and supported us 100% from beginning to end! Thank you for inviting us to teach the King and Castle kids.
Leilani Silva and Lene Auelua- our Castle advisers that worked with us to get our kids to practice, sewed all the ies, provided transportation to practice, prepared the students for the games portion at the competition, got the Tshirts and uniforms for the students, and ran the kitchen during the Fiafia night and so much more. Thank you for everything you've done and for teaching and guiding us newbies along the way.
All the Parents who supported us at practice and with our costumes! Matavales, Tiumalus, Taputus, Carlisles, Velez, Robinsons, Boles for always helping with costumes, food, and everything else in between!
Castle Teachers! Thank you for taking time out of your schedules to help us sew our ies and letting us use your sewing machines!
Aljay Fuimaono for being the best instructor ever. The passion you have for Polynesian culture is evident in everything you do. From the salus, to the tuigas, to the torches, sales, and paddles and then having to choreograph and teach....whew...you've done well my friend.
Last but certainly not least.....
Thank you Iosefa and Leila Fuimaono for being patient with Mom and Dad....for making new friends at practice and not getting run over by the cars..lol....no but really...thank you for only accidentally calling the police only once from the pay phone outside of the gym and not breaking anything in the classroom. Love you little monkeys!!
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