High school students taking college courses presented their artistic, musical, and creative talents with a series of projects aimed at keeping their loved ones safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through the Ala Ika Holomua Pathway to Success Program, an Early College partnership between the Friends of Waipahu High School, the Academy for Creative Media–UH West Oʻahu, James Campbell High School, Kapolei High School, Waiʻanae High School, and Waipahu High School, participating high school students enrolled in college courses focusing on creative media.
A $200,000 Grant-in-Aid (GIA) awarded by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to the 501(c)(3) Friends of Waipahu High School, offered students the opportunity to obtain college credit and develop the skills necessary to succeed in the field of creative media. The GIA covered the cost of equipment to support the offering of Early College courses in creative media at the high schools. This included industry standard software, iPads (for mobility and flexibility during the pandemic), cameras, and computers. The GIA also covered the cost of offering Early College courses in Creative Media at the high schools.
“The grant provided us with an extraordinary opportunity to unify four high schools and the Academy for Creative Media, UH West Oʻahu for a single purpose; to collaboratively work under a vertically articulated curriculum designed to ease the transition from secondary to post secondary education in the field of creative media,” UH West Oʻahu Early College Program Director Garyn Tsuru said. “By doing this, we are not only supporting the State of Hawaiʻi’s 55 by 25 initiative, but also preparing our students to face the challenges posed by the 21st century.”
The students worked on messaging related to COVID-19, with a project theme of E Mālama I ka ‘Ohana (Take Care of the Family). The students created projects in courses such as ART 112: Introduction to Digital Art, ART 101: Introduction to Visual Arts, CM 152: Principles of Video Editing, CM 153: Sound Design for Digital Media, and CM 155: Introduction to Screenwriting.
“These early college students now have a realistic expectation of what the college experience is, as well as the confidence knowing that they can succeed in their creative endeavors in college. We hope to be seeing them soon,” said Sharla Hanaoka, the Director of the Academy for Creative Media, UH West Oʻahu.
The students showcased their work with a closing ceremony on Dec. 15, which was virtually attended by legislators, community supporters, and university and high school administrators, faculty, and students. The students received an Honorary Certificate from the State of Hawaiʻi Senate, which was proposed by Senator Mike Gabbard, and co-sponsored by Senator Maile Shimabukuro, Senator Clarence Nishihara, and Senator Kurt Fevella. They also receive a Certificate of Accomplishment from the Academy of Creative Media West Oʻahu and the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Early College Program.
The students’ projects and more information can be viewed at alaikaholomua.weebly.com.