Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington, this month honored Art Fillazar, the director of admissions at St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School in Wailuku, as one of its five 2016 distinguished alumni.
Fillazar graduated in 1973 with bachelor’s of arts degree in secondary education and English.
As an undergraduate of what was then Saint Martin’s College, Fillazar was editor of the school yearbook, and president of the Hawaiian Club and the Student Washington Education Association. At his commencement he received the “Outstanding Senior Award.” He was named “Teacher of the Year” at graduation ceremonies for Saint Martin’s Preparatory High School, where he did his student teaching.
Fillazar returned to Maui to teach at his alma mater, St. Anthony High School, where he graduated in 1969. After seven years, he returned to Saint Martin’s to begin his master’s degree program in counseling and eventually became residence hall director and campus minister.
He returned to the islands in 1983 and for 30 years served on the staff at Lahainaluna High School, retiring in 2014. He was named Maui District Teacher of the Year in 2000.
On Maui he has served in numerous community organizations. He founded and directed the summer leadership camp Na Alakai Kahua, which attracted hundreds of high school student leaders.
For his work in student activities, he was named a regional recipient of the Dr. Earl Reum Outstanding Activities Advisor Award.
Fillazar is the youth moderator for St. Anthony Parish where he is a lector and eucharistic minister. He is also on the diocesan Office of Youth and Youth Adult Ministry Council and the Maui Vicariate Youth Ministry Council.
