Brie Haner, a fourth grade teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel school, tells how an Augustine Foundation grant transformed her classroom. (HCH photo | Anna Weaver)
By Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Some of those responsible for supporting scholarships to Hawaii Catholic Schools through the Augustine Educational Foundation gathered at the Halekulani Hotel on Sept. 26 for the foundation’s annual donor appreciation reception.
This year’s featured speakers were Chantelle Luarca, the principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City, and Brie Haner, a fourth grade teacher at the school. The pair shared how a “smart classroom” grant that came through the Augustine Educational Foundation has helped their “little blue school.”
Haner, who had her classroom transformed with new technology, storage space, desks and more, thanks to an anonymous grant and parent-volunteer work, said she could already see the growth of her students two months into the school year. The new space provides fewer distractions and helps streamline learning.
“A project like this makes me want to go back to teaching,” said Luarca, who is an Our Lady of Good Counsel graduate and also taught there before becoming its principal.
From left, students Yokiko Techuo, Audrey Peterson and Shayden DelaCruz were the welcoming crew at the Augustine Foundation donor reception. (HCH photo | Anna Weaver)
She said that updated classrooms like the new fourth grade one can attract more families to Catholic schools, who then stay when they realize the quality of the school beyond its physical appearance.
“Although we are a small school in Pearl City, I know we will change the world,” Luarca said.
Both Bishop Larry Silva and Msgr. Gary Secor, the Diocese of Honolulu’s vicar general and outgoing Augustine Educational Foundation president, commended foundation donors for supporting Catholic education in Hawaii.
“You are excellent stewards of the resources that God has blessed you with,” Msgr. Secor told those gathered.
This year’s reception theme was modeled after Matthew 14: 13-21, the story of Jesus multiplying the loaves and fishes. Attendees got to take home wooden fish trivets made by the PWH Scholars at their recent retreat.
“Know that it was made with love,” said Sue Ferandin, the Augustine Educational Foundation’s director, of the gifts. She also mentioned that in the making of the trivets, the students reflected on the Bible story. One takeaway for them was that “Maybe Jesus inspired people to share.”
The PWH Educational Foundation (short for Perseverance, Wisdom and Hope) offers renewable, full tuition scholarships to students coming from public schools to three Hawaii Catholic high schools: Damien Memorial School, Sacred Hearts Academy and St. Joseph High School, Hilo.
The 55 students currently in the program regularly meet with a PWH counselor at their school, and receive additional enrichment and support, including an annual retreat. The PWH program alone has given out over $5 million in scholarships in the last seven years since it started.
Representing the PWH Scholars on Sept. 26 were Damien Memorial School sophomore Shayden DelaCruz and Sacred Hearts Academy junior Yokiko Techuo. St. Anthony School, Kailua, second grader Audrey Peterson helped greet attendees as well.
After speeches, donors enjoyed food and drinks while watching the sun set over Waikiki Beach from the Halekulani’s second floor Hau Terrace.
