Hawaii Catholic Herald
Sacred Hearts Academy marked 115 years of providing Catholic education this month with a weeklong celebration highlighted by an assembly and pep rally on Sept. 12.
The all-girls college preparatory school was founded by 11 Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary sisters, who in September 1909 opened a campus with 53 female students in Kaimuki. The Academy now educates students as young as 3 years old through 12th grade.
Founders’ Week events included games, a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony, the blessing of alumnae faculty and staff, and a school spirit day.
On Sept. 12, the school gathered in the Academy’s gym for an energetic ceremony that featured performances, reflections by current and former students, fellowship and a blessing of individual classes by the Academy’s chaplain, Sacred Hearts Father Jeremy Sabugo.
The assembly began with an oli, or chant, by graduate and Academy faculty member Crystale Cayaban, a prayer by Father Sabugo and remarks from President Brandy Ann Sato — herself a graduate of the Academy.
Student performances included the Academy’s cheerleaders, band and second-grade hula class. Reflections came from alumnae whose daughters now attend the Academy as well as from alumnae who themselves are Sacred Hearts sisters: Sister Katherine Francis Miller, Sister Regina Mary Jenkins and Sister Rose Henry Reeves.
Fellowship followed the class blessings by Father Sabugo.