Leo club, one of the largest, most active service clubs at the Academy, offers many opportunities to students in grades 7-12 to help their communities while forming new friendships.

Sponsored by the Kamehameha Lions Club since 2009, the Academy club participates in a variety of activities throughout the year, including cleaning and painting a bus stop, hosting a leadership workshop and collecting eyeglasses for the visually impaired.

The club continues to grow larger each year.

Senior Angela Hesch said, “I enjoy the club because I have a chance to fill in community service hours and meet many new people as well.  My favorite summer event was probably doing bike valet for the Jack Johnson concert.  Bike valet is pretty new, and people were happy to hear that such services were available. Although it was hard work handling about 53 bikes, everyone was really chill about it and our volunteers earned free autographed Jack Johnson CDs. It was a lot of fun even if we didn’t get to watch the concert,” said Hesch, a five-year member.

Senior Sarah Naai is also a long-time member.

“The Leo club is not only about filling in your service hours. I enjoy the camaraderie among members. It is not every day we get to do some of these experiences. I’m glad that I get to take part in it, and I encourage others to do so as well.”

Another summer project included a bus stop clean-up in which club members renovated and restored local stops, picking up rubbish and painting, with donated funds from the Kamehameha Lions Club.

The third summer project was a leadership workshop.  Club members met with students from Saint Louis, La Pietra, Leilehua, Mililani, Roosevelt and Farrington to refine their leadership skills. Members were encouraged to branch out into new areas to use the skills.

Senior Alyssa Kwan has been in the club for the past two years.

“My favorite part of the leadership workshop was meeting with other students and officers from other clubs.  Even though they go to different schools, we can all bond through the Leo club.”

Throughout the year, the Leo club is always on the lookout for ways to fulfill the Lions Club’s  motto, “We Serve.”

Club adviser, Whitney Miyahira, said, “Leo club is a place that fosters service and dedication among members.  My vision for the club is to bring students together and form a networking community.  The club is continuing to expand and is reaching more and more people.”