At Sacred Hearts Academy, there are many designated “chill” spots. Ranging from the busy cafeteria to the cooled library, one stands out from the rest: the gazebo area. Located next to the Chapel, this area has been a reliable source of

relaxation for students that can’t be found anywhere else on campus. 

The area is colored in all shades of green and is known for its calmness and quietness. In this space, there are more than 18 different plants and fruits, ranging from papaya to plumeria trees. It is maintained by campus caretaker Abraham and his wife, Carmen Adame . The Academy’s campus housekeepers, Joanne Calaycay and Josie Narciso, also take care of the area.

As peaceful as it may be, the gazebo area never sleeps. During school hours, bustling students come to the area everyday, whether it’s to study for upcoming tests or to hold club meetings. This area has also been used as an occasional explorative classroom. Outside of school hours, though, this part of campus has been used as a gathering spot for many families during events like the Junior Ring Ceremony and Baccalaureate Mass.

Since moving from Southern California, the Adames have kept busy by uplifting the school in various ways. A few examples include painting signs that direct visitors to decorating the school with vibrant flowers. 

Abraham Adame said, “The first thing Carmen said when I took this job at the Academy was, ‘let’s work on the gazebo. We can paint the benches, add potted plants and colorful flowers.’”

These improvements didn’t go unnoticed by students. Academy sophomore Maelia Thomas spends every morning relaxing on the seats that surround the Gazebo.  

​​“I come here before school starts and relax for a little. It is very calming and quiet,” she said. “The scenery has gotten a lot better over the years; I like seeing all the green and the flowers.”

Before Carmen and Abraham Adame moved to Hawaii, they had a thriving garden in Southern California.  This garden was filled with fresh fruits like oranges and apricots to protein-filled walnuts and pecans.  

Fresh produce wasn’t the only thing you can find at the Adames’ home in California.  You can also find many different kinds of wildlife.  From their own dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks to free-roaming owls and hawks. 

The Adames have found joy in the work they do here on campus.

“It’s rewarding for me to see the Gazebo mowed and landscaped,” Abraham Adame said. “There’s a lot more work to do, (but) I’m glad the students and staff enjoy it.”