This year at Sacred Hearts Academy, alumni and theology teacher Leilani Asuncion-Tagupa started a sewing club for the upper school students. The club was very popular at the Academy’s club fair, gaining more than 35 members that afternoon. Academy senior and club member Mikela Ibos-Agno said, “I joined the club because I think sewing is a very valuable skill that everyone should have, and I’m excited to learn how to make different things.” 

Not only is Asuncion-Tagupa teaching the girls how to sew dresses and shorts but also, everything made will be going to (those in need) in the Philippines. It is part of an upcoming mission trip in January that Asuncion-Tagupa is also leading. 

When asked about the mission, Asuncion said, “(The sewing project) started with the sisters (of the Academy); it’s neat for the girls going on the trip to not only see what the congregation does but also to see that what they do matters, that they are helping a little kid somewhere.” 

Asuncion-Tagupa began her sewing journey when she was a little girl. It has been an important aspect of her life. She states, “Way back in the day, there was a shop called Singer at Ala Moana (Center), and everybody went to summer school there and that was the thing to do, if you weren’t at summer fun or summer school, you’d be in sewing school.” 

The Academy once offered a sewing class to students. 

“My dream is to bring it back as a visual arts class because that is an art in itself; sewing is an art.”