Sacred Hearts Academy | Honolulu, Hawaii

Ka Leo
Senior Jenica Wong wears the blood drop costume to invite students to participate in the raffle. The raffle was a fun trivia to test how much students knew about the blood donation process and its outcomes. Photo by Kaiulani Ferrer.
The Academy’s blood drive gives a second chance at life
April 15, 2024
What time is it? Participants enjoy “It’s Slime Time” by getting their hands messy. The recipe used to make the slimes included glue, contact lens solution, food coloring and shaving cream. Photo by Jenica Wong.
Symposium inspires next generation of women in STEAM
March 20, 2024
Ssebayiteko takes a selfie after school. While she may not be doing it here, the senior participated in a growing trend called sadfishing. She posted pictures of herself crying due to the stress of college applications. Photo by Anna Casupang.
Sadfishing: Teens caught up in rising trend
December 22, 2023
Scholastic judge Sara Satro congratulates senior Madison Iwashita (right) on winning the Distinguished Young Women’s Award. Iwashita is the first Academy student to win this award since 1994. Photo courtesy of Kelsey Kojihara.
Seniors win big at Distinguished Young Women Program
October 17, 2023
(Left to right) Academy students Tiarelei Keanu and Kaila Teves folding donated clothes for Maui fire victims. They volunteered at today’s donation drive, which collected enough items to fill three vans and a truck. Photo by Keira Wheeler.
Lancer community helps Maui fire victims
August 11, 2023
(Right) Teacher Monika Kelly throws to a teammate from the class of 2026. Lancers walked to a nearby park and played games, as part of the LIFE Day activities. The games encouraged class bonding and team work in a non-academic setting.
LIFE Day comes back to life for good
March 13, 2024
The day begins in the campus gym, where pairs of LIFE Team members (photo left) Jetaime-Tihani Tajiri and Reagan Beissel and (photo right) Jayna Amasol and Keira Iwamoto lead the school in the gospel song, “Gloryland.” The liturgy brings together the Lower and Upper School students for Catholic Schools Week. The LIFE Team, or worship team, has a reputation of lighting up every mass or religious event with much enthusiasm for God. LIFE Day is at the forefront of these events, as the student members plan the day’s activities.
Living the Lancer LIFE Day experience
March 6, 2024
Sacred Heart Academy seniors hold their paddles tight in the waters of Magic Island. (From Left to Right) Senior Veda Gang, Anna Pinkerton, Madison Iwashita, and Charli Omura. Photo courtesy to Mahina Monsarrat Ohelo.
Senior paddlers navigate their final season
February 20, 2024
Seniors Amber Wolfe, Kana Barlag and Daphne Ibrao celebrate National Letter of Intent (NLI) Day at the Elks Lodge in Waikiki. They committed to sports programs at their colleges of choice. Photo courtesy of the Ibrao Family.
Ready, set, go
February 20, 2024
Infographic by Zaneya Caires.
INFOGRAPHIC – Females in flight
February 10, 2024
Tarot Time: Elemental Exploration (Fire and Earth)
Tarot Time: Elemental Exploration (Fire and Earth)
May 13, 2023
Music is present in our everyday lives. Photo courtesy of Flickr.
Music and how it affects us
April 12, 2023
KA LEO KONVOS: Draft Day
KA LEO KONVOS: Draft Day
January 24, 2023
Ka Leo created its own mental health playlist on Spotify. This playlist contains the five best songs/types included in the article. Check out the playlist, by Abigail Walker, here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Np43AHc33E2KCEbBIPx99)
5 best songs/types to include in a mental health playlist and why
January 23, 2023
Fall in love with this list of songs, from Daniel Caesar to Bruno Major. They will be sure to warm your heart. Photo courtesy of PXHere.
Playlist to warm your heart
November 10, 2022
Sacred Hearts Academy’s Lower School basketball team remains undefeated, winning 10 games this division II Catholic Schools League (CSL) season.
Lower School’s basketball team remains undefeated
April 3, 2024
This year, senior Jenica Wong became the first student from Sacred Hearts Academy to play football. She represents the all-girls Catholic school on PAC-5s football team. Her coaches say she is treated the same as the boys and that her dedication and hard work earned her playing time. The first actual game I played…we were versing Saint Louis School (SLS) and up by 10 points,” she said. “Toward the end of the game, the special team’s coach grabbed me by the collar and told me, ‘hit somebody,’ and I went with that in mind.” While she didn’t make any plays that day, PAC-5 won the game against SLS, with a score of 10-0. “This was not only a win for PAC-5 but for the stigma that ‘girls dont belong’ or ‘girls cant play,’” the 17-year-old said about the October game.
Wong makes history as first Lancer football athlete
March 14, 2024
PAC-5 varsity Division II soccer team smiling through the blood, sweat and tears of their hard work. They boast a trophy as state champions for the third year in a row. Photo courtesy of Dowda-Gates.
Wolfpack soccer completes a three-peat
March 7, 2024
Sacred Heart Academy seniors hold their paddles tight in the waters of Magic Island. (From Left to Right) Senior Veda Gang, Anna Pinkerton, Madison Iwashita, and Charli Omura. Photo courtesy to Mahina Monsarrat Ohelo.
Senior paddlers navigate their final season
February 20, 2024
Seniors Amber Wolfe, Kana Barlag and Daphne Ibrao celebrate National Letter of Intent (NLI) Day at the Elks Lodge in Waikiki. They committed to sports programs at their colleges of choice. Photo courtesy of the Ibrao Family.
Ready, set, go
February 20, 2024
In this article, I will be sharing my top 5 books and why you should read them. Photo courtesy of Pexels.
My top five books and why you should read them
January 26, 2024
My tortoise and rabbit getting to know each other. Who would win the race? Photo by Gennellea Amasol.
Aspiring Veterinarian: Rabbit care
January 25, 2024
Sadfishing is a growing social media trend, in which people post emotional content of themselves to gain sympathy from followers. A recent study by BMC Psychology states, “Emotional posts are often shared online during or shortly after an emotional experience with the intent of evoking supportive feedback from others.” This editorial cartoon depicts sadfishing by showing a young girl fishing in a metaphorical lake. Her big catch is a smartphone, which shows a post she made on social media. The girl is upset and crying in her post. The fish circling the phone symbolize her social media followers, most of whom are friends who know her. They reach out through direct message to find out if she is okay. Then at the bottom of the lake lies the deeper meaning beneath her post. Experts might say that sadfishing, or fishing for attention, is a call for help. Loneliness, depression and low self-esteem are a few reasons as to why someone might sadfish, according to experts.
ILLUSTRATION – Sadfishing
January 4, 2024
According to a study by the Sleep Foundation, 72% of high school students get less than the recommended amount of sleep. It has become so bad that experts call it an epidemic. Photo courtesy of Canva.
Teens face sleepless nights
December 14, 2023
Photo courtesy of Quinn Lum.
Why you shouldn’t pass on UH Manoa
November 3, 2023
Academy seniors Ann Claire Walker (left), Chelstine Tavares (middle), and Malaika Ssebayitekko chat in the gazebo. Photo by Zaneya Caires.
Senioritis: A high school senior’s affliction
February 6, 2024
My tortoise and rabbit getting to know each other. Who would win the race? Photo by Gennellea Amasol.
Aspiring Veterinarian: Rabbit care
January 25, 2024
Olivia Bruce 19 represents her alma mater and HBCU school, Spelman College. An HBCU is a historically black college/university that promotes black excellence. Bruce is a product of black excellence, as she continues to further her studies at Notre Dame to receive her Ph.D. in physics.
Black Girl Here: Is an HBCU for you?
January 23, 2024
A comparison of Christmas photos during the COVID-19 pandemic and after it in 2023.
Robbed by the pandemic
December 5, 2023
(From left to right) A before and after of my first time getting braids. Since then, I’ve learned how to prepare my hair for braids and maintain them. Photo courtesy of Marian Redd.
Black Girl Here: Braids for Days
October 19, 2023
Sacred Hearts Academy | Honolulu, Hawaii

Ka Leo
Sacred Hearts Academy | Honolulu, Hawaii

Ka Leo
Martha Nicholas

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter

Martha Nicholas is a third-year Journalism student in her Senior year. Being a student journalist means being the school’s messenger. It’s a journalist’s job to collect vital information about the community and report that to others. Martha is involved in both the Academy Marching Band, Soroptimist,  Student Council, and Interact Club. Filmmaking is a big part of her life, and she loves documenting important things that happen to her. Martha looks forward to sharing more news with the school.

All content by Martha Nicholas
According to SleepHealth.org, 70 to 80 million Americans suffer from a sleeping disorder. Photo courtesy of HealthCare365.

How to improve sleep

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
April 24, 2019

With final exams around the corner, students’ may begin to notice their sleep schedules becoming irregular. And while sips of water or a good book might...

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Head of School Betty White starts her day with morning flag, where she stands surrounded by Sacred Hearts Academy students. White, a leader in Catholic education, retires in July after more than 60 years at the Academy as a teacher and then administrator. Photo by Kirsten Aoyagi.

Educating generations of girls

Shelby Mattos and Martha Nicholas
March 1, 2019

Ring-a-ding-ding! The morning bell chimes at 7:35 a.m., signifying the start of another school day at Sacred Hearts Academy. A sea of more than 850...

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(Left to right) Eighth grader Vanessa Laub and freshmen Tammy Huynh and Clarisa Babauta prepare the drums with a club parent and mentor. According to Chinese mythology, the drumbeat represents the lion’s heartbeat; without it, the lion ceases to exist. It also mimics the tale of how a village fought off the nian beast, known to take children if taxes were unpaid. Villagers made loud noises by banging pots and setting off firecrackers to scare away the monster.

Celebrating Year of the Pig with Lancer lion

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
February 20, 2019

The Lancers Lion Dance Club rang in the Year of the Pig with a school-wide performance recently, decorated with colorful costumes and graced with traditional...

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The gold trophy is given every year to congratulate music artists. Photo courtesy by Flickr.

Grammy nominations shock fans

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
January 17, 2019

The nominations for the 61st Grammy Awards were revealed on Friday, Dec 7th. The list extended this year with more nominations for each category such as...

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Harvard is one of the many universities across America affected Affirmative Action. Photo Courtesy of Flickr.

Should Affirmative Action Still Be Considered?

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
December 13, 2018

Affirmative Action is one of the key components during the college application process. Similar to the financial aid and standardized testing category,...

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Teachers take on the SATs from Sacred Hearts Academy on Vimeo.

Teachers take on the SATs

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
October 5, 2018

Academy teachers are challenged with taking an actual SAT test. Their reactions are priceless! For more information, visit the Lancers Lately at sacredhearts.org/lancerslately or...

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Students gather at elaborate venues in hopes for a perfect night. Photo courtesy of Pixbay.

Is Prom Actually Worth It?

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
April 10, 2018

Every year, high school students across the country spend months prepare for prom. It is a semi-formal dance that takes place towards the end of junior...

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Khan Academy is one of the many sources students use to help prep for the SAT exam. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

How to improve SAT scores

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
April 5, 2018

As Junior year is coming to a close, incoming seniors begin preparing for their college applications. A major component is the SAT, Scholastic Aptitude...

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winterball-infographic1

[Photo] Winter ball embraces sisterhood with policy change

Shelby Mattos, News Editor, Reporter
January 4, 2018

A large group of families and friends participate in the Great Aloha Run each year. Photo courtesy of Official United States Air Force.

Preparing for the Great Aloha Run

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
February 6, 2018

The registration for this year’s Great Aloha Run has officially closed, and many are looking forward to the 8-mile marathon. Here are some tips to help...

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The 52nd Annual Super Bowl was located at the U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

Eagles take Super Bowl LII title

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
February 6, 2018

On Sunday, football fans nationwide tuned in to the highly anticipated Super Bowl LII, in which the Philadelphia Eagles defeated last year’s champs,...

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Instead of red, South Koreas Santa Claus is dressed in blue. Photo courtesy of Pexels.

Universal Christmas

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
December 19, 2017

Christmas is said to be one of the most universal holidays in the world. In America, the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree with presents under...

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Students applying for college look to the Common App to submit their applications. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

Application season takes over autumn

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
November 16, 2017

During the autumn season, many spend their time preparing for the holidays and enjoying the cool, crisp air. For most high school seniors, however, pumpkin...

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The excitement captured when the group of journalists visited the Fuqing elementary school. While there, the Academy students read to them Hawaii-themed children’s books they brought from school.

Our time in China

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
November 4, 2017

Sacred Hearts Academy journalism students traveled to Fuzhou, China during fall break. As part of a cultural exchange experience with sister school Hwa...

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The rail transit routes begins in the Kapolei and Waipahu areas. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

Rail changes destinations

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
November 1, 2017

Many Sacred Hearts Academy students travel long distances to get to school, getting stuck in traffic and spending long hours on the road. However, some...

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Preparing to work on the first assignment.

How’s it at Harvard

Martha Nicholas, Media Editor, Reporter
August 29, 2017

Pressured about becoming a junior, I knew that I didn’t want to relax during the summer. I began searching multiple colleges to take summer courses as...

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Yoga for Beginners

Yoga for Beginners

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
May 4, 2017

Yoga is a Hindu spiritual practice for health and relaxation. It’s also the perfect way to gain strength, as well as flexibility. If you’re new to...

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Frozen yogurt, or froyo, is a healthy alternative to ice cream. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Quell cravings with healthy alternatives

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
April 19, 2017

With the school year coming to an end, students not only think about exams but also ways to get fit for that summer bikini bod. Workout regimens and diet...

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The Great Aloha Run Participants from Sacred Hearts Academy.

Major Motivators Of The Great Aloha Run

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
March 24, 2017

Thousands gathered for the Great Aloha Run during President’s Day weekend. This included more than 100 Sacred Hearts Academy Lancers. And while many...

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A busy night for Via Gelato, located in Kaimuki.

FOODIE FRIDAY: Via Gelato

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
March 23, 2017

Over the years, Kaimuki has become an area fueled by restaurants, coffee shops and other on-the-go eateries. Via Gelato is among the newest neighborhood...

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To see a complete list of winners for this year’s 89th Academy Awards, visit http://oscar.go.com/news/winners/oscar-winners-2017-see-the-complete-list.

Academy Awards filled with firsts

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
March 3, 2017

Every year, the Academy Awards leaves film fanatics buzzing over notable movies and up-and-coming Hollywood standouts. This year, however, the ceremony...

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Adele takes home Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Vocal and Best Pop Solo at this year’s Grammy Awards. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Adele dominates 59th Annual Grammy Awards

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
February 21, 2017

The GRAMMY Awards celebrated its 59th annual ceremony last Sunday, hosted by “The Late Late Show” host James Corden. The night was filled with astonishing...

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Photo courtesy of Flickr.

High schoolers get a head start with college

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
February 9, 2017

Looking to earn high school and college credits at the same time? Sacred Hearts Academy offers a dual-credit program with Leeward Community College,...

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A family of three gathers for dinner, clearly lacking verbal communication skills. Signs of a house fire become apparent, and they proceed to use their mobile devices. When they finally evacuate, the teens’ main concern is not the end of their home’s existence but the end of their snapstreak. Represented by a fire emoji, a snapstreak is like a game in Snapchat, in which users aim to keep a thread of consecutive snaps going with a friend for an indefinite amount of time. Illustration by Martha Nicholas.

Study finds phone use during dinner not OK

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
February 2, 2017

With society’s growing obsession with mobile technology, many find it difficult to put it down. Such devices, particularly mobile phones, are used everywhere...

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Photo courtesy: Keith Higaki

Band welcomes winter with Disney and holiday tunes

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
January 4, 2017

Earlier this month, Sacred Hearts Academy’s band hosted its annual winter concert, which included a variety of Disney and Christmas songs. It also included...

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Sacred Hearts Academy students participated in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Photo Courtesy: Hawaii All State Marching Band.

Sharing aloha spirit at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
January 4, 2017

While waiting in a long line of parade participants, I watched as unique attractions got their cue; their cue to begin walking into a chilly New York City,...

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Students honor veterans

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
November 22, 2016

During the Veterans’ Day holiday this year, students from Sacred Hearts Academy took time to honor those who have previously served in the military....

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Marching band students don the aloha print uniforms that will be worn in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Drumming up excitement for Thanksgiving Day Parade

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
November 14, 2016

As families start planning extravagant Thanksgiving feasts, marching band students at Sacred Hearts Academy are planning for a unique Thanksgiving festivity–the...

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DIY Halloween Costumes from Sacred Hearts Academy on Vimeo.

Costumes from your closet

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
October 25, 2016

Halloween is just around the corner, and soon, the streets will be filled with princesses, pirates and pumpkins. While some plan extravagant costumes months...

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Sophomore Brooke Iverson performs with a friend at the Mid-Pacific Country Club.

KEEPING UP WITH: Brooke Iverson, Musician

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
October 18, 2016

Many students at Sacred Hearts Academy enjoy singing and playing an instrument, but not many are brave enough to post their talent online or perform on...

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KCC Farmers Market attracts locals and visitors

KCC Farmers Market attracts locals and visitors

Martha Nicholas, Reporter
August 31, 2016

[slideshow_deploy id='11116'] From coconut drinks to locally-grown plants, the Kapiolani Community College (KCC) Farmers Market offers an array of...

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