Maui Preparatory Academy

Here we go, we are starting to throw it back a little farther now. Today’s senior spotlight joined Maui Prep partway through her 8th-grade year. It is our pleasure to highlight our soon-to-be-graduate, Jordy Houglum. Jordy has a heart of pure gold; she is an empathetic soul who loves on those around her.and others readily and happily return the favor. At Maui Prep, we speak regularly of the concept of growth. Over the course of her high school career, I cannot think of ...another individual who has exhibited such growth in dedication towards her school work and towards making herself a better person. Every single year, Jordy has committed herself to improve upon the year before; this has culminated in a successful young, entrepreneurial woman who has found multiple passions to pursue (go check her senior project business @puka.maui.amazing!). Jordy has been a regular and key contributing member of the Pueo volleyball, paddling, and surf teams over the years. Her peers and coaches know her as a wonderful teammate who revels in the fun, enjoyment, and camaraderie of being a part of the team. Next fall, Jordy will be attending Boca Beauty Academy in Florida to become a Medical Aesthetician. Jordy, we’re going to miss your energy and enthusiasm on campus. #mauiprep #gopueo #seniorspotlight #classof2021 #lahaina #maui #20daysofseniors

Introducing our Class of 2021 Senior Spotlight! Each day between now and graduation, we will feature a new senior along with some fun photos of the past. Feel free to drop some kind words of encouragement. First up: Sofie Webber! Sofie is one of our more recent additions to the Class of 2021, joining up with the group in her junior year. Sofie is a fierce advocate for others and for social justice. This is evidenced by being a founding member of Maui Prep’s GSA club. Sofie has also been a member of the Pueo paddling and tennis teams. Sofie will attend the University of Oregon next year and plans to study psychology. Go Ducks! #mauiprep #gopueo #seniorspotlight #classof2021 #lahaina #maui #20daysofseniors

This young woman has been a Pueo since her sixth-grade year and what an incredible journey she has had! Maui Prep ‘ohana, we are so excited to present today’s senior spotlight...Lily Bourland. From her early days as a middle schooler to her days as a senior, Lily is a true growth mindset success story. As a student, once Lily learned who she was as a learner, there really was no stopping her; she leaves Maui Prep with her highest GPA since first enrolling at the school. ... As a student-athlete, Lily served as an effective leader and teammate on the Pueo volleyball and paddling teams. If you ever want to see a different side of Lily, closely watch her on the volleyball court...she is intense! It’s game over for the other team when she starts flexing after getting a big kill. Lily continued to impress her classmates and faculty with her unbelievable musical talents put on display in her senior project (see link in biono seriously, go listen). Outstanding grades, terrific athlete and teammate, and a talented artist...this is the ultimate trifecta of an independent school graduate. These are all wonderful descriptors that younger students can aspire towards...but it is not the most important thing. One would be hard-pressed to find a genuinely kinder heart or loyal friend...anywhere. This young woman is absolute sunshine. Lils, during your time at Maui Prep, we have seen you persevere through challenges to a point in which you are now absolutely thriving, not only in the classroom, but in life. We are all absolutely beaming with pride for all that you have accomplished (and will continue to do). You make everyone around you want to be better. You are an example for us all. Next fall, Lily will attend Concordia University Irvine to study business. Go Eagles! #mauiprep #gopueo #seniorspotlight #classof2021 #lahaina #maui #20daysofseniors

Kick off graduation season and celebrate our Seniors tomorrow in Kaanapali!

Ladies and gentlemen, be sure to keep an eye on this one. He might one day be representing us in government! Peyton Gillespie joined Maui Prep in his sophomore as a boarding student from Molokai. In recognition of his leadership and character, he was named a Pueo Pilot Scholar and awarded a full scholarship for the remainder of his time at Maui Prep. The hope was that he would continue to lead with positive influence and continue to create a culture of excellence at Mau...i Prep. Did he achieve this task? The answer is a resounding YES! Peyton took the opportunity provided him and absolutely thrived. He is a driven leader who jumps at any opportunity to have a positive impact on his broader community. Peyton serves not only on Maui Prep’s Student Senate but also as the Vice-President of the Maui District Student Council Organization (MDSCO). Peyton was a key leader in last year’s Hawaii State GIN Conference hosted at Maui Prep and led this year’s virtual Just Futures Summit", a conference promoting youth involvement in civics education (link in bio). His outstanding work on this conference landed him an internship with Hawaii State Representative Amy Perruso. Peyton will be studying political science at Brandeis University on a full-ride scholarship. Senator Gillespie one day? We shall see Who am I going to talk politics with now?!? #mauiprep #gopueo #seniorspotlight #classof2021 #lahaina #maui #20daysofseniors

Tomorrow, May 1st, is college decision day! Congrats to Ozzie Doherty on his decision to attend UC Santa Barbara; go Gauchos! Ozzie joined us his sophomore year from Canada and quickly established his goal to attend UCSB. A highly competitive student-athlete (cross country, basketball, surfing, and track), he worked hard to achieve his goal. We wish him good luck as he joins the growing Pueo Alumni @ucsantabarbara #goguachos #mauiprep #gopueo #collegbound .

Not sure where to even start with this one. We could embarrass her and make her feel truly uncomfortable with all the accolades she has already earned and received. In education, we tend to measure students by grades, test scores, athletic accomplishments, artistic ability, and leadership positions. One only needed to attend today’s Awards Ceremony to know that this young woman garners more than her fair and well-deserved share of attention in these efforts. However, ever...y once in an extremely rare while, somebody comes along that transcends all those things almost to the point in which they become, dare I say it, trivial. One could perhaps easily contend that the true measure of a person is determined by their character and integrity. Who are they when nobody is watching? What type of proverbial fruit do they produce? Do they yield discord, dissension, hostility, and strife? Or do they embody love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...those traits are all truly and genuinely personified by today’s senior spotlight. An old proverb rings true: She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instruction with kindness. The next step of her journey will take her on a full-ride scholarship to Concordia University Irvine where she will study psychology and counseling. Ladies and gentlemen, we’re happy to honor Paloma Banto today. Paloma, you made our school a better place. #mauiprep #gopueo #seniorspotlight #classof2021 #lahaina #maui #20daysofseniors

Since joining us in her junior year, Zyra Gonzalez has had a quiet, yet steady presence and influence on her classmates. Zyra has been a member of Maui Prep’s MIL Paddling team the past two seasons. Her canoe-mates will definitely miss her out on the water. She has also been a key member of Maui Prep Rotary Interact service club. However, where Zyra truly sets herself apart from the rest is in her writing. Whether it is her creative pieces, such as her senior project (see link in bio) or her more analytical pieces, she truly stands out as one of the best writers to graduate from Maui Prep. Zyra plans on attending University of Hawaii at Manoa to study...English! We will you all the best Zyra. #mauiprep #gopueo #seniorspotlight #classof2021 #lahaina #maui #20daysofseniors

Are you ready for a list? 2008 Kindergarten Citizen of Year 2016 Middle School Academic Leader 2017 Middle School Academic Leader ... 2017 May Day Queen 2019 Female Athlete of the Year 2019 MIL Champion (High Jump) 2020 Female Athlete of the Year 2020 Upper School Citizen of the Year 2021 Female Pueo Award 2021 Salutatorian I think she might have missed completing a homework assignment in 4th grade...shame on you, Sydney Snyder. Shame. On. You. Despite all those accolades, the funny thing is that I don’t know that Sydney really ever cared about them, they were never the ultimate goal for her. One of Maui Prep’s Commitments to Living Aloha is ‘Imi Ola, the pursuit of excellence. Sydney wasn’t ever extrinsically motivated by awards or recognition; she had an insatiable, but quiet, inner drive to pursue excellence...the recognitions are simply an outcome of her drive to constantly better herself. For somebody who doesn’t know Sydney, it doesn’t take long to realize how special of a human being she is, but the best part is that she will never tell you of her accomplishments. She constantly pursues excellence, but her humility sets her even further apart. Syd, you stepped onto campus as a quiet, shy 4-year old preschooler but you leave Maui Prep as perhaps the most decorated, well-rounded student in school history. Whether it was participating in school plays or 7AM Band, getting straight A+’s year after year, or being a three-sport athlete every year of high school, you were always up for a challenge. You are truly loved and adored by all who come in contact with you. They immediately feel your kind heart and listen intently to your soft words. We are so thrilled for you and proud of you. We wish you all the best at Boston College next year. *official correction, the 4th-grade teacher actually misplaced Sydney’s homework because she insisted on turning it in a week early. #mauiprep #gopueo #seniorspotlight #classof2021 #lahaina #maui #20daysofseniors

Here we go....the moment our entire 6th grade has been waiting for...today’s Senior Spotlight is none other than Mr. Jack Sisco! Jack arrived at Maui Prep as a junior and member of our boarding program. With his eccentric sense of humor, he is adored by all but has truly reached demi-god status with our 6th graders (if you know Jack, it’s easy to see why). Jack found his love of performing while at Maui Prep. He’s given some outstanding serious, heartfelt performances; bu...t when his talent is combined with his humor and wit, it’s like a cross between Barry White and Weird Al Yankovic. Jack leads others to explore their passions in the creative and performing arts as well. He impressed us all with his initiative and leadership in founding the Jack Siscompetition encouraging younger students to creatively express their love of music. The prize...a brand new Breedlove guitar! Jack plans on attending Penn State to study science. #mauiprep #gopueo #seniorspotlight #classof2021 #lahaina #maui #20daysofseniors

Please join us for our last PTSO meeting of the year! Happening this Tuesday via Zoom. Look for the zoom link in your email and on class dojo. We’ll see you there!

We are now starting to throw it waaaaaay back to some of our true Maui Prep OGs. If today’s senior spotlight had a dollar for every stress-induced grey hair that he has given a teacher, he would have absolutely no need to go to college, he’d be able to retire tomorrow! He joined Maui Prep way back in 2007/2008 school year as a member of our 4-year old preschool class and has kept us on our toes ever since...ladies and gentlemen, Kilakila Parnell. He is known amongst his pe...ers as an incredibly loyal friend who is quick to find humor and laughter in any situation. As he transitioned into high school, Kila could regularly be found behind the scenes working tirelessly at school plays, assemblies, and other events. However, perhaps most impressive has been to watch Kila discover an absolute passion and incredible talent in photography (@kilaparnell). His senior project thesis linking the responsibility of a photographer and the self-esteem of the subject was quite impressive. Kila, knowing how matter-of-fact you are, I’m sure you would be the first to acknowledge (perhaps even with an impish sense of pride), the opportunities for growth you provided a few of your teachers along the way, but also know that the things that drove us bonkers at times will also be the things that take you far in life: a willingness buck the system and do it your own way, an unwavering belief in yourself and your abilities, and an awe-inspiring strong-headedness and ability to stick to your guns no matter what. Those character traits might not fit the norm of what is typically celebrated in a school setting, but I can very easily envision a reality in which these traits propel you to great success. 14 years at Maui Prep!!! I know it maybe seemed like an eternity, and like many of your peers, you are excited for the next stage of life, but know that you always have a place at Maui Prep. Kilakila will be attending Temple University this fall. #mauiprep #gopueo #seniorspotlight #classof2021 #lahaina #maui #20daysofseniors