Music Revival

• READ

  
  

  Wai’anae, HI
  
  October 13,2015
  
  After many years of being without a band program, Wai`anae High School is back at its finest. Graduating from Hawai’i Pacific University and returning to her alumni high, Ms Shantelle Tom was ready to teach.  
  
  “My passion is helping students find what they love and going after it,” said Ms. Tom.
  
  Finding the right instruments and the money to keep the show on the road and  keeping the band alive was proving that there is importance in music.
  
  Ms. Tom said, “I’m the last known band scholarship awardee so that’s back in 2002 since then nobody really gotten a band scholarship.”
  
  Being able to teach students something new and see the outcome of it was one of the best things she is looking forward to. She puts her fullest effort into everything she does to motivate the future adults to always do their best and give it all they’ve got.
  
  “ I would definitely seem to find myself helping them academically but socially and with their family, friends and any problem they have” said Tom.
  
  She is more than glad to be someone you can talk to when you need a pair of listening ears. With her room open to anyone before school, lunch break and after school, there is always going to be a time when she would be listening. The point she will always be reminding her students that they should continue to follow in their dreams no matter what the struggle is or how much effort or time you will have to put into it.
  
  By enduring all of the struggle, Ms. Tom was able to overcome it all and bring the band back, teach her students, read musical notes and get along with each other. Teaching the kids the Alma Mater was really important because it shows that students take pride in their school. Keeping the band around supports all sports teams at Waianae High School but not only that it gives those who are quiet and shy the chance to express their feelings through music.

LOOKING BACK

This experience from the news cycle was hard. It look a lot of time in my personal life and class time.

Jazlynn Puaoi, Reporter

---

WRITE TOOLS

This news cycle was stressful yet interesting. It showed me that someone still cares about our community by bringing back the band.
​
Alyssa Quijano, Photographer

---