| Much of the Damien spirit, the quiet enduring heart of the school, comes from academics. At Damien, if a student wishes it so, he could enter the school, compose his entire curriculum of effortless courses with total disregard for his potential, and upon receiving a diploma, realize that he is leaving the four years of study the same as when he first began. But four years at Damien can also be taken in another direction. For those students who push a little more persistently, or go a little further, they not only graduate as a more intellectual person because of the knowledge handed down in school books, but hopefully a wiser as well; anyone can memorize, review, and recite a poem or passage from memory, but it takes a courageous soul to actually lift an implied moral or course of action and employ it in the everyday unpoetic, unromantic real world. But the student cannot possibly do this alone. For every creative outlet with which the students may be gifted or curious, there will always be an accommodating and tutoring teacher. Damien is remarkable in this respect; every opportunity to advance in any field of interest and become a better person is available, , and all thanks to the teachers. Hour after unacknowledged hour, they help student pursue and realize their self expectations of days to come, and assist in academics, untwining the mysteries of eons past. They are a constant source or inspiration in our school community. Certainly they underscore, and outstrip any achievement accomplished by the students. So from Damien High School to our readers worldwide, we offer an international welcome. Kenneth Miyazaki | |