Got the middle school jitters?
By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer
An arena full of fifth- and sixth-grade kids fell silent yesterday when someone finally asked the question on everyone's mind.
Do we have to take showers after P.E.?
The answer given by the expert panel of middle school students came as a relief to almost everyone in attendance: No. But you should at least bring some deodorant to gym class.
About 1,700 students from 21 Honolulu District elementary schools attended the annual Student Transition Convention yesterday at Blaisdell Arena, a sort of coming-of-age pep rally where they were able to find out what happens if you're late to class (you get a tardy slip), how long the classes last (about 50 minutes) and what happens if you get lost on campus (there are maps).
The convention — organized by the Adult Friends for Youth and the 100th held around the state in the past 12 years — will be repeated across Hawai'i throughout the month for public school students making the move from elementary to middle or intermediate school.
Adults and middle student panelists from the Honolulu District tried to convince the students that along with fear, anxiety and peer pressure, middle school brings independence, more choices and new friends.
Paving the way
"We're just letting them know what's happening," said Frank DeLima, the convention co-chair who kept the students rolling with laughter with imitations of teachers and stereotypical middle school students, such as the shy boy or the girl in the tank top that shows off the lint in her bellybutton. "Our job as adults is to prepare their way, but it's all their decision," he said.
Former Hawai'i first lady Lynne Waihee warned students about impending teenage crises: zits, hair on the chest for boys — "Yes, it will happen" —and attraction to the opposite sex.
"Ewwwww," was the general response, along with some laughter.
Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona promoted the Golden Rule: "Treat one another like you want to be treated." And he tried to boost the students' self-esteem, calling them the future leaders of the state. "God doesn't create junk," Aiona said.
One student panelist tackled the question: "Are all of the teachers nice in middle school?" She answered diplomatically that most are. "The stricter teachers are just like any other teachers," she said. "They're just there to, like, teach you."
Sheramie Esteban, 11, a sixth-grader at Kapalama Elementary, said she was looking forward to the after-school activities and electives available in middle school. But she's also concerned about having to make a new group of friends. "What if you become a loner?" she said.
Winter Drew-Kaohu, 11, a sixth-grader at Ma'ema'e, said she had heard with relief that not a lot of homework is assigned at Kalakaua Middle, where she's headed next year.
But like several other students at the convention, she said she was a little nervous about the possibility of gangs or drugs in middle school and high school.
"I know I've got some friends and neighbors there, so they can help me," she said.
The student panelists reassured the incoming middle schoolers several times that drugs and gangs are not a major problem on campus. "If you hang out with the right friends, it won't be a problem," one girl advised.
No worries
Other students were taking the transition in stride, not worrying, but not really looking forward to it, either.
"It's just regular," said Anita Hsiung, a sixth-grader at Ma'ema'e Elementary, with a shrug. "It's just school."
But for Brent Kawamura and Trevor Hu, sixth-graders at Nu'uanu Elementary, the convention answered burning questions about the most important part of the school day: "Lunch," Kawamura said. "I wanted to hear about the choices we get."
Indeed, most of the oohs and aahs the audience had yesterday were for the tales of abundant soft-drink machines, a host of school lunch choices and wiki wiki carts on campus selling churros, milk shakes, brownies and ice cream priced to meet a middle schooler's budget: 50 cents.
Reach Jennifer Hiller at jhiller@honoluoluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
Correction: About 1,700 students attended the Student Transition Convention on Tuesday. The event was organized by the Adult Friends for Youth. A previous version of this story gave an incorrect name for the gathering and did not name the organizer.
