Kailua school's jubilee lu'au set
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KAILUA — This community's oldest private school will celebrate a half-century of service this year, having provided a Catholic education to more than 13,000 children on Windward O'ahu since 1952.
• What: St. Anthony's School 50th Anniversary Jubilee • When: Saturday; Mass at 5 p.m., lu'au at 6:30 p.m. • Price: $15 for adults, $12 for children 12 and under.
St. Anthony's School will mark its jubilee with a lu'au for alumni and the community and with a $500,000 electrical upgrade for its classrooms.
At a glance
The celebration commemorates the school's service to the community and to the children, said Andrea Van Gieson, school secretary for 26 years. The school also has prepared a special historical display for the lu'au.
"We always said we're the best-kept secret in Kailua," Van Gieson said, adding that the party is a way to bring more of the community on campus.
The school was founded by Father Michael Henry, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet taught there. Today only one nun remains, with lay teachers filling out the positions.
The school, with 345 students in preschool to eighth grade, offers small classes, individual attention and Christian values, Van Gieson said.
"The spiritual values are so important to children of today," she said, adding that today's children are different from those of 26 years ago, when she first arrived at the school. "They're more self-assured and independent."
The jubilee also will kick off a campaign to locate alumni and create a directory of those who attended the school.
The lu'au will include a silent auction and entertainment by Melveen Leed, Ko'u Mana'o, Kilinahe and the St. Anthony Parish School Halau, Van Gieson said.
The school has been working hard to raise money for the electrical upgrade, and officials say the project will provide the technology students need, including Internet access in every classroom.
