MHS Graduation Week

Temporary Office

They are remodeling the School Administration building so we have moved into some temporary offices in two of the classrooms.  Lita and Mary with several of the secretaries are in one room.  Rusila and ITEP are sharing another classroom as our office until the remodel is complete.  It was quite a task moving all the textbooks, computers and other equipment and supplies.  Fortunately we had some students help with the move.  We really miss the air conditioning.  Our temporary office has a ceiling fan and another fan on a stand. 

All the walls, ceiling and flooring were removed in preparation for the remodel.  New offices for Lita, Rusila, Mary and ITEP along with a faculty work room will be part of the remodeling project.  A construction company from New Zealand, who are building a chapel in Tarawa, are doing the remodel.  It should be completed before the next school year begins in February.

The debris from the clean up was placed in this very large canvas bag, which was then carried outside and placed in a dump truck to be hauled to the land fill.  We were wondering if we could use this canvas bag as a carry on when we return on the airplane in a few weeks.  Somehow I don't think it would be allowed.

 Taiwanese Performance at Moroni High

On Thursday evening a very popular singing group "Suming and Band" from Taiwan performed at Moroni High School.  The group was on tour performing throughout the Pacific.  The band has won numerous awards as one of the most popular singing group in Taiwan.  The group also won the best Aboriginal Album in 2011 at the Golden Horse Award Ceremony.   The group has performed throughout the world.   Suming and the Band only did three performances in Kiribati, one for President Tong, one at the Parliament and one at Moroni High School.  The Moroni students sat on the floor and really got into the music as Suming and his group performed several numbers.

Originally the performance was going to be outdoors but it began raining very hard so it was moved into the cultural hall.  Which meant it started about an hour and a half later than scheduled.  Prior to the performance a special luncheon was provided the special guests who included many of the village "old men" or "unimanes" ; these men are considered the most important men in a Kiribati village.

Prior to the performance by the Taiwanese group, a traditional dance was performed by Moroni students and a floral garland was placed on the heads of the singers, the unimane elders, and other special guests including President and Sister Shaw and several Taiwanese representatives including the Taiwan's Ambassador to Kiribati and his lovely wife.  It was an enjoyable evening for all in attendance.  The Moroni students especially enjoyed the performance.

The performers wore traditional Taiwanese dress, the significance of which was told to the audience. Suming, the lead singer is the second from the left.  They were very talented musically and use a lot of technology as part of their musical performance

The Taiwanese ambassador introduced the performers and spoke of some of the honors the group had won.  We have met the ambassador at other functions, he is a very gracious man.  He speaks very good English and has spent much time in the USA, where two of his children are currently attending universities.  Suming is standing in front of the group of performers, he has not only won many music awards but also awards for acting.

The backup performers for Suming helped entertain the group.

High School Graduation

Friday, 23 November 2012 was the academic graduation for Moroni High School.  The graduation theme was "Shine Forth".

Lita and her team moved graduation to the morning at 10:00 am in order to better accomadate all the events related to graduation.  President Shaw was the commencement speaker and I had the opportunity to introduce him.  Lita, Sister Shaw, and Sister Thorne were part of the reception line congratulating each student as they received their diplomas from President Shaw.  Form 7 students received a certificate of completion.  Form 7 is coordinated with the University of South Pacific so students can earn college credit.  Normally a representative from the Area Office in New Zealand is the speaker, in order to save money they asked President Shaw to represent the Church Board of Education.

Students marched in carrying the Kiribati and Moroni High School flags. The graduates entered to the traditional graduation entrance music - "pomp and circumstance".

The graduates all sat behind the podium and the Form 7 students sat to the right front of the chapel.

Lita gave the annual report on Moroni High School including the number of graduates in Form 6 and the number of Form 7 students who completed their studies.  She spoke of some of the highlights of the school year both academically and extra curricular.

President Thomas Shaw was the main graduation speaker.  There were also twp student speakers - the academic and career valedictorian.  The academic and career salutatorians gave the prayers and the top Form 7 students introduced the graduation them "Shine Forth" (D&C 115:5).  After the Ambassador from Taiwan said to Lita how much he had enjoyed President Shaw's remarks.  The ambassador said, "It is the Spirit".  I also felt the Spirit as the students spoke and sang and when President Shaw spoke. 

 The singing of the students was magnificent.  They sang beautifully, loud and in harmony, it was a really special graduation for the students - their parents and/or guardians.  Sister Thorne recorded each of the songs they sung and hopes to convert them into a CD to listen to.

Sister Shaw, Sister Thorne, and Lita welcome each graduate as they receive their diplomas after six years of studies at Moroni High for many of the students

Principal Lita, Sister Thorne, Sister Shaw and President Shaw greet and congratulate each student.  Pres. Shaw also handed each their diploma.  Rusila, the assistant principal read the name of each student.

Among the special guests was the High Commissioner for Australia.  The High Commissioner from New Zealand was also in attendance as were representatives from government and other public and church schools.  

The students on the front row in the caps and gowns are holding their diplomas while the Form 7 students are shown in the background, the young ladies wore white dresses and the young men wore dark suits and ties.  It was an impressive site to see all these choice young men and women who will be the future of the Church and leaders of their villages and the Nation.

Following the graduation ceremony the parents and guardian line up outside the chapel to place a lei on their graduating son or daughter.  It is a wonderful tradition, the same tradition is performed at seminary graduation which was held the Sunday before the high school graduation

  Post - Graduation Activities

After the graduation ceremony, the special guests and faculty were invited to a luncheon under a tent in the front of the school.  Some of the special guests besides Pres. and Sister Shaw included the High Commissioners from Australia and New Zealand, The ambassador from Taiwan, one of the Sisters from the Catholic Diocese over education, government officials and others.

A luncheon for honored guests was hosted by Lita immediately after graduation.  It included many traditional dishes including freshly boiled lobsters

Evening Activities

In the evening was another banquet for the Form 6 and Form 7 students, faculty, the missionary couples, Priesthood leaders, and Church employees.  Part of the buffet included two roasted pigs plus all kinds of Kiribati dishes.  The honored guests ate first, then the students, followed by faculty and church employees.

Lots of food was prepared not only on the tables but also on the chairs to the left

Groups of students dressed in similar outfits for the evening activities, which include every student and partner being introduced at the dance.  The young men and young women dressed very sharply for the occasion.

Two large pigs were roasted for the banquet for the students, there was only one problem.  They forgot to bring a knife to cut the pork.  So most of the students had finished eating before the pigs were carved.  There mus have been a lot of pork left over, but the faculty and church employees did their best to limit any left overs.

The graduates and Form 7 students  enjoying the banquet in their honor.

Some younger family members caught the spirit of the evening and dressed 

Following the banquet, everyone including parents and guardians went to the outdoor courts to honor the students graduating; as well as the Form 7 students.  The decorations were very impressive as were the dances and singing.  A faculty graduation committee worked for several weeks in preparation of the event.

The hut used for the decorations was begun several weeks in advance at the school shop.  The frame for the hut was first constructed, then mats were placed on the roof trusses.

The mats made from Pandanus leaves were buried in the ocean for several weeks and then woven into long mats.  These were placed on the structure about 8 to 10 inches apart in a layered pattern.  This makes the traditional roof for the Kiribati huts which are seen all over the islands.

Once the roof is completed the leaves are trimmed to make a nice appearance.  The traditional roof is water proof and is much cooler inside than metal or wooden shingles used in Western society structures.

The finished product as the roof structure was placed above the platform of the small living quarters.  Mats were hung in the back of the hut and placed on the platform where people sat during the performance.

At traditional Kiribati fishing canoe was included as part of the decorations for the evening performance.  The canoes are still used for fishing and also races.

Mats were hung around the basketball standards and many floral arrangements were included in the decorations.  Fatele (shown on the right) and Banririe (not in the picture) chaired the decoration committee. Teaka was the chairman of the graduation committee, they did a marvelous job.  They would put most Jr. Prom decorations in the states to shame.

The final decorations included the small hut, the boat,  flowers, palm trees, coral rock, and a variety of native fruits including pandanus, bananas, and breadfruit were all part of the elaborate decorations for the evening activities

What the finished decorations looked like when finally completed.  It was very beautiful and required hours and hours of work by the graduation committee.

Palm trees were cut down and placed in containers and a variety of fruit was hung such as the pandanus fruit in this photo

Coconuts were on display in this photo

The hut is getting ready to be put in place

The center poll with balloons tied to it and lights strung from the cortage were part of the decor for the evening

Some of the faculty performed traditional dances for the graduates and their parents in the rain.  Some of them were really soaked by the time they finished, but they kept on dancing.

An Early Farewell Party

Sister Thorne visits with the Bro. & Sister Tune prior to the celebration honoring our selves and others who were visiting or soon leaving Kiribati

In this post you will see many photos and video clips of traditional Kiribati songs and dances at a celebration which was held November 2, 2012 in the cultural hall on the Moroni High School campus.   Moroni High School faculty and staff along with the Kiribati Service Center employees planned and participated in this wonderful activity.  The video clips may not work on some portable devices, so you may want to view them from your computer.  We hope it gives you a small indication of some of the traditions, you and happiness so readily expressed by the I-Kiribati people.

The Moroni High School Faculty and Church employees had a farewell party for Elder and Sister Ogborn and for ourselves (the Thorne's) on November 2nd.  Even though we are not leaving until December 10th, the committee felt it best to thank us and the Ogborns while all the faculty and employees were still on campus.  School graduation is November 24th and many of the faculty, staff, and Church employees will be leaving to a variety of different locations.

It was a wonderful evening filled with dancing, singing, food and good friends.  The I-Kiribati people really know how to have a good time singing, smiling, laughing and dancing.  Other special guests besides the Ogborns and ourselves included Dr. Wayne Chisholm  and his dental team (Sister Fehi Zollinger, Bro Jared and Akihisa Lopez). Others special guests included Elder and Sister Youngberg, who recently arrived to take the Ogborns place and  Elder and Sister Wayas from the Marshall Island Mission home were visiting Tarawa for a week.  The Wayas' went away with a very good impression of Kiribati and its people.

After an opening hymn, prayer, and welcome by Lita - we very much enjoyed the entrance of ladies of the faculty and Church employees performing traditional Kiribati dancing.  The men sat on the floor and sang as the ladies danced.  

The Evening Began with Ladies doing Traditional I-Kiribati Dances

This clip shows lady teachers and church employees entering from two different doors and then performing a tradition I-Kiribati Dance.  Note the flowers tied to their arms and hands as they tell an island story as the dance. 

The evening began with the ladies dancing and the men sitting and singing as the ladies did traditional Kiribati dances

Lita leading the dancers from another entrance.  Note the flowers tied to the arms and wrists as part of the traditional dance wardrobe.  At the end of the dance the garlands on their heads are place on the honored guests heads.  The I-Kiribti traditional dances are unlike others in the Pacific.

Another dance by the ladies as the men sing and chant.  The men are also using a large wooden box to slap their hands for the rhythm of the dance.  Sister Bush joins the faculty and church employees in the dancing.

As the dancers exit, you hear squeals of delight and laughter in the background as dozens of students outside stood by the window and watched their teachers dance.  You also hear the students in many of the other video clips as they also join in the joy of the evening  After the exit the ladies returned and placed their floral garlands on the heads of the honored guests as is customary on such occasions.

Elder and Sister Ogborn completed their mission in early November and were special guest at the celebration.  This was their third mission together.  They live in Orem and will be missed by many people both members and nonmembers.

As part of the farewell party we were presented with beautiful lava lava's with paintings of the islands and atolls of Kiribati.  We also were presented a seashell necklace which they lovingly placed around our neck.  It was a wonderful evening which we will always remember and be grateful for the good people in Kiribati

The Church Employees Next Sat on the Floor to Sing

Church employees join the faculty at Moroni High School as they sing songs related to the Kiribati culture.  They are very good singers and harmonize very well as they follow the energetic music directors. The songs begin slowly and pick up pace as the evening progresses.  As is customary the special guests were first served from a large buffet table of a variety of Kiribati foods.  We ate as the other sang and danced, they finally got to eat at the end of the program.

This is the wooden box that is used for the drum to keep rhythm for the dancers and singers.  It is about 4x4 ft, the outer layer is made of plywood covering the sides and the top.  As you can see from the photos there are two holes drilled on each side of the box.  

Inside of the box, note the square pieces of plywood around each hole.  In the center is a tin box with each side sliced to help reverberate the sound as the men slap their hand on the top of the box

Men sit around the box an strike it with their hand to provide rhythm for the dancers and singers.  It does make a loud drum beat sound.  Some men place a sheet of foam rubber on the top of the box to protect their hands.

They sat on the floor and sang to the accompaniment of guitars and ukuleles 

The group is led by Arieta TEKAURA, a very energetic teacher - who works with some of the choral groups at Moroni.  Under his leadership Moroni won 1st place among all the high schools in Tarawa at the National Music Festival held during Independence Week.  This is a little faster paced song as he points to different sisters some of them will get up and do a short dance and others will spontaneous stand and dance.  There is great joy and laughter as they sing, sway, and dance. 

Sometimes girls just have to have a little fun, as Marian the school nurse performs for the dental team and other Sisters do some impromptu performances. 

Elder and Sister Ogborn were Humanitarian missionaries and have recently returned to their home in Orem.  Sister Youngberg is on the far right

Bro. & Sister Lopez and Sister Zollinger are part of the dental team who accompanied Dr. Wayne Chisholm to provide voluntary service to the students and staff at Moroni

Sister Thorne enjoying the entertainment with the floral head garland giving to honored guests

These men helped accompany - as the large group sang many songs during the evening.  Bouri is in the right front of the picture, Bro Iobata is behind him,  Pres Maamau is playing the Ukulele on the left.  During the early songs where the men and women sit together and sing these men provided the accompaniment.  Later on in the program the large wooden box is added and several men sat around it to provide loud drumming which really gets the people swaying and dancing.

Three Moroni High teachers (left to right - Tirtaake, Ataruru, and Teaa) who performed by singing and dancing.  Tirtaake will be going to BYU-Hawaii in December on the Church Teacher Scholarship.  Teaa is the wife of the new stake President and also attended BYU-H on the teacher scholarship a few years ago.  Their smiles can light up a room.

Brother and Sister Iabata (Lita is the school principal and Bro. Iabata is a policeman and also the weight lifting coach for Kiribati)

Another song where the participants really sing and sway to the music. As the drum beat increases so does the spontaneous dancing as some of the ladies decide to perform in front of the honored guest.  It was great fun for all

Tiito is on the right and Sister Tune on the left.  Sister Tune is one of the early members of the Church in Kirabati.  She and her husband attended Liahona High School in Tonga where they were converted and baptized and later were married, the first I-Kiribati couple married in the temple

Marinoa (standing) is the school librarian, she was with the first group from Kiribati to go to Liahona High School in Tonga and was one of the first 12 from the Gilbert Islands to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Tarara is the lead secretary for the school and helped organize the food for the event

Mary is the school counselor and is one of our ITEP students - completing her teaching certificate

Good close up photo of Mary - she is always happy and a joy to be around

 

The men and women enjoy the singing while sitting and gaining energy and enthusiasm from each other

Emely teaches Biology and is taking ITEP courses.  She is a very good student and we enjoy having her in the ITEP classes

Left to right: Tiritaake, Teaa, Rusila, and Turian

Rusila and Turian perform a dance in front of the honored guest

Bweria is one of the school secretaries and is also a participant in the ITEP classes.  She uses many of the traditional Kiribati skills.  She wove Sister Thorne a beautiful hat out of pandanus leafs while we were on an island retreat.  It is a keep sake we treasure.

Tetobi on the left - Rebwa in the center and Tanouea are some of our ITEP students

Turian is Stake Relief Society President and has attended several of the courses we have taught.  She is a judge for many of the traditional dance festivals in Kiribati.  Babai on the right is also an ITEP participant

President and Sister Tune.  President Tune was the first Tarawa District President and served for about 15 years.  Later was the first Stake President, and has also served as a Bishop and he and Sister Tune are truly early pioneers of the Church in Kiribati.  He is a former Principal of Moroni and now serves as the Director of the Kiribati Service Center. 

The dancers are as beautiful on the inside as on the outside.  They have great smiles and beautiful teeth.  She teaches seminary as a long term substitute and the students love her. 

Several of the teachers getting ready to sing (right to left - Turian, Rusila, Teaa, Marian, Tiritaaki)

Rusila is the Assistant Principal of Moroni High and is a very good singer and dancer

Bishop Tione was hired during the past year as a seminary teacher and is one of our ITEP participants

Some of the teachers doing a traditional male dance while other sitting on the floor sing and provide rhythm with large wooden box that serves as a drum

Maingtatara teaches English and is also working on his ITEP teaching certificate.  He could  have made a great tight end at college but no one recruits the I-Kiribati.  There are some great athletes in Kiribati

As the evening ends all the participants stand and sing some farewell songs to the special guests

All the group join in singing a farewell song, that is traditional as people leave Kiribati encouraging them to return in the future

This farewell song was sung at the airport as students left AKAS school to attend Liahona High School in Tonga as well as other locations.  It truly touched our hearts as they wave goodbye at the end of the song.

Each village has a maneaba where the community often gather to sing and dance similar to many of those shown it the clips in this post.  One of the beauties and the innocence of the island is due to the lack of television and other media.  People gather to create their own entertainment and fun, as well as to continue many of the traditions of the I-Kiribati people.  It is a shame that this type of group gatherings are rare in more developed countries.

This was an evening we shall never forget, the love and friendship of the I-Kiribati people is so genuine and caring.  It will be very difficult to leave these humble and obedient sons and daughters of God.