It was a special week for me, as my father was visiting Kauaʻi for only his second time ever. A year ago, we were all new and I didnʻt quite know how to help my dad get to know Kauaʻi. A year later we had great fun spying sea turtles along the coastal walk in Poʻipū, noting how the pools were created at Lydgate to protect even the youngest swimmers from the power of the ocean, introducing my dad to Kaiola Canoe Club members and coaches and seeing the V1s Milo paddles in vs. the OC6 ones that I go out in, and enjoying the bumpy ride to Polihale in order to marvel at the beautiful waves, the feather-soft sand, and the beginning of the Napali cliffs. We had such a lovely time experiencing together what Kauaʻi has to offer. But before my dad left to head back to California on Thursday afternoon, I had an idea that he could help with National History Day… 

When my dad was here a year ago, the timing was the same, and he saw some of the projects and enjoyed talking to students about their work. However, I was too new to catch the call out for judges that Ms. Nause and Mr. Gegan do each year. This time, when I saw that my own schedule didn’t allow me to serve as a judge, I had the great idea to recruit my dad! Well, I thought it was a great idea, but my dad wasn’t so sure. I coaxed and cajoled, trying to help him see that the teachers really needed volunteers and that he would have fun. He was nervous. He didnʻt want to disappoint anyone and he was worried that he needed to be an expert on the content the students were presenting. Ms. Nause gave me all the tips for me to be able to reassure my dad, and he eventually came around and said, “OK, Iʻll do my best.” And WOW, what a treat it was.

I was so impressed by the students' work to prepare for National History Day as well as their readiness to be interviewed to “defend” their projects. The theme this year was “Rights and Responsibilities in History” and the students in 7th and 8th Grade all worked hard to create individual and group research papers and then presentations for the National History Day Fair. Students took their projects seriously and spoke earnestly about the importance of individual and community rights alongside the responsibilities that go along with them. I was able to peek in on the process in the Wilcox Gym on Thursday morning, saw my dad with a group of student judges doing their work together, got to read many of the 7th and 8th Grade presentations, and even got to listen in on some of the interviews taking place.  

Kudos to Ms. Nause and Mr. Gegan who led their students through this valuable research and presentation process. If you didnʻt get a chance to come through during the National History Day “Open House” or serve as a judge, here is a sample of some of the projects:

…and so many more!  

On Thursday evening, I was delighted to receive an email from a parent who served as a judge who shared, “...[They] gave me hope today with their women’s equality NHD projects.”  If you’re a family member or family friend of a 7th or 8th Grader, if you haven’t already, please ask them about their project topic and what they think about issues of rights and responsibilities that we all have as community members. I have no doubt you’ll be in for a meaningful conversation.

As always, thank you for the privilege to work with you and your children during these important years of their lives.

Together,

Nancy Nagramada P’29 

Head of School

n.nagramada@ischool.org 

P.S.

Don’t forget to buy your tickets today for our Annual Gala - Voyage Under the Stars! Your support in whatever capacity you can for this important event is critical to our success. Mahalo for joining in on our shared effort that helps us raise funds for Financial Aid so that we can continue to be a school that truly represents the beautiful diversity of Kauaʻi.