Students Explore Passions and Purpose though Independent Projects
April 20th, 2023
Students admire the 3D model Ava A. constructed for her Independent Project on interior design.
As part of a La Pietra student's journey to discover their own unique sense of purpose, those in their junior year take part in an Independent Project. This offers students the opportunity to spend 40 hours on a passion project on any given subject, and every year, the projects showcase their creativity, vision, and community engagement. Independent Projects by this year's students included topics like animation, ocean conservation, and even the importance of fishponds in Hawaii.
Presentations took place during the second annual Celebration of Learning event. While the day started with a celebratory bento lunch and sweet treats by Kona Ice, the new tradition serves to recognize the culmination of the Independent Project. Mahalo to our visiting alumnae Allison Mikuni '86 and board member Colleen Finnegan '76 who joined us for the event on campus! They enjoyed a lunch with our senior ambassadors and also had the opportunity to watch our juniors present their passion projects.
celebration of learning photos
INDEPENDENT PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
"exploring my passion for interior design" – ava a.
Junior Ava A. had grown up watching her family members take on huge renovation projects. Seeing the homes they were remodeling come to life was something that always interested her. For her Independent Project, Ava was able to expand upon this passion by studying the process of interior design and interning at Jamie Jackson Design. In the end, she created a 3D model of a home that she herself designed.
"I think homes can be personal and important spaces, and I think this has been one of the many reasons the interior of a home is fascinating to me," Ava said. "I want to be more knowledgeable about what it takes to create these spaces that become really sacred and impact us."
"JOURNALISM & COMMUNICATIONS" – ELYSSA a.
Junior Elyssa A. has always had a passion for English and hoped to explore journalism as a potential career path. Through a news internship at Hawaii News Now and by working alongside alumna Rachel Wagenman '09, La Pietra's director of communications, Elyssa was able to experience the difference between journalism and public relations.
Elyssa had the opportunity to shadow experienced journalists, trying her hand at reporting and interviewing, and also engaged with her island and school community by writing articles that were published on HawaiiNewsNow.com and LaPietra.edu.
"reworked by remy" – remy k.
With an interest in upcycling clothes, junior Remy K. decided to try her hand at starting her own business by selling thrifted clothes she was able to rework into new pieces.
"I find that I’m spending way too much money on clothes," Remy said. "I feel it would be more economical and resourceful to use old clothes I have buried in my closet, or cheaper second hand clothes from thrift stores, to create desirable clothes for others and myself."
Through her project, Remy recognized the impact of fast fashion on our environment and hoped to be a part of the solution. She ended up creating her brand, "Reworked by Remy," which you can now find on Instagram.
"CERAMICS" – MIA P.
Looking for a hobby and interest that defined her, junior Mia P. chose to pursue her new love of ceramics as her Independent Project. It also served as a way to better understand and connect with her ancestors, as historically, it is what her family was known for.
"When I first started working with ceramics, it felt very natural and special," Mia said. "I want to learn about ceramics because of how important art is and how every small detail tells a million stories."
To give back to her community, Mia finished off her project by donating a box of her finished ceramics pieces to Manoa Community Gardens.
