Vibe Extreme

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
opens in Ordot

By John Mugol
Vibe Reporter

Photo: New beginning: The newest Catholic high school on island is St. Thomas Aquinas, which is located in Ordot.

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School opened its doors this school year. The school conducts classes in a temporary classroom building next to the San Juan Bautista Catholic Church in Ordot, but is looking for a permanent location to have their classes.

This school is named after St. Thomas Aquinas, who was a well known scholar and priest. “Wonder is the desire for knowledge”, a famous quote from St. Thomas Aquinas, is something that this school lives by as its motto. Mitsihero Motomura, a senior at St. Thomas who transferred from John F. Kennedy High School, says, “Going to a new school on my last year is a challenge, because St. Thomas offers hard subjects.”

He likes that St. Thomas Aquinas is a small school. “I like the fact that there’s no overcrowding, and here at St. Thomas you know everyone,” Motomura adds.

Motomura says, “The environment at St. Thomas is very comfortable, the teachers really help us a lot.”
For interscholastic sports, St. Thomas and Okkodo High School are teaming up for the year. St. Thomas Physical Education classes are being held at the LeoPalace Resort, which is nearby; students can use the swimming pool and lift weights.

For nutrition, LSG sky chefs cater the food at St. Thomas and it consists of a daily menu. The school is currently seeking more students to attend this school, which is open to the public. “Anyone can attend St. Thomas, no matter what faith they believe in,” says Principal, Dr. Hauhouot Diambra-Odi.

Contents

A Quarterly Publication Of The Pacific Daily News
December 2008

Publisher

  • Rindraty Celes Limtiaco

INFORMATION CENTER

  • Managing Editor
  • David Crisostomo

Vibe Coordinators

  • Kim Alba
  • Mark-Alexander Pieper

Visual Editor

  • Cid Caser

Designer

  • Brian Williams

Photographers

  • Jacqueline Hernandez
  • Masako Watanabe

VIBE Staff

2008-2008

  • Mawee Calilung
  • Alysa Durham
  • Liesl Flores
  • Danielle Gervacio
  • Aguarin Iriarte
  • Mariane Mandanas
  • Stephanie McDonald
  • John Mugol
  • Trixie Naholowaa
  • Shanice Poe
  • Tanna Tarpley
  • Margaret Wang

2007-2008

  • Akina Chargualaf
  • Melia Cruz
  • Levanna Eugenio
  • Danielle Gervacio
  • Regine Gonzales
  • Johanna Jorgensen
  • Mariane Mandanas
  • David Matsumoto
  • David Mercado
  • Jerick Sablan
  • Tanna Tarpley
  • Margaret Wang

ADVERTISING

  • Advertising Director
  • Jae Fermin Medina

Online Director

  • Ratna Williams

About the cover

Cover Photo by

  • Jacqueline Hernadez

Cover Design by

  • Brian Williams

On the cover

  • George Washington High School Senior Theodore Nelson was named Interscholastic Footbal League’s All-Island Quarterback.

Vibe Calendar

December 2008

Dec. 13

  • JFK Christmas Ball at Holiday Resort, Tumon.

Dec. 18

  • AOLG Christmas program
    St. Thomas Aquinas science fair.

Dec. 19

  • St. Thomas Aquinas Parent-teacher conference at 4 p.m.
  • GW Battle of the Bands
  • Harvest: End of second quarter
    Southern High School, professional development day. Students will be dismissed by 11:45 a.m.

Dec. 20

  • AOLG Christmas ball at the Westin Resort Guam’s Cafe Kalachucha
    Okkodo High School Christmas gala

Dec. 23

  • GW Winter Production “The Wonderful World of Disney” at GATE
    Theater in Tiyan. 6 to 9 p.m.

Dec. 24

  • Okkodo High School
    Christmas dance

Dec. 30

  • Simon Sanchez Christmas ball
    “Jingle Bell Rock” at Hotel Nikko Guam.

Christmas breaks

  • Dec. 19 to Jan. 5: Academy of Our Lady of Guam and Father Duenas Memorial School
  • Dec. 19 to Jan. 6: Notre Dame High School
  • Dec. 20 to Jan. 4: GW and JFK High Schools
  • Dec. 20 to Jan. 5: Harvest Christian
  • Dec. 22 to Jan. 4: Southern and Simon Sanchez High Schools
  • Dec. 22 to Jan. 5: Guam High School
  • Dec. 22 to Jan. 7: St. Paul Christian School
  • Dec. 24 to Jan. 4: St. Thomas Aquinas

January 2009

Jan. 5

  • GPSS schools, Guam High School
    resume classes.

Jan. 9

  • GPSS second quarter ends.

Jan. 10

  • Class of 2010 Bowling Fundraiser
    at Central Lanes in Tamuning

Jan. 18

  • GWHS Class of 2010 Putts Up Miniature Golf Fundraiser

Jan. 19

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
    observance. No classes.
  • Flexible makeup day for
    public schools.

Jan. 20-22

  • Guam High School semester exams

Jan. 22

  • Guam High School, end of second quarter and first semester

Jan. 23

  • Southern High School, professional development day. Students will be dismissed by 11:45 a.m.

Jan. 26-30

  • Catholic Schools Week

Feb. 3

  • FD Day at Father Duenas.
    No classes.

Feb. 14

  • Simon Sanchez High School
    Sweethearts Ball. Venue to be
    announced.

At A Glance

  • Principal: Dr. Hauhouot Diambra-Odi
  • School village: Ordot
  • School colors: Blue and Gold
  • Contact info: 473-7821
  • Population: 2


John Mugol Vibe Extreme vibe@guampdn.com