By Ramil Lorenzo Gonzalez
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Members of the Associated Students of Mililani High School (ASMHS) and the Student Council got a treat on June 25 and 26 at Camp Mokuleia, where outdoor games and campfire gatherings helped strengthen bonds between the officers.

“We actually had no idea what it was going to be like,” Sophomore Vice President Rachel Yonamine confessed. “I wasn’t so hyped up about it at first, because I was like ‘Oh, leadership camp … fun …’ But you know, it actually was really, really fun.”

Yonamine was among over 40 students, including some members of the Video Game Club, that participated in the overnighter, organized by Student Activities Coordinator Gail Nishimura. She felt that the officers could use more bonding to unify the school’s governing body, especially between the different classes. “I wanted to get incoming officers to know each other,” she said, “And the one way they could trust and work together was at Camp Mokuleia.”

The trip was first organized last year with the Video Game Club, though a disappointing turnout of school officers led to Nishimura’s decision to make the event mandatory. Many officers had their initial doubts, including Junior Vice President Rachel Brewer, who said, “I was slightly apprehensive about it, because of the previous years’ bond, between the seniors and the rest of the (classes). We were kind of distant.”

Prior to the camp, relations between the different class councils were quite weak due to a lack of interaction, according to Brewer.”Our class of 2013 council is a close-knit bunch,” she said, “But between the different councils …  we’re not as close because we don’t spend as much time together.”

Things at the camp, however, changed the opinions of many, where activities like ropes courses, sand sculpting, and marshmallow roasting managed to bring the students closer together.  “After that camp, I wasn’t just close to my council,” Yonamine said. “We strengthened our bond even more and I got to know the rest of the council … They’re actually really cool people.”

Brewer mirrored the opinion, claiming that the whole student body is a much stronger group after their camp experience. “We all walked away from camp like best friends,” she said. “We’re not afraid to talk to each other when we need something … We all get along so much better than we probably would have if we didn’t go to that camp.”

Back in school, there already seemed to be a change in the social atmosphere. Nishimura noticed an increased friendliness between the officers. “They seem to all get along well,” she mentioned. “I heard today they even eat lunch together at school and do energizers … I don’t think the student government kids have sat together before, unless they were friends before.” With the success of this last camp trip, students like Brewer and Yonamine are now eagerly awaiting next year’s get-together.”I really want to do another camp, and actually the rest of the councils are all excited,” said Brewer.

Nishimura hopes the program will continue to start off every school year on a good note.