By Damien Memorial ACTION Ambassadors (Class of 2026) Edited by Levanna Eugenio

This past fall break, five Damien Memorial School juniors — Arianni Torres, Kiara Kam, Kaʻili Goodhue, Maddie Pupiales, and Jarrith Rabang — traveled to Kearny, New Jersey, to represent Hawaiʻi at the ACTION Leadership Workshop, a global gathering of Edmund Rice schools.

Guided by the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice and the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education, students from across the world came together for three powerful days of prayer, learning, and collaboration centered on justice, advocacy, and faith in action.

The workshop, held from October 3 to October 5, 2025, featured interactive group activities, inspiring speakers, and hands-on planning sessions designed to help students turn their ideas into meaningful community projects. For the Monarchs, the experience was transformative.

Finding Purpose Through Leadership

“I am so thankful that I was chosen as an ACTION Ambassador. This trip impacted my life in a way I could never have imagined,” shared Kiara Kam.

“Being around so many like-minded and driven individuals inspired me to be a catalyst for meaningful change in my community. I learned the importance of thoughtful collaboration, the key steps in planning an effective project, and how to uplift those in marginalized communities,” she added.

For Arianni Torres, the experience deepened both awareness and conviction. “Being an ACTION Ambassador really opened my eyes to the significant problems that affect all of us,” she said.

“Learning about these issues gives you a stronger passion to help those in need, and ACTION taught us how to advocate for those who can’t yet stand on their own. The best part is that you’re never alone — your fellow ambassadors are always there to guide you and build on your ideas.”

Building a Global Family

The group quickly discovered that ACTION is about more than leadership — it’s about relationship.

“Being chosen as an ACTION Ambassador allowed me to grow as a person within my school, home, and community,” said Kaʻili Goodhue.

“Being around people from different backgrounds who shared that same passion and devotion really inspired me to be the change our community needs. One big thing the ACTION retreat gave me was a group that almost felt like family.”

Jarrith Rabang opened up how the experience challenged him to step outside his comfort zone. “Working alongside my fellow ambassadors taught me how to advocate positively for change and how my voice can make a big impact,” he said.

“Besides brainstorming and creating projects, I met amazing people from other Edmund Rice schools across the world — people I’m proud to now call friends.”

Maddie Pupiales shared, “Becoming an ACTION Ambassador helped me grow into a more passionate and confident leader. I learned how to identify and address issues in my community and how to advocate for them effectively. Meeting people with such diverse perspectives truly inspired me to strengthen and uplift my school and community in lasting ways. ACTION has opened my heart and changed my life forever.”

Sharing Aloha Across the World

Between sessions, the students also found time to laugh, sing, and share their culture — moments that reminded them that leadership can be joyful, too.

“My favorite moments were getting together as a group and connecting with people from around the world,” said Rabang. “The Emmaus Walk at the Meadowlands was especially meaningful — it gave us time to slow down, reflect, and talk about how faith shapes our call to action.”

Kam recalled, “Our lunches gave us time to meet other students and hear their stories. During the Emmaus Walk, I was paired with someone incredibly similar to me — we shared so much and are still great friends today. And at the bonfire, I introduced everyone to mochi, a dessert we love back home in Hawai‘i. Before I knew it, my entire bag was gone! It was such a fun way to share a little piece of our culture.”

That same spirit of aloha shone during talent show night, when Goodhue taught the group a Hawaiian song and a simple, fun hula dance about the numbers one through ten.

“It was such a lighthearted moment that brought everyone together,” she said. “Even those who were shy at first joined in and laughed along — it was something I’ll never forget.”

Ka’ili teaching hula at the ACTION retreat talent show night.

A Weekend That Left a Mark

Pupiales agreed that every part of the weekend left a mark. “It’s hard to choose just one favorite moment from ACTION because every experience held its own significance,” she said.

“Whether it was sharing meals and connecting with new people at different tables, participating in meaningful workshops, or simply enjoying free time together, each moment contributed to building lasting bonds and unforgettable memories. The entire experience was impactful in ways that go beyond words.”

Exploring the Heart of New York City

After the workshop, the ambassadors enjoyed a short visit to New York City — a well-deserved opportunity to explore after representing Damien during this workshop. They visited Times Square, the 9/11 Memorial, and the One World Observatory, where they were amazed by the sweeping view of the city. The group also toured the Metropolitan Museum of Art and visited two breathtaking churches — Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

The Basilica visit was especially meaningful. “It was unlike anything we’ve seen in Hawai‘i,” one student reflected. “It was magnificent — but more than that, it was sacred. You could truly feel God’s presence there.”

Finding Faith in Unexpected Places

The group also experienced some of the city’s lighter moments — enjoying breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, where the singing waitstaff performed Broadway favorites, and riding the Roosevelt Island Tram, a public transportation line they first discovered through TikTok. What started as a spontaneous sightseeing idea turned into one of the trip’s most meaningful moments.

A visit to Roosevelt Island left a lasting impression. Once home to hospitals and asylums where the sick and poor were isolated from society, the site reminded the students of Kalaupapa, where those with Hansen’s disease were exiled — and where Saint Damien of Molokaʻi chose to live and serve.

Like Roosevelt Island, Kalaupapa was a place of isolation — but also of grace. Saint Damien transformed exile into community through love and faith. For the students, the visit became a moment of spiritual reflection: a reminder to see Christ in those who are forgotten and to bring hope where others see hardship.

Continuing the Mission

The group concluded their trip with a spontaneous invitation to visit and tour of Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, where they shadowed some of the same students they had met at the ACTION Workshop. Seeing how their peers integrate faith and advocacy into campus life inspired Damien’s ambassadors to reflect on how they, too, could continue transforming their own community back home.

That evening, the students celebrated their final night in New York by attending Harry Potter and The Cursed Child on Broadway and taking one last walk through Times Square — a joyful ending to a journey filled with faith, friendship, and purpose.

A trip to Broadway to watch Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.

Faith in Action at Damien

Each year, Damien’s junior ambassadors attend ACTION so they can return to campus and create lasting change during their junior and senior years. This year’s team will partner with Sam Atuatasi, Leila Macapagal, Riley Malasig, and Lauryn Paloma — current seniors who attended last year’s workshop — to continue advocacy projects addressing homelessness, the rights of the child, and environmental justice.

“ACTION reminded us that leadership is rooted in faith,” said Theology Department Head and teacher, Rhea Quemado, who coordinates Damien’s delegation.

“It’s about helping students see that they don’t have to wait to make a difference — they can begin right here, right now.”

She also emphasized that the enduring heart of ACTION at Damien has been the commitment of Mr. Jeff McGivern, Campus Minister, who has faithfully nurtured the program for years.

“Jeff has kept this program alive — even through the pandemic,” Quemado added. “He passed the reins to me last year, and mentored me through it this year, but his dedication and faith are the reason our students still have this incredible opportunity today.”

Living the Legacy of Saint Damien

At Damien Memorial, this mission echoes the life of Saint Damien of Molokaʻi, whose ministry to those cast out of society mirrors the vision of Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers. Both men devoted their lives to serving the marginalized through love, faith, and courageous action. Following their example, our students strive to live out that same spirit of service — embodying the call of our wider Church community:

To be a Church without walls for a love without limits.