Kumu Kaipo Leopoldino and Ms. Sara Souza continue to embrace the tremendous responsibilities and duties as the Senior Advisors for the Saint Louis graduating class of 2024.
Each Saint Louis School division, from middle to high school, is represented by two teachers who serve as the class advisors. These class advisors are responsible for organizing events throughout the school year for their division. However, for Senior Advisors, it’s a whole different ball game.
Senior Advisors coordinate senior student participation in events for Homecoming, Senior Prom, Senior Luau, Senior fundraisers, as well as the Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation ceremony. “It takes a lot of planning and a lot of cooperation…,” says Leopoldino, “but I’m really confident that if we plan really good things we’re gonna get that cooperation.”
For these Senior Advisors who are in charge of the many senior year events, it can be very stressful at times. Leopoldino explains that, “I think what’s gonna make me the most stressed is really just keeping our class and myself organized with all the different things.”
One of the more challenging aspects is “getting the young men to listen, being able for them to cooperate, and them being as excited as I am for the new things they will get to do,” shares Souza.
Despite the inevitable challenges, both Souza and Leopoldino believe there are many exciting things to look forward to throughout the year. As a first-time Senior Advisor, Souza is looking forward to seeing the seniors “lead by example” for their younger Crusader brothers. It is a “leadership role that a lot of them come into,” says Souza
For Leopoldino, this isn’t his first time in this role, serving as a Senior Advisor for the Class of 2020, and is looking forward to the seniors enjoying improved senior privileges than in past years. He is also excited for the seniors to experience, “all of the Proms, our Senior Luau, getting their aloha shirts and all of these different things that [reflect] their… time here.”
The success that comes from the partnership of Leopoldino and Souza is exemplified in the strong friendship they’ve developed over the years. They compliment each other‘s strengths. “She’s super organized and analytical… I have really good ideas and I’m a really good talker,” explains Leopoldino.
Souza shares similar views on their partnership. “We work well with each other because I get to organize the background scenes and he is [at] the forefront of everything.”
There are many things in store for Leopoldino and Souza this school year as they move closer to the final event, the Graduation ceremony. This duo is going to have their hands full with the help of their continued organization and planning as they continue the year. Regardless of how busy it gets, both Leopoldino and Souza are up for the challenge and ready to take it on.
