Senior Kaimana Henriques supports his family’s thriving business.

As high school seniors at Saint Louis High School prepare for the next phase of their lives, many are already deeply engaged in various roles beyond the classroom. Three seniors shared their unique experiences between balancing academics, work, and extracurricular activities, shedding light on the journey toward college and life after Saint Louis.

At Saint Louis, there are many seniors who are in the workforce, but Kaimana Henriques is a special case. Henriques is a senior who works for his family’s popular locally-owned restaurant, Fresh Catch. “Ever since I was seven I would always be helping my dad with whatever he needed to be done with work,” says Henriques. Henriques has a number of daily responsibilities as both a student and a worker. From “doing errands for my father and grandma most of the time… and baking on the weekends for Fresh Catch.”

Fresh Catch gained national exposure in  Guy Fieri’s popular “Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives” show on the Food Network. This unique opportunity has not only enriched Kaimana’s life but also “has helped my family’s company expand and make a profit,” says Henriques. The TV exposure and expansion have overwhelmingly benefitted them, facilitating the opening of multiple restaurants on Oahu and allowing his family to purchase commercial property in Kaneohe to continue developing their business.

Another senior at Saint Louis, that also keeps busy beyond the Saint Louis classroom. Thomas Atou recently enrolled in a college English class at Chaminade University, learning to navigate the differing challenges between the high school and college environment. Despite an initial adjustment, Atou finds support and collaboration among friends in his college class, easing the transition. Atou’s motivation stems from the fact that he, “would love to finish college early.”

While his classmates work in a family business or focus on early college classes, Bubba Shea-Park has created an opportunity to combine his love of sports with work.  Shea-Park, a youth league basketball referee, highlighted his unique role in mentoring young athletes while juggling the demands of high school. Refereeing youth basketball games provides Shea-Park with a unique job experience, but also the opportunity to impart knowledge and sportsmanship to the next generation of players. Despite challenges in adapting to the pace of the game, he finds fulfillment in contributing to the development of young athletes. Shea-Park’s motivation comes from  “My family … I want to be able to provide and help support them,” says Shea-Park. “I also am inspired by the next generation of players who are looking to learn the game of basketball.”

Whether through college courses, business experience or community involvement, these three Saint Louis High School seniors exemplify the resilience, determination, and adaptability needed for success in higher education and beyond. Their experiences serve as inspiration to future generations, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities along the way and embracing the challenges that will pave their way in future.