b'Sporting T-shirts that readtrying to get through: college is doable and a rewardingearly college director at Chaminade, who leads the Dream Big: I go to College,experience. Wed like it to be Chaminade, but it doesntorganization of I Go To College. fifth graders and chaperones gather outside Sullivan Familyhave to be.After an introduction, the students attend 30-minute Library before their day atTo create the link to Chaminade, Llewellyn Young,classes taught by Chaminade faculty. Bro. Ed taught Chaminade University of superintendent of Hawaii Catholic Schools, broughta lesson on Laudato S, Pope Francis encyclical on care Honolulu in February 2025. the idea to Chaminade President Lynn Babington andfor our common home, and its special significance to Provost Lance Askildson. Young came with a trackthe Hawaiian ecosystem. record of success, having been involved in the originalSome of the students had heard about Laudato S; version of the program in Arizona public schools moreto others, it was new, he said. But sustainability and than a decade ago. climate change are important for these kids. When With about 400 fifth graders a year from 17 Catholictheres a change in water level, they see dramatic schools, Chaminade started the sessions in 2023. Thechange. They understand more readily than we can on one-day program is designed for approximately 200the mainland, so we wanted them to know what the students per day, who are divided into groups of 20Catholic Church had to say about it. The students were to 30. In addition to Oahu, where Chaminade is excited. They were very engaged in a 30-minute class. located, students come from Maui, the Big Island,Other popular sessions include setting an interfaith and Kauai. Some rise and shine by 4 a.m. to get totable, forensic science and crime scene investigation, campus on time. Hawaii Catholic Schools handlesa poetry walk around campus, the data science the logistics to get the students and chaperones to teachers presentation on artificial intelligence, an campus on Oahu.engineering design challenge of landing on a moon We have had Hawaii Catholic Schools behind of Mars, agriculture and food waste, and biodiversity. us from the start, and we have a 100 percent buy-inA highlight during the lunch break, Baxter said,from the schools, said Kim Baxter, professor andis when we bring all the clubs and student athletes 10Call 1.800.348.4732'