TOP STORY:
Students from Maui High School in Kahului tell the story of Bristyl Dempsey, a thirteen-year-old girl who suffers from Tourette Syndrome – a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. Bristyl’s symptoms surfaced when she was in intermediate school. Her tics made her the target of teasing and ridicule by fellow students, and one teacher mistook Bristyl’s involuntary tics as intentional misbehaving in class. Given the pressures this caused, Bristyl’s mother thought it would be better for her daughter to be home-schooled. During her year of home-schooling, Bristyl’s symptoms improved with therapies such as meditation, and her self- esteem increased. She entered Maui High School this year as a freshman and looks forward to a mainstream school experience with her friends and extra-curricular activities such as cheerleading.

ALSO FEATURED:
Students from Mid-Pacific Institute on Oahu profile ukulele phenom Jody Kamisato, who chose the high-risk/high-reward route of opening his own music school over the option of being an employee of someone else’s school.

Students from Wheeler Middle School in Central Oahu offer tips on how to prepare an emergency kit in the event of a hurricane.

Students from Kalani High School in East Honolulu introduce us to The Canvas, a student-designed, student-run work/play space in Kalihi.

Continuing with the theme of students creating their own venues of expression, we take a look at a past HIKI NŌ story from Maui Waena Intermediate School about a high school student who created a youth version of TEDex.

Students from Kapolei High School in Central Oahu tell the story of a youth volunteer at the no-kill animal shelter OSPCA (Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

This episode of HIKI NŌ is hosted by Ewa Makai Middle School.

This program encores Saturday, March 12 at 12:30 pm and Sunday, March 13 at 3:00 pm. You can also view HIKI NŌ episodes on our website, www.pbshawaii.org/hikino.