During my high school years at Punahou school, I hung out at a green picnic table affectionately refered to by my friends and I as "the bench." The 20 or so of us who called ourselves "benchers" formed lasting friendships which endure to this day. Here are a few pictures of things we did together in our fondly remembered days at Punahou.
Here's a good portion of us "benchers." Many came and went from our bench,
and all were welcome anytime, but those shown here are in it for the long haul.
We supported each other at the events which meant a lot to us. Here Joy, Pegge, me, Katy, and Quincey
had just attended Joy, Pegge, and Katy's confirmation at St. Ann's Catholic Church of Kaneohe.
We met up before big events so we could be together.
Here before a school dance clockwise from Maura (with the red shirt) are: Maury, Joy, Joycelyn, Julie, Val, Sara, and Mitch.
Jess, me and Joy definitely had some school spirit. Everyone just seems to love Punahou, even if they didn't go there.
I can see you frowning, little sis :o)
This was an awesome Olomana hike that Sara, Willy and I did. The weather was perfect, it was a beautiful day.
Here's Pegge, Sara, Tariq, Wendy, Maury and Willy during some down time at the bench.
Don't ask me WHAT Tariq is doing, he was never very explainable.
This was our end of sophomore year bash at Willy's house (thanks again Aunty Sara!) L to R, T to B: Kelly, Katy, Joy, Kim, Jeff, Erin, Liz, Sara, Laurie, Maury, Emi, and Wendy. The bands on our heads represent the three teams for the afternoon, based on the potential carnival fabrics: palaka, gingham, and cow fabric. Let's just say it's a long story.
This is a picture from one of Joy's many awesome birthday parties at Magic Island.
Here we're grubbing on ono food before heading for the water.
Clockwise from Jeff (with army hat): Jeff, Marie, Willy, Summer, Alana, Anne, Joy, Maury and Erin.
Marie, Joy, and I ditched our dates temporarily at junior function because we knew the value of friendship between us girls.
Willy, Joy, Joycelyn, Val and Sara pause for a moment from their everyday activities which looking back on we now appreciate and remember so fondly. We went back to the bench between classes, knowing that whoever was there was a friend. The Bench was a sanctuary, a place where we could go and feel safe. It protected us from our worries and troubles, and provided happiness and joy. The Bench was not just some wooden structure held together with a few nails, but instead a community of friends who were always there for each other through the good and bad times.
