Chaminade University of Honolulu

Campus Ministry

Got GRIT? These Student-Athletes Do

Chaminade student-athletes gathered recently to learn about the importance of GRIT.

That is, Gratitude, Respect, Integrity and Trust.

The Chaminade Athletics Department joined forces with Campus Ministry for the special program, aimed at spotlighting core values that will serve student-athletes “well into their futures,” said University Chaplain Fr. Martin Solma, S.M.

Some 170 participating student-athletes engaged in activities and heard from speakers about what it means to take what they have learned in sports to the campus community.

Sebastian Castro ‘25, a Criminology and Criminal Justice major who plays baseball at Chaminade, said his favorite part of the event was hearing from Silversword women’s soccer Head Coach Michelle Richardson about her own experiences as a student-athlete.

“I think for all of us student athletes, no matter the major, it gets overwhelming dealing with our studies and also the stress and anxiety of playing in our sports,” Castro said. “Being able to manage both of those and find a balance is a tough thing to do and shows GRIT.”

Emily Cooper ‘27 competes in women’s cross-country and is studying Environmental Interior Design. She said she walked away from the GRIT event with “new friendships and self-reflections that grew out of group discussions and prayers.”

Cooper added she found lots in common with her fellow student-athletes.

Getting to know strangers can be a great part of self-confidence because it helped me learn more about myself as a group listener and speaker,” she said. “My favorite part was listening to everyone’s goals and life journeys.Hearing the diverse backgrounds of everyone was inspiring and really made me realize the biggest steps in life come from accepting new opportunities.”

Dustyn Ragasa, Ph.D., who is director of the Master of Pastoral Theology program and an assistant professor of Religious Studies and Philosophy, spoke to students at the gatherings January 28 and February 5. His message to attendees: You’ve got GRIT, why not share it?

“Student-athletes are in an excellent position to be ‘women and men for others,’ a key characteristic of Catholic education,” Ragasa said. “I hope the students walk away with a greater sense of confidence in the best of themselves, a call to leaven our campus community with the gifts that they possess, but above all, some memories they make.”

He added events like the GRIT gatherings are important to helping students come together, reflect and have a little fun. “For busy student-athletes, it can be a challenge to set aside some time just to talk story or to share a meal,” he said. “GRIT reminds students about the faith dimension of their lives” and the importance of “building loving relationships.”

Photo Gallery: Thanksgiving Prayer Service

Chaminade students, faculty and staff gathered Wednesday for a special Thanksgiving prayer service.

The annual gathering allows attendees an opportunity to reflect on all they can be thankful for.

In addition to an opportunity for prayer, the service included student and other speakers.

Madison Makishima ’25, for example, addressed attendees to offer thanks for all the Chaminade community has given her—from new friends to one-of-a-kind opportunities.

“I’ve been able to develop personally and professionally at Chaminade,” said Makishima, who also read one of her favorite Bible verses during the service before wishing attendees a happy Thanksgiving.

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Blessing Hands That Heal

The annual ceremony is a reminder of the power of compassionate care

Students pursuing careers in nursing and other healthcare professions gathered October 18 for a beloved tradition at Chaminade: the St. Luke’s Blessing of the Hands ceremony. The observance honors those pursuing lives of service and serves as a poignant reminder of the power of compassionate care.

Rooted in the Christian tradition, the ceremony is observed every year on the Feast Day of St. Luke.

“Luke was an evangelist and a physician,” said Fr. Chris Wittmann, who presided over the blessing ceremony. “If you’re looking for God’s compassion, the Gospel of Luke is a good place to start.

He added, “So it is apt to celebrate this today.”

The blessing of the hands is a time-honored tradition that seeks to acknowledge the emotional and spiritual dimensions of patient care, and honor the commitment and resilience of healthcare workers.

St. Luke's Blessing_cn1_500x333
Sr. Malia Wong, Fr. Chris Wittman and Br. Edward Brink anointed the hands of nursing students and other healthcare providers during the annual St. Luke’s Blessing of the Hands.
Nursing students and other healthcare providers had their hands anointed during the annual St. Luke's Blessing of the Hands.
Nursing students and other healthcare providers had their hands anointed during the annual St. Luke’s Blessing of the Hands.
Nursing students and other healthcare providers had their hands anointed during the annual St. Luke's Blessing of the Hands.
Nursing students and other healthcare providers had their hands anointed during the annual St. Luke’s Blessing of the Hands.
Isaiah Atalig ’25 recounted a medical mission to Costa Rica this past summer and the impact the trip had on him.
Isaiah Atalig ’25 recounted a medical mission to Costa Rica this past summer and the impact the trip had on him.
Nursing students and other healthcare providers attended the annual St. Luke's Blessing of the Hands on October 18.
Nursing students and other healthcare providers attended the annual St. Luke’s Blessing of the Hands on October 18.
Nursing major Tia Kaʻiulani Tabisola ’25 has her hands anointed by Fr. Chris Wittmann during the St. Luke's Blessing of the Hands on October 16.
Nursing major Tia Kaʻiulani Tabisola ’25 has her hands anointed by Fr. Chris Wittmann during the St. Luke’s Blessing of the Hands on October 16.

“Bless those who are involved with taking care of others,” said Bro. Edward Brink, vice president for Mission and Rector. He added that as Chaminade is the only Catholic university in the islands and serves the entire Pacific region, “it’s important that we continue this tradition.”

At its core, organizers said, the blessing of the hands ceremony serves as a reminder that the hands that administer care are not only instruments of healing but also vessels of compassion and empathy.

Nursing student Tia Kaʻiulani Tabisola ’25, a certified nurse’s aide, was among those who attended the ceremony. She said the gathering reminded her why she wants to pursue a career helping others.

Tabisola recounted the story of a difficult patient who she struggled to assist.

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After spending some time with him, he finally spoke and asked her if they could pray for him and his mom. They both ended up crying. “This is why I want to become a nurse,” Tabisola said. “I want to break down barriers and eliminate stigmas against the vulnerable.”

Isaiah Atalig ’25 is majoring in Forensic Sciences at Chaminade and aspires to be a doctor.

He said he takes the notion of healing to heart.

“Caring for people is my calling,” said Atalig, who is from Guam.

Atalig said in Chamorro culture, just like in healthcare professions, putting others ahead of yourself is paramount. “You care for neighbors, strangers, family, and the sick and vulnerable,” he said.

Man on a Mission

Alumnus Continues to Pursue Social Justice Passion

Antonio Bonnetty '19 studying

When Antonio Bonnetty ’19 started at Chaminade University, he wasn’t even sure if college was for him.

By the time he graduated, he was inspired to head to law school.

And in Spring 2022, the new dad—married to fellow Silversword Maria Weisser ’19—graduated from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Duquesne University. In short order, he passed the Pennsylvania bar and was accepted into the prestigious U.S. Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. 

It’s an impressive trajectory—that he never would have imagined for himself before starting at Chaminade. “When I was graduating from high school, I didn’t have all my ducks in a row,” he said. “But Chaminade prepared me for adjustments later in life. It took me a little bit to get there, but I did.”

Growing up, Bonnetty moved around a lot as a “military brat,” and graduated from Moanalua High.

Antonio Bonnetty '19 running cross country

He decided to apply to Chaminade after a friend told him about the university. Bonnetty says he was intrigued by the idea of smaller class sizes and strong relationships with mentors. And it didn’t take long for him to realize he’d made the right decision: he joined the cross country team and student government, eventually becoming president, and was also active in campus ministry.

What he appreciated most about Chaminade, he said, was the strong connections to the community. 

He said that he’s still moved when he thinks about a service learning project he participated in as a freshman in which he joined with other students to provide meals at homeless shelters. “When you’re homeless, there’s such a stigma. But for the overwhelming majority, it’s just bad luck and cards,” Bonnetty said, adding that message resonates with him as he begins his law career.

“The government as it stands can do a lot better to support people like that,” he said.

Bonnetty said he also grew his confidence at Chaminade—as he took on new challenges with the support of his professors. His interest in the justice system drove him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree. He also double majored in Environmental Studies because of a personal passion for gardening and the outdoors. It was a perfect combination, he said.

“It was a culmination of different things in my life,” he said. 

And it led him to his future career: law. At Chaminade, he said, several professors encouraged him to consider law school and underscored its value to projects of social justice. “I see such great opportunities in law to change policies and help improve people’s lives,” he said.

Also at Chaminade, he met his future wife—on day one of a student retreat for freshmen.

They started dating as sophomores, married after graduation and soon, they’re hoping their story together will come full circle: by baptizing their first baby at Chaminade. “For both of us, Chaminade was just a big part of our lives and our lives together,” Bonnetty said. “There are so many good memories.”

Antonio Bonnetty '19 in his regalia at his Duquesne University graduation

Bonnetty said he also decided to attend Duquesne University, rather than the University of Pennsylvania, because of his experience at Chaminade. “It just seemed similar to Chaminade; the people were so nice and the vibe was perfect,” he said. “It immediately felt like home.”

Looking to the future, Bonnetty said he’s honored to serve with JAG.

Before graduating from high school, Bonnetty said he had actually applied to every branch of the military but was denied for all of them because of a medical condition. “At the time, I was discouraged. But it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. I got into Chaminade and got a chance to really thrive,” he said, adding he is looking forward to serving his country in a different capacity.

“After learning I might be considered for JAG, I applied and got in,” he said.

Now he’s gearing up for what’s next—at work and at home.

He recently took to Facebook to announce he’d gotten a letter in the mail officially confirming his admission to the Pennsylvania bar. The notification, he said, “cemented trust in myself” and had him giving thanks to the people who have supported him through good days and tough ones. He expressed gratitude to his wife and extended family, to his newborn baby “for being my purpose,” and to his professors. “I am so thankful,” he wrote, “for all the help I had along this journey.”

E+ID Alumna Makes Positive Impact in Community

Nicolle Soriano, BFA Environmental and Interior Design 2018

Nicolle Soriano ’18 believes good design should be universal.

“Whether you’re rich or poor, it’s for everyone to enjoy,” said Soriano, who has a degree in Environmental + Interior Design from Chaminade and now serves as a junior interior designer at WCIT Architecture. “Everyone should be able to enjoy a space that is beautiful.”

It’s an approach that drives Soriano at work and in life—and that passion has gotten noticed.

Soriano was named the International Interior Design Association-Hawaii Chapter’s Emerging Professional as part of the 2021 Ho’ohuli Awards. The recognition honors a junior design leader who has helped advance interior design in Hawaii and made a positive impact in the community. 

Interviewed recently, Soriano said she’s humbled by the award. She also gave credit to her colleagues at WCIT, her mentors in the field and her professors at Chaminade, saying they’ve helped her grow professionally and given her the confidence to explore meaningful and exciting projects.

“My office environment is so family-oriented,” she said. “It actually reminds me of Chaminade.”

Soriano didn’t always know what she wanted to do with her life—or where she wanted to study.

Born and raised in Washington State, Soriano was active in the Catholic Church throughout her high school years and was set on choosing a university that would help keep her “grounded and connected to my faith.” She was also interested in the arts and interior design, and so was searching for campuses with strong interior design programs. In doing her research, she learned about Chaminade.

“It just became a perfect fit,” said Soriano, whose mother’s side is from the islands.

Nicolle Soriano '18 posing in front of her display at Na Liko Naauao 2018

In the Environmental + Interior Design program at Chaminade, she found the only program in Hawaii with Council for Interior Design Accreditation. And at the university, she embraced the supportive, warm and fun campus community that allowed her to pursue her other passions and her faith.

While a student, Soriano was active in Campus Ministry and attended several retreats. She also volunteered her time regularly with community projects. And she helped revive the Filipino Club, including as its vice president, recruiting friends and classmates to share cultural performances. 

“Looking back, I don’t know how I did it all,” she quipped. “It was just a joyous experience.”

Soriano also said she thrived in Chaminade’s small classes and a strong emphasis on hands-on learning. “You really get to know your professors and have a close relationship,” said Soriano, adding her mentors—including associate professors Junghwa Suh, DArch, and Joan Riggs—“really inspired me.”

“They pushed me to be the best I can be. They really prepared me,” she said.

Soriano added that several projects she worked on at Chaminade still resonate with her, including an innovative assignment to reimagine the modern shopping mall—which has faltered as more and more shop online—and a partnership with a nonprofit to design housing units for homeless people on Oahu.

Her group project on the “death of the mall” even earned an AIA Honolulu design award in 2018.

“At Chaminade, I learned about the importance of interior design to everyone,” Soriano said. “It’s definitely not like what you see on HGTV. It’s a lot more work than you imagine. You’re creating spaces that people work in, that people play in, where they live. Being a part of the design industry taught me how we all function in our daily lives and how big an impact design really has on our communities.”

During her senior year at Chaminade, Soriano landed an internship at WCIT Architecture.

She loved it—and was ecstatic when they asked her to come back for the spring semester.

She was even more thrilled when they offered her a full-time junior designer position right before graduation. “It just worked out so perfectly,” she said, adding she loves her WCIT Architecture team and has enjoyed adding elements of Hawaiian culture and storytelling into her designs.

At WCIT, Soriano has gotten the chance to work on everything from hospitality and timeshare renovations to restaurant makeovers and corporate and office designs. While she builds her portfolio, Soriano is also working to secure her National Council for Interior Design Qualification.

“Put simply,” Soriano said, “it’s a certification that you are an interior designer who knows what they’re doing.” To get the qualification, applicants take several exams that cover a wide variety of industry practices and standards, including building codes, design application and professional practice.

Additionally, Soriano serves as vice president of student affairs for the Hawaii chapter of the International Interior Design Association. It’s a role that’s allowed her to talk about her own experiences as a young designer and serve as a mentor to others pursuing a career in the field.

She hopes to recruit other alums to serve as inspiration to current and future students. “Once you graduate from Chaminade, you are always a part of this bigger ‘ohana,” she said. “It’s very special when you meet other people who went to Chaminade. There are definitely so many of us who have accomplished so much in our careers. Building that alumni network is so important.”

Looking ahead, her biggest focus is on continuing to grow as a designer and community leader—and taking on new opportunities and challenges that allow her to have a positive impact. “I love what I do,” she said, “and am so grateful for the people who helped me become the designer I am today.”

New Student Retreat

Before the fall 2019 semester got into full swing, Campus Ministry treated incoming and transfer students to a weekend retreat on the beach to make sure their welcome to Chaminade was done right.

New Student Retreat 2019

The retreat August 30 and 31 was held at a beach house in West Oahu and included lots of opportunities for play and fun — along with some chances for reflection, spiritual growth and relationship building.

Jeremiah Carter, director of Campus Ministry at Chaminade, said the gathering was designed to make sure students who are new to the Chaminade ‘ohana feel supported on campus.

“I think it’s one of the most important aspects for college students,” he said.

Carter, who started at Chaminade over the summer, is working to broaden the events Campus Ministry offers in hopes of attracting more students — along with members of the faculty and staff.

He said the retreat helped students prioritize their goals for the year and get an introduction to the Marianist philosophy, which is central to Chaminade’s mission. He said it was also a way to build friendships that have the potential to last through their college experiences — and beyond.

New Student Retreat 2019

Jacqueline Martinez ’23 was among the incoming students who attended the retreat.

Martinez, who is pursuing a degree in Communications, said the weekend allowed her to get to know her classmates better and hear from older students who are doing exciting things at the University.

“The part I enjoyed the most was how inviting the retreat staff was. Their attitudes were the main reason the retreat felt so fulfilling,” she said.

Martinez added that she’s looking forward to Campus Ministry’s next retreat.

So is International Trade student Christopher Grant DeVera Diego ’23.

Diego said the retreat was just good fun, complete with spooky stories and a bonfire.

“The retreat made me open up to many new people,” he said, “and see a side of people who I didn’t really know yet.”