Principal, preschool through grade 12

Born in Hoolehua, Molokai, Sr. Marion attended high school at St. Francis Convent School in Honolulu. From 1972-1979, Sr. Marion taught at St. Joseph High School. She has been Principal since February, 2004, and holds Master's Degree in Educational Administration (Manhattan College) as well as a Master's in Religious Education (Seattle University). She completed a position of general minister as leader of Sisters of the Third Franciscan Order, headquartered in Syracuse, N.Y. She has also served as general councilor and general treasurer of the order. Her experience includes being principal of St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, Calif., assistant principal at Bishop Ludden High School in Syracuse.

School year 2006 focuses us nationally on Catholic Schools: The Good News in Education. I believe that we at St. Joseph School proclaim the Good News each day as we teach and learn, worship and pray, and give service within and outside our school community. In the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, I challenge myself and all who call St. Joseph School home to "Preach the Gospel (Good News) with our lives and, if necessary, use words."

Mrs. Andrade is a 1982 graduate of St. Joseph High School. In 1986 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of Portland, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a specialty in English and Reading. She also received the Harold Stauffer Award for Outstanding Student in Secondary Education, and she holds a Basic Certificate in Religious Education from the Diocese of Honolulu..  Her teaching background is as follows:  1986-87 Maryknoll High School; 1987-88 St. Joseph Elementary School; 1991-present St. Joseph Jr.-Sr. High School. In addition to her teaching duties, she coordinates 7th period activities and is Student Council advisor and a member of the Campus Ministry Team.

Words to live by:

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

"Apply your hearts to instruction and your ears to the words of knowledge." Proverbs 23:12

Homeroom 12, Church History/Sacraments 10, Christian Morality 11, US History 10 (1865 to present); AP U.S. Government & Politics

Deacon Andrews first joined the SJS staff in 1967 (Vietnam call-up 1968-69).  He holds an MA Degree from UH-Manoa (History); Ordained Deacon (1984); Principal St. Joseph Jr-Sr High School (1989-2003); Social studies, Theology teacher; Campus Chaplain.

I am here because I believe in the mission of Catholic school education.  St. Joseph School is about training future leaders for the church and community.

Sra. Luz De Lima

Señora De Lima was born in Perú, of Hispanic background.  She has been teaching at Saint Joseph for a number of years. She was educated in Arequipa, Perú with a major in Liberal Arts.

I believe that the quest for knowledge should be an every day goal and that education is one of the primary methods in gaining this particular knowledge. With knowledge the doors of opportunity to life are open and success normally follows. The students at St. Joseph School have an opportunity of gaining this knowledge through honesty, determination, and a love of learning.

This is Mrs. DeRego's second year at SJS.  She has also taught at Holy Trinity School, Honolulu; St. Anthony School, Kailua; St. Francis School, Honolulu; and Connections PCS, Hilo.  Her BA is in english from Santa Clara University in California; she holds an MA in Englishy and a teaching certification in Secondary English, both fromUH Manoa.

Love is patient; love is kind.  Love envies not, boasts not, is not haughty, is not self-seeking, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, rejoices not in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends.  1 Cor. 13:4-8

Sr.Charlene has been at St. Joseph School for 36 years.  She was born and raised in Waimanalo, Oahu, and she entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse, New York. Sr. Charlene graduated from Waimanalo Elementary School, St. Francis School in Honolulu, Maria Regina College in Syracuse, NY. She received her BA in History from Chaminade University in Honolulu, and her Professional 5th Year Diploma and MA in Library Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Sr.Charlene's assignments have included Our Lady of Angels School, Albany, NY; St. Joseph School, Utica, NY; St. John the Baptist, New Brunswick, NJ; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Pearl City, HI; St. Joseph Elementary and St. Joseph High School.  She is a member of the American Library Association; the Hawaii Library Association; and the Hawaii Association of School Librarians. In the St. Joseph Church Ministry, she is a Lector and Eucharistic Minister.

I am here because of my commitment to religious values and to serve the church in its mission to teach.  I like SJ to watch the students grow and to develop into good Christian leaders.  What is important to me is to reach out and touch the hearts of students through words and actions.  I would like to see the students be models of love, prayerfulness, persevering in spiritual formation and values.  My philosophy is the love that each individual in daily life be a witness to Gospel values.  I look forward to a peaceful retirement knowing I have done my best for God and His children.

Kathleen Kam, a widely recognized Hawaiian Artist, was born in Honolulu and studied under Louis Pohl at the Honolulu Academy of Arts; at University of Hawaii Manoa and Hilo, under Ken Bushnell, Duane Reble, Ed Stasack, Harvey Cox, James Rosen, Robert Knox, and Richard Crawford. She has traveled extensively, studying at various art schools, and she is self-taught in water-media and acrylics.  Ms. Kam has been a professional artist for over 30 years, teaching at SJS for 7 years.  She is registered with the "Artist in the School Teaching Partners" for public schools in Hawaii.  She is a master gourd carver and muralist.

She has won numerous awards, and her works are exhibited at Cook's Discoveries, Kamuela; Volcano Art Center; Mauna Lani Bay Resort; Nohea Galleries, Oahu; Martin & McArthur's, Oahu; Kapolei Resort, Oahu; The Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai; Cedar Street Galleries, Honolulu; The Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu; State of Hawaii Art Museum, Honolulu. Her work is in the private collections of Loretta Lynn, Neil Young and Whitney Houston.

I believe in teaching art as a core curriculum that incorporates language, history, math, science & social studies in the syllabi.  Knowledge of art terminology is vital in development of students' literacy in the arts.  The arts communicate, shape & reflect culture.  Focus is on creating, performing & responding in daily assignments.  I also assess student performance as it is integral to effective arts instruction.  It's vital to help students receive feedback on their work as it will help them improve the quality of their work in the arts.    I use the Hawaii Fine Arts content standards, which are based on the National Standards for Art Education, and I have been using it since 1999.

I believe art education is needed more these days.  With electronic, instant information through the net, skills in "making art" are taking a back burner status in many schools   Art making is essential to the "hands on" learning, and students develop more critical thinking when they can use art making processes.  Art is for everyone!  It's what keeps humanity HUMAN!

Dr. Paradis has been married 36 years, and this is his 6th year at St. Joseph School.  Initially he taught Japanese (K-12).  He went to grad school in Tokyo, and lived 25 years in Asia, including Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, Okinawa and Japan.  He has visited 42 countries & 50 US states.

To be successful, a student's education must be relevant, useful, fun, challenging, and if possible, hands-on.  Engagement in the learning process is the optimum methodology for retention.  The key, then, is for us as preceptors to treat each person's learning journey as a unique process.  Learning is not "one size fits all"!  God grant us the wisdom to help each of our precious students discover the way to achieve his or her maximum development process.

Mrs. Shehata has a Masters Degree in Secondary Education, with a research project emphasis on Cooperative Learning in mathematics classes, and a Bachelors degree in Mathemetics. She has been at St. Joseph School since 1993. Prior to coming to SJS she was an instsructor at UH Hilo. Mrs. Shehata adds variety to her teaching style by incorporating art, science, computer technology and student directed projects. She has a strong interest in technology and believes its role should be integrated into the classroom.

I consider it a blessing, challenge, joy and privilege to teach at a school like St. Joseph. I strongly believe in one of the missions of the school, where we reach out to and nourish the whole child. My mission is to teach each one of my students to follow their heart and use their talents to live out their dreams. My Mantra of teaching is "Teach, reach and achieve" with every one of my students.

Mr. Randy Skaggs

Mr. Skaggs teaches Band and Music courses at St. Joseph School, including 5th Grade Recorders, 6th Grade Beginning Band, as well as Intermediate and Concert Band. He also coordinates the Performing Arts After School (PAAS) program which includes flute ensemble, percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble, hula, tap dancing and private lessons on piano, voice, percussion and wind instruments. His birthplace was Portland, Oregon, and he has been Director of Bands at St. Joseph's since 1994, and has been Jazz Ensemble Instructor at University of Hawaii Hilo. He holds a B.S. in Music Education from Southern Oregon University, and studied Jazz Studies at Mt. Hood Community College.

Punctuality and a good attitude are the primary ideals that a person must have in order to become successful.

Mrs. Toshimi Sugimura

Mrs. Sugimura received her Master's Degree in English Literature, minor in teaching from Jissen Women's University, Tokyo.  Her hobbies are  tennis, tea ceremony, cooking, learning.  She has been at St. Joseph School for 6 years.

I'm here to introduce Japanese culture to our students.  Many have Japanese backgrounds, but really haven't learned the language or customs.  Also, many transfer students are coming from the mainland, and they should study the Japanese influence on Hawaii.  Important:  All students should be taught how to learn.  We learn best by doing.  So we drill until all students can master the pronunciation.  I like the family feeling at SJS.  It is safe.  I can be effective as a teacher.

Miri Sumida was born in Pahala, Hawaii, on the Big Island, and holds a B.A. in Physical Education and Recreation. She has been teaching at St. Joseph since 1993 and previously taught for 5 years at various fitness centers on Oahu, including Spa Fitness Center, Body by Janis, Honolulu Club, Straub Hospital, Orchid Isle Fitness, Parks & Recreation (Big Island), Tripler Hospital Semper Fi, BYU-Hawaii Summer Swim, and Kaneohe Marine Corps Aerobics. Ms. Sumida currently teaches 5:00 a.m. classes at Spencer Health & Fitness Center.

She has coached four years in track and field, two years in cross country, one year in swimming and currently coaches the girls and boys paddling team.  Her personal interests include OC-1 and OC-6 canoe racing, weight lifting, bicycling and graphic arts design.

I love individuality. St. Joseph allows me to be an individual, and by doing so, I have been able to teach and lead my students effectively in an atmosphere of Christian fellowship.

This is Ms. Virkus' second year at St. Joseph's. She recently moved to Hilo from beautiful port town of Duluth, MN on the mouth of Lake Superior. Ms Virkus graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BAS in Teaching Life Science, Teaching Earth Science, with an emphasis in Environmental Education.

I am excited to be here in Hilo and at St. Joseph's. I am confident that it is going to a great year, full of excitement and adventures. I love teaching science and learning about the natural world, and I look forward to getting to know, and becoming a part of this beautiful place.

" (Science is) an imaginative adventure of the mind seeking truth in a world of mystery." 
Sir Cyril Herman Hinshelwood (1897-1967) English chemist. Nobel prize 1956.

Mrs. Susan Wehrsig

Vice Principal, Academic Dean, Homeroom 12, Hawaiian Culture 7, English Literature 12, AP English Literature & Composition

Mrs. Wehrsig is a graduate of SJS, and has been teaching at St. Joseph HS since 1981.  She holds a  BA in English and an MA in Secondary Education


Reading helps to open the door to knowledge, and learning is lifelong.

Dr. Nathan Yocum

Mrs. Mattos, the school receptionist, is the first person you see when you enter the school office. Mrs. Mattos attended St. Joseph until the 3rd grade, when her family moved to Paauilo on the Hamakua Coast. She is a graduate of Honokaa High School, the mother of 4 and grandmother of 6.

Mrs.Mattos enjoys her front office position and the "family like atmosphere" of St. Joseph School.  She has been at St. Joseph for 16 years.