In Hawaiian language, "ho'okahi" translates "to make one."
On Mondays and Thursdays this summer, GoSwords.com will talk to select returning student-athletes from all 10 Chaminade University sports about how they are learning from home, keeping busy and coping with the current situation.
Featured here is
Breanna-Leigh Bactista of women's soccer. One of five graduates from Mililani High School, the junior is a two-time Academic All-Pacific West Conference honoree and is a key starter for the ever-improving Silverswords squad. She provided the game-winning goal against Notre Dame de Namur on Oct. 6 which proved to be the final meeting between the two programs.
Q (GS.com): What are you missing the most about Chaminade?
A (ES): What I miss the most is seeing my teammates and friends. Every morning after practice, we would have breakfast at the POD and it was just another good way for us to socialize and get some of our study hall hours in. I also just miss having that defined structure every day.
Q: What are you doing to keep your spirits up during the situation?
A: I'm making the best out of this situation by spending a lot of time with my family. This has been keeping my spirits up because I value the time I get to spend with them. During the semester, it's
usually difficult to find that time since my schedule is packed but with everything going on, I was able to spend lots of quality time with them.
Q: How are you staying connected with your coaches and teammates?
A: We have been staying connected through many different forms of communication, whether it's through email, our GroupMe App, and Zoom calls every week, we always find ways to talk to each other and see how everyone's been doing. We recently had a beach day with the girls who were home and it was very exciting to see everyone.
Q: Have you learned any new skills or picked up new hobbies that you otherwise would not have if not for the current situation?
A: Throughout this pandemic, I've learned how to cook a couple of my favorite meals like chicken katsu and furikake chicken. I've also been baking a lot more with my sisters, as well as running and getting in shape for this upcoming season.
Q: What is your favorite on-the-field or on-court memory from this past 2019-20 year?
A: My favorite on-the-field memory is our game against NDNU. It was our first conference game of the season and we were able to come back with a 2-1 win. The feeling was just indescribable and knowing that everyone played their heart out and left everything out on the field couldn't make me happier. It was a huge accomplishment for us all.
Q: What is the first thing you will do after we return to a sense of "normalcy?"
A: The first thing I'll probably do is have a traditional family outing. Before this pandemic, my family and I would enjoy our family time by going out to dinner, seeing a movie and then ending the night with playing games in an arcade like Dave and Busters.
