As the sun sets over HPA’s Upper Campus, Tuesday nights take on a vibrant and competitive glow. Cheers echo through the tranquil Waimea evening, as the growing tradition of Tuesday Night Leagues ignite the spirit of camaraderie, competition, and a dash of friendly boasting among Ka Makani.
Tuesday Night Leagues, a relatively recent addition, have been steadily gaining momentum on the Upper Campus. Stemming from the resounding success of the 2019 4-on-4 basketball tournament, the Residential Life Program decided to expand the concept. They introduced wiffle ball and indoor soccer competitions into the schedule, injecting a delightful dose of excitement into the community.
But there’s more to Tuesday Night Leagues than the pursuit of glory and bragging rights; it’s also about fostering a tight-knit community and camaraderie among our students. These spirited competitions — that are in addition to the much more formal, co-curricular activities — provide a platform for students from diverse backgrounds to come together, support one another, and build lasting bonds. It’s a chance to forge connections that extend far beyond the playing field, creating a sense of unity and belonging that makes HPA’s Upper Campus feel like a second home.
The wiffle ball season concluded in October, and in a thrilling finale, it was the Bussers who emerged as the champions. Comprising a formidable roster featuring Alex Goodman ’24, Max Heilmann ’24, Emperor Lex Ni ’25, Ed Lustik ’26, and Alice Cestari Furquim Marinho ’25, their bats came through to secure victory in the championship game. The final score? An impressive 18-10, as they overcame the formidable WaffleBallers and etched their names into the annals of Tuesday Night Leagues history.
This little bit of structure creates some really enjoyable moments for our students and faculty — often breaking us out of our routines, and reminding us to laugh a little.”
Head of School Fred Wawner
“What makes it so special is that the boarding community really comes together through friendly competition and the integration of dorms on each team is a nice wrinkle. It also lets us display a sense of pride and passion,” Goodman said. “I won’t forget that day. It was a day that we all successfully did our part and contributed. An amazing experience with everyone and I got to know my teammates even better.”
While Head of School Fred Wawner may caution you against scrutinizing the box score for his ERA as the all-time pitcher for the wiffle ball contests, his passion for the community-building competitions is unwavering.
“We are always chasing opportunities for our student community to come together, both day and residential. Tuesday Night Leagues have become a great way for us to gather and connect with the focus on play and fun,” said Wawner, who also moonlights as the ref during the 4-on-4 basketball games. “This little bit of structure creates some really enjoyable moments for our students and faculty — often breaking us out of our routines, and reminding us to laugh a little.”
Basketball season recently kicked into gear, with 4-on-4 squads battling under the lights on Atherton Court. It will run for five weeks before Winter Break and indoor soccer will follow.