Damien Memorial High School is named in honor of the recent canonized saint, Father Damien better known as Father Damien of Molokai, SS.CC. or Father Damien de Veuster of Belgium. He was best known for his work in living and working with the people on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. There are many memorials, statues, and places honoring St. Damien de Veuster of Belgium and Molokai. Damien Memorial High School is one of these places honoring this brave priest. This was an all boys high school when I paid a personal visit at the time, I understand Damien Memorial High School has since gone co-ed. Some are happy about it, some are not as it changes the dynamic of the school.
About twenty so years ago, I met a member of the alumni who graduated, oh about 35 or more years ago. He went on to perform in opera and musical theatre. I met him when he was in one of the national tours of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. He was portraying the title role, he was filling in for the principal actor who was on holiday. When he came out of the stage door, he was very surprised to see so many people who wanted a piece of him--translation: an autograph and a picture with him. When I saw him, I thought to myself, "Hello!" Oh yes, I developed quite an immediate crush on him. Right there on the spot! He was tall, dark, and oh so very handsome. I was not the only one. I was with a friend who was old enough to be his mother. She was swooning over him. And I am sure the other women in the crowd were too.
While he was signing autographs, we were discussing his Anglo/Hawaiian name. He did not look at me during the conversation as he was signing autographs, he was surprised somebody in this crowd knew the meaning of his name. When we did see each other, it was one of those foggy slow motion moments where it was just him and me, everyone and everything else was fog. Out of respect for this man, I am not going to say his name. He is quite private for one and two, I got to meet him again some time after that first meeting. Awkward. It was quite an awkward and embarrassing moment seeing him again. It is never as good as the first time, to paraphrase the 1985 Sade song. C'est la vie, as Robbie Nevill sang in 1986.
I had quite the textbook crush on this guy though. I was surprised to learn we kind of grew up in similar circumstances. I graduated from a Catholic all-girls school while he graduated from a Catholic all boys school. I wanted to visit his high school alma mater since I was in the area. Damien Memorial High School reminded me of the schools in the Philippine Islands: cement fences surrounding a cement building with iron metal fences and gates in-between. Sliding gates and doors with regular hinged doors. It was quite airy walking around the premises. What caught my eye was a little blue eggshell chapel in the courtyard. It was quite lovely and quaint. I thought to myself, "Wow! I would love to get married in a chapel like that." Wow, what a strange thought that crossed my mind. I bet many alumni married their brides in the blue eggshell chapel though.
I stopped by the library and told them why I was here. I wanted to see this guy's high school yearbook and picture. They did not have the yearbooks in the library. The librarian knew where they were: in the principal's office. So she escorted me to the principal's office. The principal was in the process of packing up his office as he was being transferred to another assignment. And it turned out the principal was once this guy's guidance counselor back in the day. Wow. I got to see the picture as I wanted. And that was that, I thanked him for his time and understanding; the librarian and I left his office so he could carry on and she helped me find my way out. I thanked her her for her time, patience, and understanding with me as well.
My one regret was not visiting the blue eggshell chapel to say a prayer for him during my visit at Damien Memorial High School . . . oh well. I would like to believe St. Damien is proud of this particular alumni member of his namesake high school.
Fresh Yelp Review #64 for 2013 read more
