Aaron (left) and Nick Kanno, brothers from Hawaii, are both basketball players

Siblings and Father-Daughter Family Members Enjoy Special Experience at Holy Names University

By Chad Miller, ‘08

The word ‘family’ comes up often when students describe their Holy Names University experience. And for at least three sets of siblings and one father and daughter combination, the word is an important part of their reality.

The family members attending HNU include:

  • Aaron and Nick Kanno, from Mililani, Hawaii.
  • Noorullah and Mahboba Shinwar, both born in Texas and now from Hayward, CA.
  • Jurreau and Marselle Flowers, Palmdale, CA
  • Chris and Alyssa Webb, El Sobrante, CA
  • Jonathon and Beto Vega, San Diego, CA

    • We caught up with all of them on campus and asked them about their experience here.

    Their responses follow:

    --Nick Kanno: Freshman                  
    What attracted you to HNU?
    Liked the basketball NAIA level, the diversity, and the small classroom/school environment.
    How did you hear about the university?
    Heard about HNU because older brother had been attending for 2 years already. Multiple visits.
    Did you and your (brother/sister) plan to come here together?
    No, did not to plan to attend together but it was a good fit and has worked out well.
    What is your home city, country?
    Mililani, HI.
    What is your major?
    Double major in Marketing and Management
    What has your experience at HNU been like so far?
    Has been a lot of fun, but at the same time challenging.
    What do you plan to do, career-wise?
    Would like to work in the business field, hopefully related to sports.  Also would like to get his real estate license as well.  Would like to return home some day to pursue his career but not necessarily, wherever he can get a good job.
    (Is a red-shirt on the basketball team this year.)

    --Aaron Kanno: Junior                                  
    What attracted you to HNU?
    Was recruited to play basketball and saw it as a good opportunity to play collegiate basketball.
    How did you hear about the university?
    While attending a basketball camp, was contacted by the former coach who interested me in coming to Holy Names.
    Did you and your (brother/sister) plan to come here together?
    No, just worked out well.
    What is your home city, country?
    Mililani, HI.
    What is your major?
    Double in Marketing and Management
    What has your experience at HNU been like so far?
    Fun and enjoyable, hasn’t had anything to complain about.
    What do you plan to do, career-wise?
    Anything related to one of his two majors, would like to return home to possibly get a job in the hotel industry.

    --Jurreau Flowers: Junior
    What attracted you to HNU?
    Was offered a scholarship, and saw it as an opportunity to pursue a college career.
    How did you hear about the university?
    Was contacted through the mail system.  Postcard
    Did you and your brother plan to come here together?
    No, just a coincidence.
    What is your home city, country?
    Palmdale, CA.
    What is your major?
    Biology
    What has your experience at HNU been like so far?
    Cool! Has had a great time and enjoys it greatly.
    What do you plan to do, career-wise?
    Go to med. School to become a pharmacist.

    --Marselle Flowers: Freshman                                 
    What attracted you to HNU?
    The Oakland lifestyle.
    How did you hear about the university?
    Through his brother, liked what he heard and wanted to attend.
    Did you and your brother plan to come here together?
    No, it just happened and has worked out for the best, sharing a car etc.
    What is your home city, country?
    Palmdale, CA.
    What is your major?
    Communications/art
    What has your experience at HNU been like so far?
    Has been great meeting new people and has enjoyed the new lifestyle.
    What do you plan to do, career-wise?
    Hopes to do something in the field of cinematography.
    (Is red-shirting this year on the basketball team.)

    --Noorullah Shinwar: Freshman                   
    What attracted you to HNU?
    The diversity and melting pot of different cultures.
    How did you hear about the university?
    Was contacted by the school through the mail.
    Did you and your sister plan to come here together?
    Not at first, but it worked out and his two older sisters attended college together as well so it was a good idea that has worked out in their family before.
    What is your home city, country?
    Two homes; Hayward CA.  Afghanistan
    What is your major?
    Biology
    What has your experience at HNU been like so far?
    Adventurous, the stairs are definitely an obstacle, not a big fan of walking up and down them.
    What do you plan to do, career-wise?
    Hopes to attend med school and become a neurosurgeon.

    --Mahboba Shinwar: Freshman                    
    What attracted you to HNU?
    The biology department
    How did you hear about the university?
    Was contacted by the school through the mail.
    Did you and your brother plan to come hear together?
    At first no but after talking it over decided to come together.
    What is your home city, country?
    Hayward, CA.  Afghanistan
    What is your major?
    Biology
    What has your experience at HNU been like so far?
    Good, really enjoys her teachers and the classes.
    What do you plan to do, career-wise?Attend med school and go on to become a neurosurgeon. (When asked who helps most with school work, Noorullah smiled and said, “Oh, she helps me a lot. More than I ever help her.”)

    --Alyssa Webb and father, Chris, of El Sobrante:

    Chris Webb is in the Business & Humanities program for returning adults and will graduate in May 2008. Chris works for Bayer Company in Emeryville as an Engineer.

    Alyssa Webb, his daughter, is a sophomore in International Relations major with pre-law concentration

    Alyssa was attracted to HNU by her dad’s good experience – he liked it very much. She also liked the idea of a small school and HNU’s reputation for helping people

    Her brother Ryan is in the Army and has served in Iraq for 15 months and now is stateside.

    Alyssa said: “I love my stay here at HNU -- the class sizes, the one-on-one with teachers; it’s easy to keep up because of the help. I also like the fact that there are a lot of different cultures” She is working on learning French with Professor Ann Alderman and hopes to go abroad. Her main teacher is Sister Chris and “I just love her – she is really helping me get through and motivating me with my writing.”

    -- Beto and Jonathan Vega, of San Diego, CA

    Beto
    What attracted you to HNU?
    Soccer; wanted to pla college soccer.

    How did you hear about HNU?
    was recruited/contacted by soccer coach.

    Did you plan on coming to school together?
    No, was just a coincidence that worked out.

    What is you home City?
    San Diego, CA.

    What is your Major?
    Has a bachelors in Spanish and psychology; is currently attending grad
    school working on his masters in counseling psychology.

    What has your experience been like so far?
    Has been a great learning experience because it has allowed him to
    mature due to being away from home.

    Future Career?
    plans on becoming a school counselor.


    Jonathan

    What attracted you to HNU?
    was a new experience, wanted to leave San Diego to pursue his higher
    education after transfering from Southwestern College (JC) in San Diego.

    How did you hear about HNU?
    from his brother who suggested it.

    Did you plan on coming to school together?
    no, just worked out.

    What is your home city/town?
    San Diego, CA.

    What is your major?
    Business Management

    What has your experience been like so far?
    Good, its his second year here, and says it has helped him grow as a
    person.

    Career-Wise?
    Hope to own a personal business some day.