Bella Thompson, 20, daughter of Afatia and Nicole Thompson of Tihati Productions, is making a name for herself as the setter of the University of Providence’s Argo volleyball team.
Her grandparents, Jack and Cha Thompson, are mighty proud of her ongoing achievements with the team at Helena, Mont.
Bella, a resident of Kapahulu, last month was named the Erck Hotels Frontier Conference Setter of the Week, leading the unbeaten Argos to a 4-0 ranking at the Big Sky Challenge and the first Argo player this season to earn Player of the Week laurels, leading to an interview with radio sportscaster Rocky Erickson.
Bella said in the interview, “Montana opened so many new doors for me. It’s definitely our chemistry and our will to win. We’re all collectively working with the same goal. Faith (had a role)…nothing I do, I couldn’t do without the grace of God.”
So how did a Hawaiian lass wind up in Montana? “A couple of doors closed on me, the Lord opened doors for me,” she said. “Perfect fit for me.”
As a freshman, Bella twice earned Frontier Conference Setter of the Week honors.
Head coach Arunas Duda said, “I am so proud of Bella. She came in this season, ready to go, and has really stepped up as a leader on and off the courts.”
Bella currently is No. 6 in the Argo program history, logging 159 assists to average 10.60 assists per set over the Argos’ four wins. She is among the top five in the NAIA in both assists and assists per set.
A junior majoring in business, Bella hopes to “help with my family business, to take a load off their shoulders” after she graduates.
She would be the first Tihati grandchild to sign on as an employee in the world’s largest producer of Polynesian luau productions. Her dad, Afatia, is company president, and her aunt, Misty Tufono, is vice-president; they succeeded grandparents Jack and Cha, now retired, who were founders of Tihati Productions…
Gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar signs with Viva
Gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar, who was part of the Philippines team in the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been tapped by the Filipino talent agency Viva for modeling and acting.
She’s an American, the daughter of former Honolulan Anthony Ruivivar, and granddaughter of the late Society of Seven leader, Tony Ruivivar.
A Filipina-American gymnast, Levi who competed in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Olympics, is the newest addition to Viva Artists Agency’s roster of stars.
Levi will continue her gymnastic training and reportedly will be engaged in modeling and brand partnerships and potential acting opportunities.
Qualification in the 2028 Summer Olympics will be a priority, however.
Her father Anthony is known for creating the role of Carlos Nieto in the NBC TV series “Third Watch” and more recently in the comedy, “Turner and Hooch” and had a recurring role in CBS’ “NCIS: Hawaii.”
Levi’s mom is Yvonne Jung, also an actress, whose roles included such shows as “Third Watch” and “ER”….
And that’s Show Biz…