Therese Jasper had a problem Friday night. So did the Kaua‘i High School Key Club. But in the end, everything worked out as Kaua‘i High School hosted its first Spring Festival and Dance on the school’s athletic field back of
Therese Jasper had a problem Friday night.
So did the Kaua‘i High School Key Club.
But in the end, everything worked out as Kaua‘i High School hosted its first Spring Festival and Dance on the school’s athletic field back of the gymnasium.
For Jasper, her daughter Jori-Anne was playing in the JV girls basketball team — in Waimea.
“I really wanted to go (to the game), but they said as president of the PAIRS-PTSA, I had to be here,” Jasper said. “So, since I’m here, I might as well bid on some of the silent auction items.”
The silent auction was just one of the many facets of the event designed as a fund-raising effort for some of the school’s numerous organizations and to display and showcase the talents of its student body and the school’s General Learner Outcomes.
Ed Ka‘ahea, donning a Red Raider No. 68 football jersey, served as emcee for the event, introducing and highlighting the many achievements of Red Raider students.
“The talent comes from Kaua‘i High School students,” one proud parent said. “There’s a talent show featuring Red Raider students, and all the entertainment acts have Kaua‘i High School students.”
Kendra Kawamura of the 4H Clubs was presented a Prudential Award by Kaua‘i representative Mark Morioka for her work that recently earned national acclaim. That project which involved working with the Salvation Army’s Kokua Soup Kitchen by various 4H Club members was selected for national honors.
Key Club members had to divide between volunteering at the Contractors Association of Kaua‘i Home Show that opened Friday afternoon and manning a booth at the Spring Festival.
“We just divided up the group,” said Amanda Mayer, one of the Key Clubbers on hand to sell glow sticks. “Some of us are up at the Vet Center and the rest are here. But those working at the CAK home show will come after their shift.”
Gordon Yee, the event chair, was doing a masterful job of multi-tasking as he checked tents, provided security and fielded the issues that always pop up at first-time events.
“I kind of always had a dream of something like this,” he said while securing a loose tent. “When I spoke to some people about it, it just got rolling. People all had ideas of what they wanted to do and this is the result.”
Yee said there are many groups on campus that need to raise funds for projects and this was just one way they could do it.
“We have cheerleaders, athletic groups and teams, service clubs, the Japanese club, and many others,” Yee said.
Members of Yee’s committee included Tammy Shoniwitz, Gail Oride, David Nagao, Lex Riggle, Karen Muraoka, Wanda Shibata, Janie Crane, Dorothy Hoe, Kathy Murashige, Lori Cabebe, Divina Plowman, Patti Finlay, Sonia Topenio and Erika Sy.
Through the help of numerous community organizations and businesses, fair-goers were able to have an opportunity to win premiums such as a Dell laptop computer, a Nintendo WII game system, hotel stays at the Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort, the Cliffs at Princeville, Lawai Beach Resort and numerous other prizes including gift cards at community businesses.
As daylight faded into night, the scene was transformed as the Papa‘a Bay Boys opened up the night with a concert that preceded a high school dance open to all high school students with ID cards headlined by the talents of D.J. Mike Dandurand and Kustom Sounds Kaua‘i.
“It’s too bad our girls are playing a game tonight,” Jasper said. “But that’s O K. My husband is out there with them.”
