‘ELE‘ELE — A group of students needed to meet at the Lihu‘e Airport by 4:30 a.m. Monday to begin their trip to China, but spent part of their Sunday washing cars. The car wash was for “just in case money,”
‘ELE‘ELE — A group of students needed to meet at the Lihu‘e Airport by 4:30 a.m. Monday to begin their trip to China, but spent part of their Sunday washing cars.
The car wash was for “just in case money,” for Waimea Canyon Middle School students who departed for China. The students had been fundraising for more than a year and raised $2,200 to cover the cost of the trip.
Shannon Burkman and three other Waimea Canyon Middle School teachers will be leading a group of 47 students and parents to Beijing for an Education First Tour.
The group will be touring through March 25, culminating more than a year of planning, fundraising and meetings.
“While in Beijing, we will visit historical sights like the Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven Park,” Burkman said in an email. “We will also visit a local Chinese middle school and enjoy a traditional Chinese meal with Hutong families.”
Patrick Cowell, a ninth grade student at Waimea High School, will also be going with the group.
“I was at Waimea Canyon Middle School when the plans were first drawn up,” Cowell, of Kekaha, said. “I’m excited about being able to experience life in another country.”
Keatin Mariano-Hardy, an eighth grade student at WCMS, said he is looking forward to exploring.
“I have never been out of this county,” Mariano-Hardy said. “I’m going to explore everything.”
Aubrey Hedges, an eighth grade student, said she is excited about going to another country and learning, while seventh grade students Sasha Sakai and Tiana Rita said they were looking forward to the Great Wall of China and The Forbidden City.
One of the sponsors for the trip is Lisa Johnson of Super Duper II ice cream, who has been selling ice cream for more than a year to help the group.
Burkman said the Kukui‘ula Development Co. also contributed money so T-shirts could be printed for the travelers.
The West Kaua‘i Professional and Business Association ensured that passport and visas for the young travelers were taken care of, and the County of Kaua‘i, Office of Economic Development provided Kaua‘i promotional materials, which will be presented to the Chinese middle school the Waimea group will be visiting.
Other fundraising efforts include bake sales, car washes, swap meets, the sale of plate lunches, Zumba-thons, Bowl-a-thons and selling pizza at Ainofea caged fights.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
