LIHU‘E — Despite setbacks created by the blustery weather, the Elsie Wilcox Elementary School carnival and cookie pickup was a success, Thursday. “We had to cancel the rides,” said Terry Procter, the school’s principal. “The winds were blowing pretty hard
LIHU‘E — Despite setbacks created by the blustery weather, the Elsie Wilcox Elementary School carnival and cookie pickup was a success, Thursday.
“We had to cancel the rides,” said Terry Procter, the school’s principal. “The winds were blowing pretty hard when it was time to set up so, for safety reasons, we didn’t put them up.”
Ruthie Omoto, the president of the Wilcox School PTSA, said not having the rides simply moved the people to take part in the other activities being offered at the carnival.
Rafael Camarillo said his daughter, Gianna, a fifth grade student at Wilcox School, was celebrating her birthday, joining her hula sisters under kumu hula Vanessa Punua in entertaining the crowd under the large canopy set up outside the school’s cafeteria.
“This is really good,” Procter said. “There are a lot of people at the carnival, and the cookie sale went really well.”
Omoto said the students, parents and teachers sold more than 8,600 bags of School Kine Cookies, resulting in proceeds of $24,745.
“We want to send a big mahalo to the students, parents, teachers and the community businesses who came out to support our carnival,” Omoto said. “Funds and contributions from the cookie and carnival fundraiser will go directly back to our school to be used for needed programs, equipment, supplies, teacher training, updating technology and more.”
Omoto said schools need the help of outside funding to make up for the federal and state budget cuts.
“Without the additional funding from events like the cookie sale and carnival, programs which assist our students could come to an end and our school would not have the opportunity to improve so our children can reach for their dreams, and our teachers are able to help them reach their full potential,” the PTSA president said.
She said the Wilcox School PTSA also provides school planners, bus fare for excursions, teacher and volunteer appreciation, Caught Being Good character development program, Family Movie Night, Math and Science Night, Creative Arts Program and many other activities and programs which benefit Wilcox School students.
Omoto said some of the many community volunteers and sponsors made the event possible. These include Ibaan’s Rentals, Kaua‘i High School Key Club with Charlene Navarro as advisor, Mr. Esaki and the Kapa‘a Ice House, Garden Island Disposal, Frito Lay, Guy Higa and Service Rentals who provided the use of lights.
Fun n Kwazy Rides were ready to set up the fun rides before the decision was made to cancel the set up for safety reasons.
Edward Punua provided the music, the Creative Arts and ‘Ukulele students offered energetic performances, and Aaron Furugen had his shave ice.
Omoto said she appreciates the help of Sheri Nakashima, the volunteers coordinator, Vanessa Punua and the hula dancers, the school’s cafeteria manager, Michael Akama for creating the chili, and the many “behind-the-scenes” parents and volunteers.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
