MyPearlCity.com was honored this past summer with the opportunity to feature the Pearl City Chapter and Beta Chapter of the Hawaii Ballroom Dancing Association in a cover story.
Club members from the Pearl City Chapter and Beta Chapter opened their doors for a look at the dancers in action. The group of dancers participate in dance classes, two times a week, at the Manana Elementary School cafeteria in Pearl City. They have developed a very special bond with the school Principal Mr. Bryan Loo. Principal Loo allows them access to the cafeteria to enjoy the art of ballroom dancing which each member truly loves.
To show their gratitude for the use of the cafeteria, the club members give back to the school and community by volunteering for many school projects while also supporting the needs of the students throughout the year.
Recently, they were recognized by the Honolulu City Council and City Councilmember Breene Harimoto at City Hall for their volunteer contributions to the Pearl City community.
Some of the clubs volunteer activities include a school supply drive at Manana Elementary School during the months of July and August. The school supply drive collects supplies for students in need.
They also help with maintaining the schools appearance and housekeeping chores with a "Window Washing Project" on campus.
Several club members also play an instrumental role in supporting the school in the classroom through the "Reading Group Project". Volunteers make their way into the classroom to read to the students, once a week, from September through May.
Shirley Ota, who is a retired school teacher and guiding force behind the Pearl City Chapter of the Hawaii Ballroom Dancing Association, commented on the success of the Reading Group Project at Manana Elementary School.
"Principal Loo approached me one day and asked me if I could help him do a reading group, for tutoring," said Ota. "I got my ballroom dancers and some friends who are not dancers helping me. I have nineteen tutors and this is our fourth year. Every day, Monday through Friday there is someone in a classroom and that same person goes every week to the same teacher and helps with different students that the teacher asked for. All nineteen are very, very good. When they can't come, we have a substitute. There is always someone covering the class. We have so many people asking about this reading group, because of the fact that no other school around here has this program. This is Principal Loo's baby, this reading program. It’s been very successful. Manana Elementary has attained their AYP, Annual Yearly Progress, and No Child Left Behind. Principal Loo wrote a very nice e-mail saying it's because of the tutors helping the children that they were able to achieve their goals."
The success and growth of our community starts with the kind of commitment that Shirley and her fellow ballroom dance club members and friends have given through their hard work and dedication to serve their neighbors.
The Pearl City Chapter and Beta Chapter members truly represent the Heart & Soul of our Pearl City community.
Photo courtesy of Herb Ota
Pearl City Ballroom Dance Club volunteers pictured at their 2012 window washing project held at Manana Elementary School.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Volunteer tutors from the Manana Elementary School Reading Group Project a are pictured with Manana Elementary School Principal Bryan Loo (second row, far left) and reading group coordinator, Shirley Ota (front row, fourth from left) in the school library.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Members of the Pearl City Chapter and Beta Chapter of the Hawaii Ballroom Dancing Association pose for a photo at the Manana Elementary School cafeteria.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Hawaii Ballroom Dancing Association instructors conducting class at the Manana Elementary School cafeteria.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Beta Chapter Vice President Perfecto Cortez and Beta Chapter President Bill Klein.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Beta Chapter Vice President Perfecto Cortez and mascot Adobo.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Principal Bryan Loo (front row, second from right poses with dance members after a class.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Hawaii Ballroom Dancing Association instructors Patty Dela Cruz (left ) and husband Mark Dela Cruz take a photo with Shirley Ota.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Shirley and Herb Ota.
To learn more log on to: www.hbda-hawaii.org/pearlcity
Pearl City: Manana Elementary, Tuesdays (American) at 7:00 p.m.