Pearl City Complex Leadership Day, Winter Wonder, Winter Wonderland 2019

I would like to share a pretty cool experience from last week Friday's visits to a few schools in the Pearl City District Complex.

My day started off at 8:00am at Pearl City High School where I was invited by Ms. Lahela Manning to join a panel of judges for the school's Center for Tomorrow's Leaders "Pitch Day" where three teams of students presented projects that they have been working on during the fall semester.

"In our program we have over 600 students that address needs in the schools through student led projects, and throughout the fall semester we have been going through our curriculum and walking the students through the vision they have for their school and community and what they can do to become servant leaders and help to build those communities."
Ms. Lahela Manning

A panel of 3 judges included a teacher, administrator,and a community leader which I represented. It was an amazing experience. The students were great and very intelligent and motivated to address the needs of their fellow PCHS students and their community.

My next visit was to Lehua Elementary School's "Winter Wonder Leadership Day" that began at 12:30pm. Student speakers opened the program followed by a wonderful hula performance by Grade 4 students who danced to "He Mele No Lilo".

Principal Mr. Alvan Fukuhara welcomed everyone and invited us all to visit the students classrooms from PreK – 6th grade. The students at each grade level shared their projects that ranged from the PreK students "Trash" into Treasure" project to the 6th graders "Environmental Awareness" project. All the students and their teachers worked hard to prepare their projects through research and hands on activities at school and as volunteers in our community.

My last visit of the day was at Pearl City Elementary School's "Winter Wonderland" held in the school cafeteria. It was great! The cafeteria was decorated exactly as the event title, "Winter Wonderland". Principal Dr. Susan Hirokane welcomed the Pearl City Elementary ohana followed by a terrific Christmas themed performance by the school chorus. Everyone enjoyed activities and ono snacks throughout the event.

Mahalo to PCHS Principal Mr. Joseph Halfmann, Lehua Elementary School Principal Mr. Alvan Fukuhara, and Pearl City Elementary School Principal Dr. Susan Hirokane, as well as their staff and students for the invitation to attend and participate while representing the community at their schools.

It was a lot of fun and inspiring to see, feel, and experience the culture of pride and the heart and soul that guides each school as they reach and achieve their educational goals while positively impacting our environment.

Merry Christmas!