By Barry Villamil
On Friday, September 8, 2023, the Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP) proudly welcomed 2023-2024 Cross Academy School (former Our Savior Lutheran School) Interact Club Officers to our weekly Friday lunch meeting held at the Pearl Country Club Grill Room. It was a special lunch meeting that was one of the most inspirational, rewarding, and productive lunch meetings, in the spirit of Rotary International’s commitment to youth leadership, that I have ever experienced in my 13 years as a RCOP board member.
You see, the heart and soul of the RCOP thrives from a strong commitment and bond with our youth in both the Aiea and Pearl City communities. Our goals are focused on providing mentorships while partnering with leadership and community volunteer outreach opportunities, and financial support that during the 2023-2024 school year, will reaching out to over 800 third grade students and their teachers from 14 Aiea and Pearl City elementary schools through the Hawaii Rotary Dictionary 5000 Project, along with another 130 RCOP Rotary Interact Club students from three Aiea and Pearl City schools.
While the common goal of Rotary International is to build, nurture, and guide today’s youth through structured, global youth-oriented programs into the leaders of tomorrow, the RCOP is blessed to be touched by, and learn from the outstanding student leaders of today that we support and serve as Rotarians. Their leadership skills, commitment to their schools, community, and humanitarian efforts, reach out wholeheartedly to the needs of people and the communities they live in around the world.
Last Friday, our RCOP lunch meeting agenda included:
- 2023-2024 Cross Academy Officers oath of office by RCOP President and Past District Governor Dick Mosko
- Check donation presentations to the Cross Academy Interact Club from: Rotary Club of Pearlridge ($250.00), Eric Fujimoto Foundation ($250.00), and the Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association ($250.00).
- $840.00 check donation presentation to the RCOP from funds raised by the Cross Academy School “Penny Wars” Fundraiser that will benefit the Hawaii Rotary District 5000 Maui Fire Relief Fund.
- Cross Academy award certificate presentation to the RCOP in recognition for the club’s assistance in the Red Light Traffic Safety Awareness sign waving event and Traffic Safety Awareness Coloring Contest held at Cross Academy School in August 2023.
It was a very memorable experience for the RCOP to share a meal and time together with Cross Academy Interact Club Officers and school Principal Clarence De Lude (who is also the RCOP Youth Services Chair) while recognizing and celebrating our successful and rewarding partnership.
The RCOP would like to express its appreciation for the support from our corporate partner Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association and the Eric Fujimoto Foundation. I am honored to represent both the Rotary Club of Pearlridge and the Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association
Congratulations to 2023-2024 Cross Academy School Interact Club Officers:
Helena Richesin President
Brianna Salviejo Vice President
Krystana Cadorna Treasurer
Co-Secretary, Jaylene Taua and Ojani Gonzalez
Edward Gulliver Sargent of Arms
Jude Quapaw, Web Site and PR
Service Above Self
Photos by Barry Villamil | MyPearlCity.com
2023-2024 Cross Academy Interact Officers are pictured taking their oath of office by RCOP President and Past District Governor Dick Mosko.
Cross Academy Interact Officers are pictured receiving donation checks in support of their Interact Club program for the 2023-2024 school year from the Rotary Club of Pearlridge ($250.00), Eric Fujimoto Foundation ($250.00), and the Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association ($250.00).
Cross Academy School Principal and RCOP Youth Services Chair Clarence De Lude (L), and Cross Academy School Interact Club President Helena Richesin (center) presented RCOP President and PDG Dick Mosko (R) with a $840.00 check from money raised during the school’s Penny Wars fundraiser that will benefit the Hawaii Rotary District 5000 Maui Fire Relief Fund.
RCOP President and PDG Dick Mosko is pictured receiving an award certificate in recognition for the club’s assistance in the Red Light Traffic Safety Awareness sign waving event and Traffic Safety Awareness Coloring Contest from Cross Academy Interact Club President Helena Richesin.
