By Barry Villamil, Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge
It was an immensely proud and appreciative moment for the Rotary Club of Pearlridge to honor and recognize Emily and Grant Kuraoka for their exceptional service, dedication, and success while leading the RCOP’s annual Dictionary 5000 and Good Citizen Awards Program as its co-chairs. Both Emily and Grant served as honored guest speakers on Friday, July 10 during the RCOP lunch meeting held at the Highlands Intermediate School Student Center in Pearl City.
Emily and Grant put their Heart and Soul into the success of the RCOP’s annual Dictionary 5000 and Good Citizen Awards Program that reaches out to over eight-hundred third graders and their teachers in fourteen public and private schools in both the Aiea and Pearl City communities. The RCOP Dictionary 5000 Program annually provides free dictionaries and Good Citizen Awards sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pearlridge Foundation.
In the beginning of each new school year, Emily and Grant order dictionaries, prep dictionaries by placing Rotary International’s Four Way Test in each dictionary and organize dictionary presentation dates and times with each school. Emily and Grant also distribute dictionaries to RCOP who volunteer their time to serve as free dictionary presenters. Most of the free dictionary presentations are made by Emily and Grant.
At the end of each school year, Emily and Grant prepare for the Good Citizen Awards presentations. One third grade boy and girl from each of the fourteen schools are chosen by their teachers to receive the prestigious award for best exemplifying the Principles of Rotary International’s Four Way Test. Each third grader receives a Congratulatory letter from the current RCOP President, and a $50.00 scholarship check provided by the RCOP Foundation. Emily and Grant connect with teachers to receive the names of the Good Citizen Awards recipients and schedule presentation dates and times. Presentations are made by Emily, Grant and RCOP volunteers at each of the school’s end of year awards assemblies.
Mahalo to Emily and Grant for their tireless dedication and inspiration to us all in the true spirit of “Service Above Self”.
The wonderful mother and son Rotarian bond have put thousands of smiles on the faces of third graders and their teachers with each dictionary and Good Citizen Award presentation throughout the years.
