Palisades Elementary students Miyamoto, Olivas-Maake win top community awards

Palisades Elementary School students Carly Miyamoto and Rayden Olivas-Maake were recognized and presented community awards from the Pearl City Lions Club and Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP) yesterday during the school's annual end of school year awards assembly held in the school cafeteria.

Carly Miyamoto

Miyamato was presented a recognition letter and a $100.00 check from Pearl City Lions Club President Clarence Nishihara for winning first place in the Lions District 50 Sight is Beautiful poster contest. Miyamoto won the school level, zone level, and state level for grade six. She is also a member of Palisades Elementary after school Ukulele and Hula Club taught by Makua Leilani. Makua Leilani recognized Miyamoto's art talents back in kindergarten when her asrtwork was chosen for the school's May Day program t-shirts.

"Carly's mom, Jody, will never forget what my mom said about her daughter when she was in Kindergarten", said Kekoa Manner, Makua Leilani's son. My mom said, "your daughter is going to be an artist” after Carly won an art contest to design the Kindergarten May Day shirts to perform in. My mom silk screened Carly's winning design on all of the shirts.

Rayden Olivas-Maake

Olivas-Maake was presented a recognition letter and a $50.00 check by past Rotary Club of Pearlridge President and current Board Member Dick Mosko for winning Rotary International's Dictionary 5000 Good Citizen Award. Rayden was chosen by Palisades Elementary third grade teachers for best exemplifying the Principles of Rotary International's 4-Way Test.

"Four Way Test"

1. Is it the truth;
2. Is it fair to all concerned,
3. Will it bring good will and better friendships,
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned.

Dictionaries were donated and delivered by Rotary of Pearlridge community volunteers to the Palisades Elementary third graders in the beginning of the school year. RCOP donated over 850 dictionaries in 2016-2017 to third graders and their teachers in 12 Pearl City and Aiea Elementary schools.

I was honored yesterday for the opportunity to be a part of the award presentations as a member of both the Rotary Club of Pearlridge and the Pearl City Lions Club. I would like to thank the school and the Aloha Hula Club for the wonderful lei!