In Brief | Schools | 9-17-14

VFW seeking student essays

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12122 of Kona announces two contests for intermediate and high school students.

Students in sixth through eighth grades should write an essay on “Why I appreciate America’s veterans.” The top 46 national winners can win up to $5,000. Area winners will receive a trip to Honolulu in February to accept their prizes.

High school students will compete in a different competition with essays on “Why veterans are important to our nation’s history and future.” Winners in this category can win a scholarship of $30,000 and win an all expense trip to Washington, D.C.

Deadlines for both contests are Nov 1. Further information and entry blanks can be obtained by calling the post at 326-5675 or 818-384-7500.

AVID program seeks volunteers

The Advancement Via Individual Determination program at Kealakehe High School is looking for volunteers to facilitate tutoring sessions at the school. The AVID tutors are essential to the AVID elective class where they facilitate student success in advanced courses, giving them the support and confidence needed for achievement.

The program is looking for volunteers to work as a weekly tutor. College students can work as a tutor for their work study. AVID training is provided.

For more information, contact Connie Simon at 313-3600 or connie_simon@notes.k12.hi.us.

DOE honors employees, teams

HONOLULU — The state Department of Education has presented its 2014 Employee of the Year award to Kahaluu Elementary’s Monica DeCosta, whose multitude of roles as administrative services assistant have helped cut absenteeism and streamline operations schoolwide.

The Washington Middle School AVID Site Team was named the DOE Team of the Year for its innovative efforts to empower students to succeed in school and prepare for college. The DOE also honored Thomas Rodrigues, food services manager at Aiea High, with an inaugural Manager of the Year award at its Incentive and Service Awards held at the State Capitol.

Team Excellence Award of Merit went to West Hawaii Teacher Induction and Mentoring Program comprised of Sandy Cameli, Renee Caton and Patricia Robinson.

Imiloa offering intersession camp

Imiloa Astronomy Center is looking for keen-eyed keiki who enjoy observing the natural world for the next Camp IMI-Possible Fall intersession program, Fun-novations of the Sky, slated for Oct. 6 to 10. Students will be immersed in a weeklong adventure of science experiments and activities relating to native birds and insects, and their unique adaptations to Hawaii.

The camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drop off is available as early as 7:30 a.m. with pick up by 4:15 p.m. Lunch and snacks are not included, so parents should pack a snack and healthy lunch.

Enrollment is open, but space is limited. Tuition for the program is $225 for members and $250 for nonmembers.

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Applications and scholarship information can be found at imiloahawaii.org/183. Completed applications and payment should be submitted to the center’s front desk.

Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii is located on the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus.

Program prepares students for work force

Hawaii Community College and the state’s Workforce Development Division continue to collaborate in offering free Individualized Career Achievement Network workshops in Waimea, Pahala and Hilo. Designed for people interested in improving their reading, writing, math and workplace skills, the iCAN workshops are a fast-paced way for employees and job seekers to improve their employability skills.

Open to anyone 18 and older at no charge, whether or not they have a high school diploma, the self-paced iCAN workshops prepare students for the work force as they pursue a National Career Readiness Certificate. The certificate has been recognized as the most effective strategy for certifying workplace skills and predicting workplace success. More than 1 million certificates have been issued and more than 40 states have statewide or regional certificate programs. More than 40 Hawaii Island residents have already achieved the certificate through this program.

Classes are continuously being held in Hilo, Pahala and Waimea, with ongoing enrollment in each program. Contact Program Coordinator Carolina Sborja at 934-2700 or at csborja@hawaii.edu.

These workshops are made available through a grant awarded under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grants (C3T), as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

Essay contest deadline Monday

The Hawaii Access to Justice Commission and the Hawaii State Bar Association are sponsoring an essay contest for high school students titled “How to Inspire Others to Volunteer.” It is being held to recognize exceptional volunteerism by Hawaii students to encourage those students to share their volunteering experiences with others. The contest is open to students in grades 10 to 12. The deadline for submissions is Monday.

One winning essay will be selected from each of the islands of Kauai, Maui (including Lanai and Molokai) and the Big Island, and three essays will be chosen from Oahu. Each honored recipient will receive a $500 award.

The winners will be recognized at a Pro Bono Celebration event to be held at 4 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Hawaii Supreme Court Courtroom in Honolulu. Further information on the contest may be obtained from Carol K. Muranaka, Esq. at Carol.K.Muranaka@gmail.com.

Pike enrolls at George Fox University

Sarah Pike of Kailua-Kona has enrolled as a freshman at George Fox University of Newberg, Ore., this fall.

Pike is one of 616 first-time freshmen joining the university. It is the biggest first-year class in the history of the institution. All told, the university welcomes 769 first-time undergraduates — which encompasses freshmen, transfers, readmitted students and international students and a school-record 3,793 total students.