KAPA`A—The trip started on October 31, 1999. The KIF volleyball season had ended, but that was the first step on a journey that took flight on July 8 for eight student members of the Kapa`a Boys & Girls Club. Dubbed
KAPA`A—The trip started on October 31, 1999.
The KIF volleyball season had
ended, but that was the first step on a journey that took flight on July 8 for
eight student members of the Kapa`a Boys & Girls Club.
Dubbed the
Swoosh Club, Heather Baptiste, Kristin Bonilla, Nani Dinnan, Tristen Greenleaf,
Shalia Keough, Tescily Maguire, Brandi Tacbian, and Uluwehi Torio, were the
remnants of the original 15 girls that started on the path that would lead to
the Fourth Annual Starlings Volleyball National Championships in San Diego,
California before culminating at the Nike Swoosh Leadership Camp in Portland,
Oregon.
Before the group lay the goal of $20,000 in fund raising and a list
of accomplishments each individual had to complete on the road to their berth
at the Swoosh Camp.
Each member was to complete a minimum of 25 hours of
community service, promote, organize, and administer athletic activities for
younger members of the Boys & Girls Club, and to raise money.
The
effort took its toll and the numbers began to dwindle…members of the group
began dropping out as the scope of responsibility overwhelmed them.
Fund
raising took the guise of lau-lau sales, car washes, gift wrapping, snack bar
sales, and many other tasks. Along the way, the Kaua`i Cowboys joined the
effort as did Cost-U-Less, Akua Graphics, and several other
organizations.
Raising money is not easy as the group needed to be at the
Boys & Girls Club each afternoon from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. to coordinate
activities and work at the snack bar.
Weekends were occupied with car
washes in the scorching sun as 1,000-plus cars awaited attention, and each of
the Club’s members brought their share of supplies so the task could be met,
but not without its price…blisters, rashes, sleep deprivation, and
money.
But, the price of the journey did not stop at fund raising as the
Swoosh Club became involved in several community service projects, another step
towards the goal of the Swoosh Camp.
A pair of teams for the American
Cancer Society’s Relay for Life was first on the agenda. But, it didn’t end
here as another segment of the Club organized and operated keiki games for the
American Cancer Society’s all-night event at the Kapa`a Beach Park resulting in
an overall effort of $600 raised for the fight against cancer.
Swoosh Club
members were also involved in the sponsorship of the 2000 Mitey Mite/Termite
basketball program that occupied the month of April as Boys & Girls Club
members set up and tore down the basketball courts at the open gym at the
Kapa`a Middle School.
There were time clocks that needed monitoring, and
refreshment was on every game’s agenda.
The 1999 Christmas Party and 2000
Easter Egg Party had a positive effect on the group as over $1,000 was raised
to give out as gifts, games, merchandise and prizes. The date of departure
drew closer.
July 8, the group of eight plus three coaches and advisors
Terry Maguire, Gary Maguire, and Kealii Rowland stepped off Kaua`i for a trip
that would end in Portland, Oregon and the Nike Swoosh Leadership Camp and an
experience that bore fruit to the belief of eight young women that sports can
make a difference in their lives, and also in the lives of others.
The
Fourth Annual Starlings Volleyball tournament was held at the United States
International University and involved four days of competition after which The
Boys & Girls Club of Kapa`a ended 14th out of 29 teams in their
age-division, but offering the student athletes a chance to experience college
life for the first time in their lives.
Gold Medal honors went to the Boys
& Girls Club O`ahu 14 & Under with the Ewa Beach organization wrapping
up the Silver Division.
With stops at Disneyland, Magic Mountain, and
shopping malls, the group made its way by train up to Portland, Oregon savoring
the experience of being able to finally enjoy some of the fruits of their labor
that spanned several months.
The Nike Camp offered another opportunity at
experiencing college life as well as learn many non-traditional sports such as
Tennis, Street Hockey, Field Hockey, 2-ball Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Team
Handball, Fun & fitness, Water Polo, and Golf, with all coaches being
either Olympic athletes or professional coaches.
The experience ended
following a tour of the Nike campus and facilities before embarking to compete
in various assigned sporting events with a Sportsmanship Award as the
trophy.
Brandi Tacbian of the Kapa`a Clubhouse captured this prestigious
award along with the poster contest. Tescily Maguire captured the Proof
reading contest.
Nani Dinnan, Uluwehi Torio, Heather Baptiste, and Kealii
Rowland were selected as part of the 20 members allowed to participate in the
Water Polo event with each member earning an award besides an unforgettable
experience.
Mr. Ford and the cafeteria staff at Kapa`a High School, Mary
Nakamura, club director for the Kapa`a Boys & Girls Club, the staff of the
Boys & Girls Club, Kealii Rowland, and Terry and Gary Maguire are just some
of the numerous individuals whose never-waivering support saw them at the sides
of the girls throughout the journey.
The Swoosh Club of eight (plus three)
realizes and appreciates the value of community and parental support without
which none of these dreams could have been achieved.
