Students’ tribute to principal helps cancer cause

KAPA‘A — A school’s tribute to its former principal provided the spark for a contribution to pancreatic cancer research, Tuesday.

“They all paid for their shirts,” said Celina Haugh, the principal for St. Catherine’s School in Kapa‘a.

Students turned out 151 strong Tuesday morning for the annual school photo. But instead of the usual St. Catherine’s School uniform, they were garbed in purple T-shirts emblazoned with “St. Catherine School supports Pancreatic Cancer Research in honor of Carol West.”

Haugh said West was the former principal for St. Catherine School, and on Oct. 5, lost her two-year battle against pancreatic cancer.

Among the bustling, excited students who congregated around the school’s new playground equipment at the direction of local photographer Carol Ann Davis, Nicholas Koo clung tightly to his preschool teacher.

“Nicholas is the grandson of Carol West,” explained Beth Hada, the student’s preschool teacher. “This event is done in her honor.”

Haugh said the shirts were done in purple because that is the color symbolic with the pancreatic cancer cause, and the photo was being done in November to coincide with its being Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month.

Proceeds from the school-wide fund-raising efforts will be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network in her memory, Haugh said.

“Our goal is to honor Carol as well as raise awareness of this devastating disease and raise money for research,” Haugh said.

As the group inched and jockeyed into position with the help of its teachers and Davis’ direction, one last tribute was made to the former principal of St. Catherine School.

In the shade of the spreading monkeypod tree, the school’s billboard announced that November is All Souls month with West being featured along with a photo of the students’ beloved principal.