LIHU‘E — Three, fourth-grade students from the Elsie Wilcox Elementary School topped a field of several hundred entries from four Kaua‘i elementary schools Tuesday. Rilen Loo’s face lit up with a surprised smile as he was announced as the first-place
LIHU‘E — Three, fourth-grade students from the Elsie Wilcox Elementary School topped a field of several hundred entries from four Kaua‘i elementary schools Tuesday.
Rilen Loo’s face lit up with a surprised smile as he was announced as the first-place winner in the CHARACTER COUNTS 2010 essay and artwork contest, a national program coordinated by the Kaua‘i Association of Family and Community Education.
Zachery Safford was announced as the second-place winner, and Shaylyn Silva finished in a tie for third with Kaira Ka‘aihue of Kapa‘a Elementary School.
For their efforts, the students were presented with certificates of achievement and gift cards from Borders Books and Music. Loo, whose entry will be forwarded on to the state-level competition, also received a Squeak character, the icon for Fairness, this year’s theme.
Open to all fourth-grade students in elementary schools as well as home-school students, the national contest teaches the understanding of Six Pillars of Character, with a corresponding animal mascot for each trait.
The Six Pillars of Character include Fairness, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Respect, Caring and Citizenship.
Lenore Klass, who will be leaving for Florida as part of a national bake off in several weeks, said each character is represented by a creature: Buzzee, Clarence, Micka, Icky, Webster, Tubee and Squeak.
The contest also enhances students’ skills in writing, penmanship, spelling, creativity and other learning skills.
Last year’s winner also came from Wilcox School — Lia Yamasato. Second-place honors went to Breeanne Cayaban of ‘Ele‘ele School, and third place was awarded to Sharay Glosgow-Reyes, also of ‘Ele‘ele School.
Presenting the awards was especially gratifying for Sanae Morita, the event chair, and Gladys Fujiuchi, as both ladies are former teachers at Wilcox School before retiring, they said.
“For awhile there was nothing happening and we were beginning to get worried,” Fujiuchi said. “But now, I guess the students are beginning to shine.”
Paul Zina, Wilcox School vice principal, said the presentation was especially meaningful because Lynette Morinaka, the fourth-grade teacher, will be retiring at the end of the week. He added that Wilcox School has a strong character-development program covering all students at all grade levels.
When the group arrived to make the presentation, Morinaka was busy correcting journals in the school library, noting that Wednesday was the first day her replacement was going solo in the classroom.
“This is one way she goes out in a big way,” Zina said. “And as former teachers at Wilcox School, it’s nice to see that even in retirement, teachers continue to find ways to help the students.”
Klass said students in third grade can look forward to another competition next year with a different character to understand.
