WAIMEA — Elsie Hegwood and Margaret Kagawa were laboring in the hot Westside heat as the pair lugged boxes and merchandise in preparation for the Waimea United Church of Christ’s rummage sale coming up this Saturday, Sept. 18. It was
WAIMEA — Elsie Hegwood and Margaret Kagawa were laboring in the hot Westside heat as the pair lugged boxes and merchandise in preparation for the Waimea United Church of Christ’s rummage sale coming up this Saturday, Sept. 18.
It was this scene that prompted Waimea High School teacher Billy DeCosta to send his Alternative Learning Center students out into the sun and heat as the group made short work of the task that lay before the two ladies.
“They have big hearts,” Kagawa said. “They saw us loading, and came to help. (Without their help) it would’ve taken us at least half-day.” Hegwood said, “He’s (DeCosta) really good. He brings out the best in those students!” Meanwhile, the students were relishing a break in the shade of the church while awaiting their next task.
DeCosta said the students always keep an eye out for the ladies, and offer their help whenever possible. He said, “Academics are not a won-loss situation on campus. It’s a won-loss situation in the community.” He said that both he and EA (educational aide) Mrs. Kajiwara are graduates of Waimea High School, and what they do is their way of giving back.
In return for their services, DeCosta said the ladies allowed the students to select some items from the rummage sale inventory — a tent for their next beach outing, a video game, and a few other items.
But, the greatest satisfaction comes from their (the students) ability to make a difference by helping out.
“We’re really lucky to have them,” said Gayle Cuizon, the student activities coordinator at Waimea High School, who was busy working with leadership students on an aloha banner for Agenosho High School.
“They (Kajiwara and DeCosta) work really well together, and they have a way of bringing out the best in the students. We’re really lucky to have them.” The students will be out of school when the rummage sale takes place Saturday at the classroom buildings adjacent to the Waimea clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii.
“Vote early at the neighborhood center, and come check out the goodies,” Hegwood said.
The sale is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
