COURTESY OF KAUAI HIGH SCHOOL
Members of Kauai High School's Leo Club visit the elderly residents of the Long Term Care Facility at Wilcox Memorial Hospital every month.
Sasha Sagadraca, a junior at Kauai High School, heads to Wilcox Memorial Hospital after school once a week to work in the registration office. Kauai students find charity
a labor of love
Music resonates widely at Kauai
Student Q & A
By Jim Cooper and Isaac Dotimas
Kauai High SchoolDoes she get paid? No.
Does she have to do it? No.
Then why does she?
"It makes me feel like I've spent my time productively," Sagadraca says. "Knowing I'm contributing to my community makes me feel important and gives me a new kind of confidence which helps me appreciate each day."
Sagadraca admits she would like to expand her duties to help more with patients and make their lives more enjoyable while they are in the hospital.
Whereas Sagadraca is volunteering as an individual, she is joined by many other KHS students who devote their time to service projects in the community.
KHS students are expected to become responsible citizens who participate as productive members of society, who live in safe and healthy ways, who demonstrate environmental and global awareness, who respect themselves and others, and who accept and appreciate differences.
Anyone who spends a few days at KHS will see that these goals are already being met in a variety of ways. Whether it is through student council activities, club service projects, social studies requirements, or athletic team efforts, students are making a difference at school and in the community.
For instance, the student council is promoting a canned food drive through the month of November. Its goal is to turn over 1,300 cans of food to the Salvation Army at the end of the month. The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Club is challenging all KHS clubs to see which one can collect the most cans, and is offering candy as a prize.
The student council also manages a blood drive in the spring. Students and faculty donated more than 70 pints of blood last year.
The Kiwins and Key clubs are in the process of joining forces at KHS, bringing almost 100 students into the world of community service. They work with the Kiwanis Club on projects such as Adopt-a-Highway trash collecting, playing with children at Wilcox School's A+ Program, and taking on school beautification projects.
"It's all about giving back to the community," says Sheila Nakayama, club president. "For some, it's just to put something on their resumes, but most of us really enjoy getting involved."
Leo Club is one of the largest and most active clubs at KHS, with approximately 65 members and three service projects scheduled every month.
"The focus this year is diversifying our projects and keeping our members interested," says club president Grant Teichman.
Each month the Leo Club visits the elderly residents of the Long Term Care Facility at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, where they play games, work on crafts and make friends.
Members also volunteer at the Kauai Food Bank, wrap presents for the American Heart Association and Easter Seals at Christmas and tackle the trash in the back parking lot at school.
Service Learning is now a requirement in many social studies classes. Some students choose to go to the Kauai Food Bank to sort food and clean up.
Isaac Dotimas, a senior, said: "It taught me to be thankful for what I have. And helping out the unfortunate made me feel good about myself."
Other students choose to work with a team from the Hyatt Regency to clean up the Koloa Tree Tunnel, or they can work on a project with their church group.
Habitat for Humanity provides another option. While former president Jimmy Carter is probably one of the most well-known volunteers, KHS junior Jim Cooper spent many hours painting a house in Hanapepe Heights.
"I think it is the people who are going to live here that inspire me to do what I do," Cooper said. "Besides, if I were in that situation, then I would want others to do the same for me."
Athletic teams are required to perform a service project for the school and one for the community each year. This year the football team helped out at Special Olympics, doing whatever it took to make the events run smoothly.
"It was fun. I liked doing it," said football player Adam Meafua.
Like many other students at KHS, he is experiencing the joy of community service on the Garden Island.
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Corey Arashiro You asked
Do you believe there is a soul mate out there for you?Compiled by Alise Van Steenis and Cherish Balgos
Freshman
"Yeah. I think he's the one because he is nice and my parents like him."Rejis Canales
Senior
"Yes, I believe there is a soul mate, but I have not found her. I don't know anyone who is potential soul mate material."Lauren Supon
Junior
"Yes! I haven't found him yet, but I will know when I see a lot of my good qualities in him. Also, he will always make me happy."Kellan Craddock
Senior
"I am undecided, but I hope she exists."Ross Brandenburg
Junior
"Yes. I haven't found her yet, but I will know when my heart tells me so."Aaron Albers
Sophomore
"Yeah. I believe that I have found my soul mate. My girlfriend and I are compatible, and we get along well."Kalani Lopez
Senior
"No, I don't think there is one specific person out there for you. I think love is fleeting, and if a person isn't happy with someone they should move on."Cody Arashiro
Senior
"Yes, but I haven't found that person yet. I have many more years to find that special someone. I know with all my heart that God has that special guy for me, and I'll wait until he's revealed to me."Destrie Monis
Junior
"Yes. I haven't spent time looking for one, but I expect my soul mate to be nice, friendly, beautiful, and smart."
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