'Ewa's appreciation for Lincoln grows
 |
| 'Ewa Elementary School sixth-graders draped lei on the school's statue of Abraham Lincoln to mark the 16th president's birthday. Among the students helping were, from left, on ladders: Cody Anguay, Charles Dimaano and Sebastian Locquiao.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser |
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer
'EWA — At a time when many may turn to Abraham Lincoln for inspiration following Sept. 11, 'Ewa Elementary School's annual tribute yesterday on the 16th president's birthday took on more meaning than usual.
Kicking off a ceremony yesterday morning filled with patriotic hymns and miniature U.S. flags, two dozen students draped lei on the campus statue of Lincoln, who held the country together during another major crisis over 140 years ago: the Civil War. The school's 840 students then honored Lincoln under the theme "United We Stand," which was chosen after the terrorist attacks on the East Coast.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
"Lincoln would try to unite us as we've been doing since the attacks," said school principal Irene Nakamoto.
'Ewa Elementary School kindergartners and preschoolers performed "Wave Our Flag" as they did just that during the school's 58th annual Lincoln Day Program. All grades took part in the program symbolizing support of all mankind.
Even longtime 'Ewa Villages resident Jeanette Amadeo, who has seen her three children and four grandchildren participate in the school event over the years, shed tears while watching first-graders wave U.S. flags and dance to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A."
"It's touching to see the kids perform because the songs have so much meaning hearing them sing it," said the 61-year-old Amadeo, one of 300 adults attending the annual event. "I think after what happened, the children understand the meaning behind the songs, too."
The Lincoln statue tradition began when the sculpture was placed at the school in 1944 through a donation by the estate of Katherine Burke, who served as school principal from 1919 to 1927, and was a great admirer of Lincoln.
Nakamoto said the school celebrates Lincoln's birthday in place of May Day events normally held at other schools.
"Lincoln taught us to always do your best, be honest, work together, and strive for peace," said fifth-grader Benjamin Tran, one of the student speakers at yesterday's ceremony.
Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
