Updated at 5:47 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2007
Kapolei students win $10,000 for service program
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
The original idea to donate the funds to the feral cat program was the genius of fourth-grader Michael Brenner.
"We had thought of having a party with the money, but I suggested helping the feral cat population through Malama Popoki ... all my classmates agreed," Michael said.
Deborah Way, Disney Adventures senior editor, said IPA's project was selected for an "All-Stars Contest" award from a field of 2,000 entrants in the United States.
"We loved that the Island Pacific Academy students came up with a project that worked on two solutions at once," Way said. "Using the proceeds from a recycling program to help solve the feral cat problem in Hawai'i is one of the most creative projects we've ever seen. It reflects well on the students' selfless spirit and community service, and we are thrilled to recognize them with the award."
Half of the monetary award will go to the school, and the other $5,000 will be donated to a charity of the students' choosing.
IPA is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, college preparatory co-educational school in Kapolei. It opened in the 2004 school year with 191 students grades pre-K through 7. The school has since added eighth- and ninth-grade students, who will become IPA's first graduating high school class in 2010 when total projected enrollment reaches 900.
