Tabitha Grace-Stroud, a Kealakehe Intermediate Scool student, scored third place with her whale poster. (Photo courtesy of NOAA)

 

William Wong, an Innovations Public Charter School, was awarded first place for his poster. (Photo courtesy of NOAA)

MEDIA RELEASE
Four Big Island students have been recognized for the pieces they entered in the 2009 Ocean Contest.
In the art category, William Wong Jr., a fifth grader at Innovations Public Charter School, won first place in his division, while Tabitha Grace-Stroud, a sixth grader at Kealakehe Intermediate School scored third place in her division.
In the short story category, the overall winner for students in kindergarten through grade 8 was Maile Fediuk, a Holualoa Elementary School second grader.
In poetry, Hawaii Preparatory Academy third grader Karly Noetzel scored a third place.
The contest was held in February during Humpback Whale Awareness Month, a program of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Youngsters in kindergarten through eighth grade were invited to express their insights, observations and understanding of their natural environment through the creation of original artworks, poems and short stories.
More than 570 entries were submitted and evaluated by judges who work in the marine conservation arena. All entrants became members of the Ocean Guardian Kids Club and received an exclusive Humpback Whale Kids Packet. Winning students won prizes provided by Oceanic, the Hanauma Bay Gift Shop, the Waikiki Aquarium and the sanctuary.

 

 

The winners by category are:

Art – Kindergarten
1st: Benicia Palmer-Lasky, Lanikai Elementary School, Oahu
2nd: Ingus Stegis, Kamiloiki Elementary School, Oahu
3rd: Devyne Noel Brooks, Kamaile Academy, Oahu
Art – Grade 1
1st: Tori Takai, Naau, Oahu
2nd: Lehua Roland, Lanikai Elementary School, Oahu
3rd: Luke Miyamoto, Naau, Oahu
Art – Grade 2 to Grade 3
1st: Nate Barton, Grade 3, Lanikai Elementary School, Oahu
2nd: Angelina Lele. Grade 2, Moanalua Elementary School, Oahu
3rd: Jornedex Alidon, Grade 3, Waialua Elementary School, Oahu
Art – Grade 4 to Grade 5
1st: William Wong Jr., Grade 5, Innovations Public Charter School, Big Island
2nd: Raellis Young, Grade 4, Hokulani Elementary School, Oahu
3rd: Richard Aiwohi-Kim, Grade 5, Palolo Elementary School, Oahu
Art – Grade 6 to Grade 8
1st: Tokino Sprinter, Grade 7, Kapolei Middle School, Oahu
2nd: Shelby Ladra, Grade 7, Naau, Oahu
3rd: Tabitha Grace-Stroud, Grade 6, Kealakehe Intermediate School, Big Island
Poetry – Kindergarten to Grade 4:
1st: Dylan Lipps, Grade 2, Sunset Beach Elementary School, Oahu
2nd: Oliver Hanley, Grade 2, Sunset Beach Elementary School, Oahu
3rd: Karly Noetzel, Grade 3, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Big Island
Poetry – Grade 5 to Grade 8
1st: Reyna May Shumway, Grade 6, Laie Elementary School, Oahu
2nd: Gabrielle Salsman, Grade 5, Mokapu Elementary School, Oahu
3rd: Lance Chee, Grade 8, Naau, Oahu
Short story – Kindergarten to Grade 8
1st: Maile Fediuk, Grade 2, Holualoa Elementary School, Big Island
2nd: Kathryn Kuhar, Grade 5, Holomua Elementary School, Oahu
3rd: Kiari Orian, Grade 6, Laie Elementary School, Oahu
— Find out more:
www.noaa.gov
http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/news/stories/newsocwinners09.html