Parker students clear debris from the stream for Waimea Trails and Greenways for Make a Difference Day. (Photo courtesy of Parker School)

MEDIA RELEASE

Parker School Students participated in the school’s annual Make a Difference Day at various community locations on Friday, Oct. 26, in celebration of the Oct. 27 national Make a Difference Day.

Students in grades six through 12 were divided into several groups to provide work to benefit such organizations as: Pua Mau Botanical Garden, Kahilu Theatre, Waimea Trails and Greenways, Anna Ranch, Kohala Watershed, Parker Ranch, Hospice and Parker School.

Gillian Culff, English teacher and Parker School Student Council supervisor, said, “The student council members are the ones who actually plan the day. They got in touch with all the sites themselves, set up everything, and planned how many kids we needed at each site.”

Maia Tarnas, Parker sophomore and student council member who coordinated the event, said, “Planning Make a Difference Day with my committee was such a great experience. I really saw what a difference the students made in the community and it really just made me feel good about the school and about student council and everything that was all put together just to make this day great.”

“It was really fun,” said sophomore Sam Keliihoomalu, who worked with the group helping Waimea Trails and Greenways. “We cleared out a lot of debris from the river that runs through the nature park. Our group was split in half and half of us cleared debris from the river and half of us spread mulch. We made a really big difference in how the area looks now and it felt really good.”

Culff added, “My hope is that what they (the students) take away from it is that volunteerism is essential for the functioning of a healthy community and that it also feels really good to get together with other people and make a difference in some way.”

Parker School wishes to extend special thanks to Solimene’s, Don’s Chinese Kitchen, McDonalds, Domino’s, Subway Waikoloa, and to the school PTSO for providing lunch and snacks for the hardworking students.

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www.parkerschool.net