Senator Donna Mercado Kim: Student Award Winners

August 2010

Stories:
2010 Legislature: Highlights & Accomplishments
Senator Kim on the Hot Seat
Changes for 2010 Election
Commentary
2010 Award Recipients
Sen. Hydrogen Investigation Final Report
Response to DBEDT Investigation
Photos: Active and Involved

Congratulations!
The 2009 Donna Mercado Kim Aloha Spirit Awardees

Every year, Senator Donna Mercado Kim bestows an Aloha Spirit award to a student from Dole, Aiea and Moanalua Middle School. Each school selects the student who portrays those characteristics that encompass the true spirit of Aloha. These students give of themselves in various ways to their fellow students, teachers and staff. Senator Kim presents each recipient with an individual plaque along with a $100 savings bond and each school maintains a perpetual plaque.

Marika Witt

Aloha Spirit Award Winner, Moanalua Middle School

Marika is the daughter of Brett and Kayoko Witt. She exceeds all criteria for this award as she cheerfully helps others with kindness and respect at all times. An excellent student with a 4.0 GPA, she voluntarily tutors classmates. Although still in eighth grade, Marika studies advanced high school math and recently placed second in a Math competition. As a team senator in Student Government and active member of the Leadership class, working to ensure that students have a voice and exert positive influence is one of her many goals. Her many interests include karate, Japanese language, playing the sanshi, unicycling and participating in numerous school events including Multiculture Assembly, Student Talent Competition and School Spirit days.

Carleen Fermahin

Aloha Spirit Award Winner, Aiea Intermediate School

Carleen Fermahin is the ideal candidate for this award as she shares her aloha with the Aiea Intermediate School family. Her smile and positive attitude have an infectious quality that impresses students, faculty, and staff. Tolerance, humility, sharing and respect are part of Carleen's wonderful traits as described by her teachers. Sharing her talents and drawing on her natural ability to connect with others makes Carleen the perfect recipient for this Aloha Spirit Award. The daughter of Mrs. Wanda Fermahin, Aiea Intermediate School is very proud to have Carleen as part of their ohana.

Aimee Garo

Aloha Spirit Award Winner, Dole Middle School

Aimee Garo is the daughter of Sonnie Juan and Emilia Garo. Aimee exemplifies every aspect of the “Aloha Spirit” award. Empathetic to those she works with, a leader with the ability to pull a group together despite differences, she is also humble, patient and loving. Aimee brings tremendous joy to her classmates and teachers. While maintaining a 3.8 to 4.0 GPA, Aimee is also a member of the Student Council, CFES (College for Every Student) Club, and Mrs. Ideta's book club. She is admired, respected and very much appreciated by her teachers and fellow students alike.