Several fifth and sixth grade students from this area had an opportunity of a lifetime this summer as they traveled to Hawaii as People to People Student Ambassadors. They represented their schools, their communities and their families as they met with the Hawaiian elders, the Kapunas, and learned about the traditional Hawaiian arts.
They shoveled the rich dark soil, stomped the clumps of dirt into the muck, squished invasive, non-native slugs that eat taro and helped to make a new taro patch out on a ranch in the country. Yes, Hawaii has very rural areas! They snorkeled on the coral reefs and built sand castles in the volcanic black sand of the Big Island.
Some students had never flown in an airplane before leaving the mainland on July 21. Many had never been away from their families for more than a few days. For one student, Zach Bellinger from Utica, this experience helped him overcome his fear of flying. For Corey Potter, from Moravia, this was his first time flying and in fact, his first time away from his family.
Forty-six students, 25 from the Syracuse region, and 21 from Eastern Massachusetts, traveled with four leaders. I was honored to be one of the leaders and worked with Bob Eggleston, of Skaneateles, for this delegation. These students began this remarkable experience when they were invited as outstanding students to learn about the People to People Student Ambassador program.
After applying, providing references and interviewing, they began to work with us to academically prepare for their experience. Each delegate completed journal assignments, worked with groups to research Hawaii's unique history, culture and environment and in most cases, fundraised their tuition.
While traveling, students were responsible for writing in their journals each day, for managing their own laundry and clothing, carrying their own bags, often up and down stairs and budgeting their own spending money. When asked how the People to People experience helped them to grow, David Brill, from Scipio Center, said that he's more responsible. Andrew Williams stated that he realizes he learned so much more than he would have if he had just gone on a vacation. Mikeala Braun, from Baldwinsville, said that she can keep track of her belongings. Robin Eddy of Westmoreland, John's mom, quoted a mom from a previous year, Sherri Miller, of Moravia, when she said that her son left a child and returned as a young man. Billy Farrington, of Auburn, stated, “I like crowds, now and getting up in the morning.” Chelsea Herrmann, of Hannibal, said, “I'm not as shy.”
Field instructors worked with the students during the entire two weeks to help them understand the rich historical and cultural background of what they were experiencing. One of the field instructors was a native Hawaiian and made a lasting impression on all of us when she shimmied up a coconut tree, picked two coconuts for us and then served us all fresh coconut milk during our visit to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, or the Place of Refuge. In the ancient Hawaiian culture, if a person broke kapu, the law, and they could make it to this distant and difficult-to-reach place, they could be forgiven by the priest and allowed to return to society. She also taught us to recognize Hawaiian plants that have been used for many medicinal purposes, such as the kukui nut and noni.
A number of students said that one of the highlights for them was meeting with the kapunas. These Hawaiian elders have made it their commitment to pass on their wisdom and the Hawaiian arts to our youth. Our delegation arrived one morning and after dividing into small groups, worked with these men and women to learn the traditional Hawaiian arts. After weaving lauhala bracelets, making a small lei, dancing the hula and learning to play “God Bless America” on the ukulele, we all sat down together for lunch.
Students were encouraged to “not be shy” and to find a kapuna to visit with during their meal. Most students soon became acquainted with their new friends. John Eddy has continued to correspond with Auntie Jerry, a woman he joined for lunch. (In Hawaii, it is common practice to call an older woman by “Auntie” ... older men by “Uncle.”) They've written back and forth twice. and he sent her flowers.
Summertime, for students and their teachers, can be a time for rest and renewal. We packed so much into those two weeks, that it could hardly be said our time in Hawaii was restful. Andrew Mashayekhi, of Liverpool slept for 16 hours upon his return home. His family eagerly waited for him to wake up, so they could hear his stories, but he just kept sleeping!
But it can certainly be said that we each returned from Hawaii with an appreciation for our precious planet and for the extraordinary diversity of cultures that live in this distant place.
Pat Kinney is an art teacher at Millard Fillmore Elementary School in Moravia
Some students had never flown in an airplane before leaving the mainland on July 21. Many had never been away from their families for more than a few days. For one student, Zach Bellinger from Utica, this experience helped him overcome his fear of flying. For Corey Potter, from Moravia, this was his first time flying and in fact, his first time away from his family.
Forty-six students, 25 from the Syracuse region, and 21 from Eastern Massachusetts, traveled with four leaders. I was honored to be one of the leaders and worked with Bob Eggleston, of Skaneateles, for this delegation. These students began this remarkable experience when they were invited as outstanding students to learn about the People to People Student Ambassador program.
After applying, providing references and interviewing, they began to work with us to academically prepare for their experience. Each delegate completed journal assignments, worked with groups to research Hawaii's unique history, culture and environment and in most cases, fundraised their tuition.
While traveling, students were responsible for writing in their journals each day, for managing their own laundry and clothing, carrying their own bags, often up and down stairs and budgeting their own spending money. When asked how the People to People experience helped them to grow, David Brill, from Scipio Center, said that he's more responsible. Andrew Williams stated that he realizes he learned so much more than he would have if he had just gone on a vacation. Mikeala Braun, from Baldwinsville, said that she can keep track of her belongings. Robin Eddy of Westmoreland, John's mom, quoted a mom from a previous year, Sherri Miller, of Moravia, when she said that her son left a child and returned as a young man. Billy Farrington, of Auburn, stated, “I like crowds, now and getting up in the morning.” Chelsea Herrmann, of Hannibal, said, “I'm not as shy.”
Field instructors worked with the students during the entire two weeks to help them understand the rich historical and cultural background of what they were experiencing. One of the field instructors was a native Hawaiian and made a lasting impression on all of us when she shimmied up a coconut tree, picked two coconuts for us and then served us all fresh coconut milk during our visit to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, or the Place of Refuge. In the ancient Hawaiian culture, if a person broke kapu, the law, and they could make it to this distant and difficult-to-reach place, they could be forgiven by the priest and allowed to return to society. She also taught us to recognize Hawaiian plants that have been used for many medicinal purposes, such as the kukui nut and noni.
A number of students said that one of the highlights for them was meeting with the kapunas. These Hawaiian elders have made it their commitment to pass on their wisdom and the Hawaiian arts to our youth. Our delegation arrived one morning and after dividing into small groups, worked with these men and women to learn the traditional Hawaiian arts. After weaving lauhala bracelets, making a small lei, dancing the hula and learning to play “God Bless America” on the ukulele, we all sat down together for lunch.
Students were encouraged to “not be shy” and to find a kapuna to visit with during their meal. Most students soon became acquainted with their new friends. John Eddy has continued to correspond with Auntie Jerry, a woman he joined for lunch. (In Hawaii, it is common practice to call an older woman by “Auntie” ... older men by “Uncle.”) They've written back and forth twice. and he sent her flowers.
Summertime, for students and their teachers, can be a time for rest and renewal. We packed so much into those two weeks, that it could hardly be said our time in Hawaii was restful. Andrew Mashayekhi, of Liverpool slept for 16 hours upon his return home. His family eagerly waited for him to wake up, so they could hear his stories, but he just kept sleeping!
But it can certainly be said that we each returned from Hawaii with an appreciation for our precious planet and for the extraordinary diversity of cultures that live in this distant place.
Pat Kinney is an art teacher at Millard Fillmore Elementary School in Moravia
The Citizens' Say
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