In The Spotlight
THANK YOU TO KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS!
Kamehameha Schools’ representative, Llewelyn Yee, with the NPAC cast.
On March 1, 2011, Kamehameha Schools’ representative, Llewelyn Yee, presented the NPAC cast with a check for $21,000 from Kamehameha Schools to help with the cost for NPAC’s trip to Scotland.
This donation has allowed three more NPAC members to join the trip as well as lowered the cost for the other members.
Thank you so much to Kamehameha Schools for their generous donation and for believing in us and the NPAC program.
Thank you also to everyone from across the State and mainland for your donations and words of support and encouragement.
DREAMS DO COME TRUE WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS!
THANK YOU TO OHA!
The Nanakuli High and Intermediate Performing Arts Center received a blessing Thursday in the form of a $30,500 check from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
The money will help students from the arts program in their fundraising efforts to attend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland this August. It is considered the world's largest arts festival.
"The Nanakuli community faces many socio-economic problems," said OHA Chief Executive Officer Clyde Namu'o. However, despite their troubles, Namu'o said the arts center at Nanakuli "is an education success story." Nanakuli is one of just 62 American high schools selected for the Scotland festival, and 95 percent of the school's arts program students graduate, while 82 percent of graduates go on to college.
"This program's impact reaches far beyond the Native Hawaiian students who participate," said OHA Chairwoman Colette Machado. "The program represents the Hawaiian community throughout the state and the world and is an immense source of pride for the Nanakuli and Wai'anae communities."
YOU ALL HELPED US GET TO THE FRINGE! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO
SUPPORTED THE NPAC WITH DONATIONS AS WELL AS POSITIVE WORDS OF
ENCOURAGEMENT.
We are honored to say that we have raised enough monies to insure that NPAC will be performing at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh Scotland in August. We will be taking a group of 18 that includes 10 student performers and 8 alumni staff members who will run tech and assist with chaperoning duties.
We will depart on July 31 and spend 4 days in London and then travel to Edinburgh via train and spend 10 days in Scotland giving 4 performances of the play, "Under the Influence” by Ron Parker that deals with the issue of substance abuse and how it affects those around the abuser.
We cannot thank everyone enough . . . from the Nanakuli/Waianae community to across the state to the mainland, and even Scotland, you gave donations, honored us by having us perform at various events, and spread the word about our Journey to Scotland. Also, thank you to our NPAC supporters group . . . Tom and Barbara Naki, who began the supporters organization, Lily Cabinatan, Rita Martin, Maura Okamoto, Laura Manuel, Kalowena Komeji, Ruby Maunakea, Waianae Rotary Club, and more (We apologize if we leave anyone out, but so many people) who organized and helped with various events and networking. The various organizations and groups who donated to our cause.
And finally, every individual who gave to us . . . many who never saw us perform but just believed in what the opportunity would do for the students. Thank you.
Every day, we reflect about how far we have come, not only since May when we were notified about our selection by the American High School Theatre Festival, but 20 years ago, when began rehearsing and performing on an outdoor courtyard stage to now; where we are actually going to Europe to perform for a worldwide audience; we can't get over it.
But even more important is the lesson that through hard work, commitment, passion, and support from others, any dream is possible. And now we know it can happen . . . dreams do come true.
WATCH OUT LONDON AND SCOTLAND . . . NPAC IS COMING YOUR WAY!
You Did It!
You helped NPAC get to London and Scotland