[As reported in the Highlands Intermediate School PTSA Newsletter, Volume No. 6, March 2007]
The Ola Pono Awards, sponsored by HMSA, the State Attorney General, State Department of Education and Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii honor those who make meaningful, substantial contributions to our community by promoting safe, healthy and drug-free lifestyles.
Nominees can be a:
* Parent
* Teacher or Educator
* Counselor
* Volunteer
* Friend
* Neighbor
* Student
* Family Member
* Business Associate
* Club
* Business
* Family
* Church Organization
* School Organization
Or other individual or group who promotes and supports safe and drug-free lifestyles in Hawaii.
Some of the guiding principals are as follows:
- Provides age-appropriate information to help prevent violence and substance abuse among youth.
- Addresses the connection between drugs and other high-risk behaviors (such as gangs, unwanted pregnancy and AIDS).
- Promotes culturally sensitive approaches to drug and violence prevention.
- Promotes mentoring through ongoing, one-on-one relationships between adults and youth.
- Teaches life skills that support and promote safe and drug-free lifestyles.
- Promotes family-focused prevention efforts.
- Fosters awareness to strengthen attitudes in favor of healthy, drug-free lifestyles.
- Facilitates environmental or policy changes that support a safe and drug-free lifestyle.
- Is a role model for a safe and drug-free life.
Winners were honored at a special recognition luncheon in February, which was also Drug-Free Hawaii Awareness Month. Winners received a framed Ola Pono Award and $1,000 to be donated to a charitable organization of their choice.
Ms. Cara Gebhard is the Pearl City Complex Coordinator for the Challenge Day Program. All elementary, intermediate and high school students in the Pearl City Complex participate in the day-long event that features violence, substance abuse, and other high-risk behavior prevention and awareness sessions. Ms. Gebhard leads the school counselors and support coordinators to secure at least 30 parent and community volunteers per session so that students will have more adult mentors throughout the day. Students have the opportunity to learn about each other and strengthen their attitudes about positive behavior.
Ms. Gebhard also coordinates Leadership Conference for student representatives to plan service learning projects such as beach and park clean-ups, tutoring younger students, and fundraisers for non-profit organizations.
Ms. Gebhard, a school counselor and Social Studies teacher for the past 18 years is an inspirational leader for all students and especially high-risk students during their adolescent years.
Ms. Gebhard was recognized on Friday, February 9th at the Hale Koa Hotel and has designated Highlands Intermediate School as the recipient of her $1,000 award.
Thank you Ms. Gebhard for your dedication to our students!