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Mentoring program proves rewarding for LHS student

By Staff | Feb 4, 2010

Lahainaluna High School senior Chelsea Gilchrist (second from left) sits in on Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s Progressive Dinner planning meeting in the Masters Reading Room built in 1834. Also pictured, from left, are Linda Ledger, Lahaina Restoration Foundation Executive Director Theo Morrison, Leilani Pulmano and Foundation Board Member Penny Wakida.

LAHAINA — For her senior project, Lahainaluna High School senior Chelsea Gilchrist has been working alongside Lahaina Restoration Foundation Program Director ShaRon Fredy for the past several months.

“I wanted to learn what a community program director does, as well as what the Lahaina Restoration Foundation is all about,” said Chelsea.

Both agree the project has been a learning experience.

“I learned there are students at Lahainaluna who are passionate about preserving the past,” said Fredy.

For the Candlelit Tour Reenactments Program, Chelsea researched and distributed information about living in Lahaina in the mid-1800s.

She also helped coordinator LRF’s Malama Lahaina program and assisted in clerical work.

“My favorite event was the candlelit tours at the Baldwin Home Museum. I really had fun with the preparation for that. We poured through costumes and found outfits that fit the time period just right. It was cool to walk outside and see all of these actors and missionaries in front of the Baldwin Home. I also enjoyed interacting with visitors and answering the questions they had,” said Chelsea.

“When Chelsea proposed this idea to me, I jumped at the chance,” said Fredy. “I was excited that a high school student was interested in the history of our town. I am hoping she will inspire her peers to care about our historical sites.”

Fredy plans to continue to mentor students, and she encourages other community members to educate students about interesting jobs here in Lahaina.

Lahaina Restoration Foundation operates five museums in Lahaina, maintains public areas within the Lahaina Historic Districts, and oversees a collection of records and archives representative of Lahaina’s rich history.

For information, visit www.lahainarestoration.org.