KIHEI – The Kihei Elementary Student Council Early Act group consisting of 18 representatives from third, fourth and fifth grade classes celebrated the success of their third Student Council project since November 2017.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset, this group held the second annual “Pennies for Polio” Drive. Led by staff members Alaina Valite, Michelle Bonilla and Joanne Laird, the students were introduced to Rotary International’s “End Polio Now Campaign.”

Council members made 40 posters for all classrooms and provided collection jars for each classroom. The collection period was for two weeks at the end of February, and a total of $1,704 was the result of this school-wide effort.

Tehani Kama’s fifth grade class and Kristen Goodwin’s fifth grade class were the top classes that collected funds for their recess period. They will each receive a Jamba Juice/Healthy Snack party from the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset.

American Savings Bank’s Kahului Branch counted and recorded all of the coin and currency collected by the 36 classes. The Student Council will keep 25 percent of the collected funds for future projects, and the remaining funds will be sent to Rotary International’s “End Polio Now” campaign to be matched two-to-one by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The council members were surprised to learn that polio is a disease that killed and crippled many children in the 20th century. Upon learning about this effort, all council members were eager to take part in the project to help Rotary end this disease in the world.

According to Student Council Adviser Joanne Laird, “The students embraced this project and experienced first-hand the meaning of the Rotary International motto of ‘Service Above Self.’ “