LAHAINA – On Saturday, Dec. 3, 80 children from Kid Zone Maui in Lahaina participated in their year-end Christmas recital at the Outlets of Maui. Awards were given to children for sportsmanship and also to a special group of children who went above and beyond to help out the fundraising campaign for KZM’s competitive rhythmic team.

Gold Medal Achievement Awards were given to children who raised $50 or more and participated in Kid Zones’ Tumble-a-thon. Year-end Sportsmanship Awards with athlete of the year were also awarded.

Gold medal recipients included Anuhea Coon, Elizabeth Bortz, Hina Attebery, Ivania Serrano, Ruby La Prada, Ava McDonald, Bianca McDonald, Anella Pitts, Camilla Pineda, Avery Richardson, Grace Cherry, Hailey Meirovitz, Kayla Meirovitz Reese Berliner, Kalae Markulis, Miley Mundon and Shaely Manilili.

Athlete of the year was awarded to Noelani Ligienza. Sportsmanship Awards were awarded to Devyn Gruber, Grace Devane, Emi Burman, Stacia Morris, Jayla Parker, Kalae Markulis, Ella Briggs, Berlin Morgan, Eaven Dunning-Zeches, Tristan Matayoshi, Aiko Abut, Ivania Serrano, Camilla Pineda and Kaia Stefurak.

Kid Zone Maui teaches recreational gymnastics to Lahaina children. It is also the only location in the State of Hawaii that has a competitive rhythmic gymnastics program. There are currently 20 children on the competitive team from Maui.

The next big event for the rhythmic girls will be the opportunity to compete at Lahaina Civic Center on Feb. 18-19 at the Hawaiian Sunset Invitational 2017. It is shaping up to be a special international competition that has attracted competitors from as far away as Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico and also the Mainland (Chicago, New Jersey, Seattle and Texas.

The event will also showcase World Champion Simona Peycheva. All 20 girls from Maui will be performing at the local meet.