Soroptimists, VFW and Capitol Hill honor isle residents

Oahu’s three Soroptimist International clubs presented awards March 14 to women working to improve their lives, as well as to outstanding volunteers and programs that seek to empower women and girls.

Soroptimist International of Central Oahu, Honolulu and Waikiki recognized women at nonprofits, outstanding teens and women who seek to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

The organizations’ Ruby Award for women helping women was presented to Jody Allione and Valerie Schmidt.

Allione is vice president of planning and development at Ho‘ola Na Pua, a Hawaii nonprofit seeking to establish a long-term treatment facility for girls who have fallen victim to sexual trafficking. Allione became aware of the sex trafficking problems at a social justice conference in Australia in 2012 and was determined to become involved in addressing the problem in Hawaii.

Schmidt is president of The Bella Project, a nonprofit that gives prom dresses to low-income, special-needs or critically ill high school students. The Bella Project focuses on rewarding girls for staying in school, building their confidence and laying the foundation for future success. Schmidt is president of financial advising firm Schmidt, Shimokawa & Associates.

The Violet Richardson Award for teens demonstrating leadership through volunteer efforts was presented to Kristen Kate Tumacder of Sacred Hearts Academy, Mari Domingo of Mililani High School and Rachel Wells of Campbell High School.

Live Your Dream Awards, which help women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families and who are overcoming odds, went to Constance Onita Barton, Gina Marie Ilae, Jamie Lau, Molly Ellis, Rita "Kea" Reeves and Haju Mukai.

Maryknoll School history teacher Steven Caley was named teacher of the year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for his commitment to teaching civics and American history.

Caley, who has taught history for 17 years and American history for the past six years, is one of three teachers recognized annually by the VFW. He was in the Army infantry and served as an M60 machine gunner.

According to a news release from Maryknoll, Caley asks students on the first day of his U.S. history class: "What does it mean to be an American?" The class then revisits the question in various contests throughout the course’s duration.

"On the last day of the course the students answer the same question again, and it is so powerful to see how they have evolved," Caley said in the news release.

"Their evolution as students during my class mirrors that of our nation’s history: It is one of facing the unknown, embracing adversity, with long periods of growth followed by challenging setbacks, mistakes, celebrations, excellence and a continued desire to always improve. To read their responses makes me proud to be a teacher and an American."

Commander Ron Lockwood of VFW Post 8616 reviewed the teacher of the year nominations and said in the news release that Caley’s selection was based on his efforts.

"Mr. Caley had the entire student body asking questions to political candidates, and then led them outside to hold a ‘Get Out and Vote’ sign-waving campaign," Lockwood said. "Having an entire school behind this project shows outstanding leadership skills and the ability to motivate people. The best thing people can take away from this is that Mr. Caley is a dedicated professional that pushes his students to excel. By offering new opportunities to learn, he helps prepare Maryknoll students for the years post-high school."

Melanie Keliipuleole of Kapiolani Community College’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program has been invited by the Council on Undergraduate Research to participate in the 19th annual "Posters on the Hill" event on April 22 in Washington, D.C.

Keliipuleole’s undergraduate research project was one of 60 selected from about 500 applications. She is the first student from the University of Hawaii system to participate in the event.

Her project focused on population genetics, examining the population structure of the marine invertebrate species of Colobocentrotus atratus, also known as the shingle or helmet sea urchin.

The purpose of "Posters on the Hill" is to help raise awareness of the significant value of undergraduate research.