2013 Island Festival Recap by Lily Edralin

On May 11th, WSPA,  in partnership with Artists In Motion Bay Area,  held its annual Urban Paradise Island Festival at the school courtyard.  The day was filled with entertainment, games, shopping, prizes, and good food.  While the parents enjoyed the show, the young ones played our popular games and won  prizes!
Hosted by our very own, Kumu Hula Anthony Waipa Manaois with DJ Ricky Shane, the entertainment showcased all the students of Te Orama's Performance Program who gave us a sneak preview of their upcoming dances for Tahiti Fete San Jose in July.

Also present were Hip Hop's The Company, APT, and ADV, Musical Theatre's MTC, the Polynesian General School students of Auntie Camille, Auntie Morgan, and Auntie Jessica, with special performances by Nemenzo, Tatiana Manaois, and Anthony Manaois.

Our fundraising efforts involved the Dance-A-Thon, which yielded over $4000 in contributions from the dancers' sponsors.  In addition to raising funds for Tahiti Fete, the dancers displayed their skill and endurance as they moved to different Polynesian beats for half an hour.  

We estimate the overall profit from the Festival, Dance-A-Thon, and merchandise sales to be about $12,000 conservatively.  Congratulations to the Polynesian Performance Program and all the wonderful volunteers and participants for a truly successful event!


Special thanks to CYLYN and JON MONTERO and their FOOD CREW; To Cylyn for organizing the weekly FOOD SALES, coordinating the Raffle Class Baskets, and gathering the DANCE-A-THON Sponsorship Sheets.

To LEONORA PINEDA for coordinating the CLASS PARENTS and parent volunteers, the game prizes, and decorations.

To JOHN and DES CHANG for spearheading the TAHITI FETE MERCHANDISE SALES, and for actively supporting the weekly FOOD SALES.

To LENY and RICHARD PONCIANO, and ELSA and EDMUND LAI for cutting and transporting the palm leaves, as well as the set up and clean up of the courtyard.

PAUL PEOPLES for transporting the TIKI and PALM LEAVES from Fremont, and for assisting with the set up.

MALU RIVERA-PEOPLES for setting up the performance area.

TITA REMY and CINDY HAPIN for assisting with the last-minute game booth needs.

MORGAN CHANG for supporting the Festival needs at the office.

DJ RICKY SHANE for, once again, providing the music and sounds for the Festival.

KUMU HULA ANTHONY WAIPA MANAOIS, for emceeing the event, and for his dedication to the Te Orama Students.  Mauruuru Roa!
Click the button below to view and download (for free) more Island Festival photos.

Dance-a-thon Winners

Boys
First Place tie: Jonacy Montero and
Parker Rozzano-Keefe

5-10 years old
First Place: Mahalaya Tintiangco-Cubales
2nd Place: Jadyn Rozzano-Keefe
3rd Place: Kayli Mejia

11-13 years old
First Place: Jonalyn Montero
2nd Place: Madison Chang
3rd Place: Nia Scovel

14 years and above
First Place: Morgan Chang
2nd Place: Angeline Noguera
3rd Place: Angelee Caparas

Best Costume: Tori Friedrich

Most Collected: Parker Rozzano-Keefe

Classes that collected at least $2500: NONE

Students who collected over $200 each:
Angelee Caparas
Victoria Friedrich
Jessica Image
Jonacy Montero
Angeline Noguera
Hailer Rozzano-Keefe
Jadyn Rozzano-Keefe
Parker Rozzano-Keefe
Mahalaya Tintiangco-Cubales


It is not too late to purchase your Tahiti Fete merchandise.  All dancers and families are encouraged to wear the Te Orama shirt or jacket to show support for the Tahiti Fete performers in San Jose on July 7th.  Please drop by the office to pick up your merchandise or place an order.  We have t-shirts, tank tops, jackets, sweatpants, more bags, and water bottles - all with this year's logo designed by Gordon Monteiro.