By Wendy Souza
Special to the Herald
KEKAHA, Kauai — St. Theresa School’s seventh-grade Hawaiian civics class recently demonstrated what true community leadership looks like when students volunteered their time and energy to help clean the floor at the Kekaha Post Office of black scuff marks that had covered much of the entrance area.
The marks had become difficult to ignore for many customers walking into the post office. Wanting to make a positive difference in their community, the students took it upon themselves to scrub and clean the floor as an act of civic responsibility and aloha.
Under the guidance of their teacher, Kumu Shantel Santiago, the students worked diligently to restore the appearance of the post office floor. Although the class was only able to remove about 60% of the scuff marks, their effort did not go unnoticed. Community members stopped to acknowledge and praise the learners for their hard work, positive attitudes and willingness to serve others.
The students’ actions deeply moved Julie Alvarez, a post office employee and St. Theresa School alumna. Touched by their dedication and service, she generously treated the students to snacks at the Kekaha Menehune Food Mart to thank them for their efforts.
Also joining the effort was eighth grader Adonis Ballesteros, who graduated last month. His participation was an especially meaningful example of servant leadership and reflected the caring and community-centered values encouraged at St. Theresa.
This experience reflects the values that St. Theresa School instills in students — compassion, responsibility, service and leadership within the community. The seventh-grade Hawaiian civics class showed that even small acts of kindness and initiative can inspire others and make a lasting impact.
St. Theresa School is proud of these young learners for stepping forward to care for their community and for representing the spirit of aloha through action.
Above: Julie Alvarez, a St. Theresa School graduate and Kekaha Post Office employee, treated students from her alma mater to snacks after they helped clean the post office’s scuffed floor. (Courtesy photo)