Hawaii Catholic Herald
Faculty, staff and administrators from campuses across the state gathered May 15 for the annual Hawaii Catholic Schools Recognition Luncheon, at which departing school leaders were honored and the winners of the Golden Pine“apple” awards were announced and celebrated.
Led by Superintendent Llewellyn Young, the event at Natsunoya Tea House in Alewa Heights recognized three administrators whose tenures came to an end this academic year: Dallas Carter, principal of St. Michael School in Waialua; David Kenney, head of school at St. Anthony School in Wailuku; and David Verdugo, principal of St. Theresa School in Kekaha.
Bishop Larry Silva was on hand to help honor the outgoing administrators as well as the Golden Pine“apple” awardees — Hawaii Catholic Schools’ teacher of the year and administrator of the year.
The awardees won $1,000 and a trophy, and their schools received $1,500 for staff development. New flat-screen televisions were also part of the prizes sponsored by Chaminade University of Honolulu, John C. and Mary Lou Brogan, Hawaii Catholic Schools and the Augustine Educational Foundation.
Esther Amano, who is retiring as the eighth-grade teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Pearl City after more than three decades, was honored as the teacher of the year. Among those who added their accolades were Principal Chantelle Luarca and Franciscan Sister Davilyn Ah Chick, a former principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel School.
Sacred Hearts Sister Katherine Francis Miller of Sacred Hearts Academy was honored as the administrator of the year. Joining Bishop Silva and Young in congratulating her were the many Academy graduates in attendance who were beneficiaries of Sister Miller’s guidance and care.
The luncheon’s keynote speaker was Marianist Brother Ed Brink, who until recently was vice president for mission and rector at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
At top, Dale Fryxell, dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Chaminade University of Honolulu, described Our Lady of Good Counsel School eighth-grade teacher Esther Amano’s many accolades as she accepted the Hawaii Catholic Schools Golden Pine“apple” award for teacher of the year. Above, Bishop Larry Silva, left, schools Superintendent Llewellyn Young, second from left, and Fryxell honored Sacred Hearts Sister Katherine Francis Miller as HCS’ administrator of the year. (Photos by Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)
