Four Oahu teens are the "Top Four" winners of the 2011 Hawaii State Public Library System and Hawaii Pizza Hut Teen Summer Reading Finale event conducted this morning (7/30) at Kahala Mall Center Court Stage: Marinelle Dulluog, Kalihi-Palama Public Library finalist (grade 7), won the Grand Prize of an Apple iPad2; Cedric de Francia, Aiea Public Library finalist (grade 11), won an X Box 360 console with Kinect; Lisa Luo-Xu, Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped finalist (grade 9), won an Apple iPod Touch; and Jesse Buenrostro, Waialua Public Library finalist (grade 12), won a 24" LCD Television.
They were among a large group of finalists, each a lucky drawing winner of the 23 Oahu branch public libraries. One-by-one, finalists selected a numbered pizza box with a prize listed inside. Other prizes included a digital camera, portable DVD player, other electronic prizes and gift cards from various stores. All prizes are donated by Hawaii Pizza Hut, corporate sponsor of the Teen Summer Reading Program for the past 19 years.
State Librarian Richard Burns delivered the opening remarks to a large audience that included the teens with their parents, family members and relatives, and interested shoppers. Yasmin Dar, Morning Traffic Anchor and Social Media Reporter for the "KITV 4 News This Morning Show," emceed the event. The 24-VII Danceforce got the program off to a rousing start with a
special high-energy performance.
More than 3,000 teens statewide participated in the annual HSPLS Teen Summer Reading Program which encourages reading and strengthens reading habits. Collectively, they have read more than 22,000 books.
"You Are Here" is this year's theme which highlighted books, ebooks, and DVDs that encourage teens to explore different places and genres such as science fiction, non-fiction, manga, graphic novels, travel, geocaching, road trips, and geography. Students entering grade 7 through 2011 high school graduates were invited to sign up for the five-week Teen Summer Reading Program.
The Friends of the Library of Hawaii are the overall sponsors of the HSPLS Summer Reading Programs which are offered to children (including infants), teens and adults, respectively.
The 2011 Hawaii State Public Library System and Hawaii Pizza Hut Teen Summer Reading Finale Winners are:
Teen Name – Grade Level – Host Oahu Public Library
Cedric de Francia, Gr. 11, Aiea
Jessica Tam, Gr. 9, Aina Haina
Melanie Johnny, Gr. 8, Ewa Beach
Mitchell Matsumori-Kelly, Gr. 7, Hawaii Kai
Madison McClendon, Gr. 8, Hawaii State Library
Kalei Del Rey, Gr. 7, Kahuku
Michael Compton, Gr. 10, Kailua
Aliana Taimanglo, Gr. 8, Kaimuki
Marinelle Dulluog, Gr. 7, Kalihi-Palama
Lamont Petty, Gr. 8, Kaneohe
Charlz Croker, Gr. 10, Kapolei
Lisa Luo-Xu, Gr. 9, Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
Sophia Guo, Gr. 8, Liliha
Hyo Bin Chun, Gr. 7, McCully-Moiliili
Toni Marie Reyes, Gr. 8, Mililani
Sabrina Gibson, Gr. 10, Pearl City
Rayden de Leon, Gr. 10, Salt Lake-Moanalua
Hannah Barros, Gr. 11, Wahiawa
Jesse Buenrostro, Gr. 12, Waialua
Devon Holcomb, Gr. 8, Waianae
Amaya Soto, Gr. 8, Waikiki-Kapahulu
Jaymie Lum, Gr. 8, Waimanalo
Cody Andres-Paguirigan, Gr. 7, Waipahu