SY 2015 - 2016 (To date)
SY 2014 - 2015
PREVIOUS AWARDS:
SY 2013 - 2014
SY 2012 - 2013
SY 2011 - 2012
SY 2010 - 2011
- Teacher of Promise Award - Our very own math teacher won the teacher of promise district award. (Math Teacher - Justine Nakagawa)
- STN (Student Television Network) March 8 - March 15 2016 - Ewa Makai flew up to Atlanta to compete against many other schools around the country. Our students received in honorable mention in two categories! They beat 20 other middle schools within the entire country! (Media Teacher - Ethan Toyota)
- Strathmore's Who's Who Award 2016 - Awarded to our very own school principal Edward Oshiro
- Teach for America Ohana Award 2016 - Awarded to our principal Edward Oshiro
- HIKI NO State Award - for Mr. Toyota and his media students for the "Best News Writing for Middle schools for video "Tech PE" at Ewa Makai Middle School on Sept 2, 2015
- Leeward District's Employee of the Year Award for 2015 - Awarded to EMMS Head Custodian, Carlos Dias
- Leeward District's Team of the Year Award for 2015 - Our EMMS PE teachers (Scott Yorimoto, Jan Combs, and Gregg Agena)
- The Hawaii Schools Digital Media Organization - Our Media Teacher Mr. Toyota and his media club of a $2500 grant in 2015
- Aloha Harvests' Compassion in the Arts Competition - 5 EMMS Media Club students (Kiamana Johnson, Collin Schimizu, Kenna-Seanne Casil, Alexis Akaka, Kamakakai Lau)
- PLTW State Conference on November 21st, at UH West Oahu - Our STEM Teacher, Ally Vaughn, was selected to present at the conference
- EMMS selected as "ONE OF THE 41 MOST INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS IN AMERICA"!!! - EMMS was the only Hawaii School selected. All other schools were from the mainland USA
- VEX ROBOTIC TEAM - Under the direction of teachers Ihilani Szmodis and Scott Saiki, they took 6th place in the State Competition on November 7th at Pearl City High School!
- HOST school for HIKI NO - EMMS selected to be a HOST school for HIKI NO video productions, so we will be doing videos on TV!
- Adopt a Classroom Project for aquaponics and science programs - Farmer's Insurance awarded our very own science teacher David Wong $2500
- The 6th Annual Creative Challenge Art Contest for 2016 - Winning first place were Chance Baxter and Macceybelle Floresca! Honorable mention honors were garnered by Alexis decker, Nikla Ashleigh Oasay, and Annabella Thornbury. All of their artwork are featured in the Legacy of Life 2016 Calendar!
- STATE SCHOLASTIC ART Winners for 2016 - Art Teacher, Nancy Hilson, had two students Ethan Gonzales and Macceybella Floresca get rewarded!
- EMMS Leeward District's 2016 Science Fair - The winners are Emma Tandara, Christopher Evans, Marley Beyer, Sophia Lopez, Lanna Tremmel, Cullen Wescott, Tristan Miller, Tyan Mathieu, Erika Shigeyama, Mia Ogata, Gabrielle Emmens, Lillian Tackaberry and Jennifer Nguyen. Emma Tandara qualified for the National Science Fair Competitions! Teachers included: Mrs. Szmodis, Ms. Masunaga, Ms Villaruz, Mrs Vaughn.
- State E Ola Pono Award for 2016 - Vanessa Ching and her leadership students won the Ola Pono Award as well as $1000!
- National Sea Perch Tournament at Louisiana State University (LSU) - EMMS Sea Perch (underwater) Robotics Team won an invitation to the National Tournament in May, 2016.
- Leeward District's History Day Competitions - The winners are Brenna Burch, Maya Abarca, Aimee Beams, Alysha Rothstein and Jewel Garcia. Teachers included: Ray Taguchi, Caroline Langlais, Barron Lum.
- Olelo's Youth Video Exchange Statewide Competition - EMMS Media Club winners included videosin the following categories---"Animation", "Clean Water Hero", "Forest Health in Hawaii", "Meth: Not Even Once", "Start Living". The video "What are Trees to You" won 1st place!
- Farmers Insurance Grant of $2500 - Award to Vanessa Ching for Green Initiatives at EMMS!
SY 2014 - 2015
- Educational Leadership Institute July 18, 2014 - (Counselors/Student Support) Guest Presenters Brant Ebisuya, Chad Mahoe, and Marc Nishimitsu to share about EMMS technology and data to address our struggling learners
- Leadership Symposium - Our counselor Brant Ebisuya was a presenter to share about EMMS technology and data to address our struggling learners
- Hawaii Schools Counselor Conference (HSCA) February 6, 2015 - Our counselors Brant Ebisuya, Chad Mahoe, and Marc Nishimitsu were presenters to share about EMMS technology and data to address our struggling learners
- Investing in Education Grant Award - Grant from the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union for Ethan Toyota
- Aloha Harvest Compassion in Arts Competition - 1st place awarded to student, Shawncy Rosie Cullen for her video. Her video will help Aloha Harvest raise awareness about homelessness and poverty in Hawaii (Advisory - Ethan Toyota)
- Schools of the Future Conference 2014 - Presenters (Media Dept.) shared their unique program and resources with interested educators in a break-out session.
- ISA Hip Hop Dance Team - That placed 3rd overall (Teachers Marko Cristal, Kambra Blackmon and Malia Aguilar)
- Clarence T. C. Ching Foundation - Poster contest, 3rd place winner for 8th grade
- Leeward District Science Fair - We had 24 students qualify for the science fair (Teachers Ihilani Szmodis, Alexandria Vaughn and Kristen Masunaga)
- Hawaii State Science Fair - We had 8 students qualify for the state level science fair. And 3 projects won best in Category (Teachers Ihilani Szmodis, Alexandria Vaughn and Kristen Masunaga)
- 1st EMMS Vice Principal to become Principal at Wahiawa Middle School (Vice Principal, Ursula Kawaguchi)
- Boys and Girls Cross-Country - We had first place runners, students are Legacy Kalua and Rev Decoite-Chu (Coach/Teacher: Christopher Peck)
- 41 Most-Innovative K-12 Schools in America Award - Link to article https://www.noodle.com/articles/innovative-schools-2015
- Aloha Harvest Compassion in Arts Competition 2015 - 1st Place Video Category: "Be Thankful" by Kiamana Johnson, Colin Shimizu, Kenna-Seanne Casil, Alexis Akaka and Kamakalai Lau (Teacher: Ethan Toyota)
- Schools of the Future Conference 2015 - Presenters, Ryan Robison, shared his video game lessons, games and resources with other educators in a session
PREVIOUS AWARDS:
SY 2013 - 2014
- ISTE Making IT Happen Award--Schools of the Future - (Internationally recognized technology award) won by the school’s User in Technology, Jordan Higa
- Hawaiian Electric Company’s 2013 Sustainable Gift contest - We had a student as a finalist (student recognition)
- Hiki No “Hammer of EMMS” - Best Middle School Personal Profile - (Broadcast Award) produced by the EMMS Media Company. Advisor: Ethan Toyota
- ISA Hip Hop Dance Team - Placed 1st in Leeward District and 3rd overall (Teachers Marko Cristal, Kambra Blackmon and Malia Aguilar)
- Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award - Awarded and won by our school’s Principal, Edward Oshiro
- Hawaii Community Foundation - Connecting For Success Grant Award - Secured by our school’s Vice Principal Ursula Kawaguchi, Joy Nekomoto (teacher), Brant Ebisuya (counselor), and Mitzie Higa (curriculum coordinator)
- AVID SI Teacher Speaker - Our EMMS teacher, Vaega Toilolo was the teacher speaker at the 2014 Hawaii AVID Summer Institute held at the Hawaii Convention Center
- Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Summer Institute in Early American History - Received a full scholarship to attend a six day educational experience in Williamsburg, VA, awarded to Dana Goldenson (one of two teachers from Hawai’i, and 24 in the nation, that received this scholarship)
- Olelo Youth Xchange; Best Middle School PSA - “Gender Roles Don’t Define Us” awarded to 2 students and the media teacher - Ethan Toyota
- Chevron Poster Contest - (For Science & Engineering Fair Cover): 2 art students received an Honorable Mention (Teacher Nancy Hilson)
- Poet Warriors Project - Awarded to three students with a cover page credit and published student, Keona Banks poem in their yearly booklet
- Brown Bags to Stardom - Student Jevon Wong was awarded
- Pet Power Contest - Gabrielle Lonzame won for her essay - Teacher, Jenna Nitahara and her Homeroom won the service learning portion for making dog toys and donating them to The Hawaiian Humane Society
- Ka Pilina - An AIMS project out of the Centers for Disability at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa focuses to improve the outcomes of students grade 7-12 in their understanding and application of math concepts skills. Teachers were also provided with professional development opportunities to strive for student growth. In the Campbell Complex, Ewa Makai Middle School along with Ilima Intermediate School and Campbell High School were chosen to participate in this 3-year grant
- Vex IQ Robotics - Qualified for State Level Competition
- Sea Perch Underwater ROV Competition - Received 2nd Place for the display category, 4th place for the presentation category
- Leeward District Hawaii History Day Competition - We had 42 students qualify for the history day competition (Teachers: Evan Lum, Caroline Langlais, Dana Goldenson)
- Hawaii History Day State Competition - We had 18 students that qualified at state level
- National History Day - We had 1 student that qualified for the National Competition in College, Park, MD - Exhibit on the Comic Code Authority
- Track and Field - Our track & field team received 2nd place (Coach/Teachers: Jan Combs, Chad Mahoe, Christopher Peck)
- Girls Cross-Country - Team won 1st place
- Leeward Volleyball League - Won 1st place (Coach/Teacher: Christopher Peck)
- Leeward District Science Fair - 30 students qualified for district
- Hawaii State Science Fair - 8 students qualified
- 7th Annual Hawaii Band & Orchestra Festival - EMMS Concert Band awarded ”Superior” adjudication rating from Jay S. Gephart (Director of Bands at Purdue University) who is a world-renown clinician of high school/college band literature (Band Director: John Iyoki)
- ADHD-Public Schools Respond to Classroom Challenges - Teachers Naohito Miura and Joy Nekomoto were featured in a news story by reporter Tanya Joaquin from KHNL News.
SY 2012 - 2013
- Star-Advertiser Newspaper “School Fires Up iPads to Fine-tune Phys-ed Skills” - Article in Star Advertiser, eSchool News, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and many other websites talks about the progressive use of iPads in PE teacher Gregg Agena’s class.
- 6th Annual Hawaii Band & Orchestra Festival 𐆑 EMMS Concert Band awarded ”Superior” adjudication rating from James Swearigen who is a world-renowned composer and clinician of high school band literature (Band Director: John Iyoki)
- Track and Field - 1st place award (Coach/Teacher: Jan Combs, Chad Mahoe, and Christopher Peck)
- Cross-Country - 1st place award (Coach/Teacher: Christopher Peck)
- ISA Boys Volleyball - 1st place award (Coach: Christopher Peck)
- Teach For America - Our teachers, Marko Cristal and Christopher Peck were featured in a Teach for America newsletter
- National Reel Math Challenge - Student team awarded as a semi-finalist (Teacher: Naohito Miura)
- Brown Bags to Stardom State Finalist Competition - Awarded 3rd place for solo dancer
- Bag It Plastic Free Schools Contest - 1st place winner ($6000 awarded to only one middle school in the nation)
- Patriot’s Pen Essay Writing Contest - 3rd Place winner; student award was sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Teacher: Naohito Miura)
- Hawai’i State History Day Awards - Recognized two students for outstanding projects on the role of women in history for their documentary film on Title IX, two students and teacher Ethan Toyota for the University of Hawai`i Center for Biographical Research for outstanding history projects using biographical sources and one student for outstanding history project in the area of science with teacher Dana Goldenson
- Comprehensive School Health Calendar Contest - Six student winners
- Geico Safety Contest “Safety Superheroes” - Awarded $250 to one of Ewa Makai’s students who was one of 15 student winners for this national poster contest (Teacher: Nancy Hilson)
- Hawaii Regional Scholastic Art Awards: One student was awarded a Silver “Key” (Teacher: Nancy Hilson)
- Leeward Basketball League (LBL) 2013 - First Place Girls Basketball Undefeated Champions
- Best Middle School Entry and Fan Favorite Video awarded to the EMMS Media Company by the American Diabetes Association of Hawaii “Diabetes Is…” PSA/Video contest co-sponsored by The Queen’s Medical Center (Advisor - Ethan Toyota)
- National Board Certification - Jenna Nitahara (formerly Skedeleski) and Ethan Toyota
- 2013 Pet Power Contest - Congratulations to Tatum Samson for winning the Hawaiian Humane Society’s 2013 Pet Power Poetry Contest – middle school division. Her poem won $300 and a meet and greet with the local, nationally recognized band, The Green. The Pet Power Contest is part of the Society’s education initiative to raise awareness of the importance of compassion and responsibility in our community
- Leeward District Hawaii History Day Competition - 40 students qualified (Ethan Toyota, Dana Goldenson, Caroline Langlais)
- State Hawaii History Day Competition - 17 Students qualified for the State competition
SY 2011 - 2012
- Commitment to Green Category at the 2nd Annual Pacific Edge Magazine Business Achievement Awards - Finalist (Teacher:Vanessa Kealoha)
- Leeward Young Artist Art Award - Student winner awarded (Teacher: Nancy Hilson)
- Hawaii Regional Scholastic Art Awards - 2 Students received awards (1 Silver and 1 Gold “Key” Award (teacher Nancy Hilson)
- Honolulu Star Advertiser’s Keiki Day Contest - one student winner for art (teacher Nancy Hilson)
- Legacy of Life Hawaii Calendar Contest: 2 student art winners (teacher Ryan Robison)
- Leeward Young Artist Art Award 1 student, overall winner (Teacher Nancy Hilson)
- Eddie Aikau Essay - 2nd place male student, Nicholas Mohr winner for the Eddie Aikau Essay contest $350 and prizes were awarded (Teacher: Joshua Ching)
- State of Hawaii Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Awards Banquet - School was recognized as a finalist for diversity of STEM activities
- American Diabetes Association of Hawaii “Diabetes Is…” PSA/Video - 1st place winners for the first annual American Diabetes contest co-sponsored by The Queen’s Medical Center Video titled “Diabetes Is… Controllable” Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes” (Two students awarded with Teacher Ethan Toyota)
- Kokua Hawaii Foundation - Co-founder Jack Johnson presented students and teacher Vanessa Kealoha with a certificate in recognition of their K.E.A.P. proposal (Kokua Earth Action Program)
- Hawaii History Day Leeward District Competition - 47 students qualified (Teachers: Dana Goldenson, Ethan Toyota)
- Hawaii History Day State Competition - 16 students qualified for the History Day State Competition
- Hawaii History Day State Competition - 4th place in Junior Documentary, Outstanding History Day Project in Women’s History award - exhibit
- Track and Field - 1st place was awarded to one of our students
SY 2010 - 2011
- District and State Science Fair - 23 students qualified for district (Teachers: Debra Gochros, Courtney Gill, and Tracy Higa)
- Leeward Young Artist Art Award - 4 student winners for the Young Artist contest (Teacher: Debra Maness)
- Eddie Aikau Essay - 2nd place female student, Shaelynn Chai was the winner. Contest was $350 and prizes (Teacher: Joshua Ching)
- PACT Keiki Day “Keep It Green” Creativity Contest - Student, Kawehi Emosa won with her essay titled “If the World Would Go Green” (Teacher: Joshua Ching)
- Hawai’i Regional Scholastic Art Awards - 2 students were awarded (Teacher: Debra Maness)
- Science Olympiad - Ewa Makai Middle School students placed 3rd in Division B at the Science Olympiad at Leeward Community College
- Leeward District Hawaii History Day - 45 students qualified for Leeward District (Teachers: Dana Goldenson, Ethan Toyota)
- Hawaii History Day State Competition - 12 students qualified for the state competition
- National History Day Contest - 5 students qualified in College Park, MD (1 exhibit on the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 1 documentary on Roe v. Wade) - (Teacher: Dana Goldenson)
- 2011 Hawaii Council for the Humanities Teacher of the Year - Won by our teacher, Dana Goldenson