11 Finalists Selected for “Letter to My Parents Contest”

File photo.

Eleven finalists have been selected for a unique contest in which teens and young adults express their experiences and feelings towards their parents or legal guardians.

The “2015 Letter to My Parents” contest encouraged participants to submit work illustrating examples from personal ʻohana life; reflecting family relationships and interactions.

Finalists, who range in age from 15 to 22, will present their letter dedicated to their parents during a special event scheduled to take place today, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at 4 p.m. at the Executive Dining Room Campus Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on Oʻahu.

“This is our 3rd occasion celebrating ʻOhana. It makes us happy that we are reaching out to more different ethnic groups every year,” says Rose Churma, as one of the co-organizers of the event, representing Kalamansi Books and Things.

Each of the finalists won a $50 certificate courtesy of Reiyukai America and a year long test-prep course subscription, courtesy of BenchPrep. The Organizing Committee for the contest included: Kalamansi Books & Things, Sariling Gawa-Youth Council, Inc., Read 2 Succeed Foundation and Reyukai America.

The finalists for the 2015 contest include: Florence Andres, Chimako Anitok, Abigail Badua, Rosario Joaquin, Sheena Juliano, Headrick Letuli, Angela Lin, Brandon Lorezco, Janica Pascua, Bell Shirell, and Stephanie Yasay.

Among the eleven contestants, the judges will be selecting three outstanding letters based on three categories: Reflection, Bravery, and Proposal.

“We hope that these letters will become the magnet that brings the families together by improving their family relationships,” said co-organizer Toshiro Obara, of Reiyukai Ameirca.