By April-Joy McCann
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When Senior Tori Kaya entered the coloring contest for Duke’s Ocean Fest, winning was the farthest thing from her mind. Despite the fact that this was her first contest, Kaya was able to achieve the first place win for her age division out of the 110 students that entered from MHS alone.
“Being that she is a first year student, I really (didn’t) know her potential. Only through three previous homework assignments … none of those showed me what she did for this piece,” explained Fine Arts teacher Ruth Ravina-Koethe.
The objective of the contest was to color a picture of Duke Kahanamoku with his surfboard similar to that of his statue in Waikiki. This picture was created by the Duke Kahanamoku foundation. Despite it’s difficulty Kaya decided to do stippling, a dotted coloring technique that is very tedious and time-consuming.
“It took her about four days. She worked on it day and night at home, (and) over the weekend,” said Kathi Kaya, her mother and Fine Arts teacher.
There weren’t any criteria set up by the Duke Kahanamoku foundation and because this was her first contest, Tori Kaya decided to do something she did well: she stayed in her comfort zone. “My biggest recommendation for all of my students (entering a contest is to) do what you do best,” said Koethe.
The contest was mandatory for all Drawing and Painting students, as it was a part of their homework grade. “It’s nice that she’s a first year student. To me, it shows that it’s not always the Drawing and Painting 4 students that win,” Koethe said.
Though it is her first year taking a Drawing and Painting class, Tori Kaya had been drawing at a young age. “Ever since elementary school, (and) all the way before that. She always drew; she liked all the artsy kind of stuff,” said Kathi Kaya.
Receiving the call that informed her of the win was a huge shock to Tori Kaya. “I wasn’t expecting to get a call and when the (foundation) called me I was like ‘Wow, I think I just won,’” she shared.
Her prize was a $50 Quicksilver gift card, three tickets to Wet-n-Wild and a $75 dining certificate to the Hula Grill in Waikiki. Tori Kaya continues to draw and hopes to participate in more art contests in the future.
