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2004 Youth Award Ceremony


The Youth Award Ceremony was held on July 17, 2004 at the State Supreme Court. The ceremony was emceed by Mandi Larson, a Maui High School senior, who is also the chair of the Youth Award Committee. Speakers included Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Daniel Foley, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools representative Carl Ackerman, Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Clayton Fujie and Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon of the Hawaii State Supreme Court.

The mission of the Youth Award program is to acknowledge the contributions by youth to protect and promote civil liberties.

Congratulations to this year’s winner, Jana Pierce-van Loon of Baldwin High School on Maui. Pierce-van Loon was recognized for her commitment to civil liberties issues which can be best described as a one-girl performing arts show. Her works have dramatized religious issues, gender discrimination and other violations of civil liberties.


Winner Jana Pierce-van Loon and Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon


ACLU Youth Award Committee Left to right: Karen Lee, Reverend Yoshiaki Fujitani, Jackie Young, Jana Pierce-van Loon, Chief Justice Moon, Josh Reppun, Mandi Larson, and Dr. Catherine Garland. The Youth Award Committee chose the winner and finalists from nominations that were submitted from throughout the state by teachers, counselors or community members.


For the second year, Dr. Les Wilber has generously underwritten the awards and program costs.


Chief Justice Moon and Dr. Leslie Wilber





Sandra Ventenilla accepted the award for her daughter and finalist, Samantha O`Hanlon. O`Hanlon, a Punahou School graduate, was honored for starting the first Gay/Straight Alliance (G.S.A.) at Punahou. She was instrumental in organizing the Alliance with students and faculty.
Sandra Ventenilla and Chief Justice Moon




Mrs. Porris-Tang, Principal at Kalani High School, accepted the award for her student and finalist at Kalani, Christen Brown. Brown was acknowledged for actions taken while attending New Trier High School in Illinois. To promote racial awareness and tolerance of minority students, she was instrumental in creating the school’s first Black History Month Club. This has led to plans to develop diversity training for faculty and students.



Mrs. Porris-Tang and Chief Justice Moon


All Photos courtesy of Tia L. Roberts
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