The Waianae Squeezies is a team of students who participate in an after school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) group at Waianae Elementary School. Through a grant, they are able to plan, imagine, and create innovative projects.
The team entered the K-Grade 4 division of the annual Lemonade Alley Competition, a project-based entrepreneur challenge, where students learn about business and charitable giving. Their vision was to create an original lemonade recipe that reflected their school and the Waianae community.
The Waianae Squeezies created two original lemonade recipes, a marketing plan, and speeches to raise funds for their charities. The team took First Place honors in their division and the Grand Prize of $1,000 on April 8, 2017, at the Pearlridge Farmers Market with their top seller, the “Waianae Strawberry.”
Advisors/teachers Alexis Okihara and Geena Okata said, “The motto of Lemonade Alley is ‘Profit To Share’ and that is exactly what we did! All together we were able to donate our entire profit to community organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubhouse of Waianae, Reading Is Fundamental, Honolulu, Inc., Friends of Waikiki Aquarium, and PTA of Waianae Elementary School. We hope to continue this learning experience next year!”
“Congratulations to the Waianae Squeezies for winning First Place in your division at the Lemonade Alley Competition. We are so proud of you! It is especially heartwarming to us that you have chosen to share some of your hard earned profit with the RIF-Honolulu program. Mahalo for your generous support! We look forward to seeing you next school year.” – The volunteers of RIF-Honolulu