Senior Kristen Kate Tumacder is this year’s recipient of the Violet Richardson Award, given by the Soroptimist International of Waikiki Foundation.

This is the third consecutive year in which an Academy student has won the award which honors girls who make an impact through their community service. The award is granted to young women between the ages of 14 and 17 who have demonstrated initiative in both identifying a problem in their communities or schools and trying to solve it. In addition, it is awarded to students who have made significant, noteworthy accomplishments.

Tumacder has taught, mentored and advised students from St. John the Baptist Catholic School. During summer and school breaks, she volunteers as a teacher’s assistant, tutoring fourth to eighth grade students. She also assists teachers with technology.

Tumacder said, “As a proud alumna of SJBCS, I chose to become involved with tutoring and helping students with their classwork and the teachers with their computer-related work. I also assist in fundraising events, such as park clean-ups and the school’s First Step Program, where I give out food for the families in Kakaako, all of which helps the school with financial challenges.”

Tumacder plans to continue volunteering at her former school.

“By the time I graduate from high school, I plan to complete over 1,000 community service hours at SJBCS. The impact of the clean-up projects greatly impacted my life positively. By doing fundraisers, I reciprocate the support I got to my beloved school. By also doing clean-up projects, I am able to clean the local parks and beaches with my former school, ensure the safety of the people who use the parks and provide a total of $3,000 over the last three years to the school’s building fund,” said Tumacder.

Through her volunteer work, Tumacder has not only learned to appreciate her former school but also learned the value of commitment, motivation and communication.

“Through these activities, I am able to inspire others, maintain and appreciate nature’s beauty and continue to be involved with the school. These activities change me positively and help me grow into a successful, benevolent young woman. I learned that kindness and optimism should be shared, especially with children,” said Tumacder.

Tumacder and her family will attend an award reception on Mar. 14 to receive her $500 cash reward.