Wish Fish

Article and photos by Anne E. O’Malley

About 128 students at Kapa`a Elementary School made paper-mache Wish Fish in art teacher Wendy Benton’s classroom, tucking tiny messages written on tissue paper inside the balloon bodies as they worked. Wishes ranged from the lofty to the mundane and included ideas such as be rich, remain friends with my favorite friends forever, to fly — and more. Benton, their art teacher with over 30 years of experience — 25 of them at Kapa`a Elementary —  was stoked at how the students got into it. Following a rubric developed by Benton, students rated their projects. Sounds like A+!

Fifth grade students of Ms. Wendy Benton’s art class at Kapa`a Elementary School check out their class’s wish fish.

L-R: Ruben Dias, Jr. with Sparky; Matthew Baltazar with Tobusces; Kaden Baliaras with Kiyoyah

Tora Daligcon-Pomokai with Sweet Cheeks

Isaiah Blas with Dark Magic

Manuia Gantt with Karly√ Manula

Glenn Patrick Aguada with Goldie

Lylah Gibans with Tamari

L-R: Kailee Maglinti with Sweet Cakes; Kya Dorati with Mr. Bloopers, Nahele Keale with Purpy; Leilia Panui with Peachaes

L-R: Jared Oliver with Seahawk; Moses Ito with Jet; Braden Tabura with Rainbow

Elijah Williams with Black Magic (l); Sage Ikehara Ragasa with Nerds

Chazz McConnel with George, Jr.