Ewa Elementary - Oahu, Hawaii
November 13, 2009In one of Leeward’s oldest schools, Ewa Elementary awaited Jake and MIGM’s message and music. The 4th-6th graders filed into the cafeteria with so much youthful energy and love for music. The cafeteria was so packed the 1st-3rd graders were watching the live performance on their classroom TV screens! Throughout the week of October 26th-30th, Ewa Elementary celebrated their drug free week where events are held that encourage a drug-free lifestyle. A special assembly with Jake as the featured guest presenter was held on November 2nd, to culminate the drug-free theme from the previous week. Jake shared that he has been drug free his whole life and never needed them because his ukulele kept him away from those negative influences.
Jake demonstrated all the different styles of music that can be played on the ukulele such as classical, heavy metal, blues, and rock. His point was that the ukulele is not just limited to traditional Hawaiian music, but in reality, anything can be played on this great and humble instrument. He also demonstrated how the ukulele can sound like other instruments such as a piano, drums and even a Japanese koto. The students were amazed hearing these sounds they never knew was possible on the ukulele.
Jake brought a recording system that could record multiple sets of sounds and beats he made on his ukulele that overlapped and together they created a whole song! He was able to create a background beat and asked a student to come up and rap to his rhythm; Jake even attempted to rap himself!
Later, Jake also encouraged all the students to live a healthy lifestyle by staying away from junk food and soda and to drink plenty of water. He told them that for their age, they should be drinking at least 3 bottles of water every day! Living a healthy lifestyle also means staying away from drugs and the things that are a negative influence on our lives. Jake told them to think about something they love doing, and remember that drugs will always take those things away from them. Drugs will just destroy those things that make them happy and will always pose negative weight on their endeavors.
Later, Jake also encouraged all the students to live a healthy lifestyle by staying away from junk food and soda and to drink plenty of water. He told them that for their age, they should be drinking at least 3 bottles of water every day! Living a healthy lifestyle also means staying away from drugs and the things that are a negative influence on our lives. Jake told them to think about something they love doing, and remember that drugs will always take those things away from them. Drugs will just destroy those things that make them happy and will always pose negative weight on their endeavors.