High school students from Kamehameha Schools have advanced to the "Sweet 16" elimination round of a national debate tournament.

This position keeps the team eligible for a $5,000 first-place prize and a free trip to the finals in New York in April.

The 2005-06 National Public Policy Forum gives students across the country a chance to participate in oral and written debates on public policy issues. Approximately 40 schools participate.

Team members are Kara Gustafson, Micah Aiu, Krystal Ka'ai, Triton Peltier, Leanne Pratt and Caleb Sheldon.

MCKINLEY HOLDS BENEFIT FOR GRADS

McKinley High School's Project Graduation committee will have a food and craft booth on Sunday to raise money for the parent-sponsored graduation party in June.

Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the King Street driveway to the Blaisdell Center, the booth will feature banana bread, various cookies, gift baskets and crafts.

DATABASE SYSTEM WINS RECOGNITION

SSFM International Inc. and the Department of Education have received the Honor Award for developing the school system's Facilities Project Management and Tracking Database System (FACTRACK).

The Engineering Excellence Awards competition is sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawai'i and its promotional partners.

The computer application tracks the DOE's repair and maintenance and capital improvement program projects and helps schools coordinate upcoming projects with their schedules.

The FACTRAK site can be accessed at doe.ssfm.com.

CASTLE THESPIANS HELP FOOD BANK

A Castle High School theater group collected 422 pounds of food for the Hawai'i Foodbank.

Their collection was part of a nationwide effort by the International Thespian Society, a division of the national community service initiative, Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat. More than 200 thespian troupes participated, collecting 225,635 pounds of food.

For more information about the program, visit www.tots-eat.org.