The Pro Bowl came to Hawai‘i last month, and with it throngs of football players, cheerleaders and fans.
Three days before the big game, I, along with nine other WCC students (mostly in journalism) got the chance to be in the middle of the action, serving as volunteer photographers at the 17th annual Warren Moon Pro Bowl Reception, hosted by former NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and nine-time Pro Bowler Warren Moon and his Crescent Moon Foundation.
The show got started at 6 p.m. sharp at the Top of Waikiki restaurant. Everyone scrambled to cover their assignments, which had been assigned to us by the public relations manager.
The assignments ranged from the step and repeat to the silent auction, cocktail reception, gifting suite and dinner.
The student photographers assigned to the red carpet had to juggle having their cameras ready with knowing who the person was to be photographed.
Although a look book identifying the various VIPs was handed out, it was still nerve-racking having to juggle different things while being surrounded by famous athletes.
There were open bar cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as well as a musical performance.
Unsurprisingly, Hawai‘i’s heavy traffic kept a few of the special guests from arriving on time, pushing the dinner back by half an hour and giving us a few moments to rest.
During the dinner, guests were seated among Hall of Fame athletes, Pro Bowlers and celebrities.
It was a bit awkward to be a volunteer trying to maneuver in between the rows of tables to capture pictures during the dinner, especially since they were serving lobster and filet mignon.
Warren Moon presented St. Jude Children’s Hospital as the recipient of the proceeds collected from the event.
“Life is not about feeding your ego, it goes further than just being a Hall of Fame player,” said Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Nick Lowery. “It is about being able to give back and help others. At the end of the day I feel a lot better and happier for doing that.”
by Itzel Contreras Mendez, Ka ‘Ohana Staff Reporter
