Autism Cook Islands (ACI) announced the winners of its colouring competition and best-dressed participants at last month’s Blue Day event, at Nukutere College on Thursday last week.

ACI organised the competition for Autism Awareness Month in April, and participants from all secondary schools in Rarotonga, as well as Vaitau School in Aitutaki, took part.

Isaac Khan receives his prize for winning the colouring competition last month. KAT JENSEN/25050958

Issac Khan of Nukutere College won the colouring competition, receiving a Te Ipukarea Society thermal insulated water bottle as well as colouring books and pens, sponsored by a New Zealand family, who donated money to purchase these goods. Isaiah Vano and Metua Puea were the other winners and they received the same prizes.

For the best dressed, inclusive education coordinator for Nukutere College, Terina Karaiti, who dressed up as a “cookie monster” for Blue Day last month, was announced the winner.

Inclusive education coordinator for Nukutere College, Terina Karaiti, right, dressed up as a “cookie monster” for Blue Day last month, won best dressed prize. She is pictured with Kat Jensen of Autism Cook Islands. KAT JENSEN/25050959

The primary school winners will be announced this week by Bank of Cook Islands (BCI). Their prizes are sponsored by Vodafone Cook Islands.

The winners of the colouring competition from Vaitau School in Aitutaki were also announced on Thursday.

The other prize announced last week was for the “best office set-up,” where businesses decorated their office space to show their support for Blue Day last month.

The BCI admin team received the prize – a free morning tea shout at Studio Blue, located on Nikao backroad.