PUHI — John Bungula-McCarthy, a senior at Kapaa High School, said it wasn’t about just looking good Friday duuring the Hawaii Association for College Admission Counseling College Fair for Kauai Families at the Wilcox Gymnasium at Island School.
“I like how there are so many colleges and universities represented,” he said. “I’m planning on becoming a teacher and I’m split between two schools, both in Oregon. They both look really nice, but it’s not about looking good. It’s about how much I’m going to be able to learn to make a difference.”
Rose Shaw, an organizer, said they expected between 400 to 500 students at the fair that featured 55 institutions of higher learning.
Kallen Wachi is a junior at Waimea High School and came to see which schools fit his goal of getting into the aviation field.
“I’m just exploring which colleges fit,” Wachi said. “I need to find out how much it costs, what kinds of scores I need to get on testing, and do the homework before I make my choice.”
Among the colleges and universities, Patti Pears was focusing on financial aid, and Sierra Hampton-Eng had her son Owen Kollar in tow to support the students.
“We’re here to show the support the public libraries have to help the students with their choices for the future,” Hampton-Eng said. “There are guides to taking the various tests, and even the scholarship book that they don’t need to buy. It’s free when they borrow it.”
Pi‘ikea Sahut, a senior at Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha, said she wants to be in accounting, but is not sure of where she’s going to go.
“There are a lot of options out there,” said the great-granddaughter of Kupuna Janet Kahalekomo. “I’m here to look at the college offerings to try and figure out where I’d like to go. I’ve got to get started on this. I’m already behind.”
Tavion Smith-Lopes, a junior at Kauai High School, was taken up by Gary Elwood of the Kauai Community College after he overheard her plans.
“I’m going to introduce you to someone who can help you with your questions,” he said.
Smith-Lopes said the conversation was helpful in showing her paths following graduation.
“They were really good,” she said. “They explained that I don’t really need to know what I want to do, yet. After enrolling, there are counselors who can help point me in the right direction. This was really helpful.”
This was the path selected by Kauai High School senior Melalynn Phillipp and Mercy Lang.
“We’re going to do two years at the Kauai Community College,” Lang said. “Following that, we’re hoping to transfer to another school. We don’t know where, yet. That’s why we’re here today. To find out where we’re going.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
