HANALEI — For the fourth year, Ching Young Village has awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating 6th grader from Hanalei School for being an exemplary student. Sadie Phillips was chosen based on her academic achievement, attendance and service to
HANALEI — For the fourth year, Ching Young Village has awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating 6th grader from Hanalei School for being an exemplary student.
Sadie Phillips was chosen based on her academic achievement, attendance and service to the school, and was recognized for her agreeable attitude, patience and personality.
The award is held by the Hanalei Parent Teacher Association until the student enrolls in college, and the funds will accrue interest during the student’s high school years.
Phillips was absent just five times in grades 4n6 and was never tardy. Her grade point average was 4.0, meaning that she earned A’s in all her classes.
She was an active participant in the School-Community-Based Management council and student council; served on the school’s May Day court, and participated in the school’s morning video news programs.
Michael Ching and Hanalei School principal Barbara Baker made the presentation Friday at the school’s sixth grade graduation, held in the school’s cafeteria.
The Ching Young Scholarship is awarded in the memory of Michael Ching’s father, Larry Ching, who graduated from Hanalei School in 1934. The elder Ching had always wanted to attend college, but because of financial hardship after his father died in 1933, he never fulfilled his dream.
Sadie’s parents, Doug and Paulette Phillips, and 9-year-old brother Brycen, proudly watched her receive the scholarship. Paulette is a teacher at Kula High and Middle School, a private school in Kilauea, which Sadie will attend in the fall. Sadie said that she’s looking forward to summer vacation, when she’ll go to the beach and go hiking, maybe continue dance classes and play some soccer and basketball.
The sixth-grade class of 34 received diplomas and lei from schoolteachers, family and friends, and the event was capped off by an ukulele performance of Israel Kamakawiwoole’s song “Hawaiian Superman,” led by music teacher John Kaneholani.
The graduation emcees were 5th graders Brandee Yokotake and Grace Young.
Five students in the graduating class were presented with certificates from the President’s Education Awards Program, Students with grade point averages of 3.5 or higher were awarded with the certificates, featuring President George W. Bush’s signature. Those students were: Summer BenDor, Sierra Boro-Harada, Cole Griffen, Fallon Mann, John Outzen, and Sadie Phillips.
