LIHU‘E — Four Kaua‘i High School Key Club seniors were recipients of the 2012 Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i scholarships Tuesday afternoon during the club’s meeting at the Hanama‘ulu Cafe. Adele Rugg, Kiwanis Lt. Governor, joined Reiko Yoshida of the Kiwanis
LIHU‘E — Four Kaua‘i High School Key Club seniors were recipients of the 2012 Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i scholarships Tuesday afternoon during the club’s meeting at the Hanama‘ulu Cafe.
Adele Rugg, Kiwanis Lt. Governor, joined Reiko Yoshida of the Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i, announcing and congratulating Travis Navarro, Kristen Sugihara, Kevin Jian and Ryan Valenciano as this year’s recipients.
“All four recipients have been four-year members of the Kaua‘i High School Key Club and each has dedicated hundreds of hours of community service throughout their high school careers, participating in events such as the Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing, the Mayor’s Aloha Garden, the Regency at Puakea Senior Visitation, and Key Kids Tutoring/Mentoring Program,” Yoshida said. “The Kiwanis members have had the opportunity to see these four students mature and grow into fine, young individuals who will continue to make Kaua‘i proud.”
Navarro, the son of Charlene Navarro of Kalaheo and the recipient of one of two $1,000 scholarships, said he plans on studying economics with a focus on poverty alleviation. He is the vice president for fundraising and operations for the Kaua‘i High School Key Club with more than 656 hours of community service during his high school career.
Sugihara, the daughter of Keith and Lauren Sugihara of Lihu‘e and the recipient of the second $1,000 scholarship, is planning on attending Fresno State University or Art Institute with a field of study in mass communication and journalism.
She is the vice president of service projects for the Kaua‘i High School Key Club with more than 441 hours of community service during her high school career.
Jian, coming off a strong showing at the recent Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation qualifying tennis tournament, is the son of Hui Hong and Zhi Yang Jian of Lihu‘e and the recipient of a $500 scholarship.
He is considering attending Pacific University in Oregon to study optometry. He is the president of the Kaua‘i High School Key Club with more than 354 hours of community service during his high school career.
Valenciano is heading to Pacific University to study physical therapy. The son of Placido and Michelle Valenciano of Lihu‘e, he is the recipient of a $500 scholarship and is the vice president of membership for the Kaua‘i High School Key Club, contributing more than 263 hours of community service during his high school career.
The Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i has distributed $62,500 in scholarships since 1989 to deserving Key Club members to help them further their educational endeavors.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
