KAPA‘A — A vision of something more brought people to Hawai‘i, and diversity is what defines us as a people, said Gov. Neil Abercrombie Thursday. Abercrombie visited the Kapa‘a High School campus to recognize and congratulate the school on its
KAPA‘A — A vision of something more brought people to Hawai‘i, and diversity is what defines us as a people, said Gov. Neil Abercrombie Thursday.
Abercrombie visited the Kapa‘a High School campus to recognize and congratulate the school on its accomplishments throughout the year, including its Smaller Learning Communities program.
The program has demonstrated positive results: Its Jr. ROTC program earned more than 30 awards throughout the year and two of its members were appointed to West Point academy. Its boys soccer team earned the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Division II state title, and one of the soccer captains, Tanner Henry, was recently announced as a Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient.
“Diversity defines us as a people,” Abercrombie said, noting the different backgrounds, races and cultures among the gathering. “Everyone came here with a vision of something more resulting in diversity which defines us, not divides us. Here, we achieve teamwork and it brings us together.”
Kapa‘a High School principal Daniel Hamada said the increase of Kapa‘a students enrolling in college is a result of the school’s dedication to personalized education, or the SLC program whose leaders were on hand to discuss facets of the program with Abercrombie.
Kapa‘a High School college-bound seniors increased from 46 percent to 59 percent, a 13-point jump, between 2010 and 2012, according to the Department of Education and the Hawai‘i P-20 Partnerships for Education College and Career Readiness Indicators.
Kaua‘i Area Complex Superintendent William Arakaki said the other two public high schools, Kaua‘i and Waimea high schools, have college-bound seniors in the 60 percent range, but the big increase came at Kapa‘a.
Sgt. Ian Versammy, who along with Lt. Col. Robert Levoit leads the Kapa‘a High School Jr. ROTC program, said there are 115 students in the program, and as a unit, earned 30 trophies for various activities through the year.
Levoit said two of the graduating Jr. ROTC seniors have been selected to the West Point academy, a feat, considering Hawai‘i as a state, has eight students appointed.
In addition to its accomplishments, Abercrombie acknowledged and praised the unit and its student leaders on its volunteerism in performance of its service projects throughout the island community.
Two of the Jr. ROTC student leaders, Daniel and Michael Alonzo, were also recognized as part of the boys state championship team, as is Henry, a team captain.
Salynn Gonsalves, Henry’s counselor, was moved to emotion, noting she had only known the student for nine months, but during that period, he has demonstrated his positive outlook on life and courageousness in overcoming obstacles in his path.
She said Henry was accepted by six universities he enrolled in, but selected San Diego where he will pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering. The goal earned him more than $230,000 in the GMS program with the possibility of more if he decides to pursue a degree higher than a bachelor’s degree.
In presenting commendation to Henry, the Alonzo brothers and the boys soccer team, Abercrombie asked Hamada if he could have a jersey as an honorary Warrior.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
