NUKOLII — Nearly a hundred of Kauai’s middle and high schools were honored for earning national and international awards during a gathering at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort on Tuesday. “These students gained recognition in a wide range of areas
NUKOLII — Nearly a hundred of Kauai’s middle and high schools were honored for earning national and international awards during a gathering at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort on Tuesday.
“These students gained recognition in a wide range of areas from music, JROTC, digital media, engineering and science,” said Sean Doi, host of the event and with the Rising Stars program from the Department of Education Kauai office. “These students earned awards at the national, and even international levels.”
Tiffany Frias, the DOE coordinator from Honolulu, said this is the 20th year the DOE has hosted the Recognition of Students’ National Achievement Awards program highlighting the student achievements which extend beyond the state’s waters.
“When we first started, there were just a handful of students,” Frias said. “We flew them to Oahu where everyone got together for one big ceremony. But with the rising numbers of students and expense of flying inter-island, Kauai now has its own ceremony and luncheon.”
Frias said this year’s field of national and international honorees total more than 500 students across the state. Kauai has nearly a hundred students, all of whom enjoyed the hospitality of the DOE and congratulations from dignitaries.
Honored students came from Kapaa Middle School, whose Ukulele Band and Choir presented an entertainment number from its double-gold performance at the Heritage Music Festival in California, Kauai High School, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, both schools earning honors at the Student Television Network convention in Florida, and Waimea High School whose JROTC cadets garnered JROTC honors.
Waimea High School students Julia Hirano and Kayla Ishida were among those earning multiple recognition, both girls getting JROTC accolades as well as acknowledgement for their participation in the National Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Kapaa Middle School students Maceo Cantu and Ian Kimura earned accolades from the Heritage Music Festival and from the Student Television Network convention.
Students honored include:
Athena Abadilla (WHS), Jonnika Alumpe (KMS), Leleaka Anakalea (KMS), Dillon Ancheta (KHS), Michael John Anderson (KMS), Analani Bacon (KMS), Sydney Balai (KMS), Daileen Barton (KMS), Sonata Beasley (KMS), Jade-Lynn Belmodis (KMS), Alexys Bermudez (WHS).
Halia Bradenburg (KMS), Ben Brady (CKMS), Sydney Brady (KHS), Ashlyn Bridges-Basuel (KMS), Caiden Bridges-Basuel (KMS), Chloe Bukoski (KMS), Kawailehua Burnz (KMS), Macao Cantu (KMS), Breeann Cayaban (WHS), Juliette Cowell (WHS).
Patrick Cowell (WHS), Hope Coyaso (WHS), Ashley Crawford (KMS), Dalson Cua (CKMS), Alexxius Cypher (KMS), Lauryn Fleming (WHS), Justice Funamura-Sasil (CKMS), Isabel Gampon (CKMS), Lylah Gibans (KMS), Nialani Green (KMS).
One Griffin (KMS), Alicia Hayakawa (KMS), Julia Hirano (WHS), Kayla Ishida (WHS), Destiny Ishida (KMS), Saul Jaramillo (CKMS), Makena Kahananui (KMS), Brooke Kanna (CKMS), Kate Machorek (KHS), Kaden Keep (CKMS), Ian Kimura (KMS), Jai Koga (KMS), Marlena Lang (CKMS), Zailea Lawrence-White (KMS), Jasmynn Lloyd (KMS), Haven Luper-Jasso (CKMS).
Meaghan Mahikoa (KMS), Victoria Mahikoa (KMS), Tristen Mahuiki (KMS), Haena Makanani-Medeiros (KMS), Brandon Marcos (CKMS), Micah Matsunaga (CKMS), Nicole Matsushige (CKMS), Cristina McLaughlin (WHS).
Javlynn Mexia (CKMS), Regina Miner (WHS), Tiffany Minia (WHS), Janice Mones (KHS), Kaycee Nakashima (CKMS), Lindsey Nakea-Tresler (CKMS), Alaysia Navor (CKMS).
Kira Nobriga (WHS), Kelii Okayama (CKMS), Melia Okura (WHS), Keilyn Paleracio (KMS), Sophia Rodrigues (KMS), Rozalyn Mabini (KHS), Malachi Sacramento (KMS), Halle Sakai (CKMS), Halia Souza (KMS).
Braden Tabura (KMS), Melia Takakusagi (WHS), Taylynn Taniguchi (CKMS), Leanna Thesken (CKMS), Celeste Velarde (KMS), Elijah Williams (KMS), and Daniel Zahn (KMS).
