LIHUE — Lianne Tanaka, a graduating senior from Kauai High School, said she was grateful to receive the Kiwanis of Kauai scholarship because it helps relieve the financial burden on her family.
“Costs of higher education are high,” Tanaka said. “I have two younger siblings and I don’t want them to comprise their goals because of finances.”
Tanaka was one of five scholarship recipients distributed Tuesday evening by the Kiwanis Club of Kauai during its meeting at the Ho‘okipa Cafe at the Puakea Golf Course.
Two recipients earned $1,000 awards and three received $750 awards. All five are seniors at Kauai High School and received congratulatory certificates from the Kauai County Council and the Hawaii State Legislature.
Tanaka, the daughter of Wade and Krishen Tanaka, plans on attending Western Washington University.
Nicole Masulit, daughter of Bernard Masulit and Nora Cadiz, plans to attend the Hawaii Pacific University to study computer science.
Kasey Emoto, daughter of Myron and Ena Enomoto, is heading for the University of Hawaii at Manoa as a Chancellor Scholar. She plans on studying biology before moving into the medical field. She is the vice president of membership at the Kauai High School Key Club and holds a 4.022 grade point average.
“Receiving this scholarship justifies that I’m doing the right thing,” said Ian Brysen Pagatpatan, the sole male recipient of the Kiwanis Club of Kauai scholarships.
He plans on attending Oregon State University to study electrical engineering.
The son of Edward and Rosalie Pagatpatan is the secretary of the Kauai High School Key Club and will leave the Red Raiders with a 4.0 GPA.
Emma Leary, daughter of Noel and Marlene Leary, is the Kauai High School Key Club vice president of public relations. She also holds a 4.0 GPA and plans on attending Gonzaga University to study business administration.
The Kiwanis Club of Kauai has provided $76,000 in scholarships for Key Club members since 1989.
