LIHUE — More than $13,000 in scholarships was shared among five students Tuesday when the Zonta Club of Kauai hosted its scholarship meeting at the Hookipa Cafe at the Puakea Golf Course. Bronwyn Kay, a recent graduate of Kauai High
LIHUE — More than $13,000 in scholarships was shared among five students Tuesday when the Zonta Club of Kauai hosted its scholarship meeting at the Hookipa Cafe at the Puakea Golf Course.
Bronwyn Kay, a recent graduate of Kauai High School who is aspiring to become an environmental engineer, was a dual recipient, receiving the $1,000 Young Woman in Pacific Affairs award named after the late Bill and Zonta Club of Kauai member Marge Akana.
“The Zonta Club of Kauai recognizes the value of exceptional community service by a young woman, and activities related to outside-of-school and workplace,” said MaBel Fujiuchi, Zonta Club of Kauai leader. “International awareness, status of women and the empowerment in the country and worldwide through her service and advocacy is examined and rewarded. Among the many activities recognized by this young woman promoting the status of women, Bronwyn Kay went to Mexico on a youth with a mission and Helping Hands where she participated in building a small house for a family in need.”
Kay was also one of five students receiving $2,500 Zonta Club of Kauai scholarships, joining students Mandy Sugihara, Gracie Yatsko, Railee Layosa, Sharae Cua and Ava Wagner.
“This young woman, Ava Wagner, found incredible strength in recovery and rehabilitation from a sports injury caused by ‘pushing way beyond the limits of her body,’” Fujiuchi said. “The incredible experience and discovery of her commitment to strive in her newfound determination that she was stronger than ever before leads us to understand the strength of her body and mind which leads her to study kinesiology in college leading her to become a physical therapist to affect the body and mind with a concentration in working with adolescents.”
Sugihara, who graduated from Kauai High School, aspires to enter the creative media field through attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Yatsko, who was unable to attend due to a church mission, graduated from Kapaa High School and aspires to become a writer for publications in Seattle or New York City.
Layosa, ranked No. 15 of 240 students in Kauai High School’s Class of 2017, aspires to become a dermatologist or a veterinarian, with her undergraduate work being done at Pacific University in Oregon. Layosa plans on returning to Kauai to open her private practice after earning her doctorate.
Cua, maintaining a 4.06 grade-point average at Kauai High School, aspires to become a nurse, believing that hard work, determination and communication will help her dreams become reality.
Proceeds from the Zonta Club of Kauai scholarships are derived from its number of projects throughout the year, including its signature Eat Dessert First event held in February.
