KAPAIA — Kauai High School graduate Kaytlen Akau is the latest recipient of the Kapaia Foundation scholarship, states a foundation release.
The daughter of Heath Akau and Teresa Caires, she was a member of the Red Raider varsity cheer squad, the yearbook staff, and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars while maintaining a 3.059 cumulative grade point average.
As an ambassador Girl Scout and reigning 2018 Miss Garden Isle Teen USA, she has been able to utilize her talents and skills to positively impact people of all ages, states the Kapaia Foundation Scholarship Committee.
Her future plans call for volunteering as a Girl Scout Troop leader as well as pageant hair and make-up artist, giving back to the two programs that have impacted her growth.
She will start her undergraduate studies at the Everett Community College in Washington, pursuing an associate’s degree of technical arts in cosmetology. Following that, she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business to support and expand her cosmetology services.
The Kapaia Foundation Scholarship was created to recognize the dreams of sugar-plantation-era immigrants for the success of their descendants.
She is proud to be a product of the dreams of her Portuguese ancestors, Manoel and Maria Raposo do Amarall, Joseph and Tereza Freitas Raposo, and Jose and Antonia de Sa, who, 136 years ago, yearned for a better life and took action in obtaining it for themselves in Hawaii with hard work, perseverance and a positive attitude.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
