KAPA‘A — Kapa‘a High School Foundation awarded 16 commendable students through a virtual scholarship presentation this summer.
Foundation board member Carolyn Morinishi said there were five recipients of the $1,000 scholarships, but because of the hardships caused by COVID-19, the foundation agreed to a one-time award of six additional scholarships of $500.
Additionally, the foundation decided to help even more students in need for a total of 16 scholarships due to the pandemic.
“For the first time, we also awarded five additional scholarships, the ‘Daniel S. Hamada Endowment Scholarship, in honor of former principal Daniel Hamada, and scholarships from the Fernandez and Valenciano families,” Morinishi said.
“I was impressed that these students worked so hard in high school — often while also working part-time jobs — and they all put such a priority on community service. Most of them plan to come home after college graduation and give back to the people of Kaua’i. What an awesome group,” Morinishi said.
Tommy John Cox, principal of Kapa‘a High School, echoed Morinishi.
“The over $13,000 in scholarships awarded to 16 deserving students by the Kapa‘a High School Foundation and various endowments helps these students with the many costs associated with post-secondary education,” Cox said. “I am very grateful for all that the Foundation and its donors do for our school community each and every year. The Foundation continues to be an important contributor to student success here at Kapaa High.”
Kyler Arruda-Sukehira, La’akea Gonsalves, Kirra Lindman, Tu Nguyen and Maeha Piturachsatit each received the $1,000 Kapa’a High School Foundation Scholarship.
Tessa Jensen, Kaila Pia, Angeline Roslin, Kasiah Vercelli, Kian (Lai) Viernes and Chloe Zumwalt each received the $500 Kapa’a High School Foundation Partial Scholarship.
The Daniel S. Hamada Endowment Scholarship went to Aljon Glovasa, Ha’ena Makanani Medeiros, Jo’lette Miner-Ho who received $1000 each.
As the recipient of the Mr. &Mrs. Fernandez Scholarship Shaelyn Tavares received $2,000.
Samuel Keopuhiwa received $500 as a recipient of the Mr. and Mrs. Valenciano Scholarship.
Aljon Glovasa will be attending Kaua‘i Community College this Fall, and he wrote about his upbringing and struggles he faced.
“These challenges (coming from a single-parent family) gave me good character traits to make something of myself,” Glovasa said in an email. “Even though my mom did work hard for me to go to college, our family does not have enough money to pay for full tuition.
“The Daniel S. Hamada Endowment Scholarship will help me bridge the gap and will help me achieve my goals of acquiring a college education while developing my career as a health professional so I can continue to give back to my community,” Glovasa continued.
Kalia Pia will be attending the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. She plans to complete her four-year college degree in Education and explains why she chose that profession.
“I plan to become a Special needs teacher,” Pia said. “There is a huge need for teachers in the Special Education Department, especially in the State of Hawai‘i.”
To see all of the KHSF Scholarship recipients check their bio at https://bit.ly/3hYuj6e
And the Hamada Scholarship recipients’ bio at https://bit.ly/3kLEX2a
