PUHI — The Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation presented $1,000 scholarships to seven recipients Sunday during a special luncheon for recipients and their families at the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center, adjacent to Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.
“Our Scholarship Committee’s goal is to provide financial assistance to those who meet all the criteria — academically, financially, and also demonstrating outstanding community service,” said Scholarship Committee Co-Chair Rose Ramos-Benzel.
“We are continuing to see an increase in the number of applicants who strive to be the first college graduate in their family. For these students, financial aid is a must, and earning scholarships allows them to make their dreams a reality.”
Seven graduating seniors from Kaua‘i high schools — five from Kaua‘i High and one each from Waimea High and Island School — each received $1,000 scholarships.
“This marks the first time in two years that we are able to host an in-person presentation of our scholarship recipients,” said Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce President Cyndi Ayonon.
“We are delighted to be here at the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center. For the past two years of the pandemic, we continued to award scholarships. However, we were not able to have our annual Labor Day golf tournament that is the major fundraising event for the scholarships. Instead, we were able to fundraise through selling plate-lunch tickets so we would be able to continue to provide our high school students with scholarshps.”
Kyrie Linoz is graduating from Waimea High with plans of attending the University of Oregon to pursue a business administration degree with a concentration in marketing.
Cody Manibog is a multi-sport athlete graduating from Island School. He will be attending the Arizona State University to study professional flight.
Aron Taguiam, graduating from Kaua‘i High, has been accepted by Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business.
Kaua‘i High graduate Kiele Casillas will be attending Grand Canyon University in Arizona to major in kinesiology.
Abigail Miyasato is also heading to Grand Canyon University with plans to major in business marketing and entrepreneurship.
Emmy Telles, with her graduation from Kaua‘i High, is also heading to the Grand Canyon University to major in biology/pre-pharmacy.
Joshua Guarin, another Red Raider graduating senior, has selected Seattle Pacific University for his degree in the health field.
These recipients represent the top of the 11 applications the Scholarship Committee received for this year’s scholarships, Ramos-Benzel said.
“Historically, the Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation has provided scholarships for more than 19 years,” Ramos-Benzel said. “We have awarded more than $160,000 to date to Kaua‘i students of Filipino ancestry.”
Ayonon announced the Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce will resume its annual Labor Day Golf Tournament, at Wailua Golf Course on Sept. 5.
“We will be soliciting for silent auction prizes if you would like to assist in our major fundraising that goes towards our annual scholarship program,” Ayonon said. “Past board members Marynel Valenzuela has agreed to help spearhead the silent auction, and helping with the golf tournament will be chamber Past President Eddie Topenio and Tito Villanueva,” she said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
