LIHU‘E — The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Scholarship Foundation distributed $15,500 to five recipients — Elise Yukimura, Cadee Parubrub, Emi Sakamoto, Skylar Stewart and Kaytin Taba — during a special dinner gathering at Pua Kea Grill on Wednesday.
“The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i, from the early beginning of time, always believed that one of the ways to advance the status of women was to enhance their quest for higher education,” said MaBel Fujiuchi, the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i scholarship chair.
“To quote from Zonta International, ‘it has been proven time and again that when a girl has the opportunity to continue her education, she is at a lower risk for human trafficking, gender-based violence, child marriage, and poverty, and is empowered to make her own choices for her life.’”
The scholarship recipients, all graduates of Kaua‘i high schools, outlined their future paths, inspired by a former Zonta scholarship recipient Trachelle Iwamoto, who is currently at the Chaminade University with a criminal justice major. She was inspired by her father who is with the Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center.
Elise Yukimura is heading to the University of San Francisco with the intent of becoming a botanist. Kaytin Taba is heading for Hope College in Michigan with a goal of becoming a physician’s assistant.
Kadee Parubrub has been accepted to the University of Arizona, where she aspires to earn a nursing degree. Emi Sakamoto will be attending the University of Tulsa to obtain her nursing degree.
Skylar Stewart is also looking at a medical career starting with her tour at Colorado State as the first stop to eventually attend medical school to become a radiologist.
The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Scholarship Program started in 1986 when the club awarded $250 to four graduating high school seniors attending Kaua‘i high schools.
“Tonight, about 38 years later and about $238,000 in scholarships distributed, we are awarding a total of $15,500 in scholarships,” Fujiuchi said.
The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Scholarship Foundation would like to thank the County of Kaua‘i and Macy’s for their grants to support this effort.
The Scholarship Program is also grateful for the contributions from businesses and private individuals, including Blue Dolphin Charters, the Rice Street Business Association, Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Salt, artist Patrice Pendarvis, Lisa and Jeri Arin, Marge Akana, John and Fay Hanaoka, Curtis and Faith Shiramizu and Malia Kai Boutique owners Maryann Ornellas and Jamie Kai.
Zonta Club of Kaua‘i members also raised funds through community fundraisers, including various holiday auctions hosted the Red Carpet Fundraiser with the Kaua‘i Community Players.
