NAWILIWILI — For James Odan and Marc Inouye, representing the Hawai‘i Public Schools Foundation, Friday was special for several reasons during the General Shinseki 2024 Scholarship Luncheon at Duke’s Restaurant at Kalapaki Beach.
Odan, an alumnus of Kaua‘i High School, and Inouye, an alumnus of Kapa‘a High School, represented the Hawai‘i Public Schools Foundation in awarding $1,000 scholarships to a graduating senior from Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i and Waimea high schools.
The scholarship recipients were Martian G. Binonwangan Jr. of Kapa‘a High School, Priscilla Matthews of Kaua‘i High School and Aveda V. Maligro of Waimea High School.
“The people at the Hawai‘i Public Schools Foundation reviewed the students’ applications and biographies,” said Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent Daniel Hamada. “They were impressed with the wide range of studies the students will be pursuing after graduation — everything from engineering, health care and international relations.”
Binonwangan is the son of Martian and Caroline Binonwangan, and will be pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering.
Maligro, the daughter of Kyle and Kristin Maligro, will be pursuing a nursing degree. And Priscilla, who was represented by her parents Janet Spybrook and Daniel Matthews, the local coordinators of the science fair, will be looking at international relations.
“Priscilla really wanted to be here,” Spybrook said. “I brought her picture along.”
Hamada also acknowledge Tommy John Cox, the principal of Kapa‘a High School, who accompanied Martian Jr. and his parents to the luncheon.
“Mr. Cox was named Principal of the Year during the recent fundraising dinner by the Hawai‘i Public Schools Foundation,” Hamada said. “He is the recipient of the $25,000 18th Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award.”
The award underwritten by the Island Insurance Foundation honors the late Masayuki Tokioka, the founder of Island Insurance Company and a graduate of Hawai‘i public schools.
“One thing I always do is to make myself visible in the community,” said Cox in a news release about the awarding of the Excellence in School Leadership at an O‘ahu event.
“I want my community to know that I am here to serve and support them, and our students. I want them to know that they can call me anytime, or stop by my office at any time, and I will work with them. I just don’t want my community to see me as the principal of their high school; I want them to see me as a friend, a colleague, and a person will not stop working to do whatever is best for our students.”
The scholarships presented to the high school students honor retired Gen. Eric Shinseki who is an alumnus of Kaua‘i High School. The fund is administered by the Hawai‘i Public Schools Foundation.
