KAPA‘A — One student from each of Kaua‘i’s three public high schools aspiring for a career in the healthcare field were helped by the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Tuesday.
The students and their parents were treated to a luncheon by the Auxiliary where they were each presented a $500 scholarship for their academic excellence at their respective high school and the volunteer work they perform in pursuit of a career in healthcare.
Two of the students, Maegan Pablo of Kapa‘a High School and Glenda Alayvilla of Waimea High School, plan on majoring in nursing, starting this fall at the Kaua‘i Community College.
The third student, Kendra Kawamura of Kaua‘i High School, will be attending Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., majoring in pre-physical therapy.
Kendra is the daughter of Laura Kawamura and is a member of the Kaua‘i High School Health Occupations Academy. Additionally, she participated in the school’s National Honor Society, the Leo Club, the Key Club, and is a member of the school’s student government. She also ran for the school’s cross country program and is a member of the track team which earned the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation championship in that sport for both the boys and girls teams last week.
Maegan leaves Kapa‘a High School with a bang after being named to the KIF All Stars in soccer this season. The daughter of Jaime and Josie Pablo, Maegan played soccer for all four years she attended Kapa‘a, earning KIF honors in her freshman and senior years.
Glenda, the daughter of Glenn Alayvilla, was a tennis player for the Menehune program during her high school career and also participated in the school’s Better Relations Among Today’s Students program.
Betty Matsumura, president of the hospital’s auxiliary, was joined by the hospital’s assistant administrator and Clinical Operating Officer Karen Davis in wishing the students success in their aspirations while commending them for their work in high school.
Funds for the annual scholarships presented by the hospital auxiliary are generated through the auxiliary’s Thrift Shop located adjacent to the hospital’s auditorium.
In addition to producing scholarships, the thrift shop also provides funds for resident and patient needs.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
