WAIMEA — Nine graduating seniors from Waimea High School were recently honored at a luncheon with scholarships from the Waimea Alumni and Friends Foundation.
Recipients include Ron Jamus Acob, the son of Clair and Edward Calija who is looking to major in architecture at the Portland State University with the aid of his WAFF scholarship.
“He wants to design homes that are environmentally appropriate and meeting social needs,” said Blanche Suga, the WAFF vice president. “Coming from the Phillippines at age 8, Ron has faced personal and medical challenges, but throughout it all, has become an achiever, both academically and socially.”
Samantha Bostick is the daughter of JJ and Stephanie Bostick and receives the WAFF scholarship that will help her attend the Colorado State University in Fort Collins, majoring in Journalism and Communications.
Her leadership is demonstrated by her being the class president for four years at Waimea High School, the school’s JROTC Battalion Commander, the band president, and a member of both the school’s NHS and Student Council. She also was a member of the school’s cross country, swim, and track and field teams.
Kharyl V. Llapitan is the daughter of Edwardo and Alma Llapitan and earned the Guillermo and Ignacia-Estacio Scholarship.
Her plans include attending the Northern Arizona University where she aspires to become a Product Manager with a degree in Business Marketing.
Wendee Miguel, the daughter of Wendell and Darnell Miguel, earned the Jerry Nishihira Scholarship. She plans on attending the Chaminade University in Honolulu, majoring in biology. She aspires to become an optometrist.
“Brianne Sunada has a good work ethic,” Suga said. “She is compassionate and demonstrates perseverance and determination.”
Sunada, the daughter of Myra Sunada, earned the Mitsue Tokushige Takanishi Memorial Scholarship that will help her when she attends the Kauai Community College and the University of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in secondary education.
She volunteers at the Hongwanji churches and plays trumpet for the Waimea High School Band and the Kauai Youth/Honor Band.
Kalena Numazawa-Pacanas is the daughter of Cheri Numazawa and David Pacanas and received the George and Doris Crowell Memorial Scholarship. She plans on attending the Kauai Community College and the university of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in accounting.
“Despite many personal challenges, Kalena has a great ‘Can do!’ attitude, always giving 120 percent at anything she does,” Suga said.
Cade Tanaka, the son of Denisse Eguchi Ogata, earned the Kaoru &KKikuomi (Nakaue) Fujita Endowed Scholarship.
He aspires to become a commercial pilot and will attend the Central Washington University majoring in aviation.
“He would like to fly for Hawaiian Airlines, one day,” Suga said.
Leiko Yamauchi is the daughter of Ryan Yamauchi and Shandi Fu, earning the Daniel Suga Memorial Scholarship that will help her when she attends The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., majoring in environmental engineering.
While maintaining her academic excellence at Waimea High School, Yamauchi earned letters in soccer, volleyball, and softball. She was a Most Valuable Player in soccer, an all star in volleyball and soccer. Yamauchi has committed to playing volleyball for The Greenies.
Kiana Young is the daughter of Mary Barickman, Robin and Janoah Young, and is the recipient of a WAFF scholarship that will help her when she enters the Kauai Community College with an eye on studying graphic design.
“Kiana loves digital and visual arts,” Suga said. “She has excellent time management and organizational skills and leads with determination and compassion.”
As an employer on this island, one realizes that most of these kids are not really “graduates.” Not when I’m seeing job applicants with “diplomas” who can’t spell, can’t do simple math, and can’t follow simple instructions because they can’t read. We’re not educating our young people. We’re processing them.