KAPA‘A — The Rotary Club of Kapa‘a, on Tuesday, announced the awarding of $13,500 in scholarships that was shared among 15 students.
During the same announcement, the Rotary Club also spent $600 for Girl Scout Cookies to support this year’s Cookie Drive that was interrupted by the arrival of the Novel Coronavirus in Hawai‘i. The purchase amounted to 67 pounds of Girl Scout cookies that were donated to the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank.
“Following the COVID-19 shutdown, the Girl Scouts were left holding unsold cookies they usually sell in front of various businesses,” said Josie Cortez of the Rotary Club of Kapa‘a. “Angela Hoover, the Girl Scout Kaua‘i programs director, contacted the club, informing us of the situation they were faced with. The Rotary Club of Kapa‘a purchased 67 pounds of cookies and donated them to the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank. This was an easy decision to make — the Girl Scouts get the cookies sold, and the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank gets a treat of cookies to include in their food distributions.”
Kasiah Vercelli, the daughter of Janson and Katherine Vercelli, topped the scholarship recipients with the award of $5,000 Hawaiian Rotary Youth Foundation scholarship. The graduate of Kapa‘a High School plans to attend Agnes Scott College near Atlanta, Georgia with plans to major in international relations or political science with a minor in religion.
Maeha Piturachsatit, the daughter of Raehanne Piturachsatit, earned a $1,000 scholarship that she plans to use while attending Point Loma Nazarene University to study nursing with the eventual hope of becoming a midwife. The Kapa‘a High School graduate was a three-year member of the school’s Interact Club, and a member of the National Honor Society.
Madeline Hoesel, the daughter of Christopher and Melissa Hoesel, earned a $1,000 scholarship that will be helpful when she attends Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts for her pre-med studies leading to medical school towards becoming an OB-GYN. She was a four-year Kapa‘a Swim Team member and a co-founder of Lunch Buddies at Kapa‘a High School during her junior year.
Kian Lai Viernes, the son of Danilo and Kathleen Viernes, is also a graduate of Kapa‘a High School, and the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship to attend the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa where he plans to study engineering. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the school’s Key Club in addition to participating in Junior Varsity and Varsity soccer and tennis.
Kyler Arruda-Sukehira, the son of Melinda Sukehira, is a Kapa‘a High School graduate and the recipient of a $500 scholarship to attend the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa where he is planning to study pre-med and eventually become a doctor in Hawai‘i.
Aljon Glovasa, the son of Jocelyn Glovasa, will be attending the Kaua‘i Community College following his graduation from Kapa‘a High School. He earned a $500 scholarship with plans of studying journalism following his transfer to a four-year college.
Tessa Jensen, the daughter of Jess Mark Jensen and Beth Jenson, earned a $500 scholarship to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The graduate of Kapa‘a High School plans on studying nursing, specializing in maternity care.
Derek Soong, the son of Michael and Liana Soong of Kapa‘a, graduated Kamehameha Schools and earned a $500 scholarship to attend New York University in New York City, NY where he plans to study multiculturalism and sustainability to benefit the Hawaiian community.
Jayden Kapali is also a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and was awarded a $500 scholarship to attend the University of Hawai‘i-Hilo.
Raiden Kurisu, the son of Daniel and Peira Kurisu, graduated Kapa‘a High School and earned a $500 scholarship that will help when he studies biomechanical engineering, specializing in prosthetics at the Oregon State University.
Kya Dorati, a graduate of Kapa‘a High School, was awarded a $500 Continuing Education Grant to attend the Kaua‘i Community College where she plans to study accounting and business management.
Darius Foster, another Kapa‘a High School graduate, also was awarded a $500 Continuing Education Grant to attend the Kaua‘i Community College where he plans to study animation.
Chris Angelo Pangdon and Christian Core, both alumni of Kapa‘a High School, were each awarded $500 Continuing Education Grant to attend the Kaua‘i Community College where Pangdon is interested in digital photography, and Core is intending to start his educational journey in liberal arts.
Elizabeth Aguirre, the daughter of Rosa Aguirre, is in the Nursing program at the Kaua‘i Community College. She also was awarded a $500 Continuing Education Grant.
The Rotary Club of Kapa‘a meets on Wednesdays, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Mariachi’s Restaurant in downtown Kapa‘a. The exception is on the final Wednesday of each month which is Pau Hana. Currently, because of the COVID-19, the club hosts zoom meetings.
