LIHUE — Last week, the Kapa‘a High School Foundation held a physically distanced scholarship presentation giving out a total of $21,000.
The KHS Foundation gave out 20 scholarships of $1,000 each and two scholarships of $500.
Scholarship recipient and 2021 graduate Taylor Chang will be heading to Utah Valley University this fall.
“Receiving this scholarship will support me as I further my education by getting me one step closer to reaching my career goal of becoming a pediatrician,” Chang said. “I am so grateful to have been chosen as a recipient for the Shinichi &Yasuko (Dobashi) Mukai scholarship. I am thankful for the individuals that make this opportunity possible. My heart is full.”
Parents Cindy and Curran Chang said this scholarship plays an important role to Taylor as she continues her education and strives to be the best she can be.
“The Shinichi &Yasuko (Dobashi) Mukai scholarship means a lot to both us and Taylor as she is the first in the family to attend a university,” Cindy and Curran Chang said. “We know she will do great things. We are so appreciative for the opportunities and support she has been given.”
Jeran Paleka, another scholarship recipient, will be heading to Southern Virginia University this August and he gives praise to the man above.
“He gives us hope when hope is gone,” Paleka said. “He gives us strength when we can’t go on. He gives us shelter in the storms of life. When there is no peace on earth there is peace in Christ.”
Jeran Paleka’s parent Calvin Paleka was grateful for the financial opportunity given to his son.
“We are thankful for the KHS Foundation for giving him the first recipient of the Janice Bond Scholarship and will help him as he wants to major in Education,” Calvin Paleka said. “He will be a third-generation teacher. He comes from a family of teachers.”
KHSF member Carolyn Morinishi shows her gratitude to those that made things happen.
“Thank you to our many generous scholarship donors for making this a record-setting scholarship year,” Morinishi said. “Thank you also to principal Tommy John Cox and his staff for setting up physically-distanced pods so the students and parents could attend, and to the Foundation board for its organization of the scholarship program, certificates, and leis and for the Bentos given to all students and parents.”
Michelle Domingcil, KHSF’s scholarship committee chair, said this program recognizes the talents and gifting of these dedicated students and their hard work by rewarding them with monies to help further their education.
“The selfless generosity of caring donors in the community has made it possible for these students to further their education, pursue their hopes and dreams and bring that back to help make a difference in the world today,” Domingcil said. “We extend our sincere congratulations to all of the 2021 graduates and wish the very best to them.”
The Kapa’a High School Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 1995 by alumni of Kapa’a High School. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance and enrich learning opportunities by providing financial support to students and school programs that foster excellence in academics and extracurricular activities.
Cox said the scholarships awarded helps these students with the many costs associated with post-secondary education.
“I am very grateful for all that the Foundation and its donors do for our school community each and every year,” Cox said. “The Foundation continues to be an important contributor to student success here at Kapa‘a High.”
