LIHU‘E — Hope Newton, a graduate of Waimea High School, said she would be leaving for school on Thursday, Aug. 17, during a Grove Farm reception at Puakea Grill on Wednesday, Aug. 16.
“She’s pretty much packed,” said Ashley Newton, Hope’s mother. “But I’m still packing to make the trip with her. Her younger sister is not going because she needs to attend school.”
Hope Newton was one of three recipients of the Grove Farm Scholarships that received their awards before guests that included their respective school officials, Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent Daniel Hamada, Grove Farm Chairman and CEO Don Horner and Grove Farm Foundation’s Steve and Jean Case.
Hope was joined by Madison Doo, a graduate of Kapa‘a High School, and Haley Zina, a fellow Menehune graduate in receiving scholarships of $20,000 each.
The Grove Farm Scholarship program recognizes and supports students in their pursuit of higher education and professional goals, and the selected recipient is chosen after going through the process of evaluation by high school counselors and a panel of community leaders. The successful recipient embodies the values of leadership, academic excellence and community engagement.
Hope is heading for the University of Texas, Austin, following her acceptance into the school’s aerospace engineering program.
Her inspiration to pursue this field of study stems from her lifelong interest in astronomy and her involvement with robotics since elementary school. During her eighth grade, Hope attended Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, an experience that cemented her passion for space exploration.
She envisions making a positive impact in her chosen profession by becoming a role model for other girls aspiring to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
Doo, who according to Nikki Ige, Grove Farm’s Vice President of Lending, envisions coming back to teach for Principal Tommy John Cox after finishing her studies in Elementary Education at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.
Madison was inspired by her second grade teacher, who instilled a love for learning with her, and hopes to follow in her teacher’s footsteps and show students that education is not only essential, but can also be enjoyable.
“Despite the trials she has faced, Madison’s resilience and self-growth mindset have propelled her forward, enabling her to overcome the obstacles that have crowded her path,” Ige said. “We are confident that Madison’s unwavering dedication and zeal for education will shape the lives of countless students.”
Zina, who will be attending the Oregon Institute of Technology to pursue her studies in medical imaging technology, is already making steps in her big dreams and aspirations for making a positive impact in her chosen field of study. Zina was among the cohort of medical interns at the Hawai‘i Pacific Health Wilcox Health Center.
She was inspired by her grandfather, Dr. Nicholas Zina, who was an emergency room physician, and her mother, who is a registered nurse to enter the health care field. She envisions becoming an MRI technologist, or an interventional radiologist and return to Kaua‘i advocating for affordable health care.
Good day my name is inanga tambwe Ina and I am from the Drcongo Kinshasa I would like to be part of the grove farm. Do you guys accept also people from Africa to apply