The Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital Auxiliary presented $500 awards to three students during a recent luncheon. Kirstie Pascual of Kapa‘a High School, Katherine Mclaughlin of Waimea High School and Jamiely Ann Catbagan of Kaua‘i High School were the recipients of
The Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital Auxiliary presented $500 awards to three students during a recent luncheon.
Kirstie Pascual of Kapa‘a High School, Katherine Mclaughlin of Waimea High School and Jamiely Ann Catbagan of Kaua‘i High School were the recipients of the awards, states a release from Mahelona Hospital.
Pascual, the daughter of Thom and Rina Pascual, will be attending the University of Hawai‘i where she plans on majoring in nursing.
For her senior project about nutrition, she completed service hours at the Mahelona Hospital under the mentorship of Colleen McCracken, the SMMH dietitian.
Pascual is the president of the Health Occupation Students of America, the Kapa‘a Student Body first vice president, and a member of the National Honor Society with a grade point average of 3.8.
Mclaughlin, the daughter of Bill and Marlene Mclaughlin, is heading to the University of Portland where she will major in nursing.
Accompanied to the luncheon by her aunt, Felina Garduque, Mclaughlin is a valedictorian with a GPA of 4.135. As a Jr. ROTC captain, she will receive a full four-year scholarship from the University of Portland.
Catbagan is the daughter of Maximo and Edna Catbagan and will be attending the Kapiolani Community College with a major in nursing.
Currently a dancer at the Smith’s Tropical Gardens luau, Catbagan carries a GPA of 3.9 and was accompanied to the luncheon by her mother and grandmother, Melba Ubongen. Both ladies work at the Mahelona Hospital’s long-term care unit.
Criteria for the awards include an interest in earning a degree in healthcare, academic excellence and a record of volunteer work.
“The Auxiliary wants to support and encourage students going into the medical field,” said Betty Matsumura, president of the Mahelona Auxiliary.
Funds for the scholarship are derived from sales at the hospital’s thrift shop that is open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The thrift shop is staffed by Mahelona Auxiliary volunteers and a portion of proceeds from the shop sales also support the hospital’s long-term care resident activities as well as provide Christmas gifts for residents and patients each year.
