High school paddlers can win scholarships
High school paddlers can win scholarships
The Keauhou Canoe Club is offering two $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors from West Hawaii high schools who are or have been members of a high school paddling team or community club-level paddling organization within the last 18 months.
An academic scholarship is available for a 2013 graduate with a grade point average of 2.9 or higher. Transcripts are required for verification.
The second scholarship is the Mike Haines Memorial Merit Scholarship, awarded to a graduating senior who has contributed to a paddling club or the community at large through leadership, volunteerism and service.
Applicants may apply for one scholarship only; the deadline is March 15.
Applications are available through counselors’ offices or paddling coaches at local high schools. For more information, contact Sue Costa at scosta10@hawaii.rr.com.
Mainland student seeks information on Hawaii
West Hawaii Today regularly receives inquiries and requests from elementary school children from other states seeking information about Hawaii, soliciting postcards, maps and other information for a school project. Typically their requests are about land forms, landmarks and famous people.
Should you be interested in sending such information, it may be forwarded to: Steve Smith, Conway School, Ms. del Bosque’s Class, 19710 SR 534, Mount Vernon, WA 98274.
Parker students
named NMS finalists
Parker School seniors Paul Gregg and Aidan Wharton have advanced as finalists for a National Merit Scholarship Award.
In September, Gregg and Wharton were named two of approximately 16,000 semi-finalists out of the 50,000 highest scorers of approximately 1.5 million high school students who took the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test. Now they have advanced to a group of about 15,000 finalists.
The 8,300 National Merit Scholarship Award winners will be notified in March.
Parker’s Kieran Najita was a Merit Scholarship Award winner in 2012; six of 10 Big Island finalists in the past three years were Parker students.
Sims named National Merit Scholar finalist
Hawaii Preparatory Academy senior Zoe Sims has been named a finalist in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Sims will continue in the competition for 8,300 National Merit Scholarships offered in 2013. Sims also has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction, an honor granted to students who score an average of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more exams.
Sims, the daughter of Neil and Kathryn Sims of Kailua-Kona, is an active member of the HPA community. She is student body president and served as student council representative for two years.
She also serves on the school’s honor council and has written for Ma Ke Kula, the school magazine, and North Hawaii News.
National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced between April and July.
UH-Hilo alumni group offers scholarships
Applications are being accepted for the University of Hawaii at Hilo Alumni and Friends Association scholarship. The $1,500 scholarship, to be applied toward tuition, is intended for those pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree program at UH-Hilo. The deadline to apply is March 1.
The number of awards will be determined by the selection committee based upon availability of funds. An undergraduate applicant must be an immediate family member of a graduate of UH-Hilo. Graduate applicants must have received their baccalaureate degree from UH-Hilo.
Since 2004, the association has supported UH-Hilo students with alumni scholarships. To date, 25 students have received the award. The Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards Banquet and the Alumni Scholarship Golf Tournament fund these scholarships.
For scholarship criteria and application procedures, visit hilo.hawaii.edu/alumni/scholarship-criteria.php or call 974-7501 or 974-7643.
Students, teachers invited to write essay
Auto Body Hawaii is accepting entries from West Hawaii senior high school students and teachers for its annual essay contest.
A graduating senior with the winning essay will receive $500. The winning teacher essayist will receive $500, as well as a gift certificate for a super wash detailing service.
Essays must respond to the following theme: Among many is a growing sentiment that post-secondary education may not be an option for a number of graduating high school students. A worrying report indicates approximately 62 percent of West Hawaii’s graduates did not pursue further education; some may have had prior obligations, some may have not have been able to bear the cost, while others simply had no interest. What opportunities do you think can be created for graduating students who are not pursuing further education and decide to remain here in West Hawaii?
Entry deadline is April 19. For a list of participating schools and rules, visit autobodyhawaii.com. Call Tiffiny Taylor at 329-2544 or email essay@autobodyhawaii.com for more information.
HPA presents Banana Slug String Band
Hawaii Preparatory Academy presents children’s “eco-music” group the Banana Slug String Band in concert at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Gates Performing Arts Center in Waimea.
The free concert is the second in a series of Ohana Sustainability events presented by HPA.
The Banana Slug String Band is a group of musicians and educators from Northern California who helped pioneer the art of children’s “edu-tainment.” The Slugs are “Airy” Larry Graff, Doug “Dirt” Greenfield, “Solar” Steve Van Zandt and “Marine” Mark Nolan.
With songs such as “Dirt Made My Lunch,” the group is a favorite of kids of all ages.
The band’s music ranges from boogies to ballads; folk songs to reggae and rap. Shows include wild-and-wacky costumes, audience participation and puppets that entertain and educate audiences about caring for the Earth.
HPA’s Ohana Sustainability events are funded by the Will J. Reid Foundation and the Richard Smart Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation. The next event at HPA is an Earth Day celebration and science symposium slated April 20.
For more information, contact Koh Ming Wei at 443-9231 or email mwkoh@hpa.edu.